MEMBER FEATURE: Michelle & Natalie Heggstrom
For this dynamic mother-daughter duo, fitness isn’t just a solo pursuit—it’s something they’ve chosen to take on together. Michelle and Natalie joined CFCL looking for a space that offered both strength and cardio (even if cardio isn’t exactly a favorite). What they found was more than a workout—they found community, challenge, and some unexpected fun.
Michelle works in Environmental Protection with the Ministry of Environment and enjoys winding down with a good book or sports on TV. Natalie, a student and accomplished athlete, is heading to the University of Saskatchewan this fall and has already earned two bronze medals at Wrestling Nationals during. She also plays fastball competitively—and she’s not done yet. Her next goal? Earning a spot at Fastball Nationals this August.
Though the early days of CrossFit felt overwhelming, both credit the welcoming energy of CFCL and the support they received in Foundations for making them feel at home.
“You don’t have to know what you are doing—just start.”
Michelle joined to stay active and get stronger, especially after an old hamstring injury. She’s been leaning into movements that help rebuild that strength (hello, single-leg squats!) and even pushed through some running workouts, despite deep reservations. “I didn’t want to, but I did it. I pushed through and got it done.”
Natalie, already an athlete, was drawn to lifting—and deadlifts are her favourite. She’s been progressing her pull-ups, finding new strength in different ways, and now sees CrossFit as a way to keep evolving beyond high school sports.
When asked what they enjoy most about CFCL, the answers came easily:
Natalie: “The lifting.”
Michelle: “The people.”
They find inspiration from fellow athletes and coaches—Michelle gives a shoutout to the 5 o’clock crew and Jules, while Natalie credits Jason, Justis, and Bonita for keeping her motivated.
As for tough days? They take a page from Jules' book:
Just show up. That one hour is a break from everything else—and it’s always worth it.
“Now that we’ve been coming regularly, we’ve become more aware of how the Five Factors—Eat, Sleep, Move, Think, Connect—really support not just our gym goals but our overall wellbeing.”
We're so proud to have Michelle and Natalie as part of our community, and we can’t wait to see what’s next—whether it's Fastball Nationals, progress in the gym, or just continuing to crush WODs side by side.
Thanks for bringing your energy, laughter, and strength to CFCL!