Member Of The Month: November 2024

M– What class time do you usually attend and why does that work for you?

LB – I am a frequent evening trainer, I usually do the 6.15pm classes but also sometimes attend the 5pm. My job is quite flexible so I could technically train whenever, but because I look forward to it, I like going about my day thinking ‘Oooh I’ve got training later – woooohoo!!’. I do sometimes do the 4 or 12pm as well though, which is always nice to see people who don’t train at my usual times. I’m usually at Team Training and also love Weightlifting (which I’m trying to attend more regularly)… oh and the 09:15 on a Saturday morning of course. Gosh, I should’ve just said that I could basically be there at any time except for early mornings LOL!!

M– What is your why? Why do you put yourself through it each day? Do you have goals you want to achieve?

LB – I love this question as I guess I’ve never really thought about what my actual why is. I have always been involved in a disciplined sport from a young age…. I was a gymnast from the age of 6 to around 15, then I took up Cheerleading which I also did through Uni, so from as long as I can remember, I’ve always had exercise-related goals whether that be working towards a competition or developing new skills etc. After I left Uni and started work, I still had goals that I’d set myself in the gym but by no means was it the same as feeling part of a team or community, like what you get from being involved in an actual sport. I really missed that and feel like CrossFit has filled that void for me. All of that makes it sound like my why is just because I’ve always been ‘used to’ having a sport in my life, which is part of it as I honestly couldn’t imagine not having something to aim towards/strive for when it comes to exercise. However, my main why and the largest part of why I train is definitely for genuine enjoyment – I love to and feel grateful that I am able to move my body and I like the uncomfortable but satisfying pain of pushing myself! I also definitely rely on training a lot for my mental health – it always clears my head, makes me feel good, helps me focus, and whenever I have been through more difficult times I’ve always leaned on exercise for a distraction or for help to get through any kind of stress. Of course, being around all of the fantastic people at M Squared Fitness is another reason why I put myself through it, I am so thankful to have met and made so many amazing friends, all of whom make even the worst of workouts enjoyable! I ultimately want to be the best version of myself that I can possibly be, and I feel like all of the positives that come from doing CrossFit as well as being a part of the M Squared family are hopefully contributing towards me being that person!

M– What advice would you give anyone wanting to start CrossFit but is either unsure or nervous? We get people all the time saying they need to get fit first or they could never do what we do? Any advice for those people?

LB – I love the quote ‘Great things never came from comfort zones’. If you think about it, I bet that anything that you have achieved so far in life that you are proud of involved some kind of journey or feelings of being unsure and nervous.. e.g. going for a new job, meeting a new group of people… even small things like (I know this sounds ridiculous but a little humorous example from me) – trying to adjust the pressure of a boiler. I was actually terrified to turn any valve because I thought I’d end up gassing my entire flat, but I did it and it worked and I didn’t have to get anyone to do it for me, I was well proud!! I’m just trying to say that I think that more often than not, every win (big or little) doesn’t come without having feelings of doubt. Sometimes, you do just have to go for things in life, whether they go to plan or not is all a part of learning, character building, life experience etc. The worst that can happen from trying something new is that you don’t like it… and if that is the case then of course, you don’t have to do it again. But, if you don’t try something, then how will you know if you like it? I remember when I first started, I was really nervous and thought ‘Ahh what if I don’t fit in, or look ridiculous trying all of these new skills’… but everyone is SO welcoming and helpful, the coaches are incredible, there are things that I thought I’d never be able to do when I first started but now can! Remember that everyone has to start somewhere, the people that can lift the heaviest weights or do all of the difficult skills haven’t always been able to do those things, they would have been in your exact shoes when they first started their CrossFit journey! Nerves are natural and just remember that everyone that you meet that does CrossFit was once in the same position as you 🙂

LB – Oooh….I would probably say that doing Rainhill Trials is up there, just because it was my first individual competition and I honestly felt so out of my depth. I think another big achievement for me is to be competing in teams with people that I remember thinking when I first started ‘God they are so so incredible, I want to be able to do what they can’, so I guess that builds on my answer to the previous question as well… to anybody saying they could ‘never do what __ does’, there’s some evidence right there that you absolutely can! Of course as well, all of the comps that I’ve done I am also super proud of, the most recent being winning the Mixed Pairs competition with Rick (who nearly killed me off).

M – What a lovely blog by a lovely person! Well done Liv! You are very deserving of this award! We all love you! Looking forward to you including tumbling in your MOTM workout 😉