“Finding the Champion in All of Us”
The Champion of 2009...Nathan Hart. What's 2010 going be for him?
“A champion is afraid of losing. Everyone else is afraid of winning”.
Billie Jean King
A champion is someone who gets up when he can’t.
Jack Dempsey
As you all know Chris and I just returned from Los Angeles, and while I was there I did a lot of self reflecting. Reflecting on the person I was, living in Los Angeles a year and some change ago, and the person I have become since being there. They say “you never know how far you’ve come, until you’ve looked at the path which lead you there”, and that is exactly what I experienced.
Through CrossFit Sioux Falls I have found my inner champion that I never knew existed before. I never believed I was capable of any of the accomplishments that Chris and I have made since living here. I was not using any of my talents in LA in fear that I would fail, and I was too scared to even try!
I got fed up, and Chris and I took a huge leap of faith packed and moved to Sioux Falls. It was the best decision we could have ever made. It got me out of my comfort zone and forced me to believe in myself because that was all I had now! Our CrossFit family, the positive atmosphere, and the motivating people really lead me to find the “Champion” in me!
We push ourselves to limits we didn’t know exist! We tell ourselves we can’t while everyone around us is telling us we can! Through all the aches and pains we gain strength which allows us to break down barriers and find our inner champion!! So let’s work together CrossFit Sioux Falls! Lets continue to grow, step out of our comfort zone, and push to new levels we didn’t know existed so all of us find our “Champion”!
What “champion” characteristics did you find out about yourself in 2009?
Written by: Annie Mello
cfsiouxfalls.com 
January 6, 2010 at 6:54 pm
Great post… I think for myself in the last few months of 09 I learned to not settle. It reafirmed it is ok to walk to the beat of my own drum and to hold my head up while doing it. Breaking old habits is a good thing and leads to addictive positive change. I get excited as to where I might be at months down the road versus just worried about how to get throught the work week. I know that hard work and failing is part of the equation and look forward to the challanges of both. And I know if I want to become that “champion” I will not get there alone…
Thank you CFSF.
January 6, 2010 at 8:30 pm
Great post Annie!! I am so glad that you guys took the leap of faith and came to Sioux Falls. Being a part of the CF community has changed my life in so many ways. I have become a much more postitive person. I used to worry too much about what others thought about me and now I don’t let it bother me as much. I am who I am and I like myself which I can say in the past I really did not. I had a HUGE fear of working out with men around and now the fear is gone. I have come a long way since I started in April and am so glad that Chris would not let quit when I tried. Without the two of you I would not be where I am today in my life. Feeling great!! CF has become a part of my life and if I cannot make a wod I will admit I get a little upset. So anyways thanks for everything you do Annie. You have taught me a lot and helped me get out of my comfort zone. I am so blessed to be a part of this great community.
January 6, 2010 at 10:36 pm
Sioux Falls is LUCKY to have you both!!!! And maybe a little more buff, too:)
January 7, 2010 at 2:38 am
great post Annie! I am so thankful for Crossfit! In 2009 it was a huge accomplishment for me just being able to finally do pullups without jumping, and now I have a glimpse of no bands in the future! As big as that is. it really is small compared to other accomplishments I have been able to obtain. I feel like a champion just stepping into the gym every time because I know I will accomplish something I would of never done on my own. I am really looking forward to see what kind of CHAMPION I will be in 2010…. Thank you CFSF!!!!
January 8, 2010 at 4:58 pm
Great post! I never thought of myself as a champion until this morning when I was talking to my 6 year old, Shandon, about crossfit kids. He is very nervous and reluctant to join because, as he puts it, “I don’t know how to do everything… I will finish last… I will not win.” As I talked him through this I explained to him that when “mommy” started she didn’t know how to everything… that she sometimes still finishes last … she wins just because she shows up.
WOW – what a breakthrough!!
Thanks CFSF (and Shandon) for making me and showing me that I am a champion (a winner)!
January 11, 2010 at 4:29 pm
Excellent post! I’ve always been a competitor to a healthy level and use that to push myself to the next level. Since joining CFSF, I have not once regretted joining and more importantly, I feel awesome!
When I get a little down on myself, I not only have my CrossFit family helping pick me back up but my husband as well, telling me to remember that not everybody is “willing” to do what we do! I feel like CFSF has not only made me a better overall athlete with my sports but it has given me back the confidence I lost and helps me keep a positive atittude! Thanks, CFSF, for helping us all find our inner champion!
“A champion, when he fell, always got back up and tried even harder. He slowed down over the speed bumps and hit a pothole now and then, but each time, he kept going. He didn’t care how bad it hurt or hard he had to try. Others, on the other hand, when they fell, stayed there. Maybe tried to get up and kept falling and didn’t try to get up anymore. Stopped at the speed bumps and fell into the potholes. Quit when he hurt and was tired. If you want to be a champion, try and try again. Never let your hopes slip out of your hands.” ~Jessy Oho~