Everyone has that moment where life looks them dead in the eye and gets real. That moment made me realize all that I had taken for granted. My family, life, career, and my body all had been underappreciated. The only person to blame was me. I will never forget that and let that help me push past excuses and complacency to get me to the best version of myself. To be the husband and father that my family deserves and to the person I want to be on the course. Controlling my attitude and my effort daily to make all...

“I’ve always loved to work hard, and when I started CrossFit®, I knew that’s what it was all about. I grew up a competitor through gymnastics, so my competitive mindset has always been there. I love the grind, the pain, the push, the suffering, the blood, sweat, and tears it’s taken to get me where I am. The process is long and most of the time it isn’t easy but learning to enjoy the process is the key to success. It’s how we get to the goals we set for ourselves. It makes us tough, and it makes us confident....

Ever since I can remember, I have loved competition. Growing up, I strived to be stronger, smarter, faster, better than my peers. I used this competitive nature to push myself to be my very best. During senior year of high school, I was offered a scholarship to run track at the University of Missouri.  Once I was placed into the scene with other SEC athletes, I quickly realized everyone was talented. Everyone worked hard. Everyone wanted exactly what I wanted.  My work ethic got me there physically, but it was the mental side I needed to strengthen. I trained my mind to enjoy...

"Long term success and achievements are not possible without God." I got my first taste of competition at the age of eight at my first track meet and I was hooked. After running indoor and outdoor track for the next 15 years, I took a break for seven years knowing I would be back to some kind of competition. 2011 was when I found CrossFit, then weightlifting followed in 2014. Weightlifting was the best thing to happen to me because it came at a time in my life when I needed it most. I lost my job, went through a...

James Foster aka "King James Foster" has one of the biggest hearts you will ever encounter.  He teaches how to love unconditionally and accept people without question.  Rarely does he let any circumstance get him down.  "Inclusion is not tolerance, it is unquestioned acceptance." #IAMNOBULL

Do I think I have something to prove? Absolutely! Growing up, there was no room for complacency or mediocrity. There was no pretense about the level of excellence needed not only to succeed, but to trailblaze as a Black woman in this country. There was no quitting, no whining, and no time to wallow in self-doubt.  Looking back, I realize I was learning about what it means to show up. And that’s what I carry with me. It’s what allows me to be courageous, resilient, and relentless. It’s how I have the audacity to call myself a leader in spaces that...

"Never let someone else’s perception of you become your reality.” A coach who always pushed me along my journey shared this quote by Les Brown and it has stayed with me since then. There will always be obstacles to overcome; there will always be naysayers. I accept and understand that there were and will be constant obstacles or failures, but I try to learn and grow from each one. I believe deep down that if I am willing to make the sacrifices and continue to work and be humble that all things are possible. I surround myself with people who push...

I have been a professional track and field athlete for 10 years now. I became a heptathlete (7 events) when I got to university in 2006 because it seemed like the next challenge I was supposed to take in sport. In August 2011 I blew out my patellar tendon, creating my next challenge, to rehab and train to make the 2012 London Olympic team in 9 months.  I moved to rehab with someone I didn’t even know, lowered my head to stay focused and I did it. I became an Olympian in the heptathlon, competing against the best in the...