I have never been an athletic person and didn’t really struggle with weight issues until pregnancy and post pregnancy. I also suffered from
postpartum depression that continued on for years. I read that exercising helps with depression, so two years after my son was born, I decided to
give working out a try to lose the pregnancy weight and thought, “what did I have to lose,” trying exercise for depression.
When I began my journey of working out, 20 years ago, I worked out at home doing DVD workouts and some light weight lifting because I could not
financially afford a gym membership nor did I have the self-esteem to work out in a gym. I did this for many years. I gradually gained enough
confidence to work out in a group setting with friends, but still not confident enough to join a gym. That all changed in 2012 when a CrossFit gym
opened one mile from my home. I decided to give this a try because I was having trouble motivating myself to work out alone and had hit a plateau. As
much as this was a big step out of my comfort zone, I had success in busting past the plateau and I gained confidence. I continued to work out at this
gym for 3 years, but the last year the atmosphere and programming really changed with a focus on heavy lifting that I had to talk myself into showing
up for any class at any time. Also, during this time, my dad was diagnosed with cancer and I became his oncology advocate. I was so consumed and
stressed with being his advocate, that when I did show up to work out, I hated every minute being there, but because I was involved in his care, I
didn’t really have the time to research and find a new gym to work out at. It was during the last weeks of my dad’s life; I ate on the run just to
spend time with him and had no desire to work out at the gym I was a paying member. I also began a battle with depression again during all this and
decided to just take a break from that CrossFit gym. After my dad’s death, I decided that gym was not where I needed to be.
My friend Jen Mast posted frequently about her Syphus Training workouts on Facebook, that one day I inquired about it. She told me how much she loved
it; how it was the best and hardest workout she had ever done; and in the few months she had been doing Syphus Training she felt so much better. She
talked it up so well that I signed up for my free class immediately upon hanging up with her. When I did the first workout, I knew I would love Syphus
Training, but I what I truly enjoyed was the challenge and unique mix of movements/circuits and no heavy lifting. Sadly, I had to wait six months
after doing initiation to continue Syphus Training due to my dad’s illness. In January 2016 I began my Syphus Training journey, nearly 30 pounds
gained from eating on the run, no desire to work out and fighting depression. In my short nine month Syphus Training journey, I have lost over 20
pounds love the workouts, the challenges that come with conquering the tasks and the healthy competition and comrade on the turf. The trainers have
been so helpful and really supportive. Most importantly Syphus Training has really been instrumental in helping with depression and grieving.
When I finish that sixty-minute workout, I feel empowered, confident, and stronger both physically and mentally. I am often sore and tired, sweaty and
stinky, some days my score is amazing, other days, not so much, but I know after finishing those sixty minutes I have successfully done what I set out
to accomplish, giving the best of me to have the best of health.