Friday 120608

Enlarge Image

"For anyone who believes Crossfit has an age limit, believe me when I say that my mom Valerie Thomson is living proof that CrossFit is not exclusively for the young but for the young-at-heart as well. This is my 63-year-old momma kicking her birthday Fran WOD in the butt on her 63rd birthday this April. Momma started CrossFitting a year and a half ago and loved it immediately. She has been tracking her progress, converted to a paleo lifestyle to become stronger and faster and hasn't looked back since.

Since beating breast cancer a few years ago, she has come back with a vengeance, taking up cycling and running, and adding CrossFit to up the ante. She remains ever faithful to Element CrossFit gym in Mississauga, Ontario and attends at least 5 times a week and has started competing in CrossFit competitions, with two under her belt. Her indomitable spirit around the gym and enthusiasm for the 'sport of fitness' is infectious and she has become somewhat of an ambassador for CrossFit; someone you know will always be in your corner, cheering you on to finish your WOD, and heartily congratulating you with a 'great work!' and a knuckle-bump when the clock runs out. For those nervous about trying CrossFit, get over it. My mom has faced some big challenges in life and refuses to be scared off or beaten down by anyone or anything. She embodies the heart and soul of a true CrossFitter." -- Melanie Arch, member of Element CrossFit (Canada)