Marqin’s Fitness Journey- In her own words

Never have I considered myself an athlete. And trust me when I say I’ve spent my whole life trying to be. On my 21st birthday, I remember looking at a picture taken of my friends and I celebrating, and thinking to myself, “this isn’t how it’s supposed to be; this isn’t how I am supposed to feel”. At 21 years old, my ankles and feet would fall numb by simply sitting on a stool. With diabetes heavily running on one side of my family, and feeling so close to it, I had to change. So I joined a gym, and even saw a personal trainer for a few months. It was great, and the scale went down about 10 lbs.

Then one evening at an auction, CrossFit Punta Gorda had donated a month of unlimited fitness classes. Hardly knowing what CrossFit was, and joking about bidding on it, my family told me to put down a bid. If I got it- it was only a month with no further commitment. If I didn’t, then it wasn’t meant to be. Funny enough, the bid was all mine, and soon it became clear that it was truly meant to be.

Intimidated is a complete understatement of how I felt driving up my first day. Palms sweating and nauseous from nervousness, I walked through the door only to be greeted by some of the friendliest people I had ever met. Everyone worked with me on learning movements and finding my way around, and Coach John paid close attention to my form and made sure I knew what to do every step of the way. That first class was a deadlift day, and it was Coach John’s comment to me about how I looked strong, that sealed the deal. If he thought I was strong, then maybe I could do this.

Two and a half years later, 60 lbs down, I am in the best shape I have been in my entire life (that’s not an exaggeration). Weekly, I strive to attend the gym 5 to 6 days, but more because I love it than anything. A few times now, I have participated in the gym’s Primal Challenge, which has completely reshaped my nutrition, and daily patterns of sleep, workouts and squeezing in some fun. All of the coaches are incredible. Each are willing to dedicate extra time to questions, and are always ready to help improve technique and performance. Plus, my community has become CrossFit Punta Gorda.

What personally has been the most incredible though, is the shift that has occurred in my view on fitness, the dreadful weight scale, and being healthy. No longer is it about a number on a scale, but conquering goals of improving technique, growing stronger, and pushing myself more than the workout before. Through the coaches, the members, the atmosphere, and my own emotional and physical journey, I have a love and appreciation for my strength and my body’s ability to push through workouts that I have never had before- that I never thought was possible. CrossFit Punta Gorda has sincerely and significantly been life changing for me.

Also, finally, I can call myself an athlete.