Step back in time with me to 2019.
I was 40 pounds overweight and struggling with daily, debilitating back pain from a degenerative L5 disc. My mobility was so limited that I relied on regular nerve burn treatments just to dull the pain enough to walk. It felt like my body was giving up on me.
My wife, Tara, and I had been dabbling in CrossFit for about a year at that point. She was thriving—getting stronger, faster, more confident. Me? I was in and out with injuries. No matter how many back-strengthening exercises I did, I kept getting hurt. Frustrated and discouraged, I was ready to throw in the towel.
Then something unexpected happened.
Coach Amanda Clausen introduced a brand-new yoga practice at Rock City Complete Fitness. Classes were held right in the front lobby—on wrestling mats—in a space that felt more like a sauna than a studio. Amanda invited me to try it. I was skeptical. I was stiff. I was terrible at it. But despite all that… it started to help.
I made a choice: I paused CrossFit and committed to Amanda’s yoga class twice a week, every week. Sometimes it was just the two of us in that hot little lobby. But she kept showing up. And so did I.
Slowly, things changed.
I began to move better. The poses became familiar. My body felt more aligned. And most importantly—the pain started to fade.
Six months later, I could walk without pain. I could move without fear. Around that time, Rock City introduced Bootcamp classes—flexible, scalable workouts I could ease into. I started attending those while continuing my yoga practice. Together, they worked in perfect harmony.
Eventually, I was moving faster. Lifting more. Rebuilding my strength—without injury. I haven’t needed a nerve burn treatment since. And by 2023, four years later, I returned to CrossFit, healthier than ever.
What I’ve Learned
This journey taught me more than I ever expected:
- Progress isn’t linear. Sometimes you have to take a step back to move forward.
- Pain doesn’t mean weakness. It’s a signal. Listening to it changed my life.
- Consistency beats intensity. Showing up—even if you’re the only one in the room—is what creates real, lasting change.
- Support matters. People like Coach Amanda made it possible for me to keep going when I didn’t believe in myself yet.
To anyone out there struggling with pain or setbacks—don’t give up. Try something new. Stay consistent. And surround yourself with people who will show up for you, until you can show up fully for yourself.
And yes—just in case you’re wondering—that’s Amanda in the photo, still leading class in July 2025. And that’s me in the red shirt on the left, still showing up, still trying my best. 😉
Interested in starting your own journey?
Join us at Rock City Complete Fitness for yoga, bootcamp, or beginner-friendly training that meets you exactly where you are.
📍 Serving Maumelle, North Little Rock, Little Rock, and Conway
🧘♀️ Call us today to reserve your yoga spot with Amanda!
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