My CrossFit Journey

Contrary to popular belief, titleholders and competitors in the Miss America Organization are much more than a pretty face with a crown, or a smile and a wave in a parade. We pour our hearts and souls into what we do, whether that be service to our communities, personal platform advocation, or preparation for the next step in our competition journey. As I count down the months until the Miss Minnesota pageant, I have been busy preparing myself to take on the job and responsibilities of being your state titleholder, both mentally and physically. 

With trainer Todd at CrossFit Grow in Brainerd, Minnesota. 

In July of last year I discovered a CrossFit gym not far from my home, and I became instantly curious. At this time I was in a transition in life; I had just returned home from my first year on a college campus and had dealt with the stress that comes with dorm living, dining hall eating, and a "crunched-for-time" schedule. I needed a change from my typical lackluster treadmill workouts that were clearly getting me nowhere, so one day I decided to stroll into the gym to find out just what CrossFit was all about. 

It was then that I met Todd the owner and coach at CrossFit Grow, he immediately signed me for a trial session the next morning at 5am! The next day I was up and at em bright and early, and ready to do my workout in spite of being nearly half asleep; I had no idea the wake up call I was in store for. After a warm up that seemed like my typical workout, we moved to the strength portion, I did so many squats that I thought my legs would fall off, then it was time for the WOD/Metcon. In CrossFit lingo WOD stands for workout of the day and Metcon is short for metabolic conditioning; these workouts are designed to train stamina, strength, endurance and conditioning for overall fitness. All I remember of my first WOD is questioning wether or not I could get through it in one piece; I did so many burpees, squats, and sit-ups that I thought I would need to be scraped of the gym floor. But nonetheless I finished the workout and was able to leave in one piece. The next day when I woke up I was as sore as I had ever been in entire life, but I also had a tremendous feeling of pride for accomplishing what had been the most grueling workout of my life; I wanted more and knew that I had to make room for CrossFit in my life. 

CrossFit I learned is a fitness program designed to strengthen and condition the body, using elements of the weightlifting, gymnastics and track. One key to the program is that it doesn't specialize; CrossFit focuses on functional life movements i.e. pushing, pulling, jumping, sprinting, squatting. 

That summer I completed my on-ramp CrossFit training, and found myself working out and getting stronger every morning at the box (CrossFit lingo for gym). Each day I was being pushed to my limits and could feel myself growing stronger after each session. I was very fortunate to have the support of my fellow CrossFitters and our coach Todd as I learned how to do each exercise and olympic lift. Safety was never a concern as Todd is meticulous about form and was there at all times to give complete personal training. After charging through these tough workouts each day and always digging deep to find the strength for just one more rep, I truly learned that CrossFit is a community, because everyone always leaves with a smile on their face. CrossFit is the only program I've found where the loudest cheers are for those last person to finish! 

My summer CrossFit experience built strength and muscle, while toning and transforming my body just in time for the Miss Moorhead Scholarship pageant; for the first time in a longtime I felt confident in a swimsuit, and was able to take home the crown, all thanks to my time at CrossFit Grow. After a hiatus of a few months I began to crave CrossFit again, and now It feels so good to be back to my training. It has been just short of one month since I started up again, and Im back in the swing of things with no plan of stopping. I've already registered to train at a box in the Fargo-Moorhead area when I return to school, and I plan on training with Todd, Matt, and the gang at CrossFit Grow whenever I'm home in the Brainerd Lakes Area.  

CrossFit is allowing me to live my life strong, and Im totally convinced that If I can make it through each days WOD that I can make it through and accomplish anything…even the title of Miss Minnesota 2014, lifestyle and fitness in swimsuit here I come! 

A big thank you to Todd and everyone at CrossFit Grow,

Maren Goff

Miss Moorhead 2013

For more info please visit www.crossfitgrow.com