Morgan Hege

I was 290# when I joined. I did the groupon deal back in November of 2011. I started poking my head in and seeing what Tommy and Joe were up to. I visited the crossfit.com main site and got really excited. I had never seen anything like it, but this made exercise look fun!

I talked to Joe, and he said my first goal was to just start coming on a regular basis. For a long time, I was so sore that I couldn't come but 2-3 times a week even if I wanted to come more. Tommy gave me his look. You know "The Punisher" look. Then Tommy got me turned on to eating the paleo diet - which I started doing right away. The diet was key. As soon as I cut back the sugar and starches I started to drop weight. I am now about 230#.

Corey helped a lot during the paleo challenge, but I had already lost 54# but I lost another 11# during the nutrition challenge. I eat Paleo about 80-90% of the time, and I always feel better when I eat right. I avoid sugar, dairy at all costs. But I do eat legumes, soy, and the occasional carne asada burrito (yes, I eat the tortilla)

My friends say I am a crossfit evangelist because all I talk about is Crossfit. That's okay. I got my brother to start Crossfit out in Arizona where he lives, and he is already hooked! Now we talk about WODs and our 1 rep max rather than other stuff on the phone! I love it, and I love to share it because it has changed my life.

Before I started I could not run a mile without walking, now my mile time is 8 minutes (I still hate running) I had asthma, eczema, and snoring and sleep apnea and was tired all the time. The doctor said I had high blood pressure and cholesterol, and recommended I start taking blood pressure pills and cholesterol medication. Instead, I joined Trifecta.

Trifecta is my medicine, my play, and my counseling. My stress level has dropped considerably, and what I used to feel was a big deal and get all stressed out about, I can now cope with easily.

Now I sleep great, wake up refreshed, I have more energy and my wife says I get a lot more done around the house than I ever used to. I feel younger. Asthma is gone, and my allergies are much better. I am stronger and healthier than I have ever been, even in High school!

When I started I could not do 1 pull up and now I can do 3 strict pull ups, and 10 kipping pull ups unbroken.(my arms are long, give me a break) Toes to Bar, same thing. Couldn't do one T2B to start, now I can do 10 unbroken (if I'm rested)! I used to think I could jump rope, but crossfit is humbling. Double Unders are their own animal. Now I can string together 15 double unders unbroken!

I've come a long way, and still have a long way to go, but I enjoy the direction I am heading now. My goals are to get up to 300# back squats, and eventually do a muscle up...then 2. Like I said, I still a long way to go.

I feel like by associating with elite athletes some of their work habits and mentality rubs off on me. If you want to be a certain way, associate with people who are like that already - that is exactly what I do at CFT. I find I am more motivated in my work outside of the box. Someone said crossfit is your warm up for your life WOD. That is really true! I feel like I can accomplish anything because I know I can work hard to achieve it.

In a lot of WOD's I often finish last, but everyone cheers for me as if I just won. I also love motivating and encouraging others. I have cheered people setting new PR's and I know exactly how they feel; AMAZING.

Training at Trifecta is more like being part of a team...or a cult, depending on your perspective. We share each others triumphs and tragedies - and we are all stronger for it. They cheer for my accomplishments, I cheer for theirs. We sweat, bleed, and cry together too. It is a bond I do not share many other people in my life, and I love my friendships we have forged together. The Trifecta Bond, the Trifecta Family. I love all you guys!