America Peals

This post will have nothing to do with media or camp. It has all to do with a friendship I forged several years ago with Ben Bergeron. Ben and I went to Wellesley High together but did not meet until someone recommended him as a trainer.

At the time, I was pushing 186 pounds on a 5″2 frame. I also exercised. I spent three days a week on an elliptical for 30 minutes. The other two days… you guessed it. I did perfunctory weights at Gold’s Gym in Needham.

When I first met Ben, I told him he looked like Doug Menkievizch. Ben’s eyes glazed over. I am a stand up comic and thought I will charm him like I do all trainers. No bite here. Ben was to bite me back.

Long story short, I worked with Ben for two years and my weight dropped to the 140’s. Without dieting, I dropped this weight in 4 months and maintained it while in training with Ben. Now, Ben is not a big talker during workouts but  he kicked my ass so hard and made it so fun. Ben was also just getting into CrossFit at the time. I was hauling sand bags, tires, pulling Ben on a tire attached to the rope and begging for more. We did sprints at Babson where I had sandbags on my shoulders and cursed my good trainer many a life in Dante’s hell for the burn and pain. One must also note that Ben is the eternal optimist and just does not accept anything than your best effort.

I cannot begin to enumerate how his positive energy and belief in me worked its magic. He damn well has this phrase indelibly etched in my mind’s eye: Food is fuel. Ben also was replete with metaphors about houses, how to build a temple, the kinds of materials one needs to build a great monolith (body).

We decided that I wanted to be a Strong Woman competitor. But, as life intervenes, I decided to go to NY with my new body, my new self-confidence and pursue stand up comedy full time. I had 5 trainers during 4 years and gained 60 lbs. After a layoff, a few months back, I said, “Damnit. I am moving to Boston and I want to be part of Crossfit NewEngland.”

I have not exercised for a full year. I want my health back. I want to be the strong woman. I want to pursue being an elite athlete at 35. And, I damn well know I can do it.

I am going to be an elite athlete. Maybe not in 6 mos, or even 2 years from now, but I will. And, I am going to do it Ben’s way.

So, mile run tonight (not looking forward to), photos, measurements and all that jazz will be posted tomorrow.