My journey with CrossFit Ellis started in 2014 at a grocery store. That was the first time I met Aaron Mireles. After I took my purchase home my husband and I drove to the box and I talked more with Aaron about CrossFit, what it was about and what he was offering there at CrossFit Ellis. The first thing that impressed me was the diversity of the people and their skill levels and that each person was getting one on one guidance from Coach Aaron. It was obvious to me that he was passionate about what he was doing and about help all people improve their fitness.
It took me a month to work up the courage to go to my first class. I worried that I wouldn’t be able to do the workouts. I had never really worked out; a few group fitness classes here and there, and I’d tried running but never really got into it. Growing up I was the girl that never made the team and somewhere along the way I gave up. I knew I need a change; I was 39, overweight and had become very sedentary, I needed to do something for myself to improve my health. So, I did it, I went to that first class and when we were done with the WOD I knew I was hooked. The atmosphere was so energetic and positive. I felt like I had found a place I was part of something. I made friends there and we encouraged each other to do better, go faster, get stronger and we celebrated each other’s accomplishments. We competed with each other for faster times or bigger weights, but I found that the real competition was Me vs. Me and I thrived at CrossFit Ellis. I got strong, faster and had more endurance than ever before. And I LOVED the people at the box.
Two years into working out at CrossFit Ellis I really learned what CrossFit had done for me when my adult son was in a motorcycle accident that left him wheelchair bound for three months. He had broken both wrists and fractured his pelvic ring and he needed a LOT of help doing everything. He wasn’t able to grab onto things or hold himself up with his arms or legs while the broken bones healed. He needed help getting out of bed to move to a wheelchair, to move to the shower or even to the toilet. Everyday things were impossible for him. Because of CrossFit, because of the strength I had gained I could lift my 170lb grown son so that he could do those things. What a relief to a mom that her son did not have to go to a rehab facility because his mom could help him with all these things, because she was strong enough to care for her child.
In December 2016 I had the opportunity to take the L1 Trainer Certification. I was a little nervous, but I knew I had a great foundation of knowledge from everything that Aaron had taught me. Even though I had never met any of the people at the course they were my friends, CrossFit had brought us all together. I have been coaching at CrossFit Ellis for about 3 and 1/2 years now and I love being a part of other people’s journey. I love to see athletes make their first pull up or get a new PR on lift. I look forward to getting up early for that 5am class, it’s one of the best hours of my day every day! I’m still learning and growing as an athlete, as a coach and as a person.
The things I have gained from having the courage to walk into that gym the first day are so valuable. I have gained strength, confidence, endurance, mental toughness, perseverance, courage and so many friendships. These things are priceless, I wouldn’t trade them for anything. I am so grateful to have found this place, these people. They have changed my life; I am a better person because of the time I have spent at CrossFit Ellis and I cannot wait to see where this journey takes me next.
Letter From the Owner:
I can still remember the first time I met Carrie, she peeked her head around the corner as we were in the middle of a workout. She had the look of, “Not sure what I’m getting myself into”, but I’m ready. She has never looked back! I am grateful to have such a loyal, caring, and down to earth person as part of the CrossFit Ellis staff.
Carrie leads from the front, I’ve always have said Carrie is down for whatever. From my crazy ideas, changes put in place, filling new roles, events and comps, or to just be by your side and suffer with you. She has always been there.
One of my all time favorite memories I will have of Carrie, is when our comp team was competing in an on-line qualifier. Our male competitor and I had already suffered through 20 minutes of the workout, but our female competitor still needed to test. She was going to have to take on this grueling workout with us there coaching her, but competing alone. Carrie did not hesitate, she suffered right along side her so that she didnt have to do it alone. That right there will always stick out in my mind because she didnt have to do that. She put herself through discomfort just because that’s the type of person she is, trying to help and encourage. Leading from the M’fn front!
Again, CrossFit Ellis is beyond blessed to have such an amazing person as a Coach and Athlete in our community!
- – Aaron Mireles
