MEMBER FEATURE: Janet & Randy Hills

“Start where you are. Keep showing up. And never underestimate the power of community.”

If you’ve ever walked into the gym during open hours and noticed someone lifting between folding towels, cleaning equipment, or vacuuming the floor, there’s a good chance it was Janet Hills. And if you’ve ever heard someone cracking a good-humored joke, reminiscing about dragon boat races, or trying to avoid running at all costs—well, that’s probably Randy Hills.

This month, we’re proud to feature two of our most seasoned and steady members—individuals who prove that age is no barrier to strength, perseverance, or setting big goals.

A Bit About Them

Randy and Janet moved to Saskatoon in 1981. Randy left the National Film Board and eventually started his own computer graphics design company serving the audio-visual market. He’s been deeply involved with Scouts Canada, holding leadership roles at the local, provincial, and national levels for over three decades. A lifelong motorcyclist, Randy and Janet once took annual motorcycle trips before transitioning to road tripping in a convertible.

Janet spent her career in health care as a physiotherapist. “Thirty-some years doing home visits for the health authority,” she notes. She’s also mom to Sarah and Chris, mother-in-law to Nicole and Jason, and proud “Grammy” to four energetic grandkids: Aiden, Noah, Thomas, and Nora.

Their family’s deep connection to the gym is hard to miss—and very much by design. As Randy puts it, “CrossFit was instrumental in creating part of our extended family and bringing our entire extended family together.”

How They Found CrossFit

For Randy, it all started with curiosity. “My business office shared a common wall with a new CrossFit gym, and I was intrigued by the sounds of the workouts and athletes that I heard daily. I had tried other gyms but never stuck with it. It still took about 18 months before I decided to check it out.”

Janet joined after Randy, initially balancing CrossFit with her triathlon training. “My training really began when I joined the Just Try It triathlon program at age 50. I successfully competed in local triathlon events and running races including a Rock and Roll full marathon in Las Vegas.”

Eventually, juggling both CrossFit and endurance training became too much. After a back injury and some time off, Janet knew she needed strength training as part of her return to fitness. Jason suggested she try powerlifting instead of Olympic lifting—leading to a remarkable chapter.

“Shortly after I began, it was brought to my attention there was no one in Canada competing in my weight class at my age and it was suggested to me I compete. Initially I thought ‘no way am I doing that.’ I had watched Sarah compete and I couldn’t imagine me lifting in front of an audience while being judged.”

With some encouragement (and perhaps a little nudging from Randy), Janet signed up for her first meet. “After failing on my first lift, what should have been an easy squat, and resisting the strong urge to flee out the front door, I had a successful experience and set provincial records.”

She went on to compete at Western Canada events and set Canadian national records in powerlifting.

The Journey Continues

“My competition days came to an end a few years ago with an elbow injury,” Janet says. “Followed by a couple of knee meniscus tears and more recently a rib dislocation while doing dips. However, like the cat that came back, my active family inspires me and I keep at it, starting over and adjusting as necessary.”

These days, Janet still trains in powerlifting and fills her time with walking, running, biking, gardening, and being an emergency caregiver for her grandkids. She’s currently working toward a specific birthday goal: “String together 7 strict pullups by my 70th birthday later this year.” She hasn’t ruled out a return to competition either.

Randy’s goals have remained steady. “My goal was just to be more active doing something, maybe lose some weight and get a bit fitter. Goals are still basically the same.”

That said, he’s racked up some memorable moments:
“My first toes-to-bar without wearing clown shoes, my first CrossFit competition, competing in the Open, and being on the gym team that won the dragon boat races.”

There’s also a special kind of encouragement in hearing, “I want to be able to do what you do when I am your age.”

Reflections on Community

“I really appreciate the whole community aspect of our gym and how we really are a big family,” says Randy.

Janet—often spotted quietly vacuuming or folding towels between lifts—contributes to that community in her own way, making the space a little brighter and more welcoming for everyone else.

When asked who inspires them, Randy doesn't hesitate: “Really, everyone who goes to the gym motivates me. Jason really is the most amazing coach and community leader; my daughter Sarah inspires me; my son and daughter-in-law motivate me; my wife Janet, when she switched to powerlifting and held 10 Canadian National records, inspires me. People who go when they know the WOD is going to be tough, but go anyway and put in their best effort motivate me.”

Staying the Course

For Randy, the challenge has been accepting limits while still pushing forward. “Accepting that I can't do what I used to do, but that I can still put in my best effort.”

Janet agrees—she adapts when needed but never quits. Her motivation? “To keep up to my grandkids and live as long as my mom, who made it to 101 and lived a pretty active life despite being legally blind.”

And Randy, with a grin, adds: “I'm just trying to keep up with ‘Big Deal’ Blaine Eagle!”

Advice to New Members

Their advice is simple, heartfelt, and right on the mark: “Hang in there, it is worthwhile, you are welcome in the gym, the gym is a better place for you being there. Some days will be better than others, so come back tomorrow anyways.”

Final Thoughts

“Well I need to eat better, sleep better, move more, think more and connect with people—and the gym is the catalyst for all that,” says Randy.

Both he and Janet are living proof that consistency, humility, and a good sense of humor can take you far—not just in the gym, but in life. They are role models not because of any one record or PR, but because of the steady, supportive, and joyful energy they bring day after day.

Their presence at CrossFit CL has helped shape the culture we’re proud of—welcoming, hardworking, generous, and fun. Whether they’re lifting between grandkid duties or cheering others on mid-WOD, Randy and Janet remind us all that showing up matters—and that community is the strongest kind of strength.