Each month the coaching staff at EHP selects a member that is “Better Than Yesterday!” The selected recipient is a great example of EHP’s CREDO—demonstrating compassion, honesty, resilience, perseverance, and tenacity. Kristen Fellows was selected as February’s “Better Than Yesterday” recipient.

Why did you start CrossFit?
I initially joined (a different gym) in 2015 because my partner Jake wanted to try it out and we were both looking to get in better shape. We had met some coaches and liked them and figured it could be a fun way to work out. I especially liked that I just had to show up and someone would tell me what to do and it was always a much better workout than I would get on my own.

We came back to CrossFit at EHP after having twins (out of state) during the pandemic and then finally moving back to the FM area. It literally took years to settle into life with three kids (the twins have an older brother), and then it was time to get back to being a real human separate from the children.

Why do you continue CrossFit?
My primary reason is my mental health – I am a happier and healthier person when I move regularly. CrossFit has been one of the few things that keeps me engaged physically. I have three small boys and want to stay active so that I can participate in their lives. There’s such a link between physical movement and mental acuity later in life, so I also have a goal of physical and mental longevity. This is probably one aspect of the mental health side of things, but I also enjoy my classmates and interacting with folks outside of my normal social circle. 

What has been your greatest achievement since starting EHP?
Consistency. I keep showing up and for where I’m at in my life right now, that’s a big deal. Maybe I’m not supposed to say this, but I’m a bit over needing the physical achievements or goals. I need to show up regularly and move. And I’ve been doing that.

How has your life changed since joining EHP?
Have I mentioned mental health as a motivator? My mental health has improved. There are also the physical benefits – I’m getting stronger, and my stamina is increasing. So, I feel more confident physically in terms of what my body is capable of doing. But really, the biggest thing is that I am a happier person.

Anything else you would like to share about yourself, fitness journey and/or EHP.
I’ve been doing CrossFit for a long time now, but did take about 3 years off after having twins in the middle of the pandemic. I didn’t fully appreciate how important physical movement was for my life until we were finally coming out of the new baby phase with the twins. Finding EHP has been really nice and I find that my approach and goals for working out have changed significantly. When I first started with CrossFit I didn’t have any kids, then I just had the one and it was still a lot easier to be more tuned in to fitness. Life is a lot more chaotic now and I’ve entered my 40s which comes with some changes. EHP has been a great place to start refiguring out what being physically and mentally fit looks like and entails at this stage of my life. I appreciate the community and I still really like being told what to do in the gym (decision fatigue is real).