Member Spotlight: Rayne Wilson

I jumped into my Crossfit lifestyle almost three years ago after numerous shoulder injuries and overall joint issues halted my competitive swimming career. I began swimming at a very young age (Let’s be honest, though - I ONLY started swimming because I needed something to keep me healthy in shape so that I could eat as much as my older brother!) I continued swimming and fell in love with the sport. Unfortunately, I discovered that swimming for almost 8 years, everyday for 2-3 hours, is ruthless on the body. I developed very loose joints and my shoulders and knees constantly dislocated. That's when I decided I needed to really focus on getting my body stronger in order to keep up with my swimming.

At the time my brother had just started Crossfit to help with his wrestling and he wouldn't stop raving about the workouts and its benefits. I decided to join as well to see if it was truly worth all the hoopla. Even after just ONE class I instantly knew that it was worth ALL the “Hooplaaaaa” and SO much more. I enjoyed training so many different movements in just one class but the community was outstanding and so energetic and competitive. I loved it.

From that point on, I began to take classes on and off for around a year. During that time, however, I had to stop swimming completely because my body was not recovering - even with all the strength work added. Thankfully, I stumbled upon a crew team in Westerville and took a small beginners camp thinking it could help my shoulders. My goal, then, was just to find a way to get back to swimming. But, Plot twist! I found that I enjoyed rowing more than swimming and joined the team.

I continued to do Crossfit and rowing. When it came to fitness, I could always see a difference in muscle development between myself and my fellow crew members. In Crew, we row thousands and thousands of meters a day with repetitive movements. So our bodies tended to develop the same way with some muscle groups overpowering the other. Crossfit ensured that I worked with each and every muscle group so that one did not overpower the other. Many of my rowing friends were often injured but I stayed healthy through every season. I believe that was absolutely because of Crossfit.

Eventually, my brother graduated and joined the Coast Guard. When he left I switched Crossfit gyms and ended up at the most AMAZING, exciting, and best gym in the whole city, Crossfit Bexley! Not only were they inviting and excited to have me on the first day, but everyday since! (….Even when I walk in 5 minutes after just waking and up looking like a straight bum…) I have been to every class possible, from the 6:00 AM, “shouldn’t even be legal, way too early, insane people class" to the 6:30 PM, “relaxed, get this workout over so I can go home and have dinner class”. Everyone in EVERY class at Crossfit Bexley is truly so great and dedicated.

Lastly, somewhere in the middle of all the sports and loving Crossfit, I was accepted into a Military Service Academy. I will continue my Crossfit lifestyle at The United States Coast Guard Academy by making it my full time sport there! So watch out Ya’ll, ‘cause one of these days I’m going to come back during break and shock everyone by FINALLY being able to string my muscle ups together!

Thank you for all the fun times and great training!!!