TESTIMONIALS
WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING ABOUT CFD
Kimberly Roberts
Member
"I struggled with several things - having a regular fitness routine, stress, weight loss, and nutrition"
What did it feel like to struggle with trying to solve that?
"Frustrating and caused more stress"
What made you decide to give CrossFit a try?
"I had several friends that did it and seemed to love it. And also Jacob's transformation when he was my pastor."
What was different about our gym?
"The community and the owners are the BEST!"
When did you realized our approach was actually working?
"I went shopping, and my normal size was too big."
What is better in your life now that your problem is solved or is being solved?
"Everything! Exercise has so many positive benefits besides muscle gain and fat loss. I feel better, so I am better in every other part of my life, and the stress level is almost nonexistent now."
Why does that matter to you?
"Because I always want to be the best version of myself possible, and I know being fitter also means more longevity."
Jennifer Stephenson
Member
"My nutrition and fitness struggles were a combination of frustration and lack of motivation followed up with a healthy dose of depression and weight gain."
What did it feel like to struggle with trying to solve that?
"Although I attempted to be healthy and exercise I had no real plan or a goal. No matter how much I rode my bike, hiked, and kayaked I was seeing no discernible changes in my body. I just kept going around and around the same mountain."
What made you decide to give CrossFit a try?
"At age 53 and a former collegiate athlete I’d wasted obscene amounts of money on cheap gyms, YMCA’s, and personal trainers. All of which bored me to death. I’d seen an ad on Facebook about a new CrossFit gym in Donelson. I was motivated to reach out because it was new, close to my home, and intriguing."
What was different about our gym?
"I’d never even seen the inside of a CrossFit gym before CFD. Just the look and the feel of the equipment looked like FUN! I also had never heard the term “family” when talking about a place to work out. I never made friends at any gym. Never even spoke to anyone. What this gym brings to the table is a sense of inclusion. I know every single person that I work out with. We don’t compete, we support and encourage each other."
When did you realized our approach was actually working?
"Almost immediately I felt physical and mental improvement. My confidence skyrocketed as I could see changes in my body within a couple weeks. I felt stronger and motivated and was having fun doing it."
What is better in your life now that your problem is solved or is being solved?
"My life is better because CrossFit Donelson and the coaches have motivated me to come to the gym and push myself. CFD gives me a plan, goals, and encouragement to take care of this 53 year old body."
Why does that matter to you?
"CrossFit matters to me because functional fitness has taught me how to take care of my body now and forever. It’s fun. Everybody can do it. I love my gym because we have every age from 18 to 65. And I love each and everyone of them."
Daniela Cullen
Member
"I was helping my husband tear down a privacy fence in our back yard. I became frustrated by my lack of strength in moving sections of broken fence as I watched him pick up 6 foot panels of fence with ease. I wanted to be able to do things around my home and yard ( and in life) without being held back."
What did it feel like to struggle with trying to solve that?
"I had not been doing very much in the way of fitness or strength training so I knew it was time to get back " to business." I knew I was going to have to find something to provide me with overall conditioning."
What made you decide to give CrossFit a try?
"My husband has been dedicated to CrossFit for several years and he had been encouraging me to give it a try for some time. I had always been very resistant because I assumed it was "too hard" and that in doing CrossFit I would develop these "huge bulky muscles" which is not my intention."
What was different about our gym?
"CFD has a great introduction with a foundations class, goal setting and customizing what is important to me. These goals serve as a roadmap to get me where I want to be and can be modified along the way. Spencer is always encouraging and is great at finding modifications for injuries or limitations."
When did you realized our approach was actually working?
"In my opinion all the workouts are challenging, some more than others. When I am able to complete the programmed work out, with modifications, and still feel like I have done my best I feel very positive about myself. When I am able to advance in the weight I use in a workout or shorten the time it takes to do a workout I see the progress and it keeps me coming back."
What is better in your life now that your problem is solved or is being solved?
"I feel stronger over all and I feel like this is something I can keep doing and keep improving."
Why does that matter to you?
"I think most things in life revolve around being healthy. If I feel strong both mentally and physically it reflects in my relationships, my work, and my outlook."
Angela Zalmon-Mooney
Member
The problem:
"Being consistent in working out. I also couldn’t find a place where I felt comfortable and not judged."
What made you decide to give CrossFit a try?
"I did crossfit in the past and I liked how fast your body changes so it helps to keep you motivated."
What was different about our gym?
"You can tell Spencer really cares about what he does and the people he helps. I never felt less then because I needed to scale and the members are all so welcoming as well."
What is better in your life now that your problem is solved or is being solved?
"I generally look forward to coming to the gym 3 times a week. It helps start my day on a good note and I can carry that thru the day."
Why does that matter to you?
"Showing up for myself has been the biggest accomplishment. It is my time that I can focus on me and set that example for my son. That his commitment to himself is just as important as any commitment he makes to others."
Jorge Alcaraz
Member
I wanted to be strong both physically and mentally. I wanted to gain muscle, endurance, and knowledge on how to be physically healthy.
What made you decide to give CrossFit a try?
I always wanted to be active and I worked out on my own but never really had structure on what I was doing. No one was there to correct me or tell me how I can improve myself and my form, and I literally had zero knowledge of CrossFit and never heard of it until I met two guys who I began working with on a daily basis. I wanted to keep that momentum going so I ended up joining CrossFit Donelson.
What was different about our gym?
What’s different about our gym is the people and the atmosphere. You can’t get it anywhere else. I’ve had several coaches throughout my athletic endeavors ranging from different sports and hands down I wholeheartedly believe and know we have the BEST coaches ever; not perfect, but the most caring and genuine people you will ever meet on the face of the planet. All the athletes in the gym are also the best people ever -- people who genuinely want to see you succeed at fitness and life. There’s some smack talk here and there but it’s all in good fun and at the end of the day we encourage each other on and are excited for each individual person’s progress. We're one big family of fitness and I wouldn’t have it any other way.
When you realized our approach was actually working?
There have been several moments when I couldn’t do certain movements or lift a certain amount of weight, and before I even realized it, I’m moving better and lifting those weights isn’t as much of a struggle anymore.
What is better in your life now that your problem is solved or is being solved?
Literally everything is better in my life since CrossFit. Seeing my muscles and other physical changes gives me satisfaction. Knowing it took a lot of work to get to where I am and knowing I have a long way to go to be fitter is fun yet challenging. One thing I want to share is a deep part of my story. I struggled hard with depression and anxiety and even had some suicidal thoughts at one point. CrossFit gave me an outlet. Gave me hope. Gave me a way out. Gave me something to put all this negative energy and turn it into something positive. CrossFit gave me a family. I honestly don’t struggle with any of those things now thanks to CrossFit. CrossFit showed me there will be good and bad days but we can choose how we’ll respond to them. Once I step into the gym I know I’m walking into my second home and I can lay down any problems or struggles and have fun during the class. All in all, CrossFit basically helped me beat depression and anxiety. It would be impossible to say that without all the awesome talks and deep meaningful talks I’ve had with the coaches who are there for you in some not-so-good times. I know they are there for more than just fitness. All the people as well. Simply seeing them and encouraging me and giving me a hard time means more to me than I think anyone will ever know. I was fighting the hardest silent war I ever had to face and little did anyone know they all helped me beat it. CrossFit is more than a sport. It’s a family to me.
Why does that matter to you?
I know if CrossFit made me strong not just physically but also mentally, then I know it can help anyone in whatever they seek to achieve through it.
