Pursuing new experience through Crossfit

As a working adult, it's easy to get to a point where "firsts" become scarce.  You can become an incredibly successful person, do your job, and achieve new milestones, but very few of these things will be happening for the first time.  First kiss, first date, first day on the job, first kid, first steps... these all produce a raw exhilaration and excitement that is unmatched with other achievements.  Once you've been there before, these things are special, but can lack the true visceral emotion that you felt in that inaugural moment.

One of the cool things about Crossfit is that these "firsts" are everywhere.  The very nature of such a multi-disciplined sport means that you're going to suck at a lot of stuff.  I personally suck at pretty much everything having to do with gymnastic based movements.  That and the snatch (feel free to giggle).

Warning or opportunity?

This is actually the reason I went to Crossfit for the first time-- to push myself out of my comfort zone.  I hate being inexperienced at things, so I tend to stick to previously conquered pursuits.  The danger of this is a lifetime on the easy road; something that will rob you of the incredible experiences that exist on the fringe of comfort.

In the gym, this is seen in conquering a movement for the first time.  The whole class cheers for you, you hit the PR bell, the coach gives you a high five, and says "I knew you could do it;"  it's an amazing feeling.  This type of support fuels the continual pursuit of uncharted boundaries.  This is what makes Crossfit so addicting for those that have become evangelists.

For me, this type of attitude has even extended outside of the gym to areas like business, outdoor pursuits, and "dating my Fiance."  Achieving or experiencing something for the first time, and acknowledging it for it's significance, brings a level of excitement and deep, unflappable pride that human beings naturally crave.  Without the continuous renegotiation of previously perceived boundaries, life would be dangerously stagnant, the bucket list painfully boring, and picture album sadly anti-climactic.  It's the things that scare you before the first step that end up being the most memorable.    

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