Introducing... Jillian DeMoya

A couple of weeks ago I was lucky enough to go to Dr. Angela's Paleo Dinner at Lucchese's (thanks Josh for coaching).  

While we were eating a woman came up to Jim and I and introduced herself.  Her name was Jillian and the excitement of what she was saying literally brought tears to my eyes.  You see when Jillian introduced herself she said "Hi, I'm Jillian and I know everything about you!"  "I have stalked your website and read every word!"  " I knew when I looked over at your table that you were the CrossFit people!"  At this point Jillian started crying, she said "please excuse me for crying but I feel like I have finally been led to you!"  She proceeded to tell us how she had a weight problem and like everyone else considering CrossFit that she couldn't wait TO GET IN SHAPE for CrossFit!

Wait, What did she say?  Get in shape for CrossFit.  What the heck does that mean?

So, I told Jillian to write down her name and contact information and that I would meet with her next week and show her that CrossFit was for everyone.  No matter what stage they are in there is no "getting ready for CrossFit!"  

We met last Thursday 1 week after the Paleo dinner.  Jillian intrigued me because she, like many people I have met along this journey, had the same fears and issues we all face when it's time for change.  

Today, I would like to introduce to all of you Jillian De Moya.  Jillian has agreed to go on a journey with CrossFit and for the first time ever we are going to follow her journey.  We are going to do a weekly blog on Jillian.  Jillian has agreed to be brutally honest with all of you about her fears, hers dreams, her successes in and out of the gym, her trials and tribulations on what it takes to be a full time student, a single mom of 4, a CrossFitter; pretty much a normal woman walking through life, having to make adjustments in her schedule and her life to be who she wants to be.  

Here are words from Jillian:

    My name is Jillian De Moya and I am on a journey. I am on a journey towards health and healing in my life. I want to take a moment and tell you about how far I have come. I gladly do this, hoping that as I reflect upon the progress I’ve made, I will find the courage for the next leg of my journey. 

   
    I grew up on a family farm in the seventies and we grew all of our own vegetables and beef. My mother worked very hard to put up what my father grew in the garden and we ate year round from the bounty. But we also drank Tang and my mother readily bought every new product that came on the market. Those were exciting years as our country exploded with the era of convenience foods.  Little was really known about how they came to be on our tables and in our TV trays! There were other issues surrounding food in our house as my mother struggled throughout her life with obesity and poor health. So, by the time I was a late teenager I had some pretty serious food addictions and unhealthy eating behaviors.

 
    In my young twenties I married and had four beautiful children who are the light of my life. My marriage, however, proved to be an extremely unhealthy environment for me. I struggled with an eight year long depression that with much perseverance I was able to overcome.  Three years ago I realized peace for the first time in my adult life when my husband left our marriage.  I knew that I had to continue my journey towards being a healthy person in every way.

 
    Today I am a full time nursing student and raising my children. It is very demanding, but I wouldn’t change a thing! Almost two years ago I knew it was time to tackle my biggest hurdle yet; my weight. Talk about looking at a mountain you know you can’t climb!  Shaking that thought, I started with all of the determination I could muster. I had read for quite some time about Paleo eating and loved Dallas and Melissa Hartwig’s website. So, in January of 2011 I did my first Whole30. Within 3 weeks knee pain that I had been dealing with for at least 6-7 years disappeared. I felt SO much better! For the next year I slowly lost and learned about what foods affect my body and mind. When I was accepted into nursing school this spring I knew that the time had really come for me to finish this and be the person that I should be! 

 
    I had been reading about CrossFit for the last two years and I had quite a number of friends in other cities that were seeing great results CrossFitting and loving it! But, boy the pictures looked scary! All the people looked like how I wanted to look, but I felt like there was no way I could do the things I saw in my shape.  I read and reread everything I could on CrossFit Michiana’s website, and dreamed about the day when I would be in good enough shape to CrossFit! Then, three weeks ago I was told by a friend who started at another CrossFit gym that anyone can do CrossFit, that all of the exercises were modifiable for any fitness level. She also told me about how caring the community is, and how everyone pulls together to help their fellow cross fitters reach their goals. I also saw two more references of Facebook that same week about the fact that there is no getting ready for CrossFit, you just DO IT! On Thursday of that week I found myself attending a Paleo dinner with my friend and guess who was seated at the next table? The owners of CrossFit Michiana! I couldn’t believe it. I got up the courage and went to meet them. I told them about my dream to do CrossFit and my desire to improve my health. The next week Carole Turnbo and I sat down together and I told her my story and my hope of doing CrossFit at CrossFit Michiana. 

 
    So, here’s the deal. I am starting this week! I am excited! And afraid! I am a 43 year old woman who knows that this journey is not done! I have come a long way, but I have a long way to go. My goal is to be a nurse, and then a certified nurse midwife and I want to be able to educate people about good health and nutrition. I want to be able to tell people they can do it, and believe it, because I did it!  My dreams are big and I need to be in great health to accomplish what I know I am supposed to do. Along the way I want to share with you my experiences. The good, the bad, and the ugly! With Carole’s help, and the community at CrossFit Michiana, I know I can reach my goals. If in sharing my story anyone is helped, then I want to do that. Okay, here we go. Let's make a deal; if you promise not to laugh, I promise to tell the truth!

Welcome to the "family" Jillian!