Kelly, 36, has been part of the CrossFit Fareham community for just over three years. After spending time in conventional gyms, she found herself drawn to the weightlifting aspect of CrossFit, her favourite modality. She had passed by the box many times and eventually did a little Googling. “I just wanted to try something different,” she explains, “and when I saw the weightlifting classes, I decided to give it a go.”
Kelly’s first workout remains vivid in her mind: a Foundations session with coach Mischa, featuring more running than she’d ever done before, alongside rowing and some push presses. As someone who isn’t particularly fond of running, it was an unexpected challenge. “I remember it being lots of running,” she laughs. “Probably more than I’d ever run before.” Yet what could have been intimidating was softened by the warm welcome she received. A fellow member showed her around, reassured her she wouldn’t start with the fancy things like handstand push‑ups, and introduced her to the group. “They made it feel like I had been here for ages,” Kelly says.
While wall balls and burpees top her list of favourite movements, she can’t quite explain why her true passion lies in the clean and jerk. “I just love lifting in general, so any weightlifting for me is wonderful,” she notes. Conversely, running remains her least favourite, despite her efforts to improve. But with every new goal achieved, her enthusiasm for the gym only grows. Recently, she conquered her first handstand push‑up, a milestone she once thought impossible, and she’s currently chasing a 70 kg clean and jerk.
To reach that lifting target, Kelly attends the Wednesday evening weightlifting class religiously and follows a structured program several days a week in addition to her regular CrossFit sessions. The friendships she’s formed along the way are what keep her coming back: “Over the last three years my life has drastically changed because of CrossFit “I’ve met incredible people, some lifelong friends.” Training alongside friends not only boosts her motivation but also introduces newcomers to the community. “A new person joined this week, trained with me and a friend, then messaged to say thanks – that’s what those classes are all about.”
Outside the gym, Kelly works in finance, managing a team of five and spending most of her day behind spreadsheets. She relishes the chance to switch off and have fun during her evening workouts. In her free time, she enjoys reading and family walks with her young daughter. Kelly is originally from New Jersey and moved to the UK in 2015 to be with her husband. Back then, she weighed 310 lbs; today, she’s an embodiment of the transformations she helps others achieve.
When workouts get tough and quitting tempts her, it’s the coaches who pull her through. “If they see me lagging, they’re the first to come over and give me that little push,” she says. Her one piece of advice to newcomers? “Don’t judge what you can’t do by what you see others doing, there’s something here for all abilities.” Beyond the barbells and WODs, Kelly’s favourite thing about CrossFit Fareham remains the genuine camaraderie, something she never experienced in a conventional gym. Whether it’s cheering at competitions or sharing early morning groans over thrusters (her pick over burpees), it’s the people that make it all worthwhile.