When I meet new members at the gym, one of the first questions I ask is, “How did you get started with your fitness journey?” For some, it’s CrossFit, for others, something else entirely. I’m always curious to hear what inspired people to begin their fitness journeys, so I thought, why not share my own?
My CrossFit journey began in June 2018. I was looking for a new gym, tired of the typical "bro-style" resistance training—throwing dumbbells around with no real purpose. At the time, my eldest son (my only son back then) was six months old. I was trying to entertain him in our small, two-bedroom townhouse, trotting around the living room pretending to be a horse. Parents will understand how exhausting it can be to keep a little one entertained!
To give you some background, I grew up playing sports like squash, tennis, and football (or "soccer," for some). In my late teens and early twenties, I was very fit; people even joked they didn’t like playing squash with me because I wouldn’t stop running. Fast forward to 2018, though, and I could barely start running, let alone sustain a high-intensity squash game. That was my wake-up call—I realised I needed to get fit again. I wanted to be active for my kids, with dreams of playing sports with my son, just as I did with my dad.
My wife suggested I check out a CrossFit gym in Milton, Brisbane, called Ultra CrossFit. They got back to me within ten minutes, inviting me to a free community class. Until then, I’d never done CrossFit and hadn’t even seriously considered it. I’d watched my wife follow the CrossFit Games each year, and I remember seeing the European regionals while we were on a trip to Iceland, thinking, “What on earth are these people doing? This looks wild and a little dangerous!”
Then, I found myself doing a CrossFit workout, a free Community class which took place every Saturday morning at 9am.
The premise of the Community class at the time was that it was slightly less difficult than a regular CrossFit class (no complex gymnastics or olympic weightlifting - perfect for somebody with no experience, like me!)
By the end, I was completely exhausted—and hooked. I couldn’t believe how challenging it was! I had DOMS that same day - nothing "delayed" about it!
I went back the next week, and then the next, gradually increasing my commitment until I was training on an unlimited package.
As I continued pushing myself beyond limits I didn’t know I had, I realized how much CrossFit suited me. The variety and challenge kept me engaged, and even now, six and a half years later, I’m still loving my training—probably more than ever, despite a few injuries along the way. I have no plans to slow down, reduce my training, or change my style, because for me, CrossFit is the best way to stay fit, healthy, strong, and resilient.
I genuinely believe that CrossFit can work for anyone. It may not be for everyone, but anyone can do it with the right mindset and approach.
That’s my origin story! I’d love to hear yours—what got you into CrossFit, or how has your journey been? Feel free to reach out and share.
Looking forward to connecting and hearing your stories. Take care, everyone!
If, like me in 2018, you're interested in giving CrossFit a go, come and check out our FREE Community Class, every Saturday at 9am!
