Well the first year is over and what a year it was. This day last year we opened the doors of CrossFit West Dublin.
It has been one of the hardest year of my life in every aspect. It has also been the best year of my life.
Not only have I learned alot about business I have learned alot about the type of people you should have around you. I was lucky at the start of my business that I had so many of my friends around to help me out when things got REALLY tough both personnally and when I needed some business advice. When I began my CrossFit journey at CrossFit Ireland I fell in love with CrossFit and how it made me feel. I had an awesome coach Colm O'Reilly who trained me to be the best I could be. He came out the day I signed the lease and the day we opened shop to show his support. Thanks for everything Colm.
I wanted to give CrossFit to everyone so I decided to take the plunge and open up CFWD. I did not know what to expect. My first members were Paul and Saoirse Malone and they are still members today so really it is their birthday too :) . I did expect it to be hard work and it was. Lucky for me I love what I do so it really did not feel like work.
The journey I have been on over the last year has been very emotional. I have learned that owning a CrossFit doesn't mean you can train all the time. I love to train and CrossFitting with my friends at CFI was how I dealt with things and forgot about my problems for an hour or two. Now that I had my own CrossFit and I was training on my own , I didn't have that anymore. There were times when I felt lost and I missed them so much , but as a good friend mine told me that I had to create my own Institute of Awesomenes :) . So thats what I did!!! As I missed the community so much I realised just how important it was.CFWD has a great community. Every member is so welcoming to new people, helping them out making sure they are involved. I am very lucky with the members I have. Huge THANK YOU CFWD MEMBERS!!!! You make me so happy every day..
People get so many different things from CrossFit. Some people start coming to CrossFit just to lose a couple of pounds, but they stay to get better and I love that. Some people are already from an athletic background and needed to be in a competitive atmosphere again.
The thing is they all support eachother and celebrate Caroline being able to overhead Squat 22.5kg with just as much gusto as the celebrate Les getting a 190kg deadlift. Ordinary people doing extrordinary things.
There are no words to explain how proud I am of each and everyone of my members. I have so much respect for them. Every time they train they really give the workout and lifts everything they have got.
In a year my business has grown to a place that is really comfortable and I could never ever had imagined that this would have happened so soon. Every day is different and I am learning new skills every day. I am loving every minute of it.
I have lots of people to thank
Katie has barely seen her mammy this year so I would like to thank my gorgeous girl for being so patient and good. I hope you will see me more next year darling x
My Mam and Dad who mind Katie while I work 50 hours a week(and the rest). I could not have done this without you.
Joe Brady who helped me with my business plan.
Tom Carroll who helped me with the set up - Pull ups bars , boxes at the very beginning. you are an angel Tom.
CrossFit Ireland Thanks for everything Lads..without you I would never have found CrossFit.
Thank all my friends I have met through CFI - Eimear ,Christina, Leah , James, Jason ,Pete Rosie , Meagan, Tony , Dev,Grace , Nickie,liz..I know there are loads and loads of you .. Thanks all of you for everything.
Les Lennox .. for making me boxes , platforms , beams. Thanks so much Les. I really appreciate everything you have done for me.
Alana Lowe .. for all your help during the year ..covering classes and minding Katie throughout the year.
My boyfriend Scot Heyes who I met through CrossFit 2 and a half years ago .. Who has been the most amazing supportive person I have ever had in my life. I appreciate everything you have done for me over the last couple of months.
Last but Definately not least CFWD Members ..I love you guys ..Now I hope you are all resting up for the birthday competition on saturday.
I don't know what else to say only that I am a much stronger , happier person then I was this time last year and I am looking forward to Year 2.
Stay Strong ;)
Lorna
