Brief personal history and journey towards beginning your CrossFit journey:
While I was always a big kid, I grew up playing soccer and volleyball, which kept me in [relative] shape. When I moved back to Wisconsin in 7th grade girls’ soccer and volleyball were the same season, so I had to choose, and I ended up choosing volleyball. I ended up playing part way through high school (school and club). Once the school sports stopped I found myself going to traditional gyms independently for a few months each year and dieting. I would then fall off the wagon and try again the next year. Even when I was in the gym I was not pushing myself and the diets I tried left me hangry, so I continued to slip further out of shape each year. That in partnership with seeing people around me deal with chronic illness that was exacerbated by obesity and sedentary lifestyle, I knew I needed to make a permanent change if I wanted to live my best life. This lead me to checking out different programs, and spoiler alert, into CrossFit Oshkosh with my friend, Ashley. We started with 2 – 6 week sessions of the SWEAT class and then transitioned into regular CrossFit classes. I have officially lost 50 lbs, I am eating so much better, I continue to get stronger each month, and I don’t use the word diet anymore, I am in this for the long haul now.
What brought you to CrossFit Oshkosh?
The Facebook Videos/Ads highlighting Sweat class. I knew I was ready to make a lifestyle change, but I didn’t feel ready to jump into the fancy barbell movements.
Your first impression of CrossFit Oshkosh?
TERROR, seriously, walking into the gym last July was one of the hardest/scariest things I have ever done. But, as soon as you get yourself through the door everyone is so supportive and welcoming and you will start to build confidence. Over time, the nerves have subsided and I am excited to come into class (eve
n though I still get the Pre-WOD “scaries” some days).
What has been your biggest hurdle since starting?
Nutrition. It always has been and probably always will be. CrossFit has given me the tools to be successful, I just need to be diligent to live by the 80/20 rule and not let it slip to 70/30.
What is your favorite aspect of CrossFit?
Community and Competition!
What are your current goals in CrossFit?
I have a lot of goals, like not being terrified of jumping or being upside down. I keep calling them 2020 goals, but that is coming in very quickly, time will tell! Also, it’s going to be real neat when I can do a pull up, but that is probably a 2021 goal for me.
What is something we don’t know about you?
I like to think that it isn’t obvious that I am an only child 
Also, I lived in 5 states by the time I was 19 (Wisconsin, Illinois, Missouri, Minnesota, Kansas).
Want to be as AWESOME as Brandy?
[button link=”#https://ardentoshkosh.com/get-started/” type=”big” color=”red”] Sign up for a free No Sweat Intro[/button]