Frequently, we read about adults who have changed their lives around. We applaud them, because inside all of us is a little bit of them.
Social media serves us with images of high-level athletes who compete while showing incomprehensible determination, strength and stamina.
Yet, when we really think about where fitness starts, how it is emulated and copied, we have to look to our children. Inevitably, parents set the standards for their daughters and sons to aspire to, yet it takes the individual child to actually follow through.
The fabric of our community rests with each individual member. If not in person, we invite you to shake hands with them virtually. Meet Olivia:
Olivia has, seemingly, always been a student athlete. A determined swimmer, ready to hit the pool at a minute’s notice, cranking out lap after lap. She’s been pool-side for six years. Year ‘round. Including 5:30 a.m. practices, because that is what it takes to swim competitively. Yet ‘only’ one top-shelf fitness modality was not enough for Olivia’s competitive edge. She wanted more and she had an empowering guide to help her grow. Her mother.
In 2013, at the tender age of 9, Olivia took a page out of her mom’s book. Dawn, an avid CrossFitter herself, set the standards for physical well being and mental acuity. Olivia joined a CrossFit Kids program in her hometown in Virginia. As with any kids program, bodyweight movements, running, gymnastic skills and age appropriate weightlifting exercises were rounding off a fitness curriculum designed to empower tomorrow’s generation.
In 2015, Olivia moved into the next level of CrossFit Kids, where she was introduced to barbell movements. Over the course of 18 months, with an attendance of 2x/week, technique was of higher importance than going heavy on the weight load.
The progression didn’t end there. In 2017, Olivia’s family upgraded their lives to Minnesota. They became members of The Athlete Lab.
Having arrived at TAL with a solid mindset and significant knowledge about her own abilities, the TAL coaches picked up where Olivia had left off in Virginia. It was a seamless transition. Olivia operates with surgical precision, yet the determination and toughness of a pro-athlete.
Knowledge and ability to focus have compounding effects, especially in teenagers. Their growth, not only in perspective, but also in mindset, allows them to progress at an accelerated rate. Harnessing their powers, channeling their strengths into the most beneficial outlets, forges their grit to stick with chosen goals, even when things aren’t always going their way.
Olivia made changes to her sports philosophy, reducing her time in the pool, while laterally increasing her time on the CrossFit floor. She feels that a blended fitness curriculum make her a better swimmer. The rationale of “increased endurance, in combination with balanced strength and physical developments”, Olivia says, “it really improves my self confidence”. Olivia works out alongside athletes from all walks of life. The atmosphere is vibrant, encouraging,…it is electric. Whoever gets done first, cheers the everyone else on, encouraging them to give their best. Frequently, Olivia is among those who cheer others on.
The payout of her efforts is measurable in physical ability and mental acuity through her academic abilities. More importantly, though, are the immeasurable effects of Olivia’s work. An increase in quiet confidence and leadership. And an unshakeable ability to handle all a student in today’s world of academia is exposed to. While no one is immune to having bad days, especially teenagers are oftentimes confronted with the rigors of their own growth, but an also an ever changing environment of social life, Olivia says that her involvement in fitness turns “bad days into good days, and give me a feeling that I can handle anything!”.
Olivia is the poster child of mixed-functional-fitness, where technique meet ambition and ability. She is tomorrow’s class of leaders who set themselves up for longevity, by making it a priority to not shy away from difficult tasks. CrossFit exposes your weaknesses. It asks you to commit and grow. Only she can answer that call. And the sooner, or younger, you start answering your own call, the sooner you’ll improve your future outlook.