What Our Athletes Have to Say About Us
Kenny and I just finished our very first CrossFit Open!!! Who would have thought………a year ago we walked in to the newly remodeled Park Merc building on the evening of the Grand Opening, just to see what they had done with the place. We both grew up in Columbia Falls and that building was a part of our growing up. The first part of the remodeled building was so crowded and loud, you couldn’t even talk to anyone. We decided to check out the other side of the place, not even knowing it was two separate business. We walked in to a room full of bar bells and weights, a thing called a rig, leather balls with numbers on them, kettle bells, ropes hanging from the ceiling and some young, obviously in shape people, willing to visit with us and tell us what the place was all about. Hellroaring CrossFit was the business. It all seemed very interesting and they said it could all be scaled to our ability. Not sure they realized how scaled they would have to go!!! That is how we met the most amazing and supportive group of people we have ever been involved with in the workout community. Starting something this hard at the age of 60+ was pretty intimidating. We decided to give it a month. We took the 101 course and entered into the Hellroaring CrossFit Community. True to their word, Gabe, Sarah, John, and Leslie, coached us along the way, making sure we were learning technique long before we were lifting heavy weights. Things we learned along the way…. AMRAP, sore muscles, EMOM, sore muscles, WOD, sore muscles, 12 Days of Christmas, Death by Wallball shots, more sore muscles! Names we have learned: Jason, Karen, Isabelle, Randy, Fran, Nichole, Murph, Annie, Cindy, Elizabeth, Jeremy, Diane, Frangilina. Not a one of these were people we worked out with, but we know them well. We have tracked our progress over the year, and it’s amazing what we have accomplished. We have been pushed beyond what we ever thought was possible. Our success has only been accomplished because of the support of our Hellroaring CrossFit family. Last year at this time, everyone was talking about and all excited about the CrossFit Games. That was something we were going to leave for the young ones. Then all the sudden, everyone is getting excited about the CrossFit open, and we were ready to join in. There is one thing I try to remember as I grow older. “Live your life, not your age!” Thank you to everyone who has been with us on this journey. We have met some wonderful people by stepping out of our comfort zone and putting on that first pair of CrossFit Shoes!!
-Leah Levitt
-Leah Levitt
“When I started with Hellroaring CrossFit in December of 2016, I only had a few months of experience with CrossFit. I enjoyed what I had learned up to that point, but never realized how much more exciting it could be. From the minute I enrolled, Gabe and Sarah treated me like a valuable member of their growing community. I didn’t feel like I was just another face in the crowd. I’m sure it helped that at the time we were working out in a garage, so space was limited! Gabe and Sarah made it a goal to have an all-inclusive, friendly and warm environment, and they succeeded.
For almost a year I was very sporadic with my workouts, ranging from three times per month to five days per week, but in November of 2017 I decided it was time to really start taking care of myself, so I quit drinking alcohol and started attending five to six classes per week every week. I realized that Hellroaring gave me a place to go to escape my life for a short period of time where I didn’t have to worry about being a wife, mother, boss, house cleaner or bill payer, so I decided to make this a dedicated time to take care of myself. Once Hellroaring became a regular part of my life, I became a better version of me. I am happier, healthier and more driven in my every day life. I recently finished the Nutrition Coaching with coach John and saw more results than any other thing I’ve tried on my own in years. I lost fourteen pounds and almost 6% body fat in twelve weeks on a program that works with my life (and I still eat candy).
Hellroaring CrossFit has grown so much in the past year that the classes have grown significantly, but I still feel just as valued as the day I started. I look forward to waking up when it’s still dark outside and my family is sleeping to hang out and sweat with incredible people that are always happy to see me. I will be a member of Hellroaring CrossFit until they kick me out or I move away. I think investing in yourself is priceless, but when you ENJOY it, it’s even better. Hellroaring CrossFit is a wonderful combination of a well-run business, owners that care about you, knowledgeable coaches and a fun environment.”
-Leigh Lawrence
For almost a year I was very sporadic with my workouts, ranging from three times per month to five days per week, but in November of 2017 I decided it was time to really start taking care of myself, so I quit drinking alcohol and started attending five to six classes per week every week. I realized that Hellroaring gave me a place to go to escape my life for a short period of time where I didn’t have to worry about being a wife, mother, boss, house cleaner or bill payer, so I decided to make this a dedicated time to take care of myself. Once Hellroaring became a regular part of my life, I became a better version of me. I am happier, healthier and more driven in my every day life. I recently finished the Nutrition Coaching with coach John and saw more results than any other thing I’ve tried on my own in years. I lost fourteen pounds and almost 6% body fat in twelve weeks on a program that works with my life (and I still eat candy).
Hellroaring CrossFit has grown so much in the past year that the classes have grown significantly, but I still feel just as valued as the day I started. I look forward to waking up when it’s still dark outside and my family is sleeping to hang out and sweat with incredible people that are always happy to see me. I will be a member of Hellroaring CrossFit until they kick me out or I move away. I think investing in yourself is priceless, but when you ENJOY it, it’s even better. Hellroaring CrossFit is a wonderful combination of a well-run business, owners that care about you, knowledgeable coaches and a fun environment.”
-Leigh Lawrence
When I joined Hellroaring Crossfit in February 2017 it was with lots of trepidation. I was about 125 pounds overweight, extremely out of shape and battling the effects of Lupus. I really had no intention of doing Crossfit, my husband was the one who was interested. When we met with Gabe he was so sweet and made crossfit seem so doable that I decided to try it. I assumed that it would be too hard though and that I wouldn’t last at it long. I had seen videos of crossfitters doing box jumps, super heavy lifts and gymnastics. There was no way I could do any of that! It turns out that the beautiful thing about crossfit is that it is scalable to where ever you are at. I couldn’t jump on a box but I could step onto one, I couldn’t lift heavy things but I could lift light ones. Before I knew it I was hooked! Over the past year I have lost 94 pounds. I have eliminated all of the medications that I was taking for Lupus. I have improved my fitness by leaps and bounds! I can run without wheezing like I am dying, jump on a box, lift somewhat heavy things, ride a bike, hike-the list is endless really. Over the last year I also found my self confidence, sense of adventure and my smile.
-Shannon Longfield
-Shannon Longfield
