Flavia Seola’s journey with CrossFit is more than just physical—it’s a powerful story of mental transformation. What started in her home country of Brazil as a mission to lose weight for her wedding—driven by the pressures of unrealistic beauty standards—evolved into something far more meaningful. After discovering that extreme diets and intense workouts weren’t serving her mental or physical health, Flavia found a healthier, more balanced path through CrossFit. When she and her family moved to the United States in 2020, she continued her fitness journey at Industrial Athletics, where she finally found peace with her body, her mind, and the true meaning of health. Now, with her second child on the way and a new chapter unfolding in a country far from home, Flavia shares how being surrounded by a strong, supportive community is helping her thrive. Read on to learn more about her inspiring path.
A Bride’s First Steps Toward True Health
This story begins in 2014, a pivotal year when I made a decision that would quietly reshape my life. I was about to get married and, like many brides-to-be, I wanted to “look good.” Back then, in my limited understanding, that simply meant being “thin.” But beneath that surface-level goal, there was a deeper desire stirring—I wanted to make better choices for myself. I wanted to feel strong, energized, and in control of my health. I looked for a nutritionist and joined a running group. For a while, it worked. I felt committed, focused, and proud.
Confronting a Lifetime of Diet Culture
By 2016, cracks began to show. I learned that the diet I had been following was low-carb—something I hadn’t even realized at the time. It was restrictive, unsustainable, and ultimately harmful. As a woman in her mid-30s, I had to confront a painful truth: I had internalized decades of messaging that told girls like me—born in the 80s—that food was something to fear. That happiness, indulgence, and satisfaction were not meant for us. That we should always be shrinking, always chasing a smaller version of our jeans.
I had to look back and reflect. I was dangerously close to developing a disordered relationship with food. My habits, though masked as “healthy,” were rooted in guilt and somehow deprivation.
Then came a turning point.
Eight Classes Turned a Decade: How CrossFit Found Me
In 2016, my husband—who had been completely sedentary—decided to join a CrossFit gym near our home. I had no intention of following him. I was running half-marathons (still not sure how I managed that without carbs!), and CrossFit looked terrifying. It was intense, loud, and full of people who seemed impossibly fit—flipping tires, climbing ropes, and sporting six-packs. Eventually, as a couple, we agreed I’d try just eight classes. Just EIGHT.
Fast forward almost ten years, and here I am—still showing up, still pushing myself, still growing.
Rebuilding Confidence in the U.S.
In 2020, our little family relocated to the U.S. That move brought its own set of challenges, but it also marked a new chapter in my journey. With time, support, and a lot of self-reflection, I began to make peace with my body and with CrossFit, but it wasn’t easy. My inner critic was loud. I constantly felt like the weakest one in the room. My snatch was never “good enough,” I don’t have double unders, my PRs felt insignificant, and I hate being upside down. I was often the last to finish a workout, and my mind kept dragging me back to my home country—where, despite having wonderful friends, I never felt truly accomplished. My expectations of myself were impossibly high.
The Community That Changed Everything
Then I found IA.
Joining IA was nothing short of a revolution. For the first time, I felt seen—not for how I looked or what I could lift, but for who I am. Our community doesn’t care about your clothes, your hairstyle, or your performance. They care about you. And that shift in perspective changed everything. It’s cultural, yes, but it’s also deeply human. I felt embraced, supported, and valued.
Coach Jen has been a guiding light in my journey. Her patience, wisdom, and attention to fundamentals helped me to re-rebuild my foundation. She also helped me to revisit my eating habits, reminding me that low-carb diets don’t support high-intensity training. Her support has been transformative.
A New Chapter, A Growing Family, and the Strength to Keep Showing Up
And now, I’m entering a new chapter – one filled with joy, anticipation, and a little surprise: I’m expecting my second child! Being pregnant in a country that isn’t your own is challenging, but I’m surrounded by incredible people. My 6:15am crew is more than just a workout group – they’re my village. They help me stay grounded, focused, and at peace.
This journey has been anything but linear. It’s been messy, beautiful, painful, and empowering. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s this: strength isn’t about how much I lift or how fast I run. It’s about showing up, being honest with myself, and choosing growth – even when it’s hard.
To You, With Love: A Message for the Ones Who Keep Showing Up
If you’re reading this, please know: I care about you. I care about your safety in the gym, your stories – both the ones you share and the ones you keep close – and I cheer for your goals, loudly and wholeheartedly.
So here’s to all of us my friends – those who are just starting, those who are struggling, and those who keep showing up. You are strong. You are worthy. And you are never alone.
With love, Flavia
