Why I Started CrossFit — And Why I Bought CrossFit Praus

If you would have told me back in 2013 that one day I would own a CrossFit gym, I probably would have laughed.

At the time, life was full — and busy in every sense of the word.

I was working two jobs, homeschooling four kids, trying to keep up with a hobby farm, and doing my best to take care of everyone around me. Like many parents, I knew I needed to take care of my health, but finding time for fitness felt nearly impossible.

I needed something practical.

I needed a place with childcare.

I needed workouts that fit into an already packed schedule.

And honestly? I needed something that worked.

That’s how I found CrossFit in May of 2013.

I Started CrossFit Out of Necessity

When I first walked into a CrossFit gym, I wasn’t the fittest person in the room. I felt out of shape, uncertain, and honestly a little intimidated.

But something happened the moment I walked through the doors.

I realized I wasn’t alone.

There were people surrounding me who were trying to do the exact same thing I was — become healthier, stronger, and live a better life.

For the first time, fitness felt possible.

The gym watched my four kids while I worked out. I could get an incredible workout done in about an hour and move on with the rest of my day knowing I had taken care of myself, too.

And every day, I knew I had gotten a good workout.

CrossFit is often described as “constantly varied, high-intensity functional movement.” At first, I wasn’t entirely sure what that meant.

But over time, I realized exactly what it meant in real life.

It meant becoming stronger for life.

It meant moving better.

It meant building endurance for everyday responsibilities.

It meant learning how to pick yourself back up after something hard.

CrossFit wasn’t just helping me work out — it was helping me become better, faster, stronger, and more capable in everyday life.

The Unexpected Gift: Community

I originally started CrossFit for the workouts.

But I stayed for the community.

There is something powerful about walking into a place where people genuinely want to see you succeed.

Whether you’re having the best day or the hardest day, there is something special about sweating beside people who encourage you, challenge you, and cheer for you.

That kind of support changes people.

It changed me.

After a little over a year of doing CrossFit, I decided to sign up to coach. In 2015, I officially started coaching — helping others discover the same confidence and growth I had found.

At the time, I had no idea where that decision would lead.

Why I Bought CrossFit Praus

In 2017, the owners of the gym approached me with unexpected news.

They were being called to the mission field and had buyers lined up for the gym. But before finalizing anything, those buyers asked them to check with the coaching staff to see if anyone wanted to purchase it first.

Owning a gym had honestly never crossed my mind.

But I knew one thing for certain:

I could not imagine losing the community that had become such an important part of my life.

I knew deep down that with outside ownership, there was a real chance that culture — the thing that made this place so special — could change.

And I wasn’t ready to lose that.

So, in what felt like the blink of an eye, everything changed.

Within two days, I had secured a loan and became the owner of a CrossFit gym.

The only way I can explain it is through God’s plan.

I truly believe He was actively orchestrating every piece of the story.

I will never forget the night we told the gym family.

We gathered together, prayed over Shane and Amanda as they stepped into the mission field, and prayed over me as I stepped into ownership. Our incredible community surrounded us, laid hands on us, and glorified God together.

It was one of those moments in life you never forget.

More Than a Gym in Fort Wayne

Since becoming owner of CrossFit Praus, so much has changed.

But one thing has remained exactly the same:

The heart of this place.

At CrossFit Praus, we believe fitness is about far more than workouts. Yes, we want people to get stronger. Yes, we want people to move well, feel better, and improve their health.

But we also believe people need community.

They need encouragement.

They need support.

They need people who will celebrate victories, help carry burdens, and remind them to get back up when life gets hard.

Because CrossFit teaches more than fitness.

It teaches resilience.

It teaches discipline.

It teaches perseverance.

It teaches you what to do after a failed lift: breathe, reset, and try again.

Those lessons carry into everyday life more than most people realize.

Why I Still Do CrossFit Today

People sometimes ask why I still do CrossFit after all these years.

The answer is simple:

Community.

With a side of fun, great workouts, and the desire to keep getting better every day.

I started CrossFit because I needed a practical solution for a busy life.

I stayed because of the people.

And today, I continue because I believe deeply in what happens when people come together to support one another in becoming healthier — physically, mentally, and spiritually.

At CrossFit Praus, we’re not just building fitness.

We’re building family.

And I’m incredibly grateful to be part of the story.