Smashby's Training Blog

Anyone who knows me is aware that the highlight of my days is getting the chance to coach INCREDIBLE athletes through challenging moments. Day in and day out I get the honor of seeing you guys push to… and then through, your self-imposed mental and physical barriers and reach a new confidence, and it moves me emotionally every single time.

So the first thing I want to do is thank you. ALL of you. I’m so privileged to get the chance to spend this time with you guys!

The work in the gym is only half of the battle, though. After you guys walk out the door when the workout is over, you’re faced with a entire world out there tempting you to indulge in the world of sugar and processed foods. Day in and day out you have the option of taking steps backwards instead of continuing a path towards increased health and wellness. As we saw with the Polks on my last “Success Story” post, so many of our CrossFit Lakewood athletes have made changes in their diets as well, and the transformations have been incredible!

This month’s Success Story is about Kip and Linda Henthorn! This husband and wife team have improved their health, flexibility, strength and stamina in ways that you can’t help but notice when you watch them work out in class. The physical changes in their bodies, though, you notice immediately when they walk in the door!

Instead of me telling awesome stories about the changes I’ve seen in these two, this time I’m going to let them tell their own stories.

Linda and Kip, I am SO PROUD of you two, and am so excited to continue to see the changes in your lives. You both look amazing, and your impact on the gym is significant. Thanks for sharing your positivity, and your story, with us!

This is MONTHS overdue, so here you go! ENJOY!

Linda’s Story:
I started at Crossfit Lakewood seven months ago. Several weeks after I started I saw a quote that said “Life begins at the end of your comfort zone”. I immediately thought – that’s what Crossfit is to me. Every WOD takes me to the end of my comfort zone because it is always a challenge and I feel like my life has taken a new direction.

I exceeded my weight loss goal in 3 months, losing a total of 26-30 pounds (depending on the week). I am now a size 4 – the same as I was in college and get a kick out of sharing clothes with my teenage daughters! I will be 50 by the end of this year and have never in my life had the physical strength, energy and mental confidence that I do now, giving me the ability to constantly challenge myself and keep up with “twenty-somethings” I get to team up with.

I also have a complete new awareness of what I put in my body and follow the Paleo Diet. I no longer have stomach aches or feel fatigued because I ate wrong. I crave fresh veggies and enjoy cooking again, constantly encouraging my family to also make changes.

I look forward to continuing to go to the “end of my comfort zone”, learning and achieving new goals.

Kip’s Story:
My stats: 8 months; 25 pounds; vastly increased overall flexibility and strength; able to do things I thought I would never do such as pull-ups and HSPU; big increase in my mountain biking endurance and fun-factor, which I thought may have been lost forever; real awareness to what I eat – far from perfect, but has made a huge difference in my energy and weight levels. Starting and running a business is stressful and time consuming. I used that “excuse” for 7 years, put on 25 pounds and fell way out of shape. I have a long way to go on my strength goals, but I know I am on my way.

I know this is not intended as a Crossfit Lakewood drum beat, but I can’t help myself because it’s unavoidable. I have done some fairly hard core training in the past for endurance road and mountain bike events, but I have never experienced real results as quickly as I have at CFLW. You have probably heard this a hundred times from others, but here is my attempt to describe the CFLW Mojo: My results are directly related to my effort and enthusiasm, which is directly proportionate to the camaraderie and support from everyone at the gym. Watching others improve their abilities is way encouraging too!

Bottom line is that I can’t wait to work out every day – must be the addictive nature of the butterflies when the clock counts down from 10! I feel very fortunate to have stumbled into CFLW and for being part of the family.

Linda and Kip "Before"

Linda and Kip Now. GREAT JOB, you two!