In 2009, Todd Widman was asked to be the CrossFit Kids program manager and quickly realized he had a lot to learn about coaching children. He immersed himself in the challenge, ultimately creating the blueprint for how CrossFit Kids is taught today.
The Colman family met Widman a decade ago through the kids program at ZooTown CrossFit. For Jewell Colman, class quickly became the best part of her week — a place to move, build confidence, and form friendships that still exist.
Five months after she started CrossFit, tragedy struck. In November 2018, Jewell was hit by a car while boarding her school bus. She was airlifted to Seattle with two brain bleeds, a fractured skull, a broken jaw and pelvis, and 13 additional broken bones. Doctors warned her family that if she survived the coma, she would likely remain in a vegetative state.
Instead, she defied every expectation. As she recovered, doctors marveled at her resilience. When they asked where her strength came from, her answer was simple: “I do CrossFit.”
Now 14, Jewell has made a remarkable recovery. She’s back to playing sports, helping around the house, and leading both at home and at school. And yes, she’s back in CrossFit Kids.
“I get choked up saying it,” says her father, Shane Colman. “Todd gave her a skill set, but he also gave her a mindset. That mindset will carry her through life because … as you can see, I’m raising a warrior.”