Name: Lyndy Barnard
1. What do you do for a living?
I am a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). I am a therapist at Blomquist Hale Employee Assistance in Murray. I also am a mom to a 4 year old boy.
2. Tell us your story of how you came to do CrossFit and how long have you been doing it (at 1976 and/or others)?
I started Cross Fit in April 2015, so it has been 9 months now. I came after Allyson Williams convinced me to try it. I had hurt my knee in October 2014, so I was really nervous about trying it, but it has been helpful for my knee. I rarely experience any problems with it now. This is the first time I have ever tried cross fit. I was a competitive swimmer and water polo player until after high school. I have done some mini boot camps in the past, but have never consistently done these types of workouts. I was at my heaviest when I started coming to cross fit. That was very intimidating for me, especially since I have an athletic background and experienced a lot of shame about where I was at physically. As a therapist I spend my day trying to help people improve their lives, but I was not doing it for myself. For me it took a lot of courage to reach out to Allyson and be honest about where I was at both physically and emotionally. Her encouragement to come try it helped a lot. It took a lot of vulnerability for me to come try something so physically demanding when I was at my worst point. Jeremy probablydoes not remember this, but I think after a week or two of coming to Cross Fit, he asked me about my athletic background because he said he could tell from some of the ways I moved that I had an athletic background. Hearing someone see that part of me, when I felt like I had lost that part of myself, was a huge boost in confidence that I could be that person again!
3. What are some of the successes you’ve experienced?
There have been so many! Cross Fit has helped me both physically and emotionally. It is part of my self-care for my own mental health. One of the biggest successes would be the weight loss. We moved to Utah in September 2012, over the course of 3 years I yo-yoed in weight and gained 70 pounds. Moving here was the first time in my life I had experienced seasonal depression in addition to a lot of changes and stress. I did not manage it well. I have now lost 65 pounds and am 5 pounds away from my pre-pregnancy weight! In June I was borderline pre-diabetic and when I got my labs done in December the doctor said they all look great. So in addition to feelings physically great, strong, and more confident I have definitelyimproved my health. In the gym I am constantly making gains. I cannot believe how strong I have gotten. I am proud of how much more I can lift now. Another big accomplishment is overcoming my fear and dislike for running. I started walking/jogging to and from workouts in August and I now can run a mile without stopping, which is huge for me. I cannot believe that I now look forward to the times where there is some running in the workouts. It has also become my other big stress reliever.
4. What are your current goals?
PULL UP! I was amazed the other week when I actually was close to getting it. My goal is to get a pull up in the next six months. Another goal for me is to do a 5k. I set this goal for Thanksgiving, but got so sick I was not able to do it. I have set the goal for myself to keep running over the winter because I don’t want to lose my momentum!
5. What is your favorite movement/exercise?
Weight lifting. I actually also really enjoy the HERO workouts. Even though in the middle of them I think I might pass out I love the sense of accomplishment and excitement I get after realizing what I can do.
6.What keeps you motivated?
The happiness and confidence it gives me and what it does for my mental health keeps me motivated. Also I love that we track our workouts and PRs because it pushes me to try harder.
If you have worked out with me (especially at the 5 am class) you know I like some friendly competition. I tend to try and push myself to be as close in time to some of the other girls in the class such as Stacy, Candace, Joslyn, Allyson or Kristy.
7.Any tips or advice for a CrossFit 1976 newbie?
HAVE AN OPEN MIND AND DON”T BE INTIMIDATED. Go at your pace and you will be amazed how fast your mind and body will change. Tell yourself, “I can do this!” instead of focusing on what you can’t do.
8.If you could have a super power what would it be and why?
Hmmm…I have to admit I don’t know a lot about all the sci-fi stuff and the therapist part of me thinks….if I could read other people’s minds, that would make my job easier.