Marjolijn

“Getting stronger” was what I wrote as my goal on the new athlete form back in January ‘14. I came into the on-ramp class without really knowing what it was like to work out hard and I couldn’t even do a single push-up. Therefore, getting stronger seemed like the most obvious goal to write down but the real reason I started CrossFit was because I wanted to get outside of my comfort zone and do something I never thought I would do. I rarely worked out during the years leading up to it because I thought I didn’t need to. I was always skinny and felt healthy (besides on many weekend mornings when I was recovering from drinking the night before). However, I have never felt healthier in my life than I do now.

CrossFit has really changed me both physically and mentally and I am thankful every day that I joined Paradiso. It’s been incredible to see my strength gains week after week. I got my first strict pull-up exactly 3.5 months after joining and only a week after, I could do two in a row. I have also been able to do some of the workouts as prescribed, which is something that seemed like a year away when I first started! Besides my strength gains, I also feel more confident in daily life. I handle challenges at work better and feel more relaxed, happy and energetic.

What made me grow so quickly in CrossFit is having the best coaches I could ask for. The Paradiso staff are incredibly attentive and very good at providing training and support. I also started going to group class very regularly as it became the most fun part of my day. The workouts themselves are really hard but once you are done, you are stronger, feel great and that feeling is shared with everyone else in the room. It’s addicting and I love it!