For me sometimes the best visual representations of how far I’ve progressed at something is in the competitive sporting environment.

Having done Crossfit for two and a half years it’s safe to say I’ve lost count of the number of eureka or euphoric moments where you understand a new movement or produce a personal best, but they never get old. Plus, having grown up with a sporting background that competitive streak never quite leaves you either.

So when my gym (Mount Crossfit) announced a local pairs competition over the weekend, the chance for some friendly banter and healthy competition among training partners was certainly welcomed – hence our aptly named team ‘snatch me if you can’.

more “Snatch me if you can” …

“If you think your sport is hard, try doing it while holding your breath.”

This phrase couldn’t have rung truer in the last couple of weeks as I have got back into the pool with a few of the boys from CrossFit with the New Zealand CrossFit Team Nationals just around the corner in October.

For those a bit apprehensive of taking the plunge, it is important to note that swimming is a great low-impact exercise with a tonne of benefits, from strengthening your shoulders to improving lung function.

Case in point, I’m helping a number of team mates and training buddies in the lead up to the team nationals to work on being more efficient with their stroke or simply, find the courage to get in the water.

more “Swimming. Just like riding a bike, right?” …

I’ll be the first to admit I was somewhat of a bookworm growing up. Any family trip I could be found with my head firmly planted inside the cover of whatever book I could get my hands on – much to my parents’ exasperation of missing out on New Zealand’s breath-taking scenery.

Even now I still have a fondness for putting the feet up and turning the pages, though unbeknownst to me as a kid that you wouldn’t have as much time to read when you grow up. I’ve even got myself a library card in efforts to quell seeing too much of the weekly wage going to Whitcoulls or PaperPlus.

more “You can’t go wrong with a good book” …