When Miriam Fruitt, 36, left her career in nursing to raise her three young children, she knew she was making the right decision but still found herself craving consistent, adult, social interaction. Miriam had always maintained her fitness through running and some sporadic group fitness classes, but thought joining a new fitness community could connect her with others in her Germantown community. Her husband encouraged her to try CrossFit at SOPO Germantown. Growing up with a cheerleading and gymnastics background, he suggested that the transition to CrossFit would suit her skills. Despite her nerves, Miriam was up for the challenge.

SOPO CrossFit instantly welcomed Miriam, and she fell in love with the training structure and community encouragement. After three C-sections, Miriam’s goal was to feel strong and confident in her body again, and she began seeing positive results from CrossFit training almost immediately. “I learned how to train, how to eat for performance, and how to challenge myself to be the best I could be. It changed my life, confidence, and calling,” Miriam remembers of her first few months at CrossFit.

In a standard CrossFit workout, the group will warm up together and then start on the prepared workout of the day, which can vary from strength and conditioning, main or accessory lifts, or some combination of these exercises. “The workouts are always changing, and there is always something new to learn or improve,” Miriam says.

Soon, Miriam sought to bring the same encouragement and care to her community that she had received from her coaches and decided to pursue CrossFit Level 1 certification. She began coaching CrossFit at SOPO in Fall 2022. Miriam has since received Level 2 certification, continued group and personal training, and has begun hosting gymnastics skills clinics at SOPO Fitness. Her passion for SOPO has become her new career, as she now runs their social media and communications and helps with marketing and community event planning.

Miriam’s favorite aspect of CrossFit has been learning that she is capable of lifting heavy weights, and she is passionate about sharing this with her female clients. “Many other moms like me say they want to feel strong but don’t want to look bulky. I love teaching them the truth about lifting, and how to escape the fear of lifting heavy,” Miriam says.

Aside from her training and encouraging clients, Miriam has loved seeing her children become interested in CrossFit. Because of the family-friendly environment at SOPO Fitness, parents often bring their kids to watch and hang out during classes, helping to lay an early foundation for the importance of health and fitness. “We get to model for them, and no matter what sports they are into, CrossFit can prepare you for anything.”

Interested in trying CrossFit at SOPO Germantown? Reach out at SOPOFITNESS.com to enroll in a free trial class, and follow along on Instagram @sopogermantown for promotions and events!

By Zoe Harrison
Photo by Tindall Stephens