A year of CrossFit and an astonishing deadlift PR transforms Jessica Tyler from shy wallflower to outgoing leader. Julie Kelly reports.
Jessica Tyler, a 28-year-old nurse and Navy reservist, first walked into CrossFit San Diego on Jan. 3, 2011. All 5 foot 7 and 120 lb. of her stood just outside the huddle of members while they chatted about each other’s kids, exchanged their latest cheat meals, stretched, and worked out the kinks with their PVC pipes, foam rollers and lacrosse balls.
Braided pigtails and thick black glasses swallowed Tyler’s face. If anyone made eye contact with her, she would quickly look at the floor. If she spoke at all, her voice was low and muffled.
Just over a year later, I am still in awe of Tyler’s transformation. Put aside her impressive accomplishments and continuous PRs. She has gone from a shy wallflower to a strong and confident woman who now goes out of her way to introduce herself to new members, who screams with enthusiasm when one of her teammates makes a new PR, and who always encourages the new member who gets an unassisted pull-up for the first time.
That is the real transformation. That’s the good stuff.