Coach Josh sat down recently to speak with long-time member Kelly Huey about her experience with CrossFit, and her recent injury and recovery process.
Below are a few tidbits from that meeting. For more information about Kelly, her injury and osteoporosis, and why she loves CrossFit, we encourage you to watch/listen to the full chat on our YouTube channel, Five Alarm CrossFit; which can be found HERE.
CJ: What brought you to CrossFit initially?
KH: A challenge from my son that I couldn’t do it. He was coming here, and he said, “You can’t do it, I know you can’t do it.” I said, “Is that a challenge?” and he said, “Yes.” So, I came and I did it.
CJ: What was your first impression?
KH: That it was hard! But I liked it. I liked the variety of the workouts, that it was different every day, and the people.
CJ: Has your opinion of CrossFit changed over your 4.5 years?
KH: I was skeptical at first about it, but I do not have any regrets; and continuing with it, I love it. The strength I have – I mean, I’m old – I started this when I was 53. So, the strength I have now is incredible.
CJ: Do you remember one of your first Bright Spots, that you were really proud of?
KH: I still struggle with this, but the Snatch, adding weight for the first time, because I always had to do it with a 15# barbell, and when I added weight for the first time I was like, “Oh, my gosh, I did it!”
CJ: Okay, so a couple more questions. One, is there anything in your mind that is one of your favorite Five Alarm memories?
KH: The support I got from my 5am family when I got hurt. I might cry about it. They were so supportive. I got down one time at the gym and Laura and Cindy bought me flowers and sent them to school, so that was a nice surprise. I just think the support of this whole gym… the sense of family, the sense of support, to me that’s what keeps me coming back.
CJ: What would you say to someone who thinks, “I could never do [CrossFit], it’s too hard.”
KH: Anyone can do it. I started when I was 53 years old. I wasn’t very strong. Anyone can do it. Especially if I can do it! When my son challenged me, I was scared, I truly was. Because you see the competitions on TV, and think, “Oh, my gosh, what are these people doing to themselves.” Now I watch and I’m fascinated by that, that they can do this. And no, I’m never going to be like them. I reached a point, before my accident, that I don’t have to push press a ton of weight. I don’t have to deadlift a ton of weight. I just need to be in here to do the movements for myself. To make me feel strong. To stay healthy. And if I hadn’t been doing this with my accident, I wouldn’t be at where I am today with my recovery. I just can’t say enough about – don’t worry about it. You may never push press 100#. I know I’ll never do that, but at least I’m doing something.
