When she first moved to the area, finding a new gym wasn’t just about fitness — it was about finding a place to belong. “I gave CFA one week,” she recalls. “I was nervous, and I honestly thought I’d try it and maybe keep looking. But from day one, I was met with warmth and enthusiasm. People introduced themselves, helped with form, and celebrated every win — no matter how small.”
That one week quickly turned into something much more.
Before joining CFA, she had been attending another CrossFit gym for about a year. She still considered herself a beginner and was looking for a class that felt welcoming.
“One of my first questions was, ‘Which class is best for newbies?’ I was told every class was accepting — but I started with 8:15, and it was perfect. I was welcomed in with open arms immediately.”
While fitness was part of her goal, the deeper motivation ran beneath the surface. “I’ve always struggled with depression. CrossFit became a powerful outlet to boost my mood and confidence. Joining a new gym was scary, but I knew how important it was for my mental health to keep moving.”
Since joining CFA, her journey has been about more than just physical progress — it’s been about personal growth, grit, and the courage to keep showing up.
“I’ve learned that struggling is part of success. Just because I’m not great at something now doesn’t mean I won’t be. CFA has helped me see that I can achieve anything if I’m willing to keep working for it.”
The physical wins have come too — and not without persistence. “I always dreamed of doing handstand walks and bar muscle-ups, but they felt impossible. Then someone told me, ‘Just try.’ Break it down. Keep going. And now? I can do both. That’s a huge breakthrough for me.”
It’s not just the movements she’s conquered. It’s her mindset.
“The biggest lesson CFA has taught me is the power of persistence. No one starts out great. The people doing amazing things are just the ones who never stopped trying.”
Being part of the CFA community, she says, “feels like magic.” It’s more than workouts. It’s people coming together to grow, to cheer for each other, to make one another better. “It’s truly something special.”
Her message for anyone feeling intimidated about starting? “I wish I knew how normal — and encouraged — it is to scale workouts.
You don’t have to be ‘fit’ to start. We’ve all been the newbie. No one cares how much you can lift or if you can do a pull-up. We’re all just working on becoming better, and we love helping others do the same.”
So if fear has been holding you back? Her advice is simple: “Skip the fear and come on in.”
250 Workouts Later: What Brie has found at CrossFit Alabaster
