Stronger Than I Thought

I’m a strong believer that everything happens for a reason.

Last week, a friend of mine - with an incredible body, I should add - posted a video about her CrossFit routine: lifting weights, climbing ropes, flying through workouts looking amazing. I was impressed. Then a few days later, she invited her friends to a free intro class at her studio.

I thought, why not?

I’d been thinking about lifting weights for a while, looking for something to balance my yoga practice, something that would help me build some muscle, finally get my handstand down, and maybe even teach me how to do a pull-up! My initial plan was pretty simple: go every other weekend when I don’t have the kids, check the box, and move on.

But you know me, I love a new challenge.

At the end of that first class, the coaches offered a 30-day program: three classes a week for a month. Without thinking twice, I signed up.

The intro class was mostly instruction, except for an intense ten-minute series in the middle, when we did five rounds of squats, abs, and push-ups. All in less than ten minutes. That’s all, but I was dead.

The next day, I could barely move. I booked a massage just to make it up the four flights of stairs to my apartment.

But despite the soreness, something shifted.

By Monday morning, I was back for my second session, learning form and technique before the “real” workouts start.
Walking home through the chaos of Hell’s Kitchen and Penn Station, I caught myself smiling. I felt alive again: grounded, strong, a little sore, but fully in my body.

And then came the lightbulb moment.

Every single time I’ve been burnt out, it’s movement that saves me.

This time, I wouldn’t say I was burnt out, but I was definitely off balance. The past few weeks were heavy: my daughter was sick for a few weeks straight, my mom visited (which was lovely but exhausting as I stretched myself thin trying to do it all), and I missed too many of my beloved yoga classes. I caught a cold. And somewhere in that mix, I started doubting myself, questioning whether all the work I’ve been doing is really worth it.

And just like that, by adding a new challenge, by showing up and sweating and pushing myself, I came back to life. My mind felt clearer. My self-trust returned. I felt good again. I remembered that feeling strong isn’t just about muscles; it’s about momentum.

Last week, I wrote about self care “not as indulgence, [but] as infrastructure.”
A lot of you reached out to say that line resonated, and I get why. Because that’s exactly what this week reminded me of.

On Sunday night, I opened my calendar and actually scheduled my workouts, like business meetings with myself. I blocked the time and protected it. This week is easier because I don’t have my kids with me, but I still need to plan carefully: when I’ll go, how I’ll fit everything else around it. It takes time, yes, but it’s necessary.

We often talk about self-care as rest, softness, stillness. And yes, sometimes that’s exactly what we need. But sometimes, the most restorative thing you can do is move and push yourself a little further than you think you can.

Because there’s a special kind of confidence that comes from doing something hard.

CrossFit is clearly harder than anything I’ve done before, and that’s exactly why I’m excited. For this 30-day challenge, the goal is three classes a week; so far, I’ve managed two. And let’s be honest, this isn’t yoga. It’s a mix of weightlifting (which I’ve never done before), cardio, and serious core work.

I’ve only completed two classes so far, not even a “real” one yet, but watching the others, I already know I’ll be different by the end of the month. My legs have never felt this sore, and that tells me something is shifting. This is strength building, inside and out.

And already, in just a couple of days, I’ve carried that energy into everything else I do.

Because when I move, when I challenge myself, I come home to myself.
When life feels heavy, I find my way back through movement. It’s how I reconnect, rebuild, and rise into my next version.

Initially, I joined CrossFit thinking it would prepare me for my New Year’s ski trip.
Now I realize it’s preparing me for something much bigger, the next version of me.

What started as a fitness challenge has turned into something deeper, a reminder that every time we push our limits, we expand what we believe is possible.

Now I’m curious: what about you?
What helps you be at your best?
When was the last time you did it?
And what’s getting in the way of you doing it this week?

Because sometimes, the simplest way to reconnect to your purpose, to your energy, your joy, your confidence, is to reconnect to your body.

This is my reminder to you (and to myself):
When in doubt, move.