Member Spotlight: Missy and Stephen Bedell

Stephen and Missy Bedell are part of the founding members of CrossFit Bexley and have been doing CrossFit together for 6 years. It has been fun watching the membership and community aspect of CFB grow from the inception.

Stephen grew up playing several sports – soccer, basketball, wrestling, baseball, track and golf. CrossFit brought a new challenge, with fitness and competition, that was a welcome addition to his fitness regimen.

Missy did not come from a sports family or have a sports playing background, so CrossFit was a completely new experience for her. Learning to consider herself an athlete, as all Crossfitters are, took some time and is still an enjoyable work in progress.

One of the parts of CrossFit they like the most is the strong community aspect. People from all walks of life come in the doors and every person is respected for merely showing up in their current level of fitness and putting in the work. In today’s social climate, it’s beautiful to see people of all ages, socioeconomic levels, races, religions, ethnicities and political beliefs come together and support each other fully on their fitness journey. There is no divisiveness in a CrossFit gym; maybe the rest of the country could take some lessons from it here!

Stephen and Missy’s favorite workout is Murph, and the pain and pageantry that goes along with it.

One of their favorite ways to experience CrossFit has been through cross-country trips they’ve taken over the years. They have dropped in to boxes in Minnesota, Montana, California, Missouri, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, Tennessee, Texas, New Mexico and South Carolina. Every one has been different! But they all share the same core values of community and a love of fitness.

Doing CrossFit for 6 years means they have gone through the spectrum of success and setbacks many times. PRs don’t come as easily now and are especially nice when they do. Injuries have happened and been recovered from, teaching them both the importance of stretching and mobility, checking your ego at the door and not over-reaching before you’ve built the foundation of skill - i.e. “Lift to see another day”. Also, learning how much proper nutrition fuels performance and how times of poor nutrition can impede progress has been an especially important lesson.

If they have any advice for people thinking about Crossfit? Don’t wait! Come exactly as you are and a home will be waiting for you. Listen to your coaches. No matter what level of athlete you are, beginner to elite, you will benefit from what CrossFit has to offer you!