Alex’s story is one of unexpected strength found in an unexpected place. When a sudden career upheaval left her navigating one of the hardest years of her life, she didn’t just need a workout — she needed something steady to hold on to. What started as a simple introductory session at IA became a lifeline: a space where movement offered clarity, small wins built confidence, and community made a new city feel a little less lonely. In this post, Alex shares how showing up to the gym helped her rebuild not just her physical endurance, but her sense of purpose, connection, and resilience during a year that tested her in every way.
The Spiral I Didn’t See Coming
When I look back on 2025, it’s clear to me that I spent most of the year in a mental health downward spiral. I had been in Pittsburgh for about nine months when, at the end of January, the federal agency I had worked with for 15 years was dismantled and I was laid off. Soon after, my self-worth and sense of purpose took a nosedive.
From Casual to Confronting Change
Before 2025, I was a casual gym-goer who rarely had (or made) the time to work out consistently. I knew going to the gym had significant benefits, but for most of my life it was something I did when I had time or wanted to try a new fad workout (shout out to Zumba and hula hoop fitness classes). While those were fun ways to move my body, I never really saw them as lasting parts of my health routine.
That all changed when I suddenly had nothing but free time. I spent most of it mourning the life I knew and agonizing over how to manage a career (and honestly, life) pivot in my 40s. I was in a city where I knew almost nobody, trying to figure out how to translate a skill set I’d spent 15 years building into something that made sense outside the world I knew.
When Intimidation Turned Into Opportunity
Thankfully, I’d somehow had the foresight to sign up for an introductory session at IA with Jenn M. at the end of November 2024. Maybe I thought it would just be another workout to try? I didn’t know it at the time, but IA would become a silver lining during one of the hardest periods of my life.
I’ll be honest: CrossFit was not something I ever imagined myself doing. I was intimidated and assumed it was for people who worked out every day and could bench press more than I ever will in my lifetime. I really didn’t think CrossFit or IA was for “someone like me.” But nothing like a personal crisis to convince you to try something new 😊
Small Goals, Big Impact
Working my way through IA Fundamentals gave me something productive to focus on when I desperately needed it. Every class meant 45 minutes to set (and achieve) small goals like learning how to lift with a barbell or rowing 250 meters without collapsing. Sometimes the best I could do was just show up. Each session gave me a much-needed break from resumes, cover letters, and unsuccessful job applications in a brutal job market. Most days I didn’t want to get out of bed. Some days, I only got out of bed to go to IA.
Finding My Place Through Progress
Little by little, though, I got stronger, I built my endurance, and I found community.
Throughout 2025, I kept pushing myself outside my comfort zone. I became a regular in classes, participated in the IA Open competition, and completed Murph on Memorial Day. The gym became a place where I celebrated good days and worked through the disappointments. I also surprised myself by becoming someone who could finish a CrossFit class (albeit scaled, but still!)
More Than Just A Workout
By the end of 2025, I was in a much better place than where I’d started, and for that I’ll always be grateful. Looking back now, I realize just how much IA and working out helped tether me during a time when I needed something to hold on to.
Somewhere along the way, I became a consistent gym-goer who genuinely enjoys it. Workouts have become a critical part of my mental health arsenal, and the evening Hyrox classes are a regular part of my week. I signed up for IA thinking I was just trying another workout. What I got was so much more at a time when I needed it most.
