What is it about being part of a group, team, or community of people that makes us feel connected, worthy, and with purpose? It could be the pleasure that comes from surrounding yourself with a group of likeminded people with a common interest. It could be the fulfillment you get in achieving goals together as a team. For the myriad reasons, it’s scientifically proven that humans have to feel connected to someone or something to find purpose in this life.
I’m a part of a few communities including my church (gives me my ultimate purpose), a group of female bloggers, and most recently, CrossFit. I know I don’t have to get started about the health benefits of exercise nor do I want to sell you on this type of training. It’s aggressive, exhausting, and beats up your body…and that’s not for everyone. It was unbelievable to me that people would go to these garage-looking gyms that turn into summer saunas and wreck their bodies with Olympic weightlifting, rope climbs, and absolutely insane workouts. They would waddle home with battle wounds showing off their ripped open hands and scuffed up shins. It seemed crazy…crazy enough for me to try.
Yes, I love the satisfaction I get in growing stronger, lifting an extra ten pounds, mastering a move I never thought I could. You should have seen my face when I did my first unassisted pull-up; it was like I won a million dollars! I love the sweat, the tears, and the (occasional) blood.
But more than all of that, I LOVE and THRIVE in the community of CrossFitters that hold health, fitness, and discipline at the standard I now do. I love that when I throw the barbell down and immediately find myself on all fours crying out in pain and gasping for breath, every single person in that gym knows how I’m feeling and they high five me, rub my back, tell me that I crushed it. It doesn’t matter if you lifted five pounds or 100 pounds, you gave it everything you had and it doesn’t go unnoticed.
I tear up sometimes when people ask me why I do CrossFit. It’s ridiculous and I feel super lame at first! But then I remember that it’s been monumental in my life. I feel like it’s paved the way for me to live my best life yet. I’ve never been a part of a more supportive community and I think that’s why people go back time and time again, fighting through workouts. It’s because you’re all in it together, suffering and achieving and growing together.
What communities are you a part of? Why do you keep going back for more?
Living in Portland, OR trying to create a more fulfilling and satisfying life. I like red wine, photography, playing music, traveling, and wise-cracking.
