My name is Stephanie Chambers and I am 29 years old. I remember squeezing into a pair of size 8 pants thinking to myself I CANNOT get into double-digit pant sizes. I signed up for a globo gym membership and got a personal trainer the next day.
I had been working out at the gym for a few months when a co-worker, who is on the local roller derby team, invited me to the Saturday roller derby class at CrossFit Beaumont. I pulled into the parking lot pretty confident that I would rock whatever workout they had, I mean, I had been going to the gym; it couldn’t be THAT hard. I was wrong. That ten-minute sit-up, air squat and push up AMRAP left me gasping for air. I singed up for the on-ramp classes the next week and learned very quickly to check my ego at the door. That was in March 2011.
At first I was only going two days a week, using CFB to supplement my globo gym workouts. It wasn’t long before I started dreading going to the gym and absolutely couldn’t wait for the days I went to CFB. I looked at the WODs every night before I went to sleep. I talked about it to anyone who would listen to me. I was and still am obsessed with the CrossFit workout regimen. In August 2011, I ditched the trainer and the gym and signed on at CFB full time. I also started to buy into the paleo lifestyle and switched up my eating habits. The progress I’ve made has been awesome. When I started CFB I was doing ring rows and struggling to do any movement with a barbell and scaled every single workout. Today, I’m on the board for max rep pull-ups and almost all of the major lifts and squats and am able to RX pretty much every workout.
CrossFit has changed my views on health and fitness and my life. There is no limit. It never gets easier. There is always a challenge. You can always get better. I love the CrossFit community and the support you get from everyone. The coaches and other athletes always push you and cheer you on. I love getting to cheer everyone else on and it’s so neat to get to watch everyone else progress and make huge gains.
I can’t thank Neal and the other coaches enough for all of their encouragement and for always pushing me beyond my comfort zone. I am happy to say that I’m down to a size 4, my bf % has dropped from almost 24% to 21%, I’m more toned and most importantly I feel better overall. I know with CrossFit and the community that comes with it, I can only continue to get better.
EVERYONE should do CrossFit or at least give it a good honest try. It will change your life, I promise.
And you couldn’t be sweeter…even in beast mode. Great work steph. I can’t think of anyone better for a feature athlete. Keep up the great work!
I couldn’t agree more, Jeremy!!! Rock on Steph, you’re awesome! 😀
Hells ya!
Stephanie, you are an inspiration to me. I like workingout next to you and pushing myself to do better. Congratulations
STEPHANIE! You are AWESOME!
Stephanie you help to make the community what it is. Thank you for bringing your A game all the time and making all of us better.
That’s my BEEEATCHHHH! Ya’ll aren’t as lucky to get to work w/her daily, but she’s just as great a boss as she is in the gym. And to top it off, she’s an even better friend! She’s the reason I’m now obsessed w/crossfit (although, not quite on her level) She’s a great Featured Athlete!! I’m so proud of her and everything she’s accomplished. …tear, tear 😉
You are an incredible person steph! I’m glad to have met you recently, and to have competed against you. You are a great competitor. Keep up the accomplishments!
Stephanie you are BadAss!
Who says that men are the only ones who can go BALLS to the wall, Stephanie you are an excellent athlete and you as well as many others at CFB prove that women can be part of the ELITE! You deserve “all” of your accomplishments.. ……especially the size 4! :-). Congratulations Steph!
I’d have to agree with everyone’s sentiments. You are an amazing athlete Stephanie, and I am always impressed by how hard you go in the gym. Keep up the good work!
Stephanie, you are what I wish all of our athletes will develop into; you’re a true fire breather. I wish everyone could have started with you and seen you change over the past year. You are constantly pushing yourself to the next level and yet you’re as humble as ever. When you first started I had no idea what you were capable of and I can’t wait to see what you can do in the future. So proud of you!
Stephanie you are such an inspiration and work so hard. It’s awesome to see you killing every workout. Keep up the great work!
Thanks guys. You all are so sweet. The CrossFit community at CFB is awesome and is what helps motivate me to try harder. Everyone’s support, energy and constant encouragement during these workouts is overwhelming and I truly appreciate every 3-2-1 that gets yelled at me.
And Neal, I had no idea I was capable of any of this progress either. CrossFit works!
CONGRATS STEPHANIE you deserve it
Congrats you deserve every bit of this!!
Go Steph! Whoop! I know in the short time i’ve been part of the CrossFit community, I have had the opportunity on several occasions to workout with Steph. Always pushing and I love it! Keep up the great work.
Stephanie is an AWESOME athlete and example. She is such an encourager with a spirit as sweet as they come! Love those rare occasions when I get to work out alongside her.
Steph, you deserve this!! You are such an awesome athlete and a great person all around. Keep up the good work girl!!!
Steph – Every time I work out with you I tell myself that you are the kind of athlete I want to become. .. Sweet & Strong!! What a great inspiration and story!! Keep up the great work!!
You all are really so sweet. Thank you very much for all the kind words. They are appreciated.
Hey there, my name is Tammi and I’m a fellow blogger out of Aldinga, Australia. I like what you guys are up to. Coming upon Featured Athlete was refreshing and helpful in terms of writing and work. Carry on the good work guys: I’ve incorporated you guys to my blogroll. In my opinion it will improve the value of my own blog.