Braving the Unknown – 1
My name is Juli Bauer and I am a CrossFitter in Colorado. That’s my story. How boring is that? So boring. That’s why I’ve taken on this year as the year of change. The year of trying new things. Getting outside the gym and away from bumper plates. It freaks me out. I love the gym. I love the barbell. I love the pull up bar. I love my comfort zone, but it’s time to get away from my warm blanket and look like an idiot trying to play some sports. It makes me anxious. And sweaty. I didn’t play sports growing up so doing anything other than snatch and overhead squats mixed with burpees is very unknown to me. So I’m trying something new. Every week. Whether that’s going to the park and playing Frisbee or getting on a mountain bike to ride down on a mountain at a fast pace, I’m going to try it all. I’m getting outside the box and braving the unknown. 
This week I took on wakeboarding. That was an awkward experience if I ever saw one. At least at the beginning it was. I stood on the dock, not sure what to do, not sure where to stand. Do I take my flip flops off before I get in the boat? Do I help them put the wakeboards on the boat? Do I giggle like a dumb girl or act like I’m totally cool with what is going on around me? I told you I was awkward. Sooooo I had a small alcoholic beverage which eased the nerves a bit and hopped on in the boat and just sat down so I wouldn’t be in the way. Once the boat got going, the music began to play, and I felt a bit more at home. It felt like a night out at a club. And who doesn’t love a little dance music? I watched on as the two guys I was with pretty much did flips every time the boat got going. Thank goodness they made it look so easy or I would have been a lot more uncomfortable when I got into the water. And thankfully they had their shirts off so I felt like I was back in the gym. Everyone has to find their comfort somewhere. I’m comfortable with half naked men in my presence.
When it was time for me to hop in the water, I knew I had to listen to my instructor and not look like a total idiot, especially because he was extremely good looking. So I listened, and of course, still ate crap before I even stood up on the board. Fail. But I guess second time is a charm for me because I stood up, watched my instructor as he told me to relax and stand up straight and then proceeded to eat sh*t as the waves got bumpy. I got nervous, I guess. But once I was comfortable, I rode the waves like a pro. Well, a pro in my eyes.
Until I tried to jump the wake and face planted into it instead. That hurt. But that is the beauty about trying something new. I had absolutely no idea how bad it was going to hurt when I tried to jump. I was like an infant running for the first time. I had no clue my face was going to lead me into pure pain. And like a child, I still got up and tried it again, just at a much slower pace. And you know what? I LOVED it. It was like being a kid again, but with way hotter guys. What more can you ask for? I plan on going wakeboarding again this weekend. And checking out shirtless men. But I may be braving another unknown territory…paddle boarding. I plan on mastering a handstand on one. Wish me luck!