Community

com·mu·ni·ty  

1. people in area: a group of people who live in the same area, or the area in which they live
2. people with common background: a group of people with a common background or with shared interests within society
3. nations with common history: a group of nations with a common history or common economic or political interests

When I think of the people at CrossFit Indestri (CFI), I think "community".  As defined above, #2 is exactly what it is.  Not necessarily people with a common background as we all have led very different lives and come from very different backgrounds.  But we are a group of people with a shared interest.  We all have a love/hate relationship with CrossFit LOL.

But seriously, it's very hard not to grow close to a group of people that you've completed a WOD with.  We cheer each other on, give encouragement to help keep them going, and give them a high five or props at the end of the workout.  We smile, we laugh, we sweat, and well, sometimes, we cry together.

Community is one of the top reasons I am still at CrossFit.  As much as I have learned that I love to lift heavy things, the people bring me back day after day.  Whether it's a "Hey Mighty Mouse" from coach Tyson in the morning or some "ribbing" from some of the members about whether we're ready for today's workout or not.  I don't think I could ever leave this type of environment.

Photo by Jennifer Nichol

This couldn't have been more true when I, unfortunately, had to take a total of 6 weeks off from CrossFit.  Between Pool School, a vacation, and some medical issues, it was the longest time away from these people that I've had in the past year.  And when I was going through my personal troubles, the only place I wanted to be was at CFI.  Kind of a Cheers effect.  You know "where everybody knows your name"...

While I was off, I received messages on Facebook.  "Miss you", "When are you coming back?"  "Quit slacking and get your butt in here!"  (My favourite).  Just made me miss CFI more.  So the first day I went back, I was a little emotional but boy, was I happy to see everyone.  Got some great hugs and "welcome back".

Another great testament to this community, well now more like a family, is how people stepped forward to help Chris achieve his goal at MetCon.  They were either there to watch him or there to help him.  Truly amazing!

So, if you're looking for a place where you can get fit and feel a part of a "community" like ours, then check out your local CrossFit box.  Ask the members.  I bet they say the same thing.

"Where everybody knows your name,

And they're always glad you came;

You want to go where people know,

People are all the same;

You want to go where everybody knows your name."

Where Everybody Knows Your Name by Gary Portnoy and Judy Hart Angelo

source: http://www.lyricsondemand.com/tvthemes/cheerslyrics.html

Stouty: The Man, The Myth, The Legend!

Here are some words I would use to describe my cousin, Chris Stoutenburg:  strong, funny, crazy, stubborn, hard-working, dedicated, determined, motivational, inspirational, a hero...

 Parker, Chris and I at last year's Run for the Cure

Chris, AKA Stouty, has conquered everything that has been thrown at him.  Just before heading to Guelph University to play football, he tragically fell from a balcony and was paralysed, what would be seen by most as a devastating blow to this athlete.  But not for Stouty, Stouty took this new challenge and found a new way to compete, Wheelchair Basketball.

For those that don't know Stouty, he owns a lot bling!  2 Paralympic Gold Medals, 1 Silver Paralympic Medal, and well, about 20 more medals but I won't list them all.  They're all listed on the WheelChair Basketball Canada site.  Here's the link.

We've always been very proud of all his accomplishments.  So when he decided to retire, we knew it wouldn't be for long.  He'd find something, he always does :)

Next challenge came about from my conversations with him about my CrossFit experience.  Stouty decided it sounded right for him and away he went to CrossFit Indestri to meet with the coaches.  This was the beginning of a whole new journey.  Since joining CrossFit, not only has he seen major strength changes but he's accomplishing things doctors said he never would.  That alone is an amazing feat.

But this is Stouty, he's not going to leave it there...  Last year he competed in the Wasaga Beach Duathlon just a couple of months after joining CrossFit.  This year, Chris competed in the CrossFit Open.  Submitting videos of his workouts for the big people at CrossFit to see what this guy in a wheelchair can do.  To say they were amazed would be an understatement.  Big names in CrossFit were tweeting him, retweeting his videos, sending messages stating how inspirational.  He got invited down to a seminar to work with a very well known person in the CF world, Carl Paoli.  I was totally jealous LOL.  May just have a CrossFit crush on that Paoli.  Chris was featured on one of the CrossFit video updates.

But the Open was just the beginning of what Stouty planned on accomplishing this year.  Chris was determined to "conquer the mountain" by entering in the 2013 MetCon Blue Adventure Race at Blue Mountain.  Having done this race twice last year, I know the challenges those obstacles can bring.  But it wasn't just the obstacles I was trying to figure out, how the heck was he going to get up that hill.

Well, Saturday morning Stouty strapped himself into his off-roading chair and with his "Band of Brothers", they took on MetCon and they didn't back down.  With help from his friends and coaches, Chris conquered that mountain and every obstacle MetCon Blue had to throw at him.  They climbed walls, swam through muck, climbed cargo nets, tackled monkey bars, jumped fire, and took on the half pipe.

This is a picture of Team Stouty coming out of the wooded trail and heading down to the monkey bars AKA the Rockstar Plunge (I'm sure there's a few other choice names for it :) )  Team Stouty consisted of my boyfriend Parker, Scott Nichol, Chuck Mesley, Marc Amormino, Mark Arnold, Bill Pain, and, of course, the man himself, Stouty!  A truly amazing group of men!

I got a chance to watch Chris on the last obstacle, the half pipe ramp.  The crowd was going crazy!  Emotions were running wild for friends and family that watched this amazing human being tackle this course and come out stronger than ever.  Every time I watch the video, my eyes well up with pride.  I've posted a video below that my friend, Jen Nichol has provided on Facebook.  I'll be sure to post the video of their trek once it's complete as there were about 3 or 4 people with cameras following them on the course.


Chris has been the person that I look to for inspiration and, at the rate he's going with all these accomplishments, there is no doubt in my mind that won't change!

Stay tuned for Stouty's next challenge.  Not sure what it'll be yet but I hear there's talk of a Tough Mudder...

I'm BACK!!

Well, it's been over a month apparently since my last post!  WOW.  A lot has happened in my life and I apologize for those who look forward to my posts (if any LOL).

Anyway, I'm not going to get into any details throughout my blog at this time but trust me when I say, life dealt me another doozie.  Right before I headed off to pool school, life slapped me upside the head. BUT as always, I'm still here and I'm coming back strong.

I took my first vacation out of the country in almost 15 years last month.  My daughter and I headed off to Disney.  That will be in an upcoming post.

Tonight is just to say, "hey, I haven't forgotten about you.  Don't forget about me" and..

Stay tuned...