I’m in the CrossFit Journal

I’m super-excited… my article “CrossFit Lessons Outside the Box” was published in the CrossFit Journal yesterday. It’s all about how CrossFit has helped me muddle through my life implosion this summer. Parts of it are kinda sad, but there are some funny parts, too. Hope you like it!

You need to be a CrossFit Journal subscriber to read the whole article, but you can get a sneak peak here. I 100% recommend subscribing to the CFJ. It’s packed with videos, audio, and written articles that demystify CrossFit, provide inspiration, and introduce tons of interesting, motivating, wonderful people.

Here’s an excerpt from my article:

I recently endured a personal crisis that brought me down like a 20-lb. medicine ball slammed into my solar plexus. For a while, my days felt like this:

All-day AMRAP of:
Feel despair
Cry intermittently
Embrace anger
Smash something

While med-ball slams performed with a stereo as stand-in for the ball were wildly satisfying in the moment, they didn’t provide lasting relief. I needed a more productive solution.

One of the many valuable lessons I’ve learned through CrossFit is that the stories I tell myself during a workout affect not only the success of that particular workout but also how I feel about myself after the last barbell has dropped to the floor. Throughout grueling workouts, I’ve picked up valuable tips for how to endure, even when I think I can’t possibly muscle through another rep.

After this recent, nasty one-two punch from the universe knocked me on my keister, I realized that if I used the same tricks in life that I learned in the gym, I just might sucker-punch the universe right back.

Here are a few of my favorite personal mind games that help me power through my workouts, along with the explanation of how I extend them outside the gym to call “time” on personal challenges, too.

A Little Change Will Do Me Good

You know that awesome relentlessness and commitment (a.k.a., stubbornness) that keeps me moving through workouts and helps me say 'no' to Tiff's Treats in the...

Read More
I’m Going to Eat Pizza

A few weeks ago, in the spirit of exploring new possibilities now that my 'normal' life has imploded in spectacular fashion, I went to a...

Read More

Comments

  • Ken "Chappy B+" says:

    Melissa,
    I read your journal article last night. Awesome article! I ran across something else in a similar vein a few months ago. As a US Army Chaplain and Anglican priest, I am always on the lookout for the connections between physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual. There is an affiliate called CrossFit Faith, and Chip Pugh, the founder, a Strength and Conditioning Coach, wrote an article there called "A CrossFit Faith". Your article, and his, are great reminders that we are whole people, and all parts of our lives, physical and not, are connected intimately and affect each other. Thanks for your transparency, Melissa.

  • Matt F says:

    Congrats on making the CF Journal. I've been stalking your blog for awhile now, since I started eating Paleo/Primal. You ROCK!!!

  • Megan says:

    Your article was the push I needed to subscribe. Thank you!

  • Danni says:

    Hmmm apparently my subscription lapsed. I'll have to use this as an excuse to renew.

  • Anniebug, bugger or BUG. says:

    LOVE LOVE LOOOVE this article, your story and just generally, your awesome writing!

  • Lydia says:

    Congratulations! Go, girly!

  • Melissa 'Melicious' Joulwan says:

    Ken –> Thanks so much for your comments. For me, I think that the spiritual/emotional/psychological benefits of CrossFit surpass the physical benefits. It's such a great way to build a set of tools to manage life's bumps.

    Matt –> Thank you! Glad you decided to move from stalker to poster 😉

    Megan & Danni –> CFJ is TOTALLY worth the subscription price. When I feel meh about workouts or sloppy in my diet, I re-read some of their articles and reinvigorate that motivation.

    Annie & Lydia –> Thank you!

  • Christi Clark says:

    The CFJ is how I found your blog. You've got a new follower 🙂 I hail from CrossFit Springfield in Springfield, Missouri. Loooove your recipe ideas!!! Keep up the great work!!!

  • Melissa 'Melicious' Joulwan says:

    Hi, Christl! Glad you found me — and very happy you like the recipes. Thanks for posting!

  • Trixie says:

    Hey Mel,
    Just read the journal,awesome stuff!! BTW: Great picture, you look beautiful:)

LEAVE A NOTE