Sometimes you just have to jump

I survived my second CrossFit competition, Integrity’s Revenge, earlier this month. I competed in the team scaled division and my partner and I had a great time. As you can see from our photo, we spent a lot of time coordinating our competition outfit.

 

I think my incredible husband, Clint, summed up the weekend best in this Facebook post that I’m sharing below.

 

“I couldn’t be more proud of my wife Holly Henry Fisher. Two years ago, she stepped out of her comfort zone to compete in a local CrossFit style competition, Integrity’s Revenge. It proved to be a tough weekend for her when she got stuck trying to squat and press a barbell and couldn’t. With tears on her face and a crowd of CrossFitters cheering her on, she spent several minutes struggling through until she finally completed the movements. There were many emotions, terror, embarrassment, but ultimately I think one of accomplishment. She came in last place in the workout, but she conquered the barbell, and that was a big moment.

 

After that day, I didn’t know for sure if she’d ever try something like it again. But this weekend, she competed in the same event again, and she did it knowing she would face another very tough struggle.

 

Holly is terrified of jumping on boxes, and for the last workout this year, she had to execute a burpee and then jump to a 20 inch box. The first time she had jumped to a box that height was this week. Today, she faced her fear and completed all her burpee box jumps in front of a cheering crowd of CrossFitters.

 

Many of those watching were in tears to see her complete them, because they saw her struggle through her own tears to jump to the top of that box every time.

 

It was a profound moment, and I was once again reminded of the great example she sets every day. Our daughter Kate was right there in front of the box to see mom conquering another demon with grit and determination.

 

I think sometimes people thing we’re crazy doing what we do, intense workouts and challenges that seem sometimes impossible or ridiculous to others. But when I watch moments like I did today, I realize the importance of getting up everyday and challenging yourself to achieve those things that seem just out of reach, whether it’s fitness or some other pursuit.

 

Today, thanks to my wife, the world has one more great example of what happens when you step out of your comfort zone and truly challenge yourself.

 

We had 15 athletes compete from our gym, and they too all set great examples. I have the honor and privilege to work with them every week, and I couldn’t be more proud.”