THE ANDERSEN FAMILY

We joined CrossFit Central in March of 2023. Kristen was a member of CrossFit Central Burnet Road several years ago when we first moved back to Austin from Atlanta in 2015. We were drawn to CrossFit Central for several reasons. First, Kristen had a wonderful experience at the Burnet Rd location and spoke very highly of the organization and especially the intense, physical workouts. We had heard about Jeremy’s great reputation and how amazing and committed the coaches were. We knew we wanted to drastically change our fitness routine. Kristen had just given birth to our second child, and we were both bored with our current fitness cycles, and knew we needed to make a big impactful change. We wanted something hardcore, where we lifted heavy weights that got us strong, fast, and challenged us. CrossFit Central was the answer, and we couldn’t be happier. 

Before joining the gym we both felt equally unmotivated with our current training. We were putting in the work; running a lot, lifting lighter weights (mostly dumbbells), and rowing, but we were bored and getting complacent with the routine. We also felt like we didn’t have a community of people that we identified with.

Physically we were both a little distraught with the lack of changes we were seeing in our physical shape, and in our mental toughness. We both felt like we were working hard, but not getting anywhere. We knew we needed a change and were not reaching our full potential. We wanted something harder and more physically demanding. Standing in front of a barbell for the first time in 10 years and doing Olympic lifts will get you out of your comfort zone in a hurry!

The results over the last nine months have just been incredible. We are both exponentially stronger, leaner, faster and believe our mental fortitude has strengthened as well. We both feel our bodies and minds are awakening like we have never seen before. Pushing through the barriers and the plateaus is the most satisfying physical component for us both. It’s you against you, and that is awesome! Kristen has also been doing personal training with Amy several times a month. She has been seeing amazing results through this additional attention and has been able to accomplish physical goals she didn’t think possible (doing her first pull up!).

It’s been a truly humbling experience. Everyone remembers struggling through their first class, whether they want to admit it or not, this stuff isn’t easy, and it’s not meant to be. The mental component has been just as rewarding, if not more, than the physical component. We've both learned that we are capable of so much more than we thought on a fitness level, and in everyday life. One of the best things CrossFit has taught us is to embrace the challenge and the unknown, and go to that place. It’s the best feeling ever when you just did something so hard, pushed through the stress, and came out on the other side. You aren’t dead, you’re more alive in that moment than you’re going to be all day. That is GROWTH!  We'll never forget our first CrossFit workout at Central.  It just so happened to be the Isabelle WOD, it sucked, but we both showed up again the next day! 

It has certainly taught us a lot about ourselves. CrossFit has become a big part of our lives and schedules. From a parenting perspective, our children see how much we love our fitness and CrossFit. They see and hear us talk constantly about the gym and the workouts around the house and at the dinner table. They love coming on Saturdays and watching us workout and attending special events. We alternate class times on Saturdays and stick around to watch each other so they can see us doing hard things and supporting one another. We want our girls to enjoy exercise and challenge themselves. The greatest gift you can give to yourself, and your family is your health. We are also a lot more conscious about what foods we eat and what we feed our children as well.

On a relationship level, it has certainly brought us closer as a couple. We talk about CrossFit together and discuss the workouts and how fun and challenging they are. We sometimes discuss our PR goals or strategies for the workout, and push each other to go harder. We have another common goal now. This isn’t just for the one of us, but for each other. We enjoy going to the grocery store and cooking together, and learning about nutrition and how the food we put into our bodies is just as important as the physical exercise. CrossFit makes you aware! 

The variation of the workouts, the challenges, the community, and the most amazing coaches we've ever had the pleasure of being around keeps us coming back. Also, for Tyler personally, the 5:15am contingent. He couldn't have found a better group of people to work out with every day. Tyler bounced around a lot of class times looking for a home, and everyone has been so welcoming and encouraging.  We all push each other to be better, and everyone brings it every morning. It's so freaking awesome to be a part of this group of people. 

A friend of mine in the 5:15 once said, and this stuck with me, "We come for the workouts, we stay for the community." I thought that was super cool. The people at CrossFit Central are kind, supportive, generous, and open. The positive energy that bursts out of the classes is intoxicating. As mentioned, Kristen does training with Amy and also did a November nutrition challenge with Victoria as well, which was such an impactful and personalized program that helped round out her wellness experience. We have already made friends at the gym; we even had a play date with our kid’s last weekend. We are grateful to be welcomed into such a great community.

I first heard of CrossFit back around 2008 or 2009. I, like many others, completely dismissed it as a new fitness fad that would be completely irrelevant in just a short matter of time. I wish I had the mental insight at that point in my life, and lack of judgement, to have looked at it with more of an open mind. I can't change the past, but I sure wish like hell I could go back in time 15 years ago and just went to a workout and changed my life back then, like it has changed now. So, long story short, if you are on the fence about whether you want to try CrossFit, just go for it. I promise you won’t regret it. I’m sure it will grab ahold of you and take you anywhere your mind and body will let it. Just leave your ego at the door, do things within reason, and trust the coaches. Push yourself to new limits that you never thought possible. And have a lot of fun along the way. You’ll learn things about yourself that you never knew existed. Trust the process and stay consistent. We’re so grateful to all the coaches for the effort and time they put in every day to make the experience so impactful to all the athletes. Thank you CrossFit Central for reigniting our love of fitness and including us in the CrossFit Central family.