"I’ve learned to celebrate my body and all of its capabilities. I’ve learned that no matter what life throws my way, I’m stronger than I think I am."
Before
After
When I walked into Subversus Fitness on November 2nd
2015, I had no idea how my life was about to change. I had just started a new job nearby, and I
was looking to make some healthier habits and feel more grounded in my body. I had always
been a person who enjoyed working out, but it had been awhile since I had a consistent routine
and that was beginning to take a toll on my mental health. I had been avoiding the gym in large
part because gym culture is historically toxic–and while I had been wanting to try CrossFit for
some time, its reputation certainly preceded itself. As a queer and trans person, I have no
expectation that a gym will be a safe space for me– in fact my expectation is quite the opposite.
So, after work that day, I put on my thickest skin and walked down that flight of stairs and into
the basement.
What I found continues to impress me. Not only did I find a group of coaches
knowledgeable and passionate about their sport, I found a group of coaches committed to
creating an inclusive and affirming community. At the end of the day, a gym can be a dime a
dozen– but this place feels different, and it’s the focus on community that keeps me coming
back. When I’ve been injured, they’ve created individualized programming for me; when I’ve
thought about giving up, they’ve reached out to check in on me; when I lost my job, someone
paid for a month of my membership; they’ve hired me to train the coaches on trans inclusivity
in sports; they’ve created a monthly workout specifically for the LGBTQ+ community; they’re
committed to social justice through the UliftU program… These are just a few examples of
what has made this place special for me.
A while ago, Morgan said something like “if you go someplace, and people are happy to
see you, you should keep going.” So I kept going. I’ve made incredible friends and found an
incredible community of people that just want to see you succeed and cheer for you along the
way. I’ve made a bit of a home at Subversus and as a result have made a better home in my
body. Through CrossFit and Powerlifting, I’ve learned to celebrate my body and all of its
capabilities. I’ve learned that no matter what life throws my way, I’m stronger than I think I am.