Hospital Halls to Hockey Rinks:
Julia McDonald wears a lot of hats. By day, she works as a porter in a hospital, constantly on the move, helping transport patients throughout the building. “Lots of walking, lots of moving,” she says, but she finds joy in the activity. And starting this September, her schedule is about to get even fuller: she’s heading back to school to pursue her MBA at Niagara University in New York. As if that wasn’t enough, Julia has also come out of retirement to rejoin the university’s hockey team. Her new routine? Work, class, practice, and everything in between.
She joined CrossFit Outlaw North in February 2025, seeking more than just a workout—she was looking for something to help bring structure and purpose back into her life.
“Post-Grad Hit Me Hard”: Stuck, Unmotivated, and Searching for Structure
After finishing university, Julia found herself in a slump. As a former varsity athlete, she had been used to a schedule filled with training, practices, and structure. But once school ended, all of that disappeared. “I was feeling very unmotivated, lazy, lost my purpose,” she says. Her routine became monotonous: work, come home, sleep. The shift hit her hard.
With the structure gone, her healthy habits slipped too. She gained weight, stopped exercising, and her confidence plummeted. “Mentally I was feeling very lost,” she shares. “I kept telling myself to join a gym and tried a few out, but nothing really stuck.”
“Just Show Up”: The Turning Point That Changed Everything
From the moment Julia stepped into Outlaw North to meet with Jay, something felt different. “It felt like I was somewhere they care,” she recalls. Unlike other gyms, Outlaw North wasn’t just about reps and routines. It was a community—a team. “Coming from a sports background, that team atmosphere really meant a lot.”
Still, starting CrossFit was intimidating. But she clung to a simple mantra: just show up. “The hardest part is actually showing up to the gym,” Julia says. But once she did, the transformation began. Her first body scan showed improvement, and three months later, the results kept coming. “That was the turning point. The ball was finally rolling again, and I was having so much fun while doing it.”
“I’ve Lost 30lbs, Dropped 10% Body Fat — But It’s So Much More Than That”
Since joining, Julia has lost about 30 pounds and dropped 10% body fat. But the physical changes are only part of the story. “I feel like myself again,” she says.
Her mood is better. She’s more confident. Running—something she used to dread—has become enjoyable. “This has helped my habits clean up and become overall healthier with more purpose.” The ripple effects of her transformation are felt in every part of her life.
“You’ll Figure It Out — Just Keep Showing Up”
To anyone feeling the way she once did—stuck, unmotivated, unsure of what to do next—Julia has one piece of advice: “Just show up. The hardest part is getting to the gym. Once you keep showing up, things will get easier and you’ll figure it out.”
Being in an environment where she feels supported, encouraged, and pushed has been life-changing. “It will have a great impact on you in many positive and different ways.”
Julia’s story is proof that even when you feel lost, the right community and the decision to simply show up can lead to a powerful transformation.