Member Spotlight: Kathy R.

Celebrating Kathy R in our Member Spotlight: A true inspiration in fitness and dedication.

Last year, for my 60th birthday, I booked a bucket-list trip: heli-hiking in the Canadian Rockies. After signing a series of liability waivers (and agreeing to pay for any medevac services!), I figured a medical check-up was a good idea. After putting me through all the expected tests, my doctor delivered his professional assessment: "You're bad for business." He seemed genuinely disappointed that there were no pills to prescribe, no follow-up visits to schedule. I just smiled, shrugged, and said, CrossFit."

This wasn't always my story. While I ran long distance in high school, the next 20 years were dedicated to partying, first in college, then with my Wall Street colleagues throughout the 80s and 90s. Our "work hard, play hard" lifestyle was fun - until it wasn't. By my mid-thirties, I knew I needed to make some serious changes. I picked up Bill Phillips' Body for Life book, got a treadmill, and borrowed a bench and some weights. stuck to his bodybuilding nutrition and exercise routines and soon began to see results. I loved the feeling of lifting, but cardio was a struggle. It was hard to believe that this former long distance runner couldn't jog for more than a minute at a time! I mostly walked those early treadmill workouts, but challenged myself to improve each week. By the end of the 12-week cycle, I could run for 20 minutes. That was 25 years ago, and I haven't stopped since. The pace picked up in my 50s, as I dove into ultra-distance cycling, trail running, and ultramarathoning. For cross training, I attended bootcamp classes, where I met Ro, my CrossFit201 workout buddy.

In 2021, Ro mentioned she joined CrossFit201. I attended a class and was immediately hooked by the environment. The coaches are incredibly supportive and encouraging, and I'm always in awe of how hard the athletes work while still having a blast. I love the music, from Kayla's 90s mixes to Alex's heavy metal favorites. I love setting goals, tracking my progress, and planning my weekly workouts, which also include running, kickboxing, and hiking. And, of course, I love hitting those occasional PRs. Most of all, I'm grateful when I wake up feeling the soreness from the day before - it beats the aches and pains my contemporaries complain about. And I definitely enjoy the looks I get at places like Home Depot, heaving 40-pound bags of water softener pellets into my cart! As a wellness author, educator, and coach, I believe the purpose of being well is so you can do the things that light you up with the people you love. I'm also convinced that everyone should incorporate some form of functional training as they age. There are athletes continuing well into their 80s and 90s, and that's exactly what I intend to do. As the 6:40 class's favorite metal anthem goes: "No Surrender!" For me, CrossFit is the best medicine of all.

Kathy shows up. No excuses. Whether it's a tough metcon or a heavy lifting day, she tackles every workout with grit, focus, and a smile that says, "Bring it on." A proud CrossFit 201 member, Kathy's progress is a testament to what dedication and hard work can achieve. Her results speak volumes, from hitting PRs to cheering on her fellow members, Kathy embodies what this community is all about: consistency, commitment, and heart.