I first decided to try femsport in the winter of 2016. I had just had major surgery and wanted to get my life back on track. My sister in law had done this competition years before and I envied her. To me she was wonder women. I then saw Sabrina post to to learn more so with a knot in my stomach I went to learn more. I then decided with a great friend pushing me to join with her. I still remember the first day. Yes I wanted to throw up and yes I was a little intimated by these strong women but one tire flip and I was hooked. Unfortunately My friend was Injured and unable to compete but I kept going for her and me. I trained for months and worked hard and was ready to go. I felt strong and I knew with all these girls who motivated me I could conquer. My life dramatically changed the night before the competition when my father was tragically taken from us. My mind,my heart was not there for competing ,yet as I cried my tears of sadness I kept finding myself checking the page watching the girls push to compete and yes they rocked it. For months I felt I was not only missing a big part of my life in my father missing. He was always my biggest fan but I felt that I was robbed of my feeling of finishing what my heart was ready for. Finally 7 month later again going from being fit to not so fit I had someone say to me. Melisa you need to find yourself again. Put yourself first. You deserve it. I had another friend who wrote a group of us asking if we would compete with her. She said she watched me and how I accomplished what I did. I never looked at myself as a motivator or even someone someone would look up to. Other than my kids looking up to a parent. I thought here is my chance I can do this and I will do this not only with a great friend but with my dad with me. So I trained yet again. I went hard. I am and always have been competitive and when it comes to this I was over the top serious. Did what I could to push myself. When I needed more I had Sabrina she motivates you like no one you ever knew. She makes you feel that you can do anything and that you are worth it. The girls you train with make you feel like you are the strongest person in the world and when you struggle they are there to push you and when you fail,they are there to pick you up and keep you moving. Sadly 3 weeks before completion for this competition my son made Team BC for Football. Something that he thought was never possible and I was so proud of him. Being a mom of 4 with a husband who is rarely is in BC due to work I made the decision one I was not happy to do but My kids always have and always will come first. Yet again I felt defeated. I tried to look at it as I already competed by the run threw but my heart still had a whole part missing. I then saw Sabrina post about competing in Vancouver and well of course everyone who wanted to had already done it,which would make me the novice again. Yet I was happy to compete with Sabrina rather than just train with her. She is a miracle worker she found other newbies. These ladies ended up helping me finish my journey that took me literally 2 years to finish. I have nothing but love for them as we as a team came out on top. Which was more than I could even imagine. They were awesome. As days drew closer I was so afraid. Not afraid to compete but more afraid that something was going to happen which would stop me from competing. The day of competition was like a dream. I was so excited to be there. To finally make it with my dad by my side pushing me along. With a group of women who pushed me more than I new I could. Who were with me from day one and I was more than happy to finish my journey with them. Standing in the podium I remember looking out into the ocean and thinking in my head. I did it. This one is for you dad. I wish I could say it was all me. Yes most was but without Sabrina and all the support from these beautiful women who to me are family I would never have been there. So when you think that you are can or you won’t. Remember you can and you will. We all can and will we just have to remind ourselves that we are worth every breath,every tear and every part of joy in this world. Everyone deserves to feel accomplishment and the best way to do so is to try.Sabrina you are my hero and a true friend. I am blessed to have you. Without you I would never have gotten this far. I would never realized I am worth it and my kids and family would never have had the pleasure of watching me and seeing me as the strong women I am.
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This weekend was one I will always remember. Saturday was my second Femsport competition this year, this time I was competing in the open category. We didn't have our friends and family with us so we made friends with our fellow competitors (especially those who came to compete on their own) and we invited them into our family. We cheered for our own and our competition. We cried tears of pride for each other, and for a special lady who stole our hearts (Lynn). We watched our teammates take the podium, our amazing trainer compete and take the podium. The mother and daughter (Jodi Fowler ) who made us cry by taking first as a team and 1st and 3rd as individuals, but more importantly seeing the bond creating the memories that they will have forever. Each of us has a special moment that impacted us, but what we all share is the bond of family and unity. Cheers to Fem Sport 2019 and continuing to set an example to empower, unite, inspire.
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The women in your tribe inspire me every day not just in Femsport but in all that each one of you do everyday. It was an honor to compete next to you and to be able to cheer everyone on and to watch them succeed. I never thought I could do any of this and if it wasn’t for you ladies I would never have tried, not once but twice. You all truly inspire, empower and unite. Thank you!
I look forward to training again for 2019 |
My Femsport experience was amazing! I never thought that I would accomplish a goal like this but I managed to compete twice this year with Fit By Design.
The Fit by Design team made me feel welcomed and helped push me harder. I cannot wait until next year when I can start training again. I was in a deep dark spot in my life when I first started with Fit by Design and it was a hard step I took joining. I haven’t looked back since. I would have to push myself to get to the gym but as soon as I would see Sabrina’s smiling face, all my anxiety would melt away. Thank you for the most amazing experience and all of the new friends I have made along the way. |
I had the honor of competing in Vancouver and I must say it was one of the best decisions. It was an absolute blast! It pushed me out of my comfort zone being in a different venue; which was right on the ocean and made me BELIEVE that I can do anything. I had a lot of self doubt before it started, but when I left that day I was proud of overcoming my fears!!!It was so awesome to watch fellow teammates, everyone cheered everyone on, we laughed and cried but most of all we had FUN!!! It is something that I will be definitely do again.
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Spôrt: an activity involving physical exertion and skill in which an individual or team competes against another or others for entertainment. Add the strength & determination of a woman, and there you have FemSport.
As a novice competitor, at 40 years old, I didn’t think my body would allow me to compete, nevermind complete! The supportive group at Fit By Design gave me the willingness to try and the desire to proceed with the competition. My heart raced, my emotions soared, I got to compete with one of my own..a daughter who experienced her first run beside me. Being part of a team that placed in every division, was exhilarating! But being part of a community, unified by the same sport, was amazing in my eyes. I don’t believe one participant could have left that event feeling alone.. whether they joined as a team or individual, each and every person had someone cheering them on, encouraging, and acknowledging their triumphs. Many memories were made, and cherished, and I’m looking forward to what I can accomplish as a Master next year.. LET’S GO! |