Beth is a lot of things.  A mother, a teacher, an artist, a wife, a friend.  But if you think you’ve got her categorized into a box you may be in for a surprise.  Read on to get to know one truly amazing woman who we could all benefit from knowing a little better.  Ladies and gents, this is Beth Mettler and she’s the business.

What do you do for a living?

My biggest job is Mom to 3 kids.  I also teach at Canvas and Chardonnay.  I substitute teach at RPS and I produce and sell my own art.  Before I was a Mom, I was an art teacher.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the gym?

Adventure… anything I’ve never done before.

What made you decide to try Progression?

My hubby is one of the HGST/Western Digital guys.  After about a year and a half of hearing about it everyday and a long year of dealing with chronic running injuries, I decided it was time to give Progression a try.

How long have you been at Progression?

Since March 2015.

What was your experience with fitness like prior to Progression?

Fitness has always been something I’ve enjoyed.  The year before I joined Progression I worked out with a group in town called Mom’s on the Run.  I met a lot of cool women through that and did some great workouts.  But, as I mentioned before I was a forever injured runner.  Before that I ran on my own and did a lot of Jillian Michaels DVD workouts.

What was your biggest fear when you started at Progression?

Fear is not really a natural part of my personality.  I’d rather make a fool of myself trying than miss the chance to do something awesome.  That said, more than fear for me, is the struggle I faced in the beginning and still face daily is the voice in my own head saying, “I can’t.  There’s no way.  I’m not strong enough”.  That voice gets pretty loud for me.  It screams at me to quit.  But I don’t.  I finish.  Never first nor with the best form or the heaviest weights, but I finish.  And then I feel like a badass ready to conquer the rest of my life.

Favorite cheat day meal?

What am I cheating on?!?  I love food.  ALL THE FOODS!  I eat a lot.  There’s no ethnic food I’ve tried that I don’t like.  There aren’t many sweets I don’t like either.  Luckily I like most healthy foods as well.  I do my weight control at the grocery store.  If I don’t think I should eat it, I don’t buy it.  If a food is in my house, I will eat it!  We rarely eat out, so eating out is my cheat meal.  I order whatever sounds best, and that’s usually NOT a salad.

What goal(s) are you currently chasing?

Consistency.  Everything hinges on it.  I know it, but I have used the excuse of life getting in the way a bit too much lately.

What’s the hardest part about your fitness journey at the moment?

The mental game.  Knowing yourself well enough to push hard.  But, hard according to where you are at, not where anyone else is at.

What’s one thing your fellow CFP’ers would be surprised to learn about you?

I grew up on a beef farm.  My first job was raising steers.  So, I did chores, including bottle feeding calves, twice a day every day pretty much all my childhood; 5am and 5pm… I think this is why I don’t mind 5:30am class.

What’s your favorite piece of advice you’ve gotten from a coach at Progression?

First, I love going to classes coached by all the coaches.  Each one catches something different that will help you if you listen.  Second, like I said, for me it’s a mental game.  So, coach Michael consistently tells me not to settle for what I think I am capable of, but to push a bit harder than that.  Every time I listen, he is right.  I can do more than I think.

How has your outlook on health/fitness changed since starting at Progression?

Fitness is no longer about a number on a scale.  It’s about how I feel and what I can do.  Food is fuel, not something to feel guilty about.

What has been your fondest memory during your time at Progression?

I competed at Festivus Games about a year ago.  Seeing how proud my kids were of me even though I am quite mediocre at all CrossFit skills, really made me realize that what I am doing for my own fitness is going to have an effect on their health and fitness all of their lives.

Why do you think you’ve stuck with Progression?

There are so many challenges.  I can never get bored.  The list of skills that I could choose to get good at sometimes feels daunting.  But, I will never say, “Nah, I don’t need to go to Progression today, I’ve already mastered that”.  And there are great people all around.

What would be your one piece of advice for someone who’s just joining Progression?

Ask your questions.  No one will laugh at you.  No one is judging you, so focus on giving each workout everything you are capable of that day.  Nothing less, nothing more.