Success Stories

My name is Casie, I’m a 34 year old stay at home mom of 5. I was 3 months postpartum from having my twins & at my heaviest. I was disappointed that I did not give birth to 50lb babies. The thought of chipping away at my weight loss goal alone, at home seemed overwhelming. So, I wanted support…and then I saw a cf add on my fb and decided to try it. A decision that i have never once regretted! CrossFit has been different then other workout programs I have tried in the past because because I see this as a lifestyle. Before eating good and exercising where only a short term gig. I’d return to my old ways once I got to my goal. Now, I’m in it for the long haul.

Casie Garibay

Hey guys, my name is Morgan Vissering. I’m 35 years old and I’m a Stay at home mom to my two boys. I started my CrossFit journey 2 years ago. Since I’ve
started CrossFit I’ve lost 80 lbs and have gained strength, confidence, friendships, moral support, and so much guidance. I’ve learned that change
doesn’t happen overnight but sticking with it pays off. Crossfit helps me mentally and physically everyday. It’s is different than other gyms because you have an  incredible support system and coaching. Someone will make you get that extra 5 lb PR or will make you go to class on days you aren’t as motivated. Without those people here at Solus I wouldn’t have been able to achieve a lot of my goals and I’m so thankful for them. If you’re interested about the hype but are scared or nervous or just unsure, my advice is just go for it. It was one of the best decisions
I’ve made since I moved here

Morgan Vissering

My name is Jason and I’m 34 years old. I hold a degree in Culinary Arts, work part-time as a chef in a nursing home, and I’m a full time chef at the new restaurant on Lake
Texoma. I came across crossfit one day and thought about trying it, but then thought that I was too out of shape for something like that.
But I took that first step, looked into it, and when I realized that I was ready to make a healthy change in my “out-of-shape” lifestyle, I decided to challenge myself and sign up.
It was tough, but I pushed myself. I wanted to get back into my old military body. My favorite thing about crossfit is the high level of energy and motivation from everyone. My family and friends kept commenting on how much weight I was loosing. Once I noticed that other people were seeing my results, that motivated me to keep going. To anyone interested in starting crossfit, do it. Take that first step. It will be tough, but the results of physical and mental change will be worth everything.

Jason Boston

We all have a story, mine certainly is not unlike many. I started CrossFit when I saw a challenge come across Facebook. I live near a box and heard about it but I have never
been physically strong and those people were flipping tires and looked like beasts. I was a runner, a very slow runner. That was the extent of my exercise experience when I
started CrossFit. Due to multiple hospitalizations from a severe infection that almost killed me, I was left with complex regional pain syndrome. Let me explain that it is a condition where an area
(mine was my entire abdomen) would swell, turn red, and become inflamed. I’d get fevers and feel like I had the flu all from the immune response. It felt like a million pieces
of glass were breaking through my skin. It hurt to even wear my scrub pants. I had to go to a pain management doctor and was put on what seemed to be every narcotic known to man. All it did was make me tired. I checked out of life. I don’t remember much of those few months but it seems like I woke up one day almost 50 lbs heavier. I took myself off the medications but I still had so much pain that prevented me from standing up straight much less exercising. Over the next two years I tried to get healthy. I tried to run again, but my abdomen would swell so badly and hurt so much I would stop. The pain eventually became tolerable. Enter the “new you challenge”. I knew that exercise would help manage my condition I just needed someone to push me, instruct me. Mandy and Kaylee were just the two I needed. When I walked in I was intimidated by these strong people and this beautiful little blonde lady sitting behind the desk. I thought for sure I was going to be judged or made to feel like I could not do this. But it was the opposite. I was greeted with smiles and welcomed by everyone. Almost a year after starting Crossfit , I’m on the right track with my weight and the strongest I’ve ever been physically. My pain comes very rarely anymore and I can actually stand up straight. (It seems like a little thing to be excited about but for me it’s huge.)  More than the physical changes, I am mentally stronger. I have been a victim of domestic violence, I’ve been homeless, hungry, neglected and abused in every way from early childhood through adulthood. Nothing makes you feel as weak as you do when you are beaten, victimized and humiliated. I had no confidence. Through Crossfit, I’ve gained confidence. I’ve resolved to not be a victim anymore. The negative self-talk is fading. When you are inside your head, thinking you can’t finish a WOD, you hear someone call your name urging you to continue. You get a winded “good job” and it takes you out of your head. The support makes all the difference in the world. Small daily successes, little victories are what change you.

Amber Myers

I started at CF Solus in Jan. 2013 as a 44 year old guy in decent but not great shape. Had spent the previous 20 years working out (cardio /weight training) consistently but always alone
always designing my own workouts. Over time my workouts had become boring and redundant leading to major plateaus. My awesome wife talked me into trying CF, she had already been doing it for 6 months. To say it was a Great decision would be a major understatement. It has been one of the top 5 decisions of my life. It has changed my life for the better in multiple ways. From a workout standpoint it is the best of all worlds. A certified coach designs all the workouts, I just show up a do what is on the board. The workouts are never the same but always comprehensive. I feel like I have my own personal trainer/coach. Yet, every day I get to do this work out with a Great group of people. My closest friends are the people I work out with every day. Every day is fun and if you want: competitive. My entire family: wife, son, and daughter all participate in Crossfit. It is our family activity. During the past 5 years I’ve had the opportunity to partner with both my wife, son, and best friend at different competitions.The bond 2 people feel as they are selling out together during a comp does not happen in the normal gym, job, or golf course. Those are some of the best days of my life. Physical improvements due to Crossfit are easy to see. But I believe the greatest improvement you
will experience through Crossfit is mentally. Growth only happens when we leave our comfort zone. Crossfit will take you out of your comfort zone every day.
Some days I leave the Box feeling on top of the world based on my workout, then the next day’s WOD will be something different that humbles me instantly. The mental discipline I’ve strengthened through Crossfit has made me a better husband, father, and professional. The most recent benefit of Crossfit I have experienced is in my nutrition. In May under the guidance of Solus’ nutrition coach I began utilizing a Macro Flexible Eating Plan. Since May I have lost 18 pounds and 8% Body Fat. Yet I am stronger than ever in all lifts. Crossfit will improve your life in so many ways: physically, mentally, and socially. It is the best investment / gift a person can give themselves.

Loren Dawson

Depression and anxiety had consumed my life to the point I had panic attacks and crying spells almost every day. Cutting was the only coping mechanism my brain could come up with
to deal with the mental and emotional pain I was experiencing. Medications and therapy did nothing but exacerbate my condition. I felt physically weak because I unintentionally lost a lot of weight and the muscle tone I accumulated as an avid basketball player growing up. Since I lacked motivation and self-esteem, staying consistent with a workout routine seemed an impossible feat. One day a coworker mentioned she had been attending a CrossFit class and I should try it out. I knew nothing about CrossFit. I thought it wouldn’t hurt to at least go to a trial class to see if I liked it since I felt my life couldn’t get any worse. After one class I was hooked. I finally found an outlet where I could compete once more, a supportive system full of like-minded people that want to live a healthy lifestyle, and a self-confidence that I had never experienced before. I no longer cut, and the panic attacks and crying spells have almost completely gone away. What motivates me to keep going is getting to see the friends I have made, competing against athletes I aspire to be like, and seeing results for the hard work I have put in. You can’t help but be
inspired by the people at CrossFit Solus.

Angeleena Y

“In December of 2015 I weighed 333 lbs. I could barely walk up a flight of stairs without being winded or feeling pain in my back. I had high blood pressure and was prescribed
medicine. I ate whatever I wanted, did not exercise and had no motivation at all to do anything. I also had zero self-esteem. I realized at Christmas that year (December, 2014 the picture above), that I wanted to do something to lose the weight. I found motivation in the fact that I could not even chase or play with my son being so overweight and without energy. I would get
discouraged with everything when everyone in my family except me could play basketball, or run around or even just swing with the kids in our family and I couldn’t. I began to formulate a plan to begin losing weight. First thing I did was to change the way I was eating. I went from eating 10-12 Pizza pockets, brownies and sweets, and fast food every day to eating three regular meals a day. Yes I did not exactly know how to eat right at that point, but I was trying. I also started walking. 30 Minutes a night every night after work. Eventually, this turned in to 30 minutes of jogging, then 30 minutes of running EVERY NIGHT. Eventually I got to where I could run 3 miles without stopping, then 6 and up to 12. I also noticed I was feeling more energetic and was able to do things I hadn’t previously like playing basketball with my son and it felt great. I was down to a weight I felt was comfortable for me…200 lbs. (in 10 months) , but somehow still felt winded and not as strong as I wanted to be. I decided at that point I wanted and needed something to get me into shape, versus just losing weight. I reached out to Mandy Turner at Crossfit Solus and set up a consultation. From the moment I arrived, she provided me with loads of information and motivated to be more than I was at that point. She explained how nutrition was something that would play a big part in reaching the goals I had in mind, and has helped me ever since to learn how nutrition, rest and weight training are all important in a daily struggle to stay fit
and healthy.  From the moment I consulted with Mandy, I fell in love with Crossfit and weight training. I have made this a central part of my life and truly believe it has helped me heal, not
only physically but psychologically as well. My high blood pressure is completely gone and I no longer take the medication for it. I have also gained a level of self-pride and
self-esteem that I have never had. I love the athletes as they are so encouraging and the coaches are all outstanding. Always taking time to ensure the movements are done
right and offering encouragement when it is needed keeping me and everyone else motivated to make the best of their selves. My current weight is 183 lbs. (a total of 150 lbs. lost in 1 year and 1 month). I have learned that if you put your mind to anything you can do it, but when you have such a great group of people rooting for you, it makes the journey much more enjoyable. The
Crossfit community (not just the members of Crossfit Solus) is one that truly thrives on helping each other and has become like a family to me.”

Alex Taraba

I initially started crossfit to help me with softball, but I immediately fell in love with the atmosphere and people at Crossfit Solus. The extra push from people to keep going even when you don’t think you can is what made me want to keep coming back. Crossfit has become so much more to me than an outlet to excel my performance. The people I workout with have become my family and I know I can count on them for anything. Continuing on with crossfit and softball, nutrition became very important to be able to fuel myself for workouts. I started counting my macros in
January of 2016 and still continue to do so. Adding the extra effort into making sure I’m fueling my body properly has made a significant difference in my lifestyle and performance. I’m forever grateful for everything crossfit has brought me, and look forward to seeing what else it has to offer!

Abbie Dow

My CrossFit journey began when Aaron Brown invited me to a class in November 2014. I had tried strength training in the past, but was not self-motivated enough to stick with it. After
sitting in on that first class, I was instantly hooked. I couldn’t wait until the next workout was posted so I could study up and prepare my strategy. It wasn’t until later that I realized there was more to CrossFit than PRs and Fran times. It was about family. Being a part of the Solus family means all of us, coaches and athletes, are
there for each other on the good days, the bad days and the days where we walk in with our shirt on inside out. When we knock a WOD out of the park or when we’re struggling to finish as the next class starts warming up, it’s great to look up and see your family cheering you on! This is what keeps me coming back…seeing others on the same journey as me and realizing that we’re all in this together. We aren’t meant to go through this life alone. We are blessed to be a blessing to others, so I’m thankful for the lessons CrossFit teaches me
every day and the opportunity to share in them with such a great family!

Mark Blevins