Before & After/Testimonials

Miranda:

My CrossFit journey began in March of 2012. It has been an amazing adventure that has not only made me physically stronger, but an all around better person. Three years ago I started a new chapter and wanted to be a healthier me and a role model for my child… but after 2 years of running I was looking for something more.

Not only did I find CrossFit FMS, I found a community/family. I have lost 80 lbs and discovered my passion for fitness. At CrossFit FMS, I have seen just how far I can push myself and have done things I thought were never possible. I can jump boxes, to climb ropes, and do all kinds of lifts. I have learned to fail without being a failure.

Coach David Barnett is the absolute best coach. He has the patience of a saint and never loses faith in your ability to reach  the unachievable. He pushes you to run faster, lift heavier, and always do one more, all with the best and safest form possible. Everything we learn at FMS we carry over and apply to our lives outside “the box.”

 -Miranda

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Chad:

I began my CrossFit journey in September 2011. I grew up an average athlete in many sports but have always struggled with being overweight and had for the most part just accepted being the guy who could throw a football but not do a pull-up, play a game of pickup basketball but not run a 5k.

I for one enjoy competition and most of us realize unless you developed that super focused competitive edge at a young age your competitive athletic career ends in high school. While I found enjoyment in going to a local typical gym it lacked that pop that many of us crave. I did the typical, “Go strong for a few months then began to make excuses as to why not to go.” I saw my first CrossFit games on ESPN and it revived that athlete in me  . I found CrossFit FMS by chance really and just wanted to check out the hype.

I walked in wondering where they ran or actually worked out. It looked like a glorified aerobics studio. Little did I know the butt whoopin’ I was in for. I haven’t looked back since. Today, I am approximately 70 pounds lighter and fitter than I’ve ever been and continuously making new gains and learning daily… I’m hooked. I’ve recently acquired my level 1 CrossFit trainer certificate and continue to enjoy every day at the box.

My favorite thing all around though has to be the camaraderie and community. The coaching level is excellent but to me, the people make the gym. It’s not only a place to work out but a gathering of people who want to make all areas of their life better from their physical capability, diet, mental capability, friendships, families and overall enjoyment of life. If you’re thinking of changing your life this is the place to start. 

-Chad

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Josiah:

I was Coach Barnett’s first “client”.  After getting my undergrad, the college setting had added 50+ pounds to my frame. I took a break from school and decided to focus on my health. After a solid year of training with him I moved to Portland to return to school and get my masters degree. But in the time i trained with David, he showed me how to challenge myself and dig deeper than I ever thought I could, and though it is still a struggle, I have a foundation that I can take with me everywhere I go. 

The first time I worked out with Coach Barnett I had to stop in the middle of the workout and lean against a wall so I didn’t fall over and succumb to nauseous vomiting. I felt the weight of my gluttony and laziness swirling around in my head and stomach and it was overwhelming. I didn’t have a lot of hope at that point but he did. I saw a 250 pound sack of lazy shit who couldn’t get through a workout, and he saw momentum and potential to overcome the burden I carried. I didn’t know how I was ever going to get through the pain of working out on a regular basis without giving up, but coach knew exactly how that was going to happen and what it was going to take. All I had to do was pray to God for the strength to keep showing up and listen. That’s it; I simply showed up and leaned on the heart and knowledge that God has richly blessed Coach Barnett with. After 8 months of eating better and working hard I was 50 lbs lighter and under 200lbs for the first time in over 5 years. I felt invigorated like I never thought I could. I had more energy and hope than I’d had in a long time and it was the beginning of a good work that God is still completing to this day. 

Coach Barnett’s work speaks for itself and I believe it tells the story of God showing up in people’s lives through the act of physical fitness. It’s so much more than just losing weight or looking good, but it has inspired (and continues to inspire) me to look into my own heart and way of thinking.

-Josiah

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Jamy

For the past 10 years, I’ve always had high cholesterol around 260 to 290.  After going gluten free for a few months and losing a little weight, I felt so much better. But in July of 2012 I had my blood checked and to my disappointment, my results were the same as always: Total cholesterol of 276 and total triglycerides of 377.

My Dr. said until I got my sugar problem under control my cholesterol would always be high. In September of 2012, I started at CrossFit FMS. David and Chad helped me learn the zone diet. The weight started falling off. Things got tougher when I was laid off from my job and forced to move for work after only a month of working out at FMS and doing the Zone diet with Chad and David helping me. By continuing to focus on diet, the weight kept falling off! Even without exercise.

In December of 2012 I had my blood checked and my total cholesterol was 206 and total triglycerides were 125.  I was amazed.  Even my Dr. was astonished.  In my opinion you can’t really attribute that to weight loss or exercise because I’ve lost weight before with no effect on cholesterol. It was the knowledge I gained from my experience at CrossFit FMS that i took and applied to my life.

Luckily, my old job opened back up and for the past month I have been back in the box at back at work! I am anxious to see what I can achieve with constant exercise and a constant zone diet. I have lost over 40 lbs and I am now down to 230 pounds from that original 270 pounds.  My prayer for anyone reading this is that not only will my story help motivate you, show you what changes you can make to your body, and lastly have the same long term health benefits I am experiencing with no pharmaceuticals.

-Jamy

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Tara

Before:

 

After:

After being a part of many gyms and playing sports we knew that we needed something different, that’s when we stumbled across CrossFit FMS. My husband and I decided that we were going to do this together for ourselves and our family.  CrossFit FMS has changed my family’s life. I needed exercise in my life, but wasn’t willing to take time away from my family.  We workout together during our lunch break and it works out great for us.   We have so much more energy to spend on our marriage and children.  My husband and I found something we both enjoy. We have learned to challenge ourselves and set daily goals at the box, home, and our work place.

We have a 2 year old and 7 month old.  We started CrossFit 6 weeks after our precious baby boy was born.  I gained 63 lbs with both pregnancies. I was so out of shape and worried CrossFit wasn’t going to work for me. David and Hallye Barnett proved me wrong! David had a modified version ready for me each day.  I can do stuff I never thought was possible for a mom of two.  We have been at FMS for almost five months now… Today, I’m wearing pre-baby jeans.  I can honestly say hard work does pay off.  Benny and I were shocked at how friendly and caring people were at the box.   The encouragement was unreal!!! There were times when we wanted to give up and found ourselves working harder because of the sweet voices of encouragement from the CrossFit FMS “lunch-bunch”. We look forward to spending our lunch hour with you guys, Thank you! My family is my life and I thank God for my new family at CrossFit FMS. -Tara