New Year, New Happenings

Happy Holidays to you! I hope you are all reading this after having a wonderful holiday shared with family, friends, or both, eaten a little too much food, and stayed up laughing just a little too late! Each time a holiday comes around, I’m reminded just a little bit more how much I love my CrossFit Fort Vancouver family. Maybe it’s because I go a few days without seeing you all and I’m away from the gym in general. Whatever it is, when I return home, I’m always ready to come back - see your smiling faces, get after some fitness, and see what everybody has in store for their new year. It should come as no surprise to any of you that CFV really is a home to me and a second family. Because of this, and the fact it’s a whole lot easier for me to share my thoughts in writing rather than in person, both Adam and I felt it’d be appropriate for me to share some upcoming changes that are coming for the Roozen/Matthews family in this New Year Newsletter.

For the past year and some change, Doug has been trying to become a firefighter. He’s applied to anywhere and everywhere hoping this career could kick start sooner rather than later. His hard work and persistence has paid off and he’s recently been offered a job. In my whole time knowing Doug, I’ve realized that when he is passionate about something, it’s hard not to notice. Though there were parts about his life in the military he less than cared for, when it came down to doing his job, he was awesome at it, and he did not take his responsibilities lightly. Hearing his stories and experiences, I can see how alive he felt when he was doing what he trained for. Since he started looking into Firefighting, I’ve seen this same passion in the way he speaks about it. Knowing this can be a career that Doug can thrive in, I’m very excited for him to kick it off in the beginning of the new year! The difficult part about his new career is the position is in Bellevue, WA., located just outside of Seattle.

I don’t love when the spotlight is on me, and that’s part of the reason why this has been a hard piece to write, but what makes it more difficult is how actually putting it down in writing, makes it all feel so real. Again, I know these are happy changes, but beneath the excitement, the piece I try hardest not to think about is being away from here. This is a place that I’ve been to almost every single day for the past 6 years. I’ve had teammates, that turned into friends, who’ve become family. They know me best. They’ve seen me at my worst and still loved me, and they’ve brought out my best. Some of my most challenging experiences have happened surrounded by them, and when this next challenge, probably the biggest of them all, happens, I won’t be able to have them pop over and save me, and I can’t drive ten minutes to the gym for help or an escape. I know they will all only be a phone call away (and I’ll for sure take it), but it won’t be the same. I’ve been incredibly spoiled and blessed to have them be such a deep part of my life.

A few people have asked me if I’ll coach at a gym up north. I know there are some great gyms and communities up that way, but none of them are CFV. Like I mentioned above, I’ve been a part of CFV for 6 years. For me, it’s been so much more than JUST coaching. I’ve poured my heart and soul into representing it through competition, I’ve gotten to know each and every member, and I’ve made it my home, literally, I spend more time at this gym then my actual home! This has been one of the greatest investments I’ve ever made. It’s presented me with challenges, joys, tons of laughter and of course health! At this point, I don’t want to make that investment all over again. I don’t want to just “coach” at another gym and I don’t feel like I am at a place where I could invest myself into another CrossFit like I have at CFV. Because of that, it’s not something I plan on doing when we move up north. Unless, it’s an environment that I have my hands on creating...but that’s nothing more than a thought for now ;)

For some of you this news maybe just news and I totally understand. What I do hope you gather and understand is how incredibly blessed I am to be a part of this community. Perhaps there’s been days where I’ve taken it for granted, but for the most part, I get to wake up everyday and be pumped about the job I get to go to. Part of that is because the job itself is awesome, but a majority of it is because of the community that is CFV. In these next four months, I’m going to make sure and soak up each and every day. Thank you ALL for making this place something that has had such a huge impact on me, and for allowing me to coach you for the last 6 years. You guys, this place, really are one of a kind, and regardless of where I am, my gym will always be CFV!