🏋🏼‍♀️ Member Spotlight – Joanne 🏋🏼‍♀️

Joanne started doing CrossFit with Infiniti Fitness last November. Now, 8 months in, she shares her progress

What made you try CrossFit for the first time?

I’d been suffering from panic attacks after a bereavement in the family – a close family member that I had cared for until she died. It hit me far harder than I had expected and I ended up at the doctor’s being offered a prescription for anti-anxiety medication. The panic attacks were so bad that I couldn’t be in a crowded room, I didn’t want to go out, I couldn’t drive and I had really lost myself. But I decided there and then that I wanted to deal with them head-on. My daughter had already seen the advert for the week’s free trial with CrossFit Trafford and we knew Scott from his bootcamps. So I had nothing to lose and we decided to give it a try together!

What were those first sessions like?

Really hard! I couldn’t lift an adult bar so I had to suck up my pride and use a child bar! I couldn’t do box jumps, I had never run any great distance and I didn’t feel confident enough to talk to many people.

What changed?

Everything! I wouldn’t yet describe myself as strong, but I have got stronger. I can now do box jumps (even if they still scare me!) I have even run a 10k in my own time – something I never imagined I could do and not even part of the WOD. I just did it because CrossFit gave me the confidence to try! I have changed shape and I now drive to classes and to other places, which is a huge step forward. Perhaps the best of all, I have met new and positive friends who support me, I feel more confident and I am now getting fewer panic attacks.

What would you say to anyone considering CrossFit?

I never thought I was a CrossFit person but I love trying new things and am pushing myself to get as fit as I can! The coaches are fantastic and have worked really hard to help me understand how to lift. Just give it a go – it doesn’t matter how fit (or not) you are, everyone is at different levels and the coaches will always be there for you and will adjust the programming to your current abilities. You’ve got nothing to lose – I’m so proud to be part of the community and can’t wait to see what I achieve in the next 7 months!

What Coach Dunc says about Joanne…

I love coaching Joanne, she’s one of those members that is very rewarding to coach. She always wants to better herself and to improve and tries really hard to do so. She certainly has the CrossFit bug… so do her kids, who are part of our CrossFit Teens programme.