“If I can do it, so can you.” That’s what I tell all the new people at CrossFit, and it’s very true.
I’m Sheryl… an academic, a maths teacher, business owner, artist, chef, wife, and mom—but definitely not an athlete or sportswoman. I was never picked for team sports at school, and I came last in every race, so it goes without saying that I never had any desire to do anything sports-related.
Then in 2016, friends of mine were talking about a new gym in Alberton called CrossFit. I knew I needed to lose some weight, so I thought I’d pop in and see what all the fuss was about. In my mind, I was thinking I could walk a bit on the treadmill and perhaps do an aerobics class or two—haha.
I’ll never forget my first intro class. The coach made us do a 10-minute AMRAP of 10 sit-ups, 10 squats, and 10 push-ups. I couldn’t walk for two days afterward, but I felt great that I had actually achieved something.
I remember telling the coach that I was very unfit and not at all sporty and asked if he thought I’d be able to cope. His reply has stuck with me:
“Look around you. Do you see super strong athletic people? They’re just ordinary people showing up, giving it their best, and staying consistent. So if they can do it, you can too.”
Starting My CrossFit Journey
And so began my CrossFit journey. In the beginning, I couldn’t lift the bar above my head, I couldn’t run 200 meters (in fact, when I saw running on the board, my heart would sink), and I couldn’t even do an air squat properly.
But do you know what? The coaches were fantastic! They met me where I was, worked with me, and encouraged me. It was the first time ever that any sports coach took the time to help me.
“Just run to the lamppost and back, not all the way,” they’d say, or “Put plates under your feet when you do a squat to get your form right.” I was also reminded not to compare myself with anybody else, but to focus on being there and pushing just a little bit harder each time.
So I persevered and got better at it.
I managed to do a back squat with weights! Such an achievement!
I could do deadlifts with 50kg—another achievement!
Overcoming Challenges
But then lockdown came and disrupted the progress, and even worse, I got really sick. Not with Covid, but with a large abdominal growth.
I had to have a full hysterectomy, which knocked me flat. My recovery was very slow, and I needed help just to get up off the couch. I couldn’t walk, I couldn’t lift anything heavier than a 2-liter milk bottle. It was not a good time for me, both physically and emotionally.
Then one day at the shops, I bumped into Angie again, and she encouraged me to come back for private coaching just to help me start moving again.
For a year, Angie patiently helped me to slowly build my strength, working around my injury. I will be forever grateful to her for that time, and I thank God I met her that day in the shops because I honestly wouldn’t have managed to regain my fitness without her.
Eventually, like a mother eagle, she kicked me out of the comfort of the private coaching nest.
I was so nervous going back to normal CrossFit classes, but again, I’m so grateful that Angie pushed me.
Stronger Than Ever
Two years later, I am stronger and fitter than I’ve ever been in my life.
Here I am, in my fifties, better than I was in my thirties!
I can run 1km without slowing down, and I’ve recently hit PBs in:
✅ Deadlifts
✅ Back squats
✅ Bench press
✅ Power cleans
I can do the shuttle runs without gasping for breath, and I enjoy rowing. I still struggle with skipping, box jumps, and burpees—but it’s a journey.
What’s Next?
My next goal is a 2km run, and I’d love to be able to do a strict pull-up with no bands.
So I’ll follow the coach’s advice:
✔ Show up.
✔ Stay consistent.
Because I’ve seen what happens when you do.
And finally, I’ll repeat: If I can do it, so can you! 💪
