When Ami walked through the doors of our gym in May 2021, she wasn’t someone who had spent years exercising or playing sports.
In fact, she describes herself as having lived a pretty sedentary lifestyle for most of her life.
Like many adults, she knew she needed to do something for her health. She wanted to start strength training to protect her joints and stay healthy as she got older. The problem was finding a fitness program that actually worked for her.
She had tried group fitness classes at the YMCA, but never felt like she got a real workout. She had also joined traditional gyms, but found herself wandering around without a plan.
“I needed a gym that could provide a fitness program and a group setting,” she said.
That search eventually led her to us.
Exceeding Every Expectation
Starting a fitness journey can be intimidating, especially if you’ve never exercised consistently before.
Ami wasn’t sure what to expect when she joined. She had never worked out regularly and had never participated in sports growing up. Like many people who start later in life, she questioned whether getting fit was even possible.
What happened next surprised her.
“Exceeded all expectations!!” Ami said.
Not only did she get stronger, but she discovered she was capable of things she never imagined.
“I did not think it was possible to get fit after turning 30. Never expected to be able to run a mile or climb a rope!!!”
That’s one of the things we love most about CrossFit. People often arrive with limits they’ve placed on themselves over the years. They have a list of things they believe they can’t do.
Then, little by little, those limits start disappearing.
Ami’s story is a perfect example.
A New Mindset
While the physical changes have been incredible, the biggest transformation may have happened between Ami’s ears.
Over the past five years, she has developed a completely different outlook on challenges.
“The past 5 years have really changed my mindset from ‘no way can I do that’ to ‘just go for it.’ You never know until you try!”
Think about how powerful that shift is.
Many people spend years talking themselves out of opportunities because they assume they’ll fail. They avoid trying because they don’t think they’re capable.
Ami learned something different.
She learned that you don’t actually know what you’re capable of until you give it a shot.
That lesson applies far beyond the gym. It shows up in careers, relationships, hobbies, travel, and every other area of life.
Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s something you build by repeatedly doing things that once seemed impossible.
Celebrating the Wins
When asked what she’s most proud of, Ami had trouble narrowing it down to just one thing.
“There is so much I am proud of I don’t know where to start!”
That’s exactly how it should be.
Fitness isn’t about one giant achievement. It’s about hundreds of small victories that add up over time.
Still, if she had to choose one accomplishment, climbing the rope would top the list.
For someone who once doubted whether she could get fit at all, climbing a rope is a pretty incredible achievement.
But that’s only part of the story.
She’s also proud of running her first mile, doing push-ups, and even completing a sit-up.
Some people might overlook those accomplishments because they seem simple.
They’re not.
Every one of those milestones represents effort, consistency, and growth.
For someone who had never worked out before, those achievements are proof that progress happens when you stay committed.
The beauty of CrossFit is that every member has their own version of these victories.
For one person, it’s their first push-up.
For another, it’s their first pull-up.
For someone else, it’s carrying groceries without pain or keeping up with children.
Every win matters because every win represents a stronger, healthier version of yourself.
The Challenge of Showing Up
Ami’s journey hasn’t been easy.
Like everyone else, she faces workouts she doesn’t look forward to.
“The biggest challenge is showing up for the long grinder workouts.”
Many CrossFit athletes can relate to that feeling.
Some workouts look fun. Others look long, difficult, and uncomfortable.
“It is definitely hard to make myself show up for a workout I know I’m going to hate doing.”
But here’s the interesting part.
Ami has learned that once she walks through the door, everything changes.
“I convince myself I’ll scale it, but once I show up, just being in the group environment I’ll end up doing it all.”
That’s one of the biggest benefits of a supportive fitness community.
On days when motivation is low, the people around you help pull you forward.
You don’t have to rely solely on willpower.
You have coaches encouraging you. You have friends working alongside you. You have an environment that helps you accomplish more than you thought possible.
Sometimes the hardest part really is just showing up.
Fitness for Life
Today, Ami’s goals aren’t focused on winning competitions or setting records.
Her goals are simple, practical, and meaningful.
She wants to continue enjoying a healthy, pain-free life.
She and her family travel frequently, and she wants to maintain the strength and fitness needed to enjoy those experiences.
“We travel a lot so being able to effortlessly lift a suitcase.”
That’s functional fitness in action.
It’s not about looking fit. It’s about living well.
It’s about having the strength, mobility, and endurance to do the things you enjoy without being limited by your body.
Whether that’s traveling, playing with children, hiking, gardening, or simply moving through daily life with confidence, fitness gives you options.
Advice for Anyone Thinking About Starting
If Ami could go back and talk to her younger self or someone considering starting their fitness journey today, her message would be simple.
“You have to start somewhere.”
Those five words can change everything.
Many people wait until they feel ready.
They wait until they’re in better shape.
They wait until they lose weight.
They wait until life slows down.
But the truth is, there is no perfect time.
The only way to find out what you’re capable of is to begin.
“You don’t know you can’t do something if you never try, and if you can’t do something now doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to.”
That’s the lesson Ami has learned firsthand.
The person who couldn’t imagine running a mile eventually ran one.
The person who never thought she’d climb a rope eventually climbed one.
The person who once questioned whether she could get fit after 30 transformed her health and mindset.
Her final advice?
“Put in the work, put in the effort, and you’ll end up surprising yourself.”
We couldn’t have said it better ourselves.
Ready to Start Your Own Story?
Ami’s journey didn’t begin because she was already fit. It began because she decided to take the first step.
You don’t need experience. You don’t need to be in shape. You don’t need to know what you’re doing.
You just need to start.
At CrossFit Dwell, every workout is coached, every movement is scalable, and every member receives support along the way.
Whether your goal is to get stronger, improve your health, lose weight, have more energy, or simply prove to yourself that you can do hard things, we’re here to help.
Book a free intro today and discover what you’re capable of. Like Ami learned, you never know until you try.
