I joined Hugelland in April of 2024 after watching my daughter do a CrossFit Kids summer program. Chelcie encouraged me to do a class myself - I walked in nervous and insecure, and after the class walked out feeling so welcomed and cared for and couldn't wait to go back.

Tell us a little about your journey with Hügelland

 Before joining Hugelland I felt lazy, weak, low energy and did not prioritize my health. I have been so focused on my kids the last few years that my personal wellness was put on the back burner. I have had a lot of past trauma and was using food and alcohol to help cope.

I was unhappy with how I felt, not in a good head space, insecure and thought I needed to get more in shape before starting CrossFit but my husband encouraged me to just start.

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 The first few months I had not changed my eating habits much but was coming consistently every week to the gym. I had started to get a little defeated that the scale was not reflecting how hard I had been working out.

When I finally changed my diet, started eating clean and cut out alcohol that the number on the scale started to drop and I was so excited to finally start seeing results.

I have lost 20 pounds and have gone down a jean size and feel so confident in my clothes. 

I had never ever weight-lifted before starting Hugelland so I did not know the proper form but the coaches helped me every step of the way and showed me how to lift the SAFE way using good form so I won't injure myself. I had a prior injury from 10 years ago of a herniated disc in my lower back before joining CrossFit and Coach Cindy has been fantastic at making sure I am protecting my back, modifying workouts if I need to and strengthening my core to not injure my back any more. 

I used to not be able to even do a wall walk and now can do multiple. I wasn't even able to do proper push ups when I first started and now I feel so much more confident.  I used to hate burpees and now I am getting alot better at them. Split jerks are my favorite lift which is really weird!

I have never felt this strong and confident in my entire life.

Phew I am going to start crying thinking about this because this year has been so amazing and life-changing. In the past 7 months at Hugelland, I have learned so much about myself, pushing myself to do hard things, getting stronger and healthier both physically and emotionally. I am a happier, healthier and a more patient mom with my girls and I am so grateful for that. I want to remain fit so I can be strong enough to play with my future grandkids.

The Hugelland community is such an amazing tight-knit group. We have so much fun and I had no idea how loved and encouraged I would feel by this group. We support and lift each other up and we have each others' backs. When I have hard days or days with high anxiety, the ladies in my class are there for me and offer to go on a walk-and-talk until I feel better.

I truly could not have gotten through this year without them. 

What are you most proud of?

 Physically I am most proud that I am able to hit PR's almost every week, I look strong and I am able to complete more of the workout each week instead of having to modify as much as I did at the beginning. I am also no longer afraid of a hard workout, I just do the best that I can do and be proud of myself for showing up and trying.

Mentally, instead of choosing to be numb or pushing past traumas away, I am facing it and dealing with it, and even though it's hard and there are a lot of tears, it has been so healing for me. I feel like a completely new person.

What do you love about Hügelland?

 I came for the workout and stay for the community!! I honestly NEED Crossfit Hügelland for many reasons. I have made friends here, a support group and I know good and well I would not work out nearly as hard if I went to a regular gym. I need actual workout plans with a coach pushing and encouraging me instead of just trying to figure out what to do on my own. I love that I have people at the gym who are expecting me to be there and check in on me when I'm not. That makes me feel so cared for.

In addtion to CrossFit classes, I have done the AAA specialty class and I love it!! Coach Cindy focuses so much on strengthening the core which has been so good for my back injury. And it is nice to add different kinds of workouts than the Crossfit classes. 

I am so thankful for this gym and everyone in it. I hope I am able to continue coming for many years to come.