Comments on: The Front Door, The Ultimate Milestone

By: cynthiabrown

cynthiabrown — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 11:49:08 +0000

Wow! What an incredible series of stories and experiences….I am quite simply…overwhelmed!

The events in our lives are truly unique. The directions we take, the choices we make and the people we meet have all brought us down a path that has intersected here. I LOVE that!

You all have made me laugh and you have made me cry as I read and re-read these posts.
You give us way too much credit….Keith and I have created the container, YOU have made this community what it is…a Family.

As we close the doors in what has been our ‘home’ for the past 2+ years, I am full of pride as I think back to all of what has taken place here…the goals achieved, the hard challenges fought, the PR’s set and broken, the weights lifted and lost, the blood, the sweat and the tears….but most importantly the lifelong friendships made. It doesn’t get much better than that.

So John, I clink my glass to your toast and I make one to all of you…Thank you for giving all you have to yourselves and to one another. Here’s to the next chapter. BRING IT!

I Love you guys!

By: don

don — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 03:05:32 +0000

“The goal of physical training can be summed up in one phrase, To make yourself as indestructible as possible.” ok..now THAT is a quote worth remembering! Thanks Dan.

By: Maureen

Maureen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:27:32 +0000

I first learned about Cynergy when they were in the old Whitman location (confession time – I used to take a knitting class in that building – yes – it is true – in addition to Crossfit, I also knit – contradiction? Maybe!) Anyway, I would walk past the floor it was on hearing some strange noises and I was very intrigued – but too afraid to even go in there and see what it was about. Several months later, I finally got a friend to joint Bootcamp with me (I wouldn’t do it alone!). My first day of Bootcamp, I felt like I was going to die (seriously), but I instantly loved it and kept coming back. I would run around after Sue and John Llewellyn gasping for breath trying to keep them in my sight (Two years later and I still do this and I still can’t catch them ). I did another session of Bootcamp. It was then December and Bootcamp was done for the season. I knew stopping for me was not an option so I headed inside. I was seeing results and feeling so good mentally and physically. I have no idea what my first Crossfit WOD was (I think I have mentally blocked this out) – but I was instantly addicted. I had never before lifted weights and I loved it! It has really been an incredible couple of years there watching the Cynergy Community expand and watching ordinary people do some pretty extraordinary things day in and day out. I would encourage anyone to try it. To me – the hardest part was signing up. It was very intimidating – I was not an athlete when I joined, but someone who had gotten very overweight and sat at a desk every day. Since the day I signed up though, I have never felt anything but 100% welcome and supported by each and every person there (trainers and members) and this is what makes it such an amazing place. Cindy and Keith – Congrats on your new Box. I look forward to seeing all of the amazing things people will do in that space. I wish you continued success – you deserve every bit of it! I am forever grateful for what Cynergy has done for me.

By: suzi

suzi — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:02:08 +0000

Scott ~ WE SWEAT! LOL
DFL is O.K. with US!

Keep em comin guys! Love it, Great tread Lindsey!

By: Scott P

Scott P — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:32:19 +0000

I too was intimidated about signing up after seeing a lawn sign and checking out the web site, but after a week or two of putting it off I grew a pair and walked in to sign up. Cindy’s bright smile made me feel at ease. I thought I was signing up for Boot Camp but when I showed up for my first WOD Keith said “you’re doing CrossFit”. I was like “ummmm OK”. What was I in for? My first WOD back in March ’08 involved squats of some kind. It might have been a tabata but I’m not sure. All I remember is that for the next 4 days I couldn’t use stairs or walk without looking like I crapped my pants. I went back though and have never once thought of quitting. CCF and CrossFit is the best thing to happen to me (except for my kids of course!).
My funniest memory? Early on I remember saying to Keith “I don’t see air conditioning in here. What do we do in the summer?”. His response was classic: “we sweat!”. I love it!
Thank you to everyone in the CCF community. You made me and every new comer feel welcome and wanted. A shout out to my CFW’s at 6AM. You ladies ROCK! You keep my spirits up when I’m DFL and you inspire and motivate me each and every day.

By: chief John

chief John — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:19:36 +0000

Thank you Lindsey for your great post. I remember it like it was yesterday – Suzie came home and told me that she thought “Boot Camp” would be fun, and that we should join. I told her that I did boot camp in the Army 30 years ago and it was not “fun” so no. Those of you who know Suzi know that it was not long before I was in the old studio in Whitman signing up with Cindy.
Cindy measured us and told us what to expect from Keith at Boot Camp. She also told Suzie that it was really great that she got her father to come to boot camp with her. I knew at that point that I would grow to love Cindy!
We had an awesome time at 3 boot camps and were then hooked to learn and do more. Unfortunately I have been out of the game for 7 months now (2 shoulder surgeries) but am only inches away from being back. I can’t wait. Cindy and Keith have created something really special – almost magical. (as some would say, like a cult without the creapy leaders.)
As Thanksgiving is upon us I would like to take a moment and thank both Cindy and Keith, from the bottom of my heart, for all that they have done for Suzie and I and the positive impact that they have had on hundreds of people.
I hereby propose a Thanksgiving Toast to Mr. and Mrs. Brown, for I am truly thankful for all that you have brought to Suzie and my life.
Thank you for you.

By: Jilly Mc

Jilly Mc — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:18:00 +0000

Hmmm, so is that your way of gently telling us Balls of Fury will rear its ugly head at some point in December, Coach?

I also forgot to thank Shannie for explaining to me that crossfit costs the same as a cup of coffee and muffin daily at DD! Based on Eileen’s comments, I think we can see the “trickle down” effect

By: Lindsey

Lindsey — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 18:04:26 +0000

I’m so honored that you all took the time to share your stories, I love the stories, they’re so amazing and each one of you has their own journey and story to tell. I guess since you’re all sharing I should too…
I remember my first WOD like it was yesterday, I cannot BELIEVE that none of you remember your first WOD.
It was 6am class at CrossFit San Diego, I was in fairly good shape (had been a trainer for a while). The WOD was a 5K, but many people can run on their own especially in SD so Michele (of M good meals, a fabulous trainer and equally fabulous person) asked if we would like an “alternate WOD”. I and 3 others stupidly said sure, we could run anytime, I wanted my first CF WOD to be something more than a 5K…
Michele came up with a WOD that to this day is one of the most painful I’ve EVER done.
‘Balls of Fury’
3 Rounds:
50 Wall Ball
50 slam ball
50 med ball cleans
800 m run

It’s never good when about halfway through that WOD your trainer says…”yeah sorry guys, this one’s a little rough”.
That was the first and only time I’ve heard Michele say that. Long story short, I couldn’t walk for about a week, I was in agony, I’ve still haven’t been that sore… and I still went back, like Chip, I was hooked.
Thanks to everyone who shared their amazing stories, keep ‘em coming! They’re all so amazing and inspiring!

By: Eileen

Eileen — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:29:56 +0000

The inspiration for me to join Cross Fit – is Jill McCaughey. I have known Jill for a long time now and I watched on FaceBook the transformation she took, with her weight loss and then her Cross Fit training. I had seen the signs on the side of the road, but was never one to excercise. And always thought – boot camp cannot be for me. I talked on and off with Jill for a few weeks – and she gave me the old “some people make excuses, and some people make the time”. I tried to tell her there was no way I could afford that much money – and she told me all the ways I could afford it. So – I signed up for boot camp finally. Unfortunately, not enough people wanted to do boot camp at 5am – so Cindy sent us right to foundations. That first week of foundations as we were learning the movements, and watching the 5am cross fit class – I absolutely KNEW this was NOT for me!! There was no way I could do what those people were doing. I’ll tell you – if I hadn’t already paid up front – I probably would have left. But luckily I stuck with it – and have beeen here almost three months now – and I love it! Thank you Jill! and thank you Cindy and Holly for all your hard work!

By: JillyMc

JillyMc — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 16:24:38 +0000

Lindsey, great blog and reading these replies is awesome! Don, you’re a riot and your “gym” observations reminded me of my first day.

Getting here was the cap of a long journey of personal growth and improvement (thank you SO much, Suzie!) that’s really to long to get into.

After my foundations class (Lindsey, I am eternally grateful!) I was ready for Monday morning, 5 AM. As Dan Br eluded to, I was also late because as I have subsequently learned from Dianne Shanahan, if you’re not 10 minutes early for crossfit, you’re LATE! It was a cold, dark April morning and as I got out of my car I could see a large class wielding PVC pipe. I mustered up all my courage, walked “confidently” to that door, grabbed the handle while telling myself everything’s going to be OK…and the door was LOCKED!! HOLY SHIT! They are HARDCORE!!!!! Cindy don’t PLAY! Will I be turned away??? I saw my fearless leader turn her attention away from the group towards the goofball late loser at the door and march towards me (s-s-scary!!) then flashed that warm smile we all know so well and said “oh, is that locked? That’s weird..WELCOME!” …freakin PHEW!

I don’t remember what the WOD was (why can’t anyone remember their first WOD??) but there were 2 to choose from. One had jumping rope which I sucked at (oh, did I just use past tense???) so I picked that one…and was the ONLY one in the group to do so. There was also running; the thing I remember most is this; EVERY SINGLE person in that class ran with me on my last 400 m run. EVERY single person. No discussion, they just did it. Don, you see THAT happening at a gym? When, during the Montel commercial maybe?

I have never in my entire life met a better group of human beings all under one collective roof. I feel SO lucky every time I walk thru that door!