Better Than Yesterday – January Recipient

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. Mary Maguire was selected as January’s “Better Than Yesterday” recipient.

Mary was asked a series of questions about her experience at EHP:

-Why did you start CrossFit?

I actually didn’t want to start CrossFit. I thought it was some sort of cult that only the strongest and most athletic people could join. My friend wanted an ‘accountabili-buddy’ to try bootcamp with her.. so I did. From the first workout, I was hooked. It was the most challenged I had felt doing a workout in a very long time – a 15 minute workout felt harder and more effective (and way more fun) than an hour on a cardio machine.

I soon learned that the ‘cult’ was actually a community of supportive and passionate people who want the very best for you and that’s why I stayed.

-Why do you continue CrossFit?

Every day is different – there is always something new to keep you challenged and working toward new goals.

Specifically at EHP, the coaching staff is so knowledgeable and unlike any other I’ve seen. The other athletes are amazing. I was nervous to make the switch from another CrossFit gym and they all immediately made me feel comfortable and at home.

-What has been your greatest achievement since starting EHP?

I came into EHP a few months after having my son. Even though I was fortunate to have a pregnancy that I was able to stay active throughout, my recovery and getting back into workouts was very hard for me – both physically and mentally. I remember picking up a barbell for my first workout back and it felt like 1000 pounds. I would look at workouts the night before and not want to come to class because I knew I couldn’t do them like I used to. One of my favorite phrases is ‘Do what you can today’ and I really struggled to live by it.

My greatest achievement is that I am finally back to feeling like my ‘normal’ self, both physically and mentally strong. Workouts feel like they used to before my pregnancy. I am fine with not every movement going as heavy or as seamless as I would like to – one week I can string pull-ups together without any issue and the next I can barely hang from the bar. I’m back in a place where I can say it’s okay to fail and that doing my best for that day is enough.

Also, my greatest upcoming achievement is going to be a ring muscle up. Putting it out in the world so everyone sees it and now it has to happen J

-How has your life changed since joining EHP?

I have really learned to be appreciative of what your body can do and what it’s capable of. If you fuel it properly (great nutrition coaching here to help with that!), give it proper recovery and scaling, and stay consistent with exercise then it will treat you right in return. Following those 3 things have helped increase my energy levels, the way my body looks/feels and improved my overall strength and endurance.

-Anything else you would like to share about yourself, fitness journey and/or EHP.

No matter where you are in your fitness journey, EHP has a spot for you. It’s scary, yes – you’ll fail lifts, scale movements, rip your hands, and so much more. The best part is you get to come back and keep getting better each day with a community who supports you no matter where you’re at or what your goals are. I wouldn’t have been able to get back to where I’m at now without EHP, both the coaches and the members.