MEMBER FEATURE - Yurchuk Family

What started as one person trying something new, has grown into a family connecting in their journey of health and wellness. By just taking that first step out of their comfort zone, the Yurchuk family is a wonderful example for all in the CFCL community.

Carrie, 46 year old momma and wife to this wonderful crew, was the first to take the step to trying out CrossFit OneFifty. Her sister and brother-in-law are crossfitters in Airdrie, and when they came for a visit home in Easter they wanted to hit up a class. So, she had to find them a gym to attend :) She messaged Melissa Pederson, to see if she was still going to the same place (CFCL)…she was.

Carrie: One email to and one reply from Jason, I knew this place was going to be different from any gym I had every been to. I was pretty much hooked after the first class.

Mike, 47 year old father and husband, was also encouraged to come along for the first class with the crew. He soon found out that it was a different kind of gym than he had ever experienced, and decided to sign up with Carrie as well.

Mike: I’ve tried out many other places and it can be very overwhelming with the length of my journey to get healthier. Sometimes you can feel lost and alone and intimidated not knowing how to do the exercises, or what exercises to even do. Everyone at CFCL has been so encouraging and willing to help.

But Carrie & Mike didn’t stop there! They wanted to share their experience with their whole family, so they also encouraged the kids to try it out. Their 14 year old daughter, Erica, tried a class in August of this year and now just “really likes CrossFit”. Niklas, who just turned 11 today (Happy Birthday Niklas!!), also tried the gym upon his mom’s suggestion. He now keeps coming simply “because it’s fun”.

Carrie: I still can't believe as of a couple of weeks ago, all four of us are loving classes.

As like most of us, getting to the gym in the first place and gaining consistenty is sometimes a struggle. But the Yurchuck crew is doing their best getting to the gym first thing in the morning and figuring out other strategies to make it a part of their daily life.

Erica: Getting up in the morning is not my favourite thing, but it is a good start to the day. The more I get up early though the easier it is, and I feel better throughout the day.

Carrie: I love working out in the morning, but some nights I don't get enough of or good quality sleep. I've started tracking my sleep and I'm trying really hard to consistenly go to bed at the same time every night. I'm getting there - usually I go to bed before my kids! I'm also starting to focus on going to a class later in the day if i miss the morning one. I used to just "write-off" that day, but I feel so much better after a workout.

So even though it might be hard to get there on days, and sometimetimes it just might be to show up before you get called to work (this might have happened to Mike), one of the main reasons that each of the Yurchuks say they are coming to CFCL is because they are having fun! They also add that the coaches and community make a world of difference each day of their journey. Of course they each have own favourites and highlights about their CrossFit journey so far.

Niklas: The sled push, the rowing and the weight lifting are my favourite.

Erica: One of my favourite movements is definitely deadlifts. The people and the environment are my favourite and are what keep me coming back.

Mike: The instructors and the people, they make it fun to go.

Carrie: I've started to notice some physical/mental changes and I've gained some more confidence as well. It's a pretty wonderful feeling when you lift heavier or complete more reps than last time. I might look like I have resting "gym" face most days, but I actually really like the challenges. I'm even making friends with the rower. I never imagined I could complete a box jump or learn how to do wall handstands.

The Yurchuks are really a testament to what the CFCL community is all about. It started by them just stepping out of their comfort zone, and now they are all growing and sharing an experience and a journey together - as a whole family. We are grateful to have them as part of our gym family.

Mike works for Federated Co-op in the IT department and Carrie is a Dental Receptionist at Viva Dental Studio (by day, and true crime junkie by night)! Both Niklas and Erica are active in sports (Tennis and Volleyball respecively) and also Ukrainian dance. Sine the kids tried CrossFit Carrie has even decided to try it out Ukrainian dance; “I grew up playing sports so dance is definitely out of my comfort zone, but so was CrossFit and here we are.”