One of the greatest challenges we face isn’t actually starting a new health and fitness focus. When we make the decision to make big changes, our brain rewards us with an endorphin rush, and then we see all those initial gains and rewards. The real challenge often comes down the track when the newness has worn off, and when ‘life’ starts to get in our way. One of the ways we can motivate ourselves to keep pushing through and keep reaping the rewards of a healthy lifestyle is to find our motivation in our members who have stayed the distance. I was privileged to speak to one of our members who has been with Kantok for nearly four years. Kylie was a brand new CrossFitter when she started, and to see her now, is nothing short of inspirational! Kylie has been in a number CrossFit competitions. She lifts heavy and she blasts through cardio workouts! Kylie has her husband and her two teenage boys working out with her at Kantok. Below is our conversation about her four-year journey.
Hi Kylie, can you tell me what had you done for your health and fitness before you came to Kantok?
I was never much into fitness, but as I was approaching 40, I was asked by a close friend to enter the Great Wheelbarrow Race. I find it hard to say no to things, so I took up running. After a few years, I decided that running was not for me, and I started group fitness classes. That lasted a year or so until I got sick of the yo-yo dieting that came with their never-ending “6 week challenges”. And then COVID happened! I was very stressed at work and doing no exercise when a friend told me about a new CrossFit gym called Kantok that was running an introduction to CrossFit course. Then I met Gary (our gym founder and owner), who spoke so positively about CrossFit and its lasting benefits that it got me hooked! So, I started the intro class along with OGs Sammi, Bec and Renee B who are all still here as well!
What was your initial experience like? What challenges were there?
The workouts were challenging for me (and still are!) and I did feel intimidated when I saw the experienced CrossFitters doing their thing, but I also saw that most of us just wanted to improve and get better every day no matter what level they were at, and that encouraged me. Then Kantok held its very first Throwdown (our intramural competition) and I was really hooked!!
Which of the goals you started with have you achieved and did any of them change along the way?
My main goal was to just stick with it! I really wanted to deadlift 100kg, and did that in around a year, and was really proud of that. And in my second open I got my first kipping pull ups and was very proud and excited then.
What great moments have you had along the way?
I did Torture in the Tropics with my boy. He was 15 and had to do the men’s weights and worked so hard and bloody smashed it. So proud of him.
You have your whole family doing CrossFit. What makes that investment worth it?
Most teenagers seem to drop whatever sports they are doing in their mid-teens. I know I did! I want to do everything I can to keep them interested in being fit and healthy, so they can take it into adulthood. Not only for physical fitness, but I really believe that CrossFit is even better for mental health than physical health. If it means cutting back on other things that don’t mean as much in our lives, then so be it.
The open is coming up and you have been in it every year. What keeps you coming back to doing the open each year?
It’s such an amazing supportive environment! Every year we see people doing things they had never done before like their first pull up or PB on a lift and you will see everyone in the box encouraging them and congratulating them. I’ve never seen anything like this anywhere else. I know I’ve done things that I’ve never done before in the open. It’s magic! Also, I just have absolute blast catching up with my gym buddies and encouraging them.
So much of your success is sticking with it, and trusting the process. Not everyone maintains their commitment to a healthy lifestyle? What is your secret to staying the distance?
I like the early morning classes because I have no time to think about anything. I just get up and go. But honestly my consistency stepped up a scale when my boys started coming to class with me. I would never want them to miss out because I didn’t feel like going, so I will ALWAYS get to class if I am physically able. The 5am class is at my absolute favourite time of the day so why would I want to miss out on that?
Click on the link below to speak to a coach about starting your CrossFit journey.