My Crossfit story began over a decade ago when my (now) husband attempted to convince me to try Crossfit. There were times when we were chatting on the phone, and he would bring up the subject of Crossfit and his WOD….again. I could feel myself giving him the side-eye because I knew it was coming. He was going to try to convince me to try it.

Here’s a snippet of one of our first conversations.

Me: "So what exactly are you doing for your workouts?"

Him: "It's called CrossFit. It's a mix of a bunch of things. But the workouts are fun and are usually about 15 minutes long."

Me: "How long was your workout today, for example?"

Him: "Well today it was only about 2 minutes."

Me: "Um, that's not a workout."

Him: "No, but you're going all out."

Me: "Still. Not a workout."

Needless to say, my husband’s coaxing finally prevailed, and I entered the doors of a local Crossfit gym for an intro workout. The workout was challenging but fun! One thing that I remember after the workout, as I hacked up a lung, were two female members asking, "So, what? See you tomorrow?" I hesitantly replied, “yea, I think I’ll be here.”

But deep down inside, I was hooked.

I grew up playing various sports, but wound up splitting most of my time between baseball (on the boys' teams) and soccer. I finally narrowed it down to soccer and spent my middle school, high school, college and post-college years competing in the sport. I loved playing at a high level, challenging myself to be better and to play with the best. I always found joy when I was surrounded by others who wanted to better the team as a whole. I loved the strategy, the work ethic, the teamwork, and the tenacity. It was my passion and I loved it with all of my being. No other sport would ever come close.

Then came CrossFit.

I never thought I would ever find a sport that gave me the outlet that soccer did. But soccer met its match with Crossfit.

I quickly realized that CrossFit was more of an individual sport when it comes to competing. This was unexplored territory for me. For so long, I belonged to a team. Now I would be a singular athlete. I was a bit nervous, but I knew that I would grow as an athlete, and be challenged in ways where I had yet to be tested.

I found myself completely dedicated to my new type of training; learning proper lifting techniques, new movements, and new skills. And, to my surprise, CrossFit wound up replacing soccer.

Sometimes, as I’m training at my local gym, Koda Crossfit Ironview, I recall conversations that I had with my husband years ago about trying my hand at Crossfit. I chuckle when I think about those times I balked at the sport. (My husband often knows before I do about things I will like.. but all will be denied if directly asked. :) ).

Within the first 3 years of training in Crossfit, I earned the opportunity to attend the Crossfit Games on a team and I made regionals 2x. In my third year, I had my first child and trained throughout my entire pregnancy. Three years after that, I had my second child, and, you guessed it, trained throughout that one as well. Then I wound up making it to the Games as an individual...it was kind of a fluke to be honest. My coach and I had a two-year plan and whoops.... I fast-tracked that plan and accomplished the goal in 6 months!

My Crossfit journey has definitely had a few hiccups as well. In 2020, I made it to the Games again, only to be told that CrossFit was canceling the Games due to Covid. In 2021, I qualified for the Crossfit Games again; however, six weeks before the Games, I dislocated my shoulder and couldn't even hang from a bar. I had to have shoulder surgery and was out of Games contention for the year.

This year my body felt good and I made the top 10 in the world in my age group. Qualifications for this year’s competitions landed me a berth in my age group for the CrossFit Games in Madison, WI. I am honored and humbled by the opportunity to be on the big stage and to do what I love to do. I’m also extremely grateful to be in ( relatively :)) healthy physical condition and strong mental state for the Games.

Many people have asked me, "Are you excited to go to the Games?" And while the answer is definitely, “Yes, I am excited,” I have realized how I enjoyed the PROCESS of CrossFit and training more than anything else. I enjoy the every day challenge. I enjoy the community of quality human beings who are in the gym with me each day. I enjoy encouraging others to get that first pull-up or muscle up; or hit that PR on their snatch. I enjoy the days that I am pissed off that I didn't do something well as much as the days that I hit it out of the park in my training. And ultimately, one of the things that I enjoy the most is inspiring others; Showing other women that they too can get strong. I love hearing the stories where I’ve inspired masters athletes to go after their fitness goals; Inspiring women in their 40s to have babies; Inspiring people to work hard and stay consistent and accomplish what they set their minds to.

I'm no different than anyone else. I consider it an honor and a privilege to show others what is possible.

Thank you for taking the time to read a snippet of my journey to the Crossfit Games. I have worked incredibly hard to qualify for "The Big Show." I am excited to represent both the United States in the Women’s Masters Category, and my home gym, Koda Crossfit Ironview.

To make it this far, I have been 100% self-funded and I have yet to acquire sponsorships. Due to the high cost of travel and lodging, I am asking friends and family to link arms with me with any financial support.

Any donation through my “GoFundMe” link will be extremely appreciated and will go towards assisting me with travel, accommodations, registrations, and other expenses that are required to compete at the Crossfit Games. This will allow me to continue to inspire and encourage others, especially women, that the potential for greatness lives within each of them.

Thank you so much! I will see you in Madison!

Julie

P.S. If you would like to follow my Crossfit Games journey real-time, please make sure to follow me on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/julie.rappaport.3 , and Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jrappco/