9’er Stories: Caitlin kicks unhealthy body image to the curb

Fast Facts

9'er: Caitlin O'Shea

Age: 29

Hometown: Apopka, Fla.

Occupation: Recruiter

Left: Caitlin in June 2018, right before coining CrossFit9. Right: March, 2019.
Left: Caitlin in June 2018, right before coining CrossFit9. Right: March, 2019.

It's easy to reduce fitness transformations to a shallow marketing practice. But 9'er Caitlin O'Shea says her story is way more than skin-deep.

“While I am really proud of the physical changes, I am even more proud of the mental changes that came with this transformation. I have gained more confidence in myself, and I am proud of who I am. I cannot imagine not having CrossFit9 in my life!”

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Caitlin crushes a tough 9HIIT class.

You'll often catch Caitlin giving her all in one of our 9HIIT classes.

Before finding her way to CrossFit9, Caitlin says she attended Orange Theory and trained for road races. But despite her best efforts, she still wasn't seeing the results she wanted.

All of that changed when she walked through our doors.

“The coaches are what really made a difference for me. From day one I have felt like every coach is invested in pushing me outside my comfort zone and challenging me to do better. I actually look forward to working out and seeing what milestones I can hit.

She mentions her first rope climb as an "a-ha" moment.

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Caitlin's first-ever rope climb.

"The excitement that was shared with me when I did my first rope climb really made me feel like CrossFit9 was a home for me."

While she was busy knocking out empowering milestones, Caitlin says her body started to morph in ways she'd not seen from prior workouts.

"Over the past year I have seen my body completely transform and I am in the best shape of my life. There was no better feeling than having to get a new wardrobe because my clothes were too big. I’ve lost 15 lbs, went down two pants sizes, and have muscles I never thought I could have!”

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Caitlin and 75-lbs Paisley, "the world's biggest lapdog".

It's good she has those muscles! Caitlin says her dog, Paisley, refuses to jump in and out of the car.

Now, she's lifting that 75-lbs. fur friend in and out of the vehicle and it's no problem.

A newfound self-love

All those physical accomplishments and an amazing physique are nothing compared to Caitlin's new relationship with her body.

"I have never really had confidence in my appearance or loved my body because I hadn’t ever seen true results despite all my efforts. Throughout the past year I proved to myself that I could love myself and be happy in my own skin.

"I realized that my happiness and opinion of myself shouldn’t be driven by anyone else but me and I once I accepted that I can reach my true potential physically and mentally."

Truly words to live by.

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Caitlin's advice to prospective athletes?

"Don’t be intimidated by the word 'CrossFit'. Whether someone wants to do 9HIIT or the CrossFit WOD, you will have the most supportive coaches both in and out of the gym.

"Part of what I was looking for in a gym was a social network. CrossFit9 has given me the opportunity to make new friends while living a healthy lifestyle!"

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