The CrossFit Life

A year of CrossFit and an astonishing deadlift PR transforms Jessica Tyler from shy wallflower to outgoing leader. Julie Kelly reports.

Jessica Tyler, a 28-year-old nurse and Navy reservist, first walked into CrossFit San Diego on Jan. 3, 2011. All 5 foot 7 and 120 lb. of her stood just outside the huddle of members while they chatted about each other’s kids, exchanged their latest cheat meals, stretched… Continue Reading

Craig Nelson shares his views on CrossFit after discovering the program at age 60.

Birthday milestones never meant much to me—30, 40, 50 years old—bah, who cares?

But 60? That’s a serious number. One can no longer claim to be middle-aged, and Social Security, Medicare and other indices of old age are looming realities. Thus, as my 60th birthday approached, I found myself contemplating how I could whip… Continue Reading

In his younger days, Jim Menjou used to run—a lot.

“Marathons and all that,” he says. “When I got past 40, I stopped. I’m 63 now. I stopped doing all that and started running to the refrigerator—and it started to show.”

Menjou began working out at CrossFit Ero in Torrance, Calif., on a recommendation from a friend who had made major life changes.

“The last time I saw him he could barely get through the … doorway without turning sideways, so I said… Continue Reading

They’re all moms.

One is a logistics manager at a stationary plant, another stays at home, and the third is a middle-school principal.

All three women say the same thing: There’s no good reason not to come to CrossFit—specifically Oceanside CrossFit in Oceanside, Calif.

“I have to make it here. This is how I relieve my stress,” the logistics manager says. “We make time. It’s not an option. We have to work out.”

She adds: “If a working parent can do it… Continue Reading

Exhausted and overwhelmed after battling thyroid cancer, Kelly Knight discovers CrossFit and newfound energy and confidence. Hilary Achauer reports.

When Kelly Knight turns on her phone, the first thing she sees is this quote by Martha Washington: “I am determined to be cheerful and happy in whatever situation I may find myself.”

Knight, a 48-year-old registered nurse, has found herself in some dark situations lately. Her son… Continue Reading

The stage is not much different than a WOD. So says Kate Moran, lead singer of the Kate Moran Band and a CrossFitter at CrossFit Oldtown in Alexandria, Va.

“You just have to let go,” she explains. “You have to just take a big breath and … hope for the best.”

But it wasn’t always like that for Moran. Her first two months at the box were marked by anxiety.

“For the first two months, I was terrified of… Continue Reading

Derik Ledesma turned the trunk of his Honda CRV into a mobile CrossFit gym—and still made room for his kids’ car seats. Hilary Achauer reports.

The most common places to do CrossFit are in an affiliate, a home gym or a Globo Gym. Derik Ledesma does CrossFit out of his car.

Here’s a standard equipment loadout that fits into Ledesma’s Honda CRV:

• Bumpers: four 45s, two 35s and two 15s
… Continue Reading

After spending her 30s overweight and unhappy, Lisa Erickson discovers CrossFit and her inner superhero at age 40.

To say that CrossFit changed my life is an understatement. It might even sound a little overdramatic to some people. But for those of us who love CrossFit, it’s completely understandable.

I was a moderately fit and athletic young person, but because of health problems… Continue Reading