“The Eagle has landed.” - NEIL ARMSTRONG It’s my opinion that’s the one thing CrossFit does the best is community. This was evident immediately when eight days after the tornado CrossFit Dig Deep held the first of many fundraising WOD’s to help Leah on her journey to rebuild. Boxes across the country began joining in the efforts, a GoFundMe was started, and apparel companies were designing shirts with 100% of the profits being sent to Red Eagle CrossFit. CrossFit Dig Deep opened the doors in late February for Leah to host her members there for the CrossFit Open. She stored the gym’s equipment in an out building of a good friend, where some still met to continue working out together. The only piece to the puzzle left was where the new home of Red Eagle CrossFit would be. When a once in a generation tornado wipes out a good portion of a town and the destruction is on such a large scale, the search for information and resources resembles the proverbial needle in a haystack. CrossFit will teach you that you are capable of doing hard things, and Leah’s dedication was unwavering to the dreams she had for her tribe. Using the funds raised by the CrossFit community, along with donations by companies like True Grit, in April of this year Red Eagle CrossFit had their new home. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” - C.S. LEWIS “Leah is resilient, with a servant’s heart, and full of passion not only for fitness but for her entire community. While the tornado was devastating, I knew that Leah would rise up, bigger and stronger than ever. And she has done just that. Leah is someone you want in your corner and I am honored to call her not only a fellow affiliate owner, but a dear friend.” - BRANDY KEY On top of everything that goes with being a gym owner, in January, Leah passed her exam adding the title of “physical therapy assistant” to her resume and giving her an even broader scope of knowledge to help others. This past July, she partnered with Dr. Rachel Smith Atufunwa of IdealFit Physical Therapy. She now assists Dr. Rachel and sees patients a couple days a week at their location in Paducah. Her new location has allowed her the opportunity to serve her existing members and attract new ones by running multiple classes such as bootcamps, KidsFit, CrossFit, along with a Women’s Weightlifting class that meets on Wednesdays. Leah’s drive and dedication to her own fitness, her patients, members, family, as well as the city she grew up in, is a much needed reminder that Mayfield can and will overcome the destruction of December 10th. “Leah is one of the most impressive people I’ve met. The first conversation we ever had left me nearly speechless. It’s rare you come across someone like her her age - such wisdom, confidence, responsibility, and patience. If you have a team, trust me, you want her on it.” - RACHEL SMITH ATUFUNWA The information provided in this article is provided for educational purposes only and does not substitute for professional medical advice. If you have any suggestions on what you would like to see in Clean Slate each month, feel free to email me at [email protected]. Please put “VUE reader” in the subject. 76 DECEMBER 2022 | PROMOTING EVENTS THAT MAKE A DIFFERENCE | INTHEVUE.COM
