Aly Smith

On September of 2012, a drunk driver crashed into our home, our bedroom to be specific. As a result, I suffered a severe back injury as the drunk driver crashed into the bed I was sleeping in.  According to emergency responders and medical personnel I should not have “made it out walking” from the accident. Needless to say, I went through every medical procedure to try and remedy the back injury (not to mention the awful pain) and avoid back surgery. Fast forward to January 2015, I underwent back surgery as there was no other alternative/remedy for my injury.

In the three years of dealing with the pain I also slowly started losing the inner badass in me. Although I continued to “workout” I could literally feel my body weakening. I would try and justify it all by saying to myself “this is the way that things will be now, me always in pain.”

There wasn’t a specific event or moment that made me make the decision to get better other than it had finally hit me… I didn’t want to be a spectator in my kids’ lives. So one evening I turned to my husband and with a very nonchalant way I told him, “Can you see about me joining crossfit or what I have to do to get in.” I also remember telling him, “And I don’t want anybody taking it easy on me.” Within the same week I started my first elements class and quickly regretted my above comment because Jarret Jones did not take it easy on me. Nobody knows this but after my first elements class I sat in my car and cried. I cried first because I was mad that I had allowed myself to get so out of shape (I had been a jock all my life), I then cried because I was hurting (playfully and emotionally), and I finally cried because I was happy. I was happy that I had my ass handed to me and it felt good. I had missed that feeling of doubting your body’s ability but then shutting your head and getting through it.

A year and some months later and I am probably in the best shape of my life despite my back surgery. The journey has not been easy because most days I still hurt; however, I no longer let that pain dictate myself. I now use the pain as a drive to push me to work harder. There were many days I felt like giving up after a class because I was the last one to finish the WOD. There were days I felt like a loser because I could only lift the bar. Today I can honestly say there’s no better feeling than that feeling of accomplishment after a nasty WOD or hitting a PR-whether its a adding 20 lbs or 5 lbs.

I came to crossfit and more specifically to Basin Crossfit because my husband had been a member for some time and also happens to coach there. However, I have stay for many other reasons. I have stayed because of the encouraging atmosphere and the great friendships I have made. It’s an awesome feeling to have your fellow classmate help you better your form or yell at you loud enough to “pick that shit up” and you conquer a new PR.

I am forever grateful for crossfit because it has transformed me and my family. The changes that have come forth from crossfit have made us into a healthier family in aspects of the word. I have loved the results of my new lifestyle as I have used it as an opportunity to motivate and encourage others. I am that one person that will hunt you down and ask why you haven’t been to class in two days. I will yell at you in class to keep going. I will be that person you need when you feel like calling it quits because I’ve been there.

 If you’re considering joining Basin Crossfit stop thinking and just drop in. Everyone will welcome you with opens arms and keep you motivated throughout your journey.