MAY: SCOTT AND BRITTANY HERSEY

When Scott and Brittany began CrossFitting just a year ago, they had no idea how it would change their lives. And we couldn't have anticipated how much joy they'd bring to our box!

Married nearly 9 years now, these highschool sweethearts from Victoria TX make CrossFit a family affair with 4 year-old Ella and 2 year-old Luke.

Scott served for 6 years as a Sergeant in the Army, with 2 deployments as an Airborn Infrantry Soldier. He's finishing up his Masters as a Licensed Professional Counselor, while Brittany is gearing up to take her CrossFit Level 1 Certification at the end of this Month!

​Learn more about this dynamic DUO!

How/Why did you start CrossFit?  

Scott:  I started Crossfit because I needed to find something that motivated me to workout. After the Army I just got lazy and Crossfit motivated me to get up every morning and go to the gym.  My wife just googled "Crossfit Gyms in Tyler, TX" one day and Crossfit Tyler was the closest one to where we lived with the best customer reviews.  I went one morning knowing that I got to try it free for three days and I was hooked from day one.  I loved the workout and the community.

Brittany:  After Scott started CrossFit I was extremely jealous! I wanted to go, but I didn’t see how it would work with our schedules and childcare. When the Whitehouse YMCA abruptly changed their childcare hours, Scott encouraged me to try out CFT. He made arrangements to be home from work to watch our children so I could make the 5:30PM class. 

What's Your Favorite WOD?  

Scott: I really enjoy the partner WODs that I can do with Brittany where we get to decide how we want to split up the work.  Other than those partner workouts, I would have to say that long workouts that require a lot of grunt work or have a mental component are my favorites.

Brittany: I love workouts where Scott and I get to partner up and tackle the work together in whatever manner we see fit.  We can play on his strengths to carry the weight for part of the workout and vice versa.

Aside from those, my favorite WODs are actually strength days. I love being able to focus my attention solely on one move and being able to perfect the technique and grow stronger in the lift.  Strength days help me feel more confident tackling WODs with a barbell because I am more familiar with the movement and I know what my body is able to accomplish.   

Least Favorite WOD:  

Scott: Nancy always makes me want to throw up.  Although when I get better at overhead squats this might change, but burpees never change so I would have to say anything with burpees in it.

Brittany:  If it has a lot of rowing in it you can count on me to complain about it to Scott at night.  

Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel? 

Scott: I don't remember the exact workout but I know it was painful (a good pain) and had me hooked immediately.  I am pretty sure I told Coach Amy that I was ready to sign up after the first day.

Brittany:  I think my first class was actually a strength day and we were testing 1 RM push press.  I didn’t always love strength days because I had very little experience using a barbell aside from bench pressing during my college days.  I remember feeling proud of myself for going over 100lbs.  

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health, and fitness since starting CrossFit (before/after)? 

Scott:  I have made significant changes in both my fitness and my overall health.  I have lost a lot of weight and my fitness level has increased dramatically.  I also feel much healthier on a daily basis.

Brittany:  I am currently in a jean size that I haven’t been in since my freshman year of high school.  I try not to stress over a number on the scale and even though I weigh less now than I did before I had my two children, I  judge my health on how I feel… and right now, I feel strong and capable of almost anything thrown at me.

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced from taking on CrossFit that were totally unexpected?  

Scott:  I have made friends in the box that I never expected. When I got out of the Army, I missed that sense of community but I found something similar at CrossFit Tyler and it has become part of the reason I go to workout everyday.  I also did not expect Brittany to enjoy it as much as she does! So, the shared passion for CrossFit has become something we can enjoy together.  
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Brittany:  Scott and I have found a hobby that we are both passionate about and our love for CrossFit brings us closer together.  When we get in bed at night we read the Bible and then immediately play a game of “What do you think Coach Brad will program for tomorrow?”  I can’t tell you how many times that after reading the WOD we both end up out of bed and are going over range of motion (with the PVC pipe we keep under our dresser) in our jammies.  I feel like there are three things Scott and I talk about these days… God, our children, and CrossFit. 

There are days for everyone when you just don’t want to work out. How do you handle those?

Scott: I get dressed and go to the gym.  Once I am in the parking lot and the class is about to start, I will leave if I truly don't want to work out that day.  However, I have never driven away when I do this so it definitely works for me.  

Brittany: My husband gave me some advice a long time ago that really stuck with me.  He told me to just take each workout one step at a time.  First, put on my workout clothes. Second, get in the car and drive to the gym.  Third, get out of the car and go in.  Fourth, start warming up  I have NEVER regretted working out.  Even if it was a bad workout.  But I always regret missing or skipping a workout.  

Please share with us your favorite CrossFit / CFT moments.

Scott:  I really enjoyed the open.  I also really enjoy watching and helping people do things they did not think they could do, and reach the goals they set for themselves.

Brittany:  The couple devotion WODs are something I look forward to every month.  I love being able to spend an evening with other CFT couples and talk about ways we can strengthen our marriage/relationships. There are two older couples in particular (love y’all NaNa & Gandy and Mike and Nancy!) that have spoken such helpful advice through these monthly devotions and I am so incredibly grateful for them.  Plus, after the workout we all go out to eat food and I LOVE food.  

Any advice for people just getting started?

Scott: Just show up. Often I find in life that the most difficult part of something is just beginning it. Once you make it through the door, the hardest part is over. Secondly, scale properly.  Pride always comes before the fall and leaving your pride at the door will not only prevent injury, but will also put you on the path towards the goals you want to meet. Lastly, trust the process and give it 100%. Progress takes time, effort, and patience.  Giving your workouts everything you have and focusing on good nutrition will lead to a healthier and fitter you.

Brittany: I have two pieces of advice. First, don’t let the name “CrossFit” scare you and make you think that you have to already be in shape to participate. One of the most beautiful things about CrossFit is that every WOD can be modified for everyone regardless of their starting points. Find a good CrossFit box, show up, and be ready to fall in love with the process.

And second, nutrition is key to reaching your goals.  As much as I wish the reverse were true, you simply cannot out work a bad diet. If you are tired of feeling sluggish and you want to lose weight then it is time to get serious and make changes. Obviously what you have been doing so far hasn’t been working, right? If I can do this, YOU can do this. And I would love to help encourage you during every step of the way. 

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? 

Scott: I love fishing and it's really the only hobby that I have outside of family, work, and CrossFit.  I enjoy reading, but I do not do that as often as I should. I also love spending time with Brittany and working out together, which has become somewhat of mini-dates for us.

Brittany: I am a huge bookworm. Before I had children, I would spend all my free time reading.  Even now I have to remind myself that morning comes around a lot earlier with children and it is not wise to stay up late reading!  When I imagine my dream vacation, it is on a beach, without kids, and with a stack on books that I have been wanting to read.  

What is your superpower?

Scott: I have the ability to find something in common with just about everyone I meet.

Brittany:  If being on time is a superpower then that is mine.  I hate being late and I think that is because growing up (and even now) my mom was late for everything.  I have the belief that if you aren’t early but show up right on time, you're already late.  The fastest way to stress me out and put me in a bad mood is to make me late for something.