Feb Athlete Focus: Ms. Lily
Foreword from Coach Amanda:
Congrats to Lily in our CrossFit Kids™ program! Autism can’t and wont slow her down!
Lily and her brother Will first joined our CrossFit Kids™ program back in April 2015. Since then she has been a constant in our Thursday sessions! The second Lily arrives to the class; she becomes DJ Lily – the sole person in charge of the music! Her go to playlist on Pandora is the “Today’s Top Hits”.
Lily (age 13 ½) has been doing CrossFit for the past two years. She originally went to CrossFit Torque to watch her younger brother participate in the CrossFit Kids™ classes. One day Lily told her mother that she wanted to try it! Since Lily has special needs (Autism), and has some gross motor delays, her mother was a bit reluctant at first. The coaches were very supportive and allowed Lily to take a trial class. (Member since April 2015)
Lily loved it immediately. She likes to exercise; and she especially enjoys the upbeat music during class. Lily’s Mom is thrilled that she is enjoying CrossFit and keeping active. Her mom has also expressed that the classes have helped Lily with her social skills and motor skills. Furthermore, CrossFit has been beneficial in dealing with Lily’s anxiety and sometimes rigid personality.
Lily’s favorite CrossFit movement is running laps around the gym to the upbeat music.
Lily’s mom claims that her proudest moments occur when she sees Lily having fun, participating in a group, and accomplishing new skills… such as using the rowing machines, climbing the ropes, and being able to correctly do age-appropriate exercises, such as jumping jacks, squats, weightlifting, and box jumps.
Coach Merrr & Coach Amanda said their proudest moment for Lily was when we asked the group who could explain a burpee to the new kids, and without hesitation Lily jumped down to the ground and hoped back up – that was her best burpee we’ve seen yet!
Lily’s self-confidence has greatly increased since she started taking classes at CrossFit Torque. She now knows that she can experience success in whatever she sets her mind to!
Congratulations Lily!
