Valerie Morland

I have always been a runner. I would run in the local track club with my dad in elementary school and participate in the Don Glick races. I ran track throughout middle and high school – making it to states freshman year as part of the girls 4x4 team. I also ran cross country in high school. Other than running, I played basketball in middle school and my favorite, volleyball, in high school. Nowhere in there was weightlifting. Still, I enjoyed being active and pursued a bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology from James Madison University, specializing in Exercise Science. Again, not much weightlifting here. After graduation I worked as an exercise specialist for about 5 years. I’ve been out of the field for about 15 years with a job that gives me flexibility to be there for my family. It wasn’t until I wanted something more than walking/running that I came to Anazao. Ben and I went through JMU together and I felt comfortable at least talking to him about what this whole CrossFit thing was. So, I joined and was sporadic in attendance because weightlifting was still very intimidating and I’d skip the classes that looked too hard. Now, those are the classes I want to go to. You won’t get better if you never do it. Now, I couldn’t imagine not having the gym AND the community/family that comes with it. I think it’s fair to say the gym has become my happy place; a place to improve physically and mentally, a place to take care of yourself. And I’m happy to now be a part of the coaching staff to pass along my love of being active and encouraging others the same way I was encouraged.