Carrie has overcome horrific physical injuries and continues to thrive at Progression.  Find out how, why, and everything in between!  Meet Carrie Winter…

What do you do for a living?

I am the Health Policy Manager at the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, which is a national society for physicians.

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

I love to try new recipes… pretty much an obsession with cookbooks.  Going camping with my children and husband, biking, hiking, and just generally hanging out with my kids, husband, and friends.

What made you decide to try Progression?

I had suffered a severe back injury after being hit by a car and was tired of the “can’t” mentality.  I wanted to find out what I COULD do.  I struggled for quite a while trying to find the right program with enough support and coaching.  I tried Progression because I had heard great things about the coaching and the attention to proper form.

How long have you been at Progression?

Since April 2015, so about a year and a half.

What was your experience with fitness like prior to Progression?

I used to be very much into long distance running.  I ran two full marathons, four halves, and an assortment of 5K’s, 10K’s, and 15K’s.  I also worked with a personal trainer for a while and frequented the typical fitness center fairly regularly.

What was your biggest fear when you started at Progression?

My biggest fear was that I wouldn’t be able to actually do any of the workouts or would hurt myself trying.

Favorite cheat day meal?

Pizza and a great beer, (the darker the better!)

What goal(s) are you currently chasing?

So many!  Generally, I am working towards increasing my upper body strength and improving my Olympic lifts.  Specific goals include toe to bars, pistols, double under’s, a 300 lb. deadlift, and the ever elusive pull up.

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

For me, it can be overcoming the negative mental self-talk.  Sometimes I see a WOD and start to think, “I can’t do this, why am I even trying”?  However, I have realized that those workouts are the ones that I need to do the most and I always leave with a sense of accomplishment.

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

I was an in-home child care provider for four years while my boys were younger.  I quit my job, started my own business and never regretted it for a minute.  The years I got to spend at home with my boys and the children I cared for were some of my most special moments.  But it was definitely hard work.

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

So much good advice!  My favorites are: “stick your butt out” for anything involving squats, (I have isssues), and “every day, be just a little bit better than you were yesterday”.

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

I look forward to finding out what I am capable of doing instead of dreading workouts.  Working out is no longer a means to an end or something that I have to do.  It’s something that I WANT to do.  I have also discovered how much I love barbell work.

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

The moment that I realized that fear is more of a limitation to my physical abilities than my body is.  It was a completely random moment during a WOD, but it was a definite turning point for me in my fitness journey.

Why do you think you’ve stuck with Progression?

I love the challenge and being able to see progress.  There is nothing like the feeling of accomplishing something you weren’t able to do previously.  That and the supportive environment at CFP are the reasons I have stuck with it.

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

Make a commitment to attend consistently for at least three months.  You will discover the sense of community in the gym, get to know people, get to know your coaches, and start to discover abilities that you never knew you had.  THAT is what Progression is all about.  And don’t be afraid to ask for help!