Clarissa Ferrell
“There’s not just one thing that I love about CFM, it’s many. There’s the convenient class schedule, the amazing coaches, and most importantly, the wonderful people/community at CFM. Everyone is so encouraging to one another, it’s great!”
How long have you been a member at CrossFit Morgantown?
I joined CFM in March 2021.
Why did you join?
I was referred to CFM by Kristen Summers at RawGrit (now CrossFit Sozo). My CrossFit journey began Oct 2018, after a couple of friends joined and the husband said he lost 30lbs in 30 days. Prior to these people, the only people I knew that did CrossFit were elite athletes. I didn’t see myself as being like them or even capable of doing what they did, or at least what I thought they did. Also, I thought everyone who did CrossFit was at the elite level…ie definitely not something that I could do. Then along comes these friends who are “average joes” so to speak. They were so excited about CrossFit, and encouraging that I literally signed up the next day. I didn’t lose 30lbs in 30 days, in fact i didn’t lose 30lbs at all, but that’s ok. After doing CrossFit for a few months, weight loss was no longer my goal, I just loved the feeling of being more fit and being able to run again, and of course, I loved my CrossFit family. It’s the community that kept me coming back.
What do you love most about CrossFit Morgantown? / What keeps you coming back each month?
There’s not just one thing that I love about CFM, it’s many. There’s the convenient class schedule, the amazing coaches, and most importantly, the wonderful people/community at CFM. Everyone is so encouraging to one another, it’s great!
“If you’re thinking about trying out CrossFit, just do it! You don’t have to be some super elite athlete, it’s for regular guys and gals too! Plus, with the community class on Saturdays, you’ve got nothing to lose.”
What is your current occupation? And/or what are some hobbies, clubs, groups, or activities you participate in?
I’m a stay at home mom with two littles, Solomon (2yo) and Hannah (10mth). I’m very grateful that I’ve been able to bring them with me to work out. It’s important the instill the value of personal fitness in children at a young age. It’s also important for them to see mommy working out, not just talking about going to the gym.
Who inspires you?
Many people in my family suffer from obesity, high bp, high cholesterol, type 2 diabetes. I’m 100% confident that my genes are waiting to betray me. Thus, it’s imperative that I stay active and eat healthy. Also, as a mother, I feel I have an obligation to my children to teach and demonstrate for them a healthy lifestyle.
How has improved fitness impacted your life?
My husband and I struggled with infertility for 4 years. I don’t think it was a coincidence that we got pregnant the cycle following the completion of a nutrition challenge at my my previous gym.
What’s one thing – either fitness related or not – you learned in the last month?
Fear can be mighty powerful. I’m learning to recognize it and not let it stand in the way of my accomplishing the things I want to accomplish. For example, I’ve been trying to do a double under for a couple years now. I even bought a fancy jump rope. Honestly, it was embarrassing that I had this rope and couldn’t do a double under. Last week, I overheard some people talking about fear at the gym, and I realized I was afraid of getting tripped up on the rope…that’s why my brain wasn’t letting me do double unders. Then the sage words of someone from my old gym played in my head, “Try-it, if the weight’s too heavy drop it.” She was referring to front squats, but its applicable to jumping rope, I had to let myself try it. The worst that could happen is that I’d fall. Not a big deal, I’m not pregnant anymore so I can fall all I want, lol. And with that, I spun the rope and I heard to “whoosh” sound that it makes when you spin fast enough and I knew I had it. I was so proud of myself. Now, if I could only do more than 2 or 3 consecutively. Baby steps, lol.
What would you say to someone you love to encourage them to try out CFM?
If you’re thinking about trying out CrossFit, just do it! You don’t have to be some super elite athlete, it’s for regular guys and gals too! Plus, with the community class on Saturdays, you’ve got nothing to lose.