MEMBER FEATURE - “Old Guy” & “Golden Girl” Going Strong

Meet Rick & Arlene Fedorchuk - important members of the OGs (Old Guys) and Golden Girls clubs :)

Rick started CrossFit at the wise age of 52 and Arlene jumped on the bandwagon after she turned 60. This inspiring couple shows us that you can get stronger and more fit as you age, and that couples that fitness together…are just awesome. #couplegoals

Arlene and Rick can thank their kids for introducing them to CrossFit. They gifted them both on-ramp sessions in 2009. They both went but Rick was the only one that continued, at that point.

ARLENE My first on-ramp experience with CrossFit was intimidating. I perceived a level of competitiveness that, for a perfectionist like me, was uncomfortable. Also, I realized how hard I would have to work and I just wasn’t ready to commit. I used excuses like my career, family and my master’s, but actually I perceived CrossFit was for only really strong people, in other words, not for me. Even though I had always done some sort of exercise - teaching aerobics in the 1990s (complete with bodysuits and leg warmers), yoga, hiking and maintaining a gym membership - the group classes I usually attended were usually focused on keeping in time to the music rather than on form. I started to change my mindset when I turned 60 years old.

Though their timing for starting might have been different, both had their own reasons for starting CrossFit and faced barriers along their journey.

RICK It wasn’t until later in life that I started sports (rec hockey) and focusing on my fitness, as I was busy working and raising a family. So CrossFit was no different, starting at 52. Interesting fact - I started CrossFit before Jason! When I was 44 years old, I got into running and ran full-marathons for the next five years. CrossFit made me realize that only running didn’t build strength, and I liked the challenge that it presented. I was humbled when I realized I wasn’t as fit as I thought I was. Eventually I had to quit running and playing hockey because of wear and tear on my hip that required a total hip replacement. As a man, of course, I tried to ignore it because I was hesitant about the surgery and possible outcomes. I delayed the surgery as long as I could, which meant I was in a lot of pain when I went to the gym. Eventually it came to the point where I had to get the surgery, which turned out to be far easier than I expected. Jason supported me immensely on my road to recovery. Recently, I underwent another surgery and, again, Jason and the coaches have all supported me in my ongoing recuperation.

ARLENE With my previous exercise routine, I never reached the results I was hoping for. Also, we have four grandchildren and I wanted to be able to keep up with them. I didn’t care if they thought Nana was old, but I didn’t want them to see me as weak. So two years ago, I finally approached Jason about creating a program for me. I remember saying to him that I didn’t want to do “CrossFit” but I did want to get toned and stronger. Out of that conversation Jason put together a Foundations program for a group of middle-aged women aka The Golden Girls. Jason and his team of coaches (like nurse Mandy, Phys Ed teacher Natalie and EMTs Kylie and Mike), focused on functional fitness that we needed in our daily lives - balance, carrying grandchildren, reaching for the top shelf, grip strength and shoveling snow. He constantly stressed the importance of proper form, which has made all the difference for me in my fitness journey. He also addressed everyone’s aches and pains we had developed from years of improper posture. Little did I know we were actually doing CrossFit! When Jason first suggested we start attending regular group classes, I felt like a kindergartener being set off into the big school on my own. But Jason adjusted the programming so that I felt successful and challenged. Jason’s patience and encouragement helped me to overcome my fears and hesitation about doing CrossFit.

Even though they have hit some roadblocks along the way, there were/are some big reasons they love CFCL and keep coming back.

ARLENE First of all, I don’t think I could have found a better coach than Jason. He is an expert, informed coach who expects more of me than I do of myself. He and his team have created a space where I feel comfortable pushing myself out of my comfort zone. The biggest impact he has had on my fitness journey is enlightening my philosophy around fitness and aging. Many women in my cohort accept gaining weight, slowing down, and using the accompanying aches and pains as a reason to be sedentary. However, CFCL stresses the importance of movement and building strength as part of a treatment program. Last year I had developed issues with my right shoulder, which I would have normally treated with a long rest period. But Jason coached me to strengthen areas around my shoulder and now I can finally do overhead work. I recall the first time I was able to do banded pull-ups. It was a Monday morning and we Golden Girls were giddy and giggling like little girls with the thrill of doing pull-ups.

RICK I would never work as hard on my own or at home as I do at the gym. I enjoy working out with a group because we all know how hard yet rewarding it is. There is no better feeling than completing a WOD! It’s nice that Arlene and I have found a sport that we can experience and enjoy together. The coaches, the community, the social aspect, the great friendships we’ve made and the constant jokes about the OGs (old guys) make CFCL a gym that I want to keep coming back to. I can honestly say I’ve never backed-out of a WOD no matter how difficult it looked. Over the years, Jason has been very generous to our entire family by allowing all of us to do the Fedorchuk Family Pre-wedding WODS before our children got married.

ARLENE My favourite thing about CFCL is that Jason has made it accessible to people of all ages and abilities. I feel motivated working out with this like-minded, supportive fitness community, and I really like that everyday brings a different WOD. Now that I have been at CFCL for over two years, I can see muscle tone, I feel stronger in my daily life, and I am constantly setting fitness goals for myself. Regardless of how I feel when I enter the gym, I can honestly say that I always leave feeling glad that I came and worked out. The social part of the gym is extremely important to me. Rick and I have developed many treasured friendships over the years. I appreciate the motivation I get from working out with a group, and I have a feeling we Golden Girls will be together for life.

RICK & ARLENE We both feel that the gym has been a place of respite, especially during the past years of the pandemic and all of the other craziness in the world today. It’s one place where we both feel we can forget about the outside world and focus solely on the WOD. We are thankful to be part of the CrossFit community that Jason has created!

THE FEDORCHUK’S have always lived in Saskatoon. They met the year after high school and will celebrate their 41st wedding anniversary in May 2022. They have three grown children (all married) and 4 grandchildren (ages 3 to 6 years old). All of their children have made CrossFit a part of their lives and this year two of their grandchildren loved participating in the CFCL kids’ program with Meranda! At the beginning of March, Rick is turning 65 and he will be retiring at the end of that month with 35 years of service with the Federal Government. Arlene is 63 and retired three years ago from a career with Saskatoon Public Schools working with foreign students. In their free time, they have travelled extensively, including attending the CrossFit games in Madison, WI in 2017 and walking the Camino de Santiago across northern Spain in 2019. They recently bought a cabin and plan to renovate this summer, and are looking forward to creating lasting memories with their family and friends.