From Nervous Beginner to 10-Year CrossFitter: Pat’s Journey of Growth

My CrossFit journey began nearly ten years ago – October 2015. After decades of running, I felt something shift. I wasn’t just looking for another workout; I was searching for growth. Something new. Something that would stretch me – mind, body, and spirit.

I answered an ad for a beginner CrossFit class, having no idea what I was getting into. The “interview” was in a tiny garage off a dark alley in North Denver. Not exactly your typical gym. Brooke and Jen were sitting on these giant rubber balls – I had no clue what they were. But something about their presence told me I was in the right place.

I committed to the six-week class. And by the end? I was hooked.

I’ve always been a morning person – 6:30am is my sweet spot. In those early years, I’d hit the 6:30 class, then head straight to work. I’m not someone who thrives in big crowds, so those smaller classes were exactly what I needed. Still, I won’t lie – those first few months came with anxiety. But I showed up anyway. And over time, that anxiety faded.

Ten years later, it’s gone.

Do I still struggle with big events or unfamiliar class times? Sure. But progress is progress.

What’s impacted me most over the years hasn’t been the workouts themselves – it’s the environment. I can get fit anywhere. But the energy at Train Denver is different. Brooke and her team bring more than programming – they bring integrity, heart, and a belief in their athletes that is truly rare.

Even now, I don’t work near the gym and I live almost an hour away. But I still make the drive. Because this place matters.

I saw this quote recently, and it stopped me in my tracks: “Surround yourself with people that push you to be better. No drama, no jealousy, no mess. Just higher goals, good vibes, and positive energy.”

That’s it. That’s my why.

Because we rise by choosing the environments that lift us – and showing up for them again and again.