When I have a bar bell in my hand, I'm not looking at any flaws. I'm looking at like how, like I'm seeing how strong I am and how, and all my focus is is putting that bar like over my head or getting that

bar to my shoulders you know like the focus isn't on like oh this that whatever like and I think that that's the cool part about

you know cross it it just allows you to be like empowered by you know what you can what your body can do as opposed to what it looks like.

This is episode number 85 with Carleen Matthews.

Welcome to Pursuing Health. I'm Julie Fushe, family medicine resident

and former Cross-Vigames athlete.

Here I bring to you information and inspiration from experts and everyday individuals for how to use lifestyle to maximize health.

Thank you so much for joining me. Now let's get started with this week's episode.

Hey there, welcome back to pursuing health.

In this episode, I got to sit down with three-time Cross Fit Games athlete and owner of Cross Fit St. Helens,

Carleen Matthews.

And a little bit of background about Carleen,

she isn't your typical Cross Fit Games competitor.

She is a former collegiate softball player.

However, when Carleen's athletic career

came to a close after college,

she found herself struggling first

with an eating disorder and then with alcohol

and substance abuse.

With the help of therapy, her family, and finally cross-fit,

Carleen overcame her addictions and herself destructive habits

to return to competition this time in a new sport.

...