Rediscovering the Athletic Spirit: Caitlin’s Journey with CrossFit
Before entering the world of nursing and CrossFit, Caitlin McClurkin was an elite long jumper with the powerhouse University of Windsor Track & Field team. Her athletic journey began years earlier, with repeated appearances at OFSAA finals during her high school years at Grimsby Secondary School. Caitlin is, without a doubt, an athlete.
Unfortunately, many athletes find themselves losing their athletic spirit as they transition into adult life filled with jobs, responsibilities, and mortgages. This athletic spirit is vital, and everyone has it. Some rekindle it later in life, while others discover it for the first time. Both paths are beautiful and inspiring.
Enter CrossFit
I first met Caitlin in November 2022. She was at Goodlife, “getting bored” in her words. Although she was running 5k’s in a respectable 25 minutes, it wasn’t the right fit for her. As a long jumper and sprinter, running long distances didn’t ignite her passion. She missed the structured practices of her track team days and wanted to enjoy the gym again.
Why? “To feel better about a lot of things,” Caitlin said.
Losing that athletic spirit is tough, but this story has a happy ending.
The Transformation
Nearly two years later, Caitlin is thriving as an athlete once again. She’s hitting personal records, doing things she never thought possible, and even competing in team events. This transformation story was sparked by a surprising moment. Caitlin isn’t one to measure progress by stepping on the scale, but when she did, she found she had gained 8 pounds.
Enter the InBody, our advanced body composition analyzer.
Yes, Caitlin was up a few pounds—but it was all muscle and associated water. During the same period, her body fat percentage decreased by 1.4%. She achieved a “perfect score,” meaning InBody doesn’t recommend losing weight or gaining muscle to be in ideal healthy ranges.
Impressive. Healthy. Functional.
These are the results dreams are made of. Caitlin is still young—she’s turning 30 soon. After 30, we lose muscle at a rate of 3-8% per decade, depending on our activity level. It’s a classic case of “use it or lose it.”
For Caitlin, showing up and working hard at CrossFit is reminiscent of her practice days. She’s in her happy place, in control of her health and fitness, and loving the role fitness plays in her life. She’s no longer bored or searching for something to light her up.
Ready to Rekindle Your Athletic Spirit?
You may not be Caitlin, but you have your own story waiting to unfold. Are you ready to rekindle your athletic spirit or find it for the first time?
Book a No-Sweat Intro
Book a No-Sweat Intro with us to chat about your goals. We’ll learn about you, dig into your fitness history, and see if we’re a good fit. From there, we’ll recommend options to get started.
We’ve helped many athletes like Caitlin thrive. We’ve also helped numerous individuals lose weight, find their athletic spirit, and focus on something beyond the number on a scale.