Cheers to Change

The countdown to 2014 has come. 2 and a half minutes on the clock. 3 more muscle ups. 2 minutes left of the year 2013. Six, 55 pound one arm dumbbell snatches. 45 seconds left on the clock, 9 burpee box jumps. 10 seconds left until the new year...one more muscle up.

After completing a 10 minute AMRAP (as many rounds as possible) of 3 muscle ups, 6 one arm 55 pound dumbbell snatches, and 9 burpee box jumps, we were ready to toast the new year with some champagne. As we drank, exchanged sweaty hugs, and cheered one another with a "Happy New Year", I took a glance back at what had just occurred.

Some fellow crossfitters and I had just rang in year 2014 with multiple, sweat filled, heart pounding workouts. My friends and I got to Crossfit CenterMass around 10:30pm and worked out with quite a few others who were ready to end (and start) the year right. We endured the hardship of these workouts while also fighting sleep, but that was all part of the fun ;)
After the workout portion of the night was over, we all relaxed had a good time together. This collaboration allowed me to sit back with my champagne and reflect on this past year.

2013 was the most life changing year I have ever experienced. It was also, as a whole, the best year of my entire life.

I remember ringing in the year 2012 by sitting on a couch watching Ryan Seacrest make a fool out of himself in the cold and watching live pop music (mostly lip-sung and if it wasn't, they sounded terrible). I spent most of 2012 trying to find myself again after I lost one of my most important assets; my ability to climb. I remember grappling with this inability to perform something that had become such a basic function of mine. Climbing was my lifestyle and without it, I felt as if I was nothing. I remember beginning to change by finding crossfit and delving into better dieting. I researched reasons why this may have happened to me and how I could make it right. I started to branch out of my tiny climbing circle and developed new friendships. From these friendships I was able to learn the importance of patience and having an open mind. This allowed me to view the world from multiple perspectives and begin a new chapter of my life.

I rang in the year 2013 on top of one of the highest hills in Worcester. A few friends and I hiked about a mile so that we could watch the midnight fireworks. It was freezing outside and there was a few inches of snow on the ground. As we watched the fireworks we could feel the inspiration that this year would bring. After all, 13 is my lucky number. In the end, the number 13 did not disappoint. As I said before, this was the best year of my life.

I think 2013 was the greatest year of my life for two simple reasons: Change and Happiness. I made a lot of changes this past year and that ultimately led me to the greatest gift of all, happiness.

A year ago I could never have imagined the position that I am in. I am healthier than I have ever been in my entire life. No more rheumatoid arthritis symptoms. No more asthma. No more headaches, bloating, fatigue, brain fog, stomach pains, cold extremities, depression, sleep trouble, sinus infections, or any other ailment that I had. After starting the year seeing doctor after doctor and trying so many different restrictive diets, I finally found all of my answers and began doing something that worked. Not even in my wildest dreams have I ever felt as good as I do today.
On top of that I am at peace with myself. I am confident, collected and I also believe in myself. I can climb hard and crossfit hard, too. I even placed top 5 in multiple climbing and crossfit partner competitions! I had a multitude of opportunities that knocked at my door which included becoming a certified personal trainer, becoming a certified crossfit trainer, working with athletes and low wage demographics alike, attending mentorships, and being accepted to be a part of an athlete specific internship. On top of that I developed an adult climbing team program and coached multiple climbing teams, all while attending a full course load of school.

A year ago I would also not have imagined how strict of a diet I would have to adhere to in order to achieve all of these goals, or how much time I spend with an alternative medicine specialist to make my body healthy. Through this process I learned even more how important patience was. I also learned how to speak up for myself, my wants, my needs, and my feelings. I found out how important it was to have support and to give that support to others in return.
A year ago I would not have imagined that I would be in the same apartment, or even in the same school! I would not have been able to imagine all of the relationships that were built up and all of the ones that were broken down. I also would not have been able to imagine how many different emotions I was able to feel for all of this.

A year ago I would not have imagined how much I was able to grow from these experiences which has ultimately led to an unwavering amount of happiness. To truly find happiness is an unmatchable feeling. I have never been so proud and so incredibly content with myself and all of my choices. Through all of the thick and thin, I am thankful for everything that has happened this past year, It has shaped me to who I am today and that will ultimately bring a better tomorrow. 2012 was a tough year, but 2013 overly exceeded my expectations.

After looking back, I sipped some more champagne. If I am able to obtain this sense of happiness with just a little change, who's to know what will happen in 2014? 2013 will be a tough year to beat, but I cannot wait to try! Cheers to change and a Happy New Year to you all!