Two-time CrossFit Games athlete Carleen Mathews (formerly Lessard) has demonstrated consistent and measurable improvement since her first regional appearance in 2012, when she took 18th at the North West Regional. She rose to ninth and fourth the next two years, making her CrossFit Games debut in 2015 after a second-place West Regional performance and taking 36th at the Games. In 2016, she won the West Regional and finished the Games with a 13-place improvement, taking 23rd. In 2017 she again won the West Regional, however suffered an injury at the Games, having to withdrawal after the first day of competition. (CrossFit.com)
Text from Carleen Mathews:
“For me as someone in continued recovery of an eating disorder I’d love to say, CrossFit has “Healed me” and now I just love my body all the time, but that’s bull sh*t… anyone who tells you that or portrays that on social media is being unauthentic, PERIOD! The truth is I struggle, just like everyone else, no day is perfect for me, there are peaks and valleys for me.
Currently I’m struggling, and desperately trying to turn a valley into a peak, but sometimes when we try so hard to be “normal, or OK” it’s that much harder.
So for today my goal is to start small, something in an succeed at. I will celebrate and acknowledge one thing about my body that l LOVE, because as much as I want to pick apart my body, there ARE things I like. Today I will celebrate and out my focus into that.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Boe_8ZVHbWQ/?taken-by=teamcarleen
ON SELF PERCEPTION AND CROSSFIT
“Who am I?
I’ve been a competitive CrossFit athlete for the past 8 years. I’ve gotten to a place where I don’t have that deep desire to compete. But what do I do now? Who am I without it?
Maybe it’s fear of failure because I don’t believe I’m as good as the other girls out there. But that’s OK. The reality is that I am not as good as some of these 21 year olds. I’ve peaked. I’m not peaking anymore. My numbers are not growing. I love this sport. I love CrossFit. I walked into a box and it helped me stay sober. I made it my outlet. But it became my only outlet.
I’m in a transition phase in my life now where competitive CrossFit is not as important to me, starting a family and focusing on my health is. At least, that’s what I tell myself. This change is hard. It’s uncomfortable. All I’ve known for the past five years is to train hard. Destroy your body every day to be the best you can be in competition. For so long, I’ve been praised and looked up to for podiums, medals, and achievements.
Without that, who am I?
I’m still Carleen. I’m a leader, a survivor, someone who can get through anything. This is what people look up to me for. I am not my medals or podium finishes. I am so much more.
It can be hard to convince myself of that.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BogrU0snWCF/?taken-by=teamcarleen
Carleen Mathews on The CrossFit Games
CrossFit is an exceptionally powerful force for driving a positive shift towards body image, for men and women, being viewed in a more constructive way. Namely that performance comes first. Despite that ideal, we all have insecurities, so here are 5 great messages from top female CrossFit Athletes to put the theory into practice in their own unique way.
CrossFit Games Athlete Jamie Hagiya Poses Naked for Project
CrossFit Games athlete Jamie Hagiya posed naked in order to inspire confidence in people to accept and love their body whatever shape it is in.
“I’ve gotten so many inspiring messages from men and women about loving their bodies that I’m teaming up with @rxsmartgear and @leftcoastvibesco(photos by @michaelbrianphoto ) to bring to you the #RXSGbodypositivityproject ?
A project to encourage ourselves (and one another) to be comfortable in our own skin and to love all our “imperfections” because that’s what makes each one of us unique and beautiful.
I’ve found that speaking and sharing my truth (and trust me, I know this is extremely difficult), has helped me tremendously with this process. As well as hearing other’s stories, as I know I’m not alone. I’ll be posting one picture, along with a message about my journey to self love, everyday for the next 5 days.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BlT2JvOgdnn/?hl=en&taken-by=jamiejoyce2
Jamie Hagiya is a hugely positive force in regards to this issue. And has inspired many people, both male and female, all around the world.
“I’m going to address something that has been on my mind a lot lately. It’s a hard subject for me since I struggle with body image issues but here goes nothing.
My body does not look like all the other @crossfitgames female athletes with crazy ripped abs and zero body fat on their stomachs. I wish I could look like that, but I’ve come to the realization that this is my body.
I work my ass off in training everyday. I eat clean for the most part, but am human and love to indulge in dessert every now and then. I’m in the best shape of my life and still don’t have a six pack. Not even close to a 4 lol.
Some of it is genetics and the other part is I could eat less calories to try to look like everyone else. But the bottom line is I need to eat to perform. I can’t worry about trying to look like a “Games” athlete because having a six pack doesn’t always make for the best athlete.
So for anyone who thinks they need to look a certain way to be a Regionals or Games competitor, you don’t. Stay on the grind and keep doing you!”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BkksZh4BOn_/?hl=en&taken-by=jamiejoyce2
CAMILLE LEBLANC BAZINET
Camille during competition
“I’ve been trolled so much about having a little belly and here is the thing: I LOVE my belly Hahahaha it’s my special secret power pouch! It means that I am healthy to perform and not too lean! Everything I do is to be the best version of myself and performance in my sport is my priority… I love all my scars because it reminds me that I’ve been through life and I’ve always came out stronger …”
“We are all too skinny, too fat, too strong, too frail, too pale, too dark too anything for someone else and if you hang on to finding approval by how you look from someone else you will never learn to love yourself from within. find pride and approval by asking yourself am I too kind, too genuine, too loving, too compassionate, too hardworking, too driven…”
“Let yourself be the judge of your worth and embrace who you are because the BEST thing you can be is TOO YOU!”
Michele Letendre Poses Naked and Sends A Powerful Message About Body Image
Michele Letendre: “In honour of #internationalwomensday. Johany Jutras gave me an opportunity to speak out a few weeks ago in LaPresse about the issues surrounding women’s body image. I had so much positive feedback from the article from both women and men, it was overwhelming.”
Read the article (it’s published in French) LES FEMMES ET LE SPORT – METTRE FIN AUX CRITIQUES
“Michele Letendre: Because of strong women like her who have a message to send, we can move forward as a unit in society. I want to thank every woman and man out there who have had their hand in allowing us, men AND women, to really be who we are today. Although there is still work to be done, and there is a lot of turmoil, we are far better off than we once were.”
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BROOKE WELLS
“Time to be even more dialed in in 2018 ??I’m far from one of the leanest athletes but that’s okay with me! I am only concerned about my performance as an athlete & this is what works for me- we are all different with different body types. Embrace yours ?”
https://www.instagram.com/p/BdXzb4NByH9/?hl=en&taken-by=brookewellss
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LAUREN FISHER
Lauren originally started CrossFit to improve her fitness for basketball, and is also an accomplished weightlifter. She won the 2014 USA Weightlifting Junior National Championship in the 63-kg class with a 70-kg. snatch (154.3 lb.) and a 102-kg clean and jerk (224.8 lb.), for a total of 177 kilos (390.2 lb.)
“Before: 15 Years Old 110lbs. After: 19 Years Old 135lbs. This was before I really started getting competitive in Crossfit and only went to class three times a week only for one hour! My main focus was sports like basketball and tennis. I wouldn’t be able to lift as much as I do now or compete versus all the top level CrossFit athletes if I didn’t put on the muscle. I don’t worry about my weight. The only time I step on the scale is to make sure I’m gaining and not losing any! This works for me and I am happy with being strong and fit! P.S. I think my 3RM Back Squat back then was only 145lbs…”
https://www.instagram.com/p/k3QK6yzROe/?taken-by=laurenfisher
https://www.instagram.com/p/BRW7pCAjwIJ/?taken-by=laurenfisher
How Sport and Crossfit Promote a Healthier Concept of Female Body Image
