Congratulations to Nydia Levario for being selected as October 2019 Athlete of the Month. Nydia was forced out of her comfort zone when she first joined the Mission Community. She not only thrived in her new environment, she has accomplished more than she could ever imagine. Juggling nursing program on top of 3 growing boys, she finds the time to be part of the evening Mission Community. For those reason and many more is why she has been selected as October Athlete of the Month.

Started CrossFit– July 2017

Favorite WOD– MURPH

Least favorite WOD– Anything

Favorite lift– Deadlift

Least favorite lift– Snatch

Story– I entertained the idea of joining a gym when my husband mentioned to me in July of 2017 that he needed to get into tip-top shape for an upcoming promotion. I initially started looking for CrossFit gyms near our home to eliminate the hindrance of driving too far. After reading reviews on a couple of gyms near our home I came across the Mission CrossFit SA website. I immediately saw the difference in this gym from the others I had done my research in. What caught my eye was that MCFSA offered an all-women’s class three times a week, all while promoting the community of women empowering women. I had a “You had me at Hello!” moment and immediately signed up to try a free class. I messaged my husband and told him about the gym, but he wasn’t quite as eager to jump into something new. I went further and told him that I had already signed up for a free class. After less than an hour he had sent me a confirmation that he had signed up too.

What started as me trying to help my husband improve his health turned into the discovery of a new love for sport for myself. I love being a part of a community. Those that know me best can confirm this. However, I was recovering from a very stressful and emotional organizational letdown and I had removed myself completely from being a part of social groups or engaging in new friendships. I was very cautious about who I shared any of my time with. Signing up for this class what a huge step for me. I was intentionally putting myself in a vulnerable situation where I would have to engage in some way or another with others (women especially) and I was entering into a group that I did not know what the cultural norms were there. Did I mention that I was never athletic? Well, at least never consistently. Not even in high school. I was, as my husband calls it, “artsy-fartsy”. Fighting every emotion inside me I stepped out of my comfort zone and not only visited a trial class but committed to join the gym.

After about six months it got uncomfortable for me once again. My schedule was turned upside down and I was left with the option of going to the 6:30 pm class or stop going altogether. Now you might ask why would this be such a big deal? Well, I had only been going to the all-women’s course where the workouts are structured differently, but most of all where I had developed a comfort zone. Once more, I stepped out into unchartered territory and decided to join the co-ed 6:30 pm (aka “best:30” class).

I started 2018 with my guard up and remember voicing to a few members that I wasn’t participating in the co-ed classes to see how heavy I could lift, or I prove to myself how strong I could be, “I’m just here to get toned and stay healthy”, was what I recall saying. Boy was I wrong once again! I gained a whole new appreciation for how far I was able to challenge myself. Through music, laughter, and weightlifting an overwhelming amount of endorphins rushed to my brain giving me the drive to want to challenge myself more every class. Consequentially this drive also blinded the fears and feelings of anxiety that I battled with, to begin with. I felt a sense of freedom and gained a measure of self-esteem and security that I was not aware that I lacked.