Carlene Kuczma

Athletics were always part of my life. My parents always stressed that hard work lead to success and luck had nothing to do with it - although I always looked forward to my dads phone calls of “I know you don’t need this, but good luck today” before a big event. I was a gymnast and competitive swimmer in my early years. High school followed with gymnastics, field hockey, basketball, and lacrosse. I was fortunate enough to go on to play lacrosse in college and compete for a national title 3 of my 4 years at Johns Hopkins. My athletic ambition and willingness to try anything didn’t stop there. Triathlons, running events of all distances, and obstacle course races continue to fill my life.. even in my old age. Where did CrossFit come in? 2009. Very good friends of ours in the military told us about CrossFit. We built a gym in our basement and followed the CrossFit main website. The CrossFit Endurance programming is how I trained for the Ironman in 2012 and have never looked back. I became a coach at CrossFit 845 in 2017 first teaching the POSE method of running and the CF Endurance skills I learned under Brian Mackenzie. Coaching at and programming for CrossFit 845 is something I look forward to each and every week. Our community here at CF845 is like no other!

The turning point in my life that inspired me to be a physical therapist? My father. He lost both legs in Vietnam but that has never stopped him from doing EVERYTHING in life (btw, he is now a CFL1 ). In college, I was working as a PT aide with high profile athletes in Baltimore. My dad was having a lot of trouble walking with his prosthetics and thought his walking days were done. Devastating news for him. One appointment with my boss and he had a plan and a new journey. It was that day that I knew I would be a physical therapist. Fitness turning point? I was racing in an all women's triathlon in Philadelphia with my children waiting for me at the finish line. I placed well and all I thought about as I crossed the line was telling my daughter that she too could do anything she put her mind too - physically, mentally, in all aspects of her life. Anything is possible. It all starts with the decision to try.

I say this at almost every class I coach. I don’t care if you lift the heaviest weight or run the fastest or click the RX button. What is most important to me is that you are safe in your movements, that you are doing your personal best, and I give you a good workout that leaves you wanting to come back! Be a better YOU today than you were yesterday!