At Yes! Athletics, we believe growth doesn't happen inside your comfort zone. It happens the moment you decide to say yes to something that challenges you
For me, lately that challenge has been CrossFit.
I've always considered myself a lifelong learner. I mean.. I did have a career change in my 50’s and took on learning an entirely new industry… I'm constantly looking for ways to improve myself intellectually, spiritually, and physically. CrossFit was never on my radar until my daughter asked me to try out a class. I figured… what the heck. Little did I know this would turn into (what I call) the “ass kicking I didn’t realize I needed”
Walking into a CrossFit gym can feel overwhelming. The terminology is foreign. People are moving barbells with confidence. Olympic lifts like the hang clean, snatch, and deadlift look incredibly technical—and they are. Throw in the fact that as a “boomer” (the vernacular my daughter uses) we never actually did anything in weights class and certainly didn’t have “summer weights”
I can be a little fearless(reference above where I had a career change in my 50’s ) so said “yes”
Learning the Right Way
One of the biggest surprises has been how much support I have received while learning, as well as the modifications I can make.
Rather than simply lifting heavier weights, I've learned the mechanics behind each movement. My coaches have taught me how to safely perform lifts and build strength the right way. Every session reinforces good movement patterns that not only make me stronger but help keep me healthy.
That mindset resonates deeply with what we stand for at Yes! Athletics.
Whether you're stepping onto a wrestling mat, competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, or trying CrossFit for the first time, success starts with mastering the fundamentals.
Stronger for Life
As the founder of a company dedicated to female athletes, I spend a lot of time talking about confidence, resilience, and performance. CrossFit has reminded me that strength isn't just physical.
It's the willingness to be a beginner.
It's showing up when you're uncomfortable.
It's celebrating progress instead of perfection.
It’s having the mental fortitude to go to class at 5:30 a.m. even when you might not feel like it. Every workout has become a lesson in humility and perseverance—qualities that translate directly into business, leadership, and life.
Why This Matters for Female Athletes
One thing I've noticed is how many of the movements in CrossFit complement sports like wrestling and grappling.
Building explosive power through cleans and snatches, developing posterior chain strength with deadlifts, improving grip strength, balance, and core stability—these are all attributes that help athletes perform better on the mat.
Strength training, when taught correctly, builds athletes who are more resilient, more confident, and better prepared for competition.
Saying Yes to Hard Things
Our brand has always been about more than apparel.
It's about choosing courage over comfort.
Every time a young girl walks into her first wrestling practice, enters her first jiu-jitsu tournament, or competes against someone she doesn't know, she's saying yes to something hard.
CrossFit has reminded me that I still need those moments too.
As leaders, parents, entrepreneurs, and athletes, we never outgrow the opportunity to learn something new.
So if there's something you've been putting off because it feels intimidating—whether it's joining a gym, trying wrestling, signing up for your first tournament, or chasing a dream you've talked yourself out of—consider this your encouragement.
Say yes.
You might discover, just like I did, that it was exactly what you needed.
At Yes! Athletics®, we design premium wrestling shoes and performance apparel specifically for girls and women in combat sports because female athletes deserve equipment built for them—not adapted for them. Whether you're training in wrestling, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, grappling, or building strength in the gym, we're here to help you perform with confidence.