Haley’s days are full before work even starts.
Haley is a Professional Geoscientist at an engineering firm in Toronto, where her days include coordinating field programs, reviewing soil samples, analyzing data, writing reports and communicating with clients. She mostly works from home, with one office day each week and a very long commute when she does make the trip into Toronto. On top of work, Haley and her husband have two young kids, now three and one. Mornings are spent getting everyone ready and out the door, the workday is busy, and evenings are filled with daycare pick-ups, dinner, family time and bedtime. Somewhere in all of that, Haley has made training a priority. She joined Outlaw three years ago, and these days you’ll usually find her getting her workout in with the 6am crew.
She knew she needed something different.
Before Outlaw, Haley had been consistent with exercise and staying active for years. Most of that meant working out on her own at GoodLife. After a long time doing solo workouts, followed by the lockdowns during COVID and even more training at home, she was getting bored. She wanted something outside of the house that would keep her engaged, challenged and progressing. In 2023, after having her daughter, Haley came across an ad for Outlaw’s Mom Strong program. She didn’t really know what to expect when she signed up. What she found was something she ended up loving.
Mom Strong opened the door to CrossFit.
Haley spent about a year in the Mom Strong program before transitioning into regular CrossFit classes. She continued training consistently throughout her second pregnancy and, after having her son, came back through Mom Strong for a second time. This time, she knew what to expect and was excited to have the program there to support her through postpartum again. Her fitness journey has now followed her through two pregnancies, two postpartum periods and some of the busiest years of her life. “It’s pretty crazy that after having two kids, I feel the fittest and strongest that I ever have in my life.”
At first, CrossFit felt overwhelming.
There was a lot to learn. New movements, different workouts, new terminology, and in her case, babies everywhere during postnatal classes. It was a lot to take in. What helped was having coaches who made her feel comfortable and a community that made it easier to keep showing up. Over time, the things that once felt unfamiliar became normal. She got stronger, learned new skills and became more confident in the gym. Haley is proud of some of the weights she can lift now, but that isn’t what she considers her biggest accomplishment.
Her biggest win has been consistency.
With a three-year-old and a one-year-old at home, Haley doesn’t have a lot of spare time right now. Training has to be intentional. She has decided that making time for her health is a non-negotiable. “It is important for my long-term health, improves how I feel and it makes me a better person in the present.” She notices the difference when she trains. She’s happier, she sleeps better, she feels fitter and she has more energy. Those benefits matter well beyond whatever score she puts on the board at the end of a workout.
Outlaw gives her one less thing to think about.
Her days are already filled with decisions at work and at home. When she gets to the gym, she doesn’t want to think about what workout to do or whether she’s following the right plan. She wants to show up and know the programming is there to help her get stronger and fitter over time. “I show up, work hard, and leave feeling better than I did when I got there.” It gives her more energy to keep up with her kids and show up for her family. She’s also made some really good friends through the gym, whether that means catching up before a 6am class or partnering together for a workout.
Her advice is simple: just start.
“There is never going to be a perfect time to start an exercise program, and the longer you wait the harder it will be.” Haley believes active living isn’t something you squeeze in only when there happens to be time. You have to make time for it because of what it gives back to you. Her advice is to start with a few classes each week and focus on repeating that week after week. Don’t worry about doing everything at once. Just keep showing up. “You’ll be surprised with the progress you can make.”
Ready to start your own journey?
Click “Book Free Intro” up at the top of this page and let’s find some time to meet and figure out the best way to help you at this stage of life.
