Debbie is a 50 year young Christian, wife, mother of 3, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer, and owner of CrossFit Unstoppable in Jefferson City, MO. She is passionate about helping others and trying new things to reach every individual needing help whether it be on a personal level or via online. In her free time (which is rare) she likes to read, kayak and occasionally take some hikes…
 
What is the story behind Crossfit Unstoppable and why you started it?
In 2009, I decided that I was tired of being tired-I was an overweight and depressed PE Teacher/Coach and enough was enough!  I joined an online fitness community where I developed long-lasting friendships as we followed each other’s fitness journeys.
 
One friend in particular had the same goals as I and in July 2010, she discovered a CrossFit gym in her hometown in Alabama. I had never heard of CrossFit before so I looked it up and I discovered that they were streaming the Games online. I was hooked and amazed at what these athletes could do.  I started watching the mainsite and discovered there was a Kids program associated with CF, and as a PE teacher, I wanted to bring CrossFit to my classes.
 
Being from Central Missouri, we had no local CF gyms; the closest was in St. Louis (about 90 minutes away) and I had contemplated driving to one of the gyms and going through the fundamentals. Something held me back and the second week of August of 2010, I discovered that Columbia, MO had opened a CF gym. It was just 45 minutes away so I said, “Why not?” I set up my first CrossFit class on August 10, 2010 and haven’t looked back since!



My friend and I then had this wild notion in January of 2011 to go for our Level 1 Certifications. Mine was in March of 2011 and hers in April 2011. I then started coaching boot camp classes for the moms at my school and in the late summer of 2011, I toyed with the idea of opening a CrossFit gym in Jefferson City. Who knew that wanting to bring CrossFit Kids to my PE classes would turn into what I have done almost 7 years later.
 
My passion for helping people is why I started CrossFit Unstoppable. Like I said previously, I want to help anyone I can.



Do you have a life verse, or verse that you live by?
Yes, Philippians 4:13  I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
This verse is also on the back of my main CFU shirt.



How did you come to know the Lord?
I lived in a dysfunctional home, but thank God I had my grandmother who would take me to church and Sunday school. I ended up living with her starting in 8th grade until I married. I believe with her solid faith, I was fortunate to have her as a role model.
 
I wasn’t as close to God as I wanted to be in my 20’s and 30’s, but something changed when my life was turned upside down with a close family member committing suicide. It woke me up a bit and I started to read more scripture and practiced being still so I could be guided in the right direction. I haven’t looked back since.



What has your relationship with him been like?
As stated before, it has been up and down, but in the last 15 years or so I have been closer to Him and I rely on His guidance. Without him I wouldn’t be typing this right now! Most likely I would still be teaching and coaching at the school instead of living my dream!
 
How has it impacted the way you view business?
I pray more now than I ever have.
I practice being still.
I post positive Christian messages on social media when a thought comes to me (really it’s Him nudging me to do so).
I try to live the right way and treat everyone the way I would want to be treated.
I believe everyone who is a member of CFU knows that I’m a Christian and I think that is a plus for many of my members. So I will continue to be the person that God intended for me to be.



Why did you start a FAITH RXD Chapter at your gym?
Before FAITH RXD was even in existence, I followed Chip Pugh on his CrossFit Faith site, bought a shirt online, and would re-post his Faith WODs on my blog.
 
In 2012, I attended an Olympic Lifting Cert in Cookeville, TN. Well, to make a long story short, we were invited out to Rich’s ranch for a BBQ and devotion. There I was sitting in Rich’s living room while Dan Bailey cut up sweet potatoes and Rich flipped hamburgers. It was surreal…AND I got to hear the message from Chip.



I thought to myself as I headed back to my hotel, I want this for my gym. I remember wanting to go to one of the ISI’s in CO (FAITH RXD’s Iron Sharpens Iron Camp), but the dates didn’t work out right so a year later there was one in St. Louis (ISI9) and that was fabulous!
 
I then attended the IMPACT Conference in CO (FAITH RXD Leadership Conference) that fall and started the process of getting our gym affiliated with FAITH RXD. At first we just put on some Faith and Fitness workshops to kind of introduce it and everyone thought it was a good idea to bring the organization to our community.
 
Why did you decide to join Allied Affiliates?
I wanted to help out in a financial way in spreading the Word and also be on the map in the event someone was looking for a faith based gym to attend.



What does it mean to unite Faith and Fitness?
These….

• I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
• Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own.
• Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.
• Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.
• …but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.
• I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

 
God wants us to be Strong and Healthy. I believe God has led me to this ministry to help those who need help with their physical health and their spiritual health.
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Allied Affiliates

Debbie and her box, CrossFit Unstoppable, have been avid supporters of our for many years. It is because of men and women like her that FAITH RXD is able to do what we do. Allied affiliates are CrossFit boxes that have partnered with FAITH RXD and support our mission. If you would like to learn more, please click the button below or email us in**@fa*****.com.