deirdre allen

When I returned to CrossFit Central in June of 2024, prolonged stress had taken a toll on my body, including the return of an old ankle injury that had progressed to the point where even walking was painful. The previous years had been filled with caretaking, loss, and emotional exhaustion. In the middle of trying to hold everything together for the people I love, my own health had slipped to the background. My body felt depleted, the stress load was overwhelming, and I no longer recognized the way I was moving through my days. I knew I needed help.

Reaching out to Carey was the moment everything shifted. I walked into that first personal training session feeling worn down and unsure of where to begin. She met me with calm confidence, and that gave me the hope I needed to start rebuilding. We started with simple movement, focusing on mobility and form. Those early weeks were slow but deeply meaningful. Each small improvement helped me feel more connected to my body again. As I moved from personal training back into CrossFit workouts and eventually into Hybrid training, my strength and confidence grew steadily and consistently.

One of the most meaningful moments in this process was the first time I was able to run without pain. I shattered my ankle as a teenager and was told running was no longer an option. For years, I pushed through that belief and found ways to run anyway, but after a long season of stress and physical setback, even walking had become difficult. The idea of running again felt completely out of reach. Through consistent mobility work and strength training, my body slowly opened up again, and taking those first pain-free strides felt like reclaiming a part of myself I thought I had lost. My pace is slow right now, but it represents healing rather than limitation, and I am excited to keep working on my form, strength, and speed in the year ahead.

My body composition changed dramatically this year, including almost 40 pounds of weight loss, but what has meant the most to me are the gains: feeling strong, confident, capable, and more like myself again.

Today, I feel different in every way. My energy is steadier, my health has improved, and I move with confidence instead of hesitation. CrossFit Central gave me a positive place to focus my energy when much of life felt outside my control, and it reminded me that taking care of myself is not selfish, it is necessary. The coaches and the community at CrossFit Central offered me a steady foundation during a time when I needed it most.

I am especially grateful to Carey for her support, insight, and belief in me. She helped me find my confidence again at a time when I felt completely depleted. This process showed me that transformation is not just about physical changes. It is about healing, resilience, and finding your way back to yourself. This journey put me back at the center of my own life and gave me a foundation I intend to protect, build on, and carry forward as I continue showing up fully for the life I want to live.

WHAT IS SOMETHING YOU ARE PROUD OF HAVING ACCOMPLISHED?

I’m proud of rebuilding my strength and endurance. Over the past year and a half, I’ve gone from barely being able to move comfortably to lifting heavier, pushing harder, and keeping up in classes that once intimidated me. Beyond physical changes, I’ve gained energy, confidence, and a sense of possibility that carries into every part of my life.

I’m especially proud to be running again. I shattered my ankle as a teenager and was told I’d never run and should stick to low-impact exercise. For most of my adult life, I ignored that advice and made it work through stubborn determination, but after a multi-year stretch of caregiver stress and putting my health and needs on the backburner, the pain became so intense I could barely walk. In June 2024, when a surgeon told me my only option was total ankle replacement, I called Carey instead. We started slow—focusing on mobility and rebuilding strength—and little by little, I regained my movement and confidence. Now, I’m running again—not fast, but pain-free—and that feels like an incredible victory.

My favorite thing about CrossFit Central are the coaches and community. I first joined CrossFit Central in 2010 and gained confidence and friendships that shaped me for years. Coming back in 2024, I found that same spirit—coaches who believe in you and a diverse, supportive group of people who push you to grow. Whether it’s learning better form, lifting heavier, or tackling a tough hybrid workout, I never feel like I’m doing it alone. On days when I walk in carrying a lot, I always leave feeling stronger in more ways than one.

In fact, everything feels easier. I move with less pain, my body feels capable and balanced, and I have more energy, focus, and patience. The consistency of training helps me manage stress and stay grounded, and it reminds me daily that I can keep doing hard things—both in and out of the gym.

CrossFit Central has been a part of so many chapters of my life—from my 30s when I was growing my business and raising my boys to now in my 50s, navigating caring for my parents and big transitions. Each season, it’s given me the structure, accountability, and community I’ve needed to rediscover my strength. Starting my mornings here grounds me, gives me perspective, and reminds me that taking care of myself first is what allows me to keep showing up for everyone else.

I’m deeply grateful for this community and for Carey—for her steady coaching, encouragement, and belief in me. CrossFit Central has reminded me that true strength isn’t just physical—it’s the courage to keep showing up, no matter what life brings.