CrossFit and “The House of Mirth”: A Surprisingly Perfect Match

When you love something as much as I love CrossFit, it’s easy to get lost in your own little world of burpees, box jumps, and PRs. But recently, I read a book that reminded me of the importance of stepping outside of that world and experiencing new things. That book was “The House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton.

At first glance, “The House of Mirth” may seem like an odd choice for a blog post about CrossFit. After all, what could a 1905 novel about high society in New York City possibly have to do with lifting weights and doing WODs? But bear with me here, because I promise there’s a connection.

For those who haven’t read it, “The House of Mirth” tells the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who is trying to navigate the tricky social circles of turn-of-the-century Manhattan. Lily is ambitious and wants more out of life than just to marry well and keep up appearances, but she’s constantly thwarted by the society in which she moves. As the novel progresses, we see Lily’s dreams slowly start to crumble, and we’re left with a devastating portrait of a woman who was born into the wrong time and place.

So, what does any of this have to do with CrossFit? For me, reading “The House of Mirth” was a reminder that there’s more to life than just my own little bubble of fitness. Yes, lifting heavy weights and pushing myself to my limits is important to me, but so is experiencing new things, learning about different perspectives, and challenging myself in ways that don’t involve barbells.

But beyond that, I think there’s something to be said for the way Lily Bart embodies certain qualities that are also important in the world of CrossFit. She’s ambitious, she’s determined, and she’s not afraid to go after what she wants, even if it means facing some serious obstacles. Those are all qualities that I admire in the people I work out with, and they’re qualities that I try to cultivate in myself as well.

So why should you read “The House of Mirth”? Well, for one thing, it’s a beautifully written novel that captures a specific moment in time in a way that few authors have been able to do. But beyond that, it’s a reminder that there’s more to life than just our own narrow little worlds. It’s a challenge to step outside of our comfort zones, to experience new things, and to learn from them. And isn’t that what CrossFit is all about?

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Did you read “The House of Mirth”? What did you think of it? And in the gym today, did you push yourself to try something new or step outside of your comfort zone? Let’s chat in the comments!

Body (Alternative): At first glance, you might not think that a 1905 novel about high society in New York City would have anything to do with CrossFit. But as a recent convert to the sport of fitness, I’m always looking for new ways to challenge myself and think outside of the box. And “The House of Mirth” by Edith Wharton did just that.

On the surface, the novel tells the story of Lily Bart, a beautiful and intelligent young woman who is trying to find her place in the social strata of Manhattan. But beneath that, it’s a story of ambition, determination, and the lengths that people will go to in order to achieve their goals.

As someone who’s still relatively new to CrossFit, I found myself relating to Lily’s struggle to prove herself in a world that wasn’t always welcoming. Like Lily, I’m ambitious and determined, and I want to push myself to be the best that I can be. But also like Lily, I’ve found that there are obstacles in my way — not just physical obstacles, but mental ones as well.

Reading “The House of Mirth” was a reminder that those obstacles aren’t insurmountable. With hard work, dedication, and a willingness to take risks, I can achieve anything that I want. And that’s a lesson that I try to take with me into the gym every day.

So why should you read “The House of Mirth”? Well, for one thing, it’s a beautifully written novel that captures a specific time and place in history. But more than that, it’s a reminder that no matter what our goals are — whether they’re fitness-related or not — we can achieve them if we’re willing to work hard and take risks.

As always, I’d love to hear your thoughts. Did you read “The House of Mirth”? What did you think of it? And in the gym today, did you push yourself to try something new or step outside of your comfort zone? Let’s chat in the comments!