Some of my earliest memories are of setting up classes for all of my Cabbage Patch kids and teaching them math, reading, etc. I was pretty sure I was destined to be a teacher, but eventually it became evident that writing was more in my wheelhouse, and as such- reading became my passion. While most kids immersed themselves in becoming the best athletic version of themselves, I was lost crossing the bridge to Terabithia, wondering what Ramona was going to find herself mixed up in next, and saying a prayer for Owen Meany. I wanted to DO that- to put words on a page that came alive, to communicate in a way that struck a chord in the hearts of whoever read it. The only thing I felt more connected to as a child than writing and reading was photos- I used to pay for the one hour photo processing because I didn’t want to have to wait any longer than necessary to hold the pictures in my hand- the only thing that could connect me more to a moment in time than writing about it was holding a photo of a moment captured in time.
The thing about writing, is its not a glamorous professional pathway. So I left it by the wayside, pursuing other avenues over the years, but never finding something that fueled my fire like writing- like telling a story. If you’re reading this- you’re well aware of my sports-obsessed self, but even the only thing I love MORE than watching sports- is reading, watching and learning of the stories of WHY behind those who play the sports.
Shortly after autism became just a portion of a page from Webster’s in our lives, I read every book that I could get my hands on about families and their children, and their stories. I was inspired, I was moved- I was motivated to tell OUR story because if it could help anyone- even just ONE person, it was worth it. But more than that- writing has always been therapeutic for me- there’s something about putting words out there in the world that just HEALS me. That’s where this blog was born- almost five years ago. But for a long time, I wasn’t writing to share our story- it was for ME.
My history with CrossFit is well documented (http://www.waypointcrossfit.com/how-waypoint-crossfit-saved-my-life/) – but what’s not super clear is how I ended up being the one with the camera in my hands around Waypoint. I just know at some point Regina or Carol handed me a camera and I just never put it down. The pictures, for me became what they had as a child- the victories of hitting a lift that you thought was too heavy for you, the support of the community as they rally around you to tackle what you thought was impossible. It tells the story…
There’s not much Regina could suggest that I would say no to. That’s the kind of trust and confidence you develop in a person who is largely responsible for helping change your entire life. Last summer, three days before our annual Masters competition she said “you’re going to have to photograph it….” And I did. So when she suggested we apply to volunteer at Wodapalooza, I said yes and we did just that. And then…we got accepted to the media team. So- we flew to Miami…hopped on electric scooters and spent 4 days at Bayfront Park surrounded by some of the coolest people you’ve ever met.
We got to meet people from all over the world- athletes at the very pinnacle of the sport. Photographers and videographers with YEARS of experience and an eye for telling stories…INCREDIBLE stories. Emcees from all over the country who have been a part of the sport for over a decade…and the crowds of people who came to spectate. To be in the presence of such overall awesomeness- it was incredible. I’m not sure what I expected when we got there, but I did tell Regina and Sis after the first day that I felt like I was walking through my Instagram feed. And when you’ve been around the CF world- it was just pretty damn cool to actually see these athletes in person. It humanized them on a level I wasn’t expecting. There were several athletes in attendance who weren’t competing- but stood on the sidelines cheering for their friends, just like we’ve done for athletes from our gym when they compete at our competition or others in the area. One of my favorite moments of the weekend was being witness to an interaction between two brothers- one competing on a team, and one in the individual competition- the brother on the team was BEYOND ecstatic when his younger brother came off the floor after finishing an event and gave him one of the biggest hugs I’ve ever seen. He was as excited as if he’d just watched his brother become President. It was a really cool moment, and stood as a reminder to me that CrossFit, at its core, even at its highest level- is about family. It doesn’t matter if you’re competing in the Elite Division at Wodapalooza, or in an 800 square foot “box” in the middle of nowhere in Nebraska- at its core, CrossFit is yes, constantly varied functional movements performed at relatively high intensity- but it’s also about FAMILY- and community. And Like I said, I’m not sure when along the lines of the last 3 years that somebody handed me a camera, but I’m really damn sure glad they did. It’s become as therapeutic and second nature to me as writing- and it manages to combine my love of connecting with people, with being able to learn about what drives them- and share THEIR stories.
All of this to say- I love to share about our family’s story, because reading other people’s stories when I was in the cave of a post-diagnosis slumber was the torch I needed to keep moving. At the same time- I’m grateful to have rekindled my love affair with photos, and probably even more so now because I don’t have to wait at CVS for an hour to see them. I love to share the stories of my gym family because I know that the CrossFit community has the potential to change people’s lives- just like it has mine. But it’s also FUN- it fuels my fire. The opportunity to show people just how truly powerful and strong they really are?? It’s something I don’t take for granted. I consider it truly an honor- and I loved being able to experience people who are far more talented and far more experienced doing the same thing that we do, but on a much larger scale. It fired me up and renewed my drive to keep getting better, to learn more, to DO more.
Remember a few weeks ago when I said I was drowning, sinking? I wish I had known then how energized and renewed I’d feel after spending four days with people who are at the top of their craft- whether it was the videographers and photographers that made up the incredible Media Team at WZA, or the absolutely ridiculous athletes we had the honor of watching up close and personal as they pushed themselves over four days of competition. Regina said it best- we will be back, Wodapalooza.
As for me- for here, for now? Stay tuned…
And if you’re looking for a camera to get in front of- give me a holler. I want to help tell YOUR story.
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