Meet Jennie and Julio Castillo

Jennie:
It’s been just over a year since I was surfing the Internet yet again for some new “weight loss” solution that I hadn’t yet tried.  I was feeling down about myself and my ever-increasing weight – which was nothing new after having tried what seems like a million different ways for years to lose it.  But, at that particular moment, I was feeling especially alone in my struggle.  That’s when I ran across a posting from Crossfit 1936 for the “New You Challenge”.  I emailed the gym indicating my interest, and even though I was already past the deadline for the start of the new class, Sara got in touch with me to discuss other options, had me enrolled in a basics class that day, and the rest is history!

My initial goals when I started at Crossfit 1936 were to lose weight – plain and simple.  And, you would think the happiest ending to this story would be that I lost all the weight and met my goals.  Truth be told, that while I can see significant positive changes in my body since starting Crossfit, the weight loss is still a work in progress that I am trying to figure out.  But, another huge, noticeable difference that Crossfit has made in my life has nothing to do with reshaping my body, but everything to do with reshaping my identity and focus.  I used to look at myself and identify as “the fat girl.”  And, all I could focus on was what I should or shouldn’t eat so that I could lose weight.  I was obsessed with that for almost 10 years of working through health challenges and significant weight gain.  Now, with the help of Crossfit and the amazing people at Crossfit 1936, I have changed both of those perspectives.  While I still recognize the weight loss goals I need to reach; I no longer identify as “the fat girl.”  Instead, I see myself as a “the strong woman,” and my focus is on what I can do to achieve my next fitness goals while enjoying life and spending time with the wonderful people I have been blessed to call friends and family.  The coaching and the genuine care for individual goals that Sheldon and Sara provide is unmatched.  I don’t know how they do it, but they seem to have a gift for appropriately adjusting their coaching styles to fit ability, temperament and tolerance... giving just the right amount of "push" mixed with encouragement to keep me motivated and coming back.

One of the BEST and most rewarding things to come from this journey over the past year was that my husband has come alongside me to support me in every way.  Not only that, he has joined Crossfit 1936, and is paving his own journey as well!  It is so awesome to be able to do this with him!  Even though we both have very different abilities and goals, we are able to encourage each other during times of setback while celebrating each other’s successes!  It has also brought us closer together outside of the gym – bringing us to a point where leading an active lifestyle is important to both of us.  We have spent the year having fun together by riding bikes, hiking, playing volleyball and signing up for 5k’s together.  I love it!


Julio
I had been going to the local gym on and off for quite some time, and I always thought that if I was going to get in shape and be healthy that I would do it on my own terms.  For a while that was working for me and I was absolutely okay with it.  
I knew my wife, Jennie, had started going to Crossfit 1936, and she would talk to me about how great the owners were.  I have always had my doubts about Crossfit because I had tried it before and it didn’t work out for me the way that I wanted.  The experience I had with Crossfit showed a lack of direction and I often didn't know what was going on.  I saw people doing things that looked dangerous, and no one really seemed to give consistent instruction.  Here and there Jennie would give me hints that she thought I should give it another try and I just never wanted to because I thought that I would have the same experience as before.
Last year, Crossfit 1936 was having a Thanksgiving WOD where you were able to bring family members, so Jennie asked me and I finally agreed to go.  After the WOD, I remember thinking how much I really enjoyed it.  The community that I saw was amazing.  Everyone motivated each other and wanted each other to succeed. Jennie kept telling me that I should join and said that Sara mentioned it to her as well.  A couple months went by before I decided to go for it.  Being able to share something with my wife was one of the main reasons I joined, but I also wanted to see if my experience would be any different than before.  After the basic classes, everything just fell into place. Sara and Sheldon welcomed me with open arms, and the community at Crossfit 1936 is truly amazing.  
My initial goals were to just be in shape and healthy.  Crossfit has given me this, but it has become much more than that - it has made my whole life better.  My relationship with Jennie is even stronger because we are able to share this together, and the friendships I have made here are something I cherish very much.  Sara and Sheldon are not only my trainers, but they make me feel like they are my very own cheering section.  They have seen my struggles, have heard my complaints, and through all of that they pick me up and do everything to make sure I don’t fail.  The passion they have for not only my progress, but for every single person there is beyond amazing. I could never thank them enough for how they have changed my life in ways they don’t even know.  Joining Crossfit 1936 was one of the best decisions I have ever made.

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