Everything I have done in CrossFit so far has begun with arrogance and ended in humility. After more than twenty-three years of wrestling, including at the Division 1 college level, I thought that I was going to walk into CrossFit and show it who is boss. I didn't think that I was going to be the best, but I definitely thought that I would be one of the best. Let me give some humbling examples:
When I originally went to the certification, the instructors asked people to raise their hands if they had been doing CF for over 5 years, then 4 years, then 3, 2, 1. Then they asked the class who was doing the certification without ever having done CF. "There is one in every class", they said. I was the only one to raise my hand. Now that is fun and all, but I thought my hardworking, kick-butt experience as a college athlete would get me by for the weekend. NOPE. Failed the test and had to drop another $150 bucks to retake it. .... humbling.
Another example was the first time that I did Fran. It was under 5 minutes .... YEAH, no. I used the women’s RX weight while some dude next to me did the WOD in about 2:55 RX. I was not happy.
Then there were the dreaded 13's, a series of WODs which qualify athletes to compete in the Regionals. As a coach, I stumbled several times. Once I got so distracted during a WOD that I lost track of an athlete’s reps. I think he did about 4 more reps than required, and we both knew it. He had worked so hard, and I let him down. This thought consumed me.
But more embarrassment was to come. I once laughed at a coach when he talked to me about "red lining". Red lining is where you do too many reps, too fast, cashing out all of your energy on the spot. I was only 45 seconds into the first open WOD (a 17 minute workout) when I literally told myself that I was going to quit. Yet I somehow scoped the room while I was hitting burpees and saw at least 15 of my clients watching. I said to myself, "If you want all of these people to leave your box, then quit". I somehow finished that ridiculous WOD and I hope to never laugh at red lining again.
Lastly, I have been humbled by the blessing of the people at D1Fit CF. I have been told many times to surround myself with people who are more passionate about whatever it is that you do. Ellie McKenzie and Ben Scarbro, the other two coaches at D1Fit CF, have helped me accomplish that. I have always been passionate about busting my tail, but their dedication to CrossFit and to helping D1Fit CF athletes perform at their best has raised the bar at D1Fit CF and in me. Simply humbling.
I cannot tell you how much I have learned in the past 10 months. It seriously feels like 2 years. I have been repeatedly humbled, I have sought out wise council in the industry, I have gotten USAW level 1 certified, I have changed class dynamics, and I have seen life change. I am constantly challenged to push D1Fit CrossFit forward, to educate myself, and to attend to the community that we have built together. It has not been easy, but it has been filled with love and I cannot wait to see where we go next.
Love this team,
Keegan Mueller
June 10, 2013
