Syrine's Journey To Fit Chick

I grew up following my three older brothers around wanting to play basketball with them. But, I didn’t want to get my dress, shoes, and bows dirty. Growing up with two amazing parents and supporting brothers made me into the person I am today. We had home cooked meals everyday so we never ate fast food but on Saturdays when we went grocery shopping. Life was stressful and fast paced when I started college and this was when things began to change. I was an athlete in high school and stayed busy working out and running to stay in shape. College and its transition opened a whole new world for me…a world where I gave up my healthy lifestyle due to all the fast food and unhealthy quick meals and lack of exercise.

My Second Chance

 When I was 10 years old, I underwent double hip surgery. Doctors predicted that I wouldn’t be able to walk again if I did not have the surgery. I was scared to hear those words. But, both my mom and dad said to me, ‘It’s going to be alright.’ It was the way they said it that made me believe that I would be alright. After being wheelchair bound for three months after the surgery, I had to fight to walk again and not be dependent on others. This moment in time was when I began to understand the true meaning of strength in all aspects of the word.

  When I was 25 years old I began to have high blood pressure problems due to the nature of my career path at the time. I realized the stress and my eating habits were beginning to become my downfall. I realized at that moment that I was too young to have these issues and it was time to take control of my health again. No matter what, I was determined to do it!


My first step to take back control of my health was joining a local gym and creating my own workout circuits. I wanted to do this on my own, without help from a trainer. I had put myself in this position and was determined to get myself out of it before I worked with a trainer. I set a goal for myself to drop at least 30 pounds within a year. I wanted to be realistic about it since I was approaching this on my own. I achieved that goal and went on to bigger challenges thereafter. Each time setting a new goal and achieving it, while helping others along the way. I eventually became a spin instructor after a year of taking classes. I loved it so much that I wanted to share my love with others. I tried and fell in love with TRX. I have my own TRX band that I hop on and try new tricks at home.

 Each time I would reach a new goal, I would get bored and needed a new challenge. I always found them and they kept pushing me outside of my comfort zone. I never wanted to go back to the unhealthy me.


I was have always been a strong woman mentally, spiritually and emotionally. After all, I learned true strength as that 10 year who fought every single day to walk again and live a normal life. I couldn’t give up and no one could do it for me. I carry that thought with me daily, because it is one of the reasons I am strong in all of those areas to this day. All the pain and tears I experienced gave me a new appreciation for life. On the spiritual side, I come from praying parents who always instilled in me to have faith in God. They always taught me that He would help me along the way, but I also had to do my part.

CrossFit

 I was introduced to Cross Fit through a mutual friend of Megan Bernard and mine. I added her on Facebook and I kept up with her posts. Timing wasn’t right for me to start Cross Fit at the time because of my work, school, and workout schedules, but I promised her that I would come and workout with her when time permitted me. It was through Meg that I met Jen. I joined the HOUSE in April of this year and it has been one of the most rewarding experiences.


Now, I Cross Fit five days a week. Working out period is my addiction. It’s a time where I not only focus on my goals, but also help others achieve their goals as well. The motivation inside of me drives me to push others to reach their full potential.

Cross Fit has given me the ability to take my training to the next level. I’ve gained the strength I need to increase my performance in the WODs (Work Out of the Day) and not to mention the camaraderie from an awesome group of women who share my love for fitness and a healthier lifestyle. I am forever grateful to Jen for giving me an opportunity to join the HOUSE and share in her vision.

 My proudest moment since starting CrossFit was when Lisa and I each DL’d( Dead Lift) 240#. It was a PR (Personal Record) for her and my first time in a while to DL. The last time I did a DL was in high school so I was a bit anxious to see how far I could get at this point in my fitness journey. When I cleared it, I had a humbling moment and felt that all of my hard work was paying off. I felt like that little 10 year old again when I was first allowed to set my feet on the ground to walk again after surgery. It was a special moment for me.

Crossfitting is only part of it, my diet is consists of clean eating. I eat tons of veggies, fruit, lean proteins. I LOVE water with lemon! I haven’t had a soft drink in about 7 years. I also take Advocare supplements, such as Spark Energy Drink and Catalyst (Amino Acid Supplement). I use the Advocare Muscle Gain Protein shake mix and love to mix it with unsweetened almond/coconut milk blend, fresh frozen strawberries, fresh frozen blueberries, and fresh baby spinach… I call it my Muscle Juice! However, I don’t deprive myself of something that I may want to eat. I’ve learned to pick healthier options and control my portions.

Who Inspires me?

My parents and my nephew, Kendrick, inspire me. My parents have shown grace, strength, love, sacrifice and so much more. After losing my oldest brother when he was 14 years old to an unfortunate drowning accident, I never saw a couple with so much strength to carry on and raise my three brothers and myself. They are remarkable in every aspect of this word. My nephew, Kendrick, is my soldier. He has Sickle Cell Anemia and has been through so much in his short life span. He inspires me because of his strength to fight, his strength to conquer the disease, his strength to live a normal life. He is the true definition of a fighter!

As I reflect back, I don’t regret any life decision that I have made because each of these have been a learning experience. I find the hidden message in each lesson and ask myself how to apply it in order to be a better person, overall. Past mistakes have taught me to keep moving forward and not dwell on the past. My future holds so much more and I will never achieve it by allowing these mistakes to dictate where I’m going. I learn from them, chalk them up, and move on.

Pay it forward

I try to pay it forward the best way I know how, by just being myself. I coach myself to make a difference in someone’s life. I don’t need or want recognition for anything that I’ve done for others. If I make a difference in someone’s life by just smiling and being there as a listening shoulder, then I’ve done my part. As a future personal trainer, my ultimate passion is to pay it forward through the younger generation. They have so much potential and not enough positive role models. If I can reach one, then that makes part of my purpose is met.

My advice to anyone who's reading this : GO GET IT!! You want to achieve something, you must EARN it. To all of you wonderful ladies out there on this fitness journey, don’t you dare let anyone or anything stand in your way. You bleed strength and you have to believe that you can achieve great things. EARN every rep, every rip, and every sore muscle because you know what…no one will take that away from you! People may be little you with their words, but they cannot BREAK you. Don’t give them that power! Find that unshakable force within you and manifest it into GREATness. Much love!



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