Today we’d like to introduce you to Blyth DelBene.
Hi Blyth, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
The journey I have been on the last 12 years is the driving force and motivation of who I am today. January 8, 2011 is the day I gave myself a second chance to renew my life. I refer to it as my second birthday and it’s the dayI walked into a CrossFit gym by myself to start CrossFit classes during the darkest time in my life. I’ve never done something like this before. That day as part of the workout (WOD – Workout Of The Day), I did 278 squats. More like quarter squats and yep, I counted every single one of them. I thought I was going to die. But I didn’t. I left completely elated that I did something that I thought was “hard”. “I can do this”, I thought to myself. My body was so sore the next day, but I couldn’t wait to go back to class. I will never forget where I started 12 years ago, not just physically and emotionally but also mentally. I was a very tired 43-year-old mom of four incredible kids (ages 10,7,6,3 at the time) and I was in a very unhealthy, controlling marriage. I had lost all of my confidence. I pretended I was okay but even smiling was hard for me. I had no love or support from my husband. CrossFit was the first time I did anything for myself before having my kids. So, it was a very big deal. I was in a very low place in my life and so desperate to regain the true spirit of ME! I lost what made me tick for years and I wanted it back badly. CrossFit saved me at the time I needed it most. After a year of CrossFitting, my youngest child was going to be attending pre-k full time and my husband demanded I get a job since there would be no kids at home to take care of during the day anymore and told me where I had to work. I decided I wanted to pursue becoming a CrossFit Coach, a completely different career path from the 15 years previously in banking. In that 1st year of CrossFit, so many coaches and people poured into me and helped me more than they ever realized. CrossFit taught me I can do hard things and it helped me gain my confidence back to stand up for myself.
In February 2012, I registered for the CrossFit L-1 course to become a CrossFit L-1 Trainer. I passed my certification, and a nearby CrossFit gym offered me a coaching job. I told my husband I was going to become a coach to help people just like the coaches help me. He looked at me, laughed in my face, told me to get a real job and slammed the door. This was a defining moment for me.
At that moment, With 4 sets of eyes looking up at me, I vowed I wasn’t ever going to let my kids down! I would always love them, guide them, and provide for them, and one day when they were older, they would recognize my journey and be inspired.
From then on, I began coaching as many classes as I could, gaining as much experience as I could, and climbing my way to becoming a highly respected CrossFit coach. In between classes, I would also do personal training on the side. In my free time, I would attend seminars, study, and learn as much as I could to become the best coach I could be. I continued to stay healthy and active and set the best example for my kids. Over the years, I participated in numerous CrossFit competitions, 5 and 10 K’s, a half marathon, 2 full marathons, a couple of relay races, the Spartan Super Race, and participating in the CrossFit Open each year and in 2017, placing 38th in my region in my division of the 2017 CrossFit Open as a master athlete.
I love what I do! I discovered what ignites my passion. Helping others. It lights me up and i get to share that with other people. Nothing is more rewarding to me than to see my clients smashing their goals, not only physically but also emotionally and mentally getting stronger, fitter, more confident and overall happier.
In November 2012, I got certified as a CrossFit Kids Trainer and in October 2016, I earned my CrossFit Level-2 certification. I would coach as many classes as I could. I coached adults, kids, and teens. During this time, I was going through so much turmoil in my marriage. I was facing a path where I started from nothing. With no car to drive and no ability to drive my kids to school , to go to the grocery store, trying to work. A very dear friend loaned me her husband’s truck while he was away in the army until I could save enough money to buy my own car. Things were happening in my life that were meant to crush me but I didn’t let them! These personal struggles fueled me even more to work hard and never give up. Although I had built a great reputation as a coach, it was my dream to open my own CrossFit gym one day, to pay it forward and provide a welcoming space for people to feel comfortable working out.
In June 2013, I went through a very ugly drawn-out divorce that allowed me to give my kids and myself a healthy environment we deserve. Raising my kids, juggling my kid’s activities on the daily, and coaching filled my days to the max. Most days I worked very long hours just to make ends meet, barely living paycheck to paycheck, stretched so thin, but I made it work.
I am proud to say I have reshaped my body, renewed my mind, and reclaimed my life. These years have molded me for the greater good. I’m exactly where I need to be. I’m stronger than I realized, and I can do anything I set my mind to do. I’m not just physically strong, but also mentally more fit and focused. I will never forget where I came from. My tribe, you know who you are, loving me, believing in me, and supporting me along the way I am so grateful for y’all. With every challenge, I move forward with my head held high and gain strength that can’t be denied.
After 6 1/2 years of coaching, my dream of opening my own gym was still on the forefront of my mind. Making my dream, a reality was so scary. I kept thinking to myself what if I fail? There’s so much risk in opening a small business. It’s going to be so hard, long days tackling all the ins and outs of the front end of the business and the whole back end no one ever sees, and the responsibility and stress of owning a small business. But then I thought, I’m a fighter and I don’t give up. What IF I fight, work my tail off, don’t give up and trust the journey of the days I would endure bumpy roads and setbacks that were sure to happen, success will come one day, and I WILL FLY!!
On August 6, 2018, I opened my very own gym, CrossFit 3 Strands in Pflugerville, Texas.I am the sole owner. I offer CrossFit for adults and offer 3 Kids programs, CrossFit Kids (ages 5-9), CrossFit Preteens (ages 10-13), CrossFit Sports & Performance Teens (ages 13-17), Personal Training for all ages and personalized nutrition services. My mission every day is to strive to maintain a welcoming environment with the highest quality fitness experience, provided by a team of caring and committed coaches who strive to empower people to become the best version of themselves all the while achieving a healthier lifestyle, long-term. To provide a platform giving competitive athletes the facility to stay engaged while empowering kids to grandparents with a level of functional fitness that enables them to have a fuller, longer more independent lifespan.
I started off with a gym space of 1,550 sq feet. In the Fall of 2021, I was ready to expand and doubled my gym space to 3,300 sq feet. I have 3 coaches on staff that help me coach classes each week. I couldn’t do any of this without them!! They truly are an extension of me. And the most caring simply amazing human beings you’ll ever meet!
While we may be a CrossFit gym that provides the space for workouts daily, it is also a place where we value the building, nurturing and sustaining of new relationships and friendships with one another.
Your physical, mental, and emotional well-being are so tightly woven together. One impacts the others. When you physically do things, it will also improve you mentally and emotionally and it will transfer over to all the other areas of your life outside of the gym walls.
Everyday my coaches and I are surrounded by the most caring and thoughtful group of individuals I could have ever wished for. The gym members, Or athletes as we call them, have created an atmosphere and a community in which I am extremely proud of. The drive, the push, the defeat, the struggle, the power, the warriors, the cheerleaders, the laughter…all intangible yet wonderful aspects of my gym that completely embody the mentality and spirit of CrossFit 3 Strands.
I’m thankful the athletes at CrossFit 3 Strands trust me with their fitness journey and permit my coaches and I to enter into their lives at their most vulnerable of moments. When they’re drenched in sweat and their mind is muddled, they allow us to encourage them to be the best they can be.
They are there to better themselves but also to support others in their journey as well. Watching them work together as a team and build lasting relationships with one another is so special to witness. Magic happens at CrossFit 3 Strands, my athletes do things they never thought possible and then in return show others what they too are capable of. As our community grows, our bond becomes stronger, and for this, I am ever so thankful.
I am so thankful for my team of coaches. I couldn’t do any of this without them and so glad they chose to be a part of this great community and allowing me a chance to work with each of them. I’m thankful for their effort, commitment, energy, preparation and professionalism that they put forth into every class. I’m thankful for the camaraderie and the friendships I have with each of them. Since I opened the gym in August 2018, I have put my heart and soul into this gym and I truly love everything that the community has become. Every member is unique and brings something special into these walls of the gym which makes the community as strong and as amazing as it is! The Community is bigger than one person. It is greater than anyone coach, anyone member or any piece of equipment we use. It is not about me. It is all about them! Each of my members makes it special and makes it a great place that it is! I have helped mold it, shape it and help guide it in the right direction. But truly it’s all about them! I’m very thankful they have allowed me into their lives and trusted me and believed in my vision of what I wanted for this community. I’m thankful my members show up every day and allow me to give them the service they expect and beyond. I am thankful they allow me to be myself and to coach each of them the best we know how! We are so grateful for all the relationships we have created with each of them. And I know my coaches feel the same. I’m so thankful they carry out my vision of what a strong community should be. I’m thankful my members always introduce themselves to newer or unfamiliar faces and make them feel welcome. I’m thankful my members are so coachable and trust me. I’m thankful they work so hard and they leave the gym with a big smile. Building this gym was one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
There is absolutely no way I could have ever done all of this without the love, support, and patience of my 4 amazing kids! They are truly my everything!
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Growth in general is not a smooth road. It’s filled with some bumps and setbacks at times. I’ve learned to be patient through the setbacks. Instead of being angry or stressed about any setbacks or struggles, I’ve taken it as a learning experience that I can only grow from.
Covid – Covid protocols, from the tape boxes in the floor, the increased cleaning, overall the different opinions regarding covid managing many membership cancellations during our shutdown, juggling the business expenses.
Burglary in Sept 2022. A lot of long drawn out insurance issues and extra unforseeen expenses from the damage done
Being a sole owner, I wear a lot of hats every day. I’m not at a point yet to delegate or have a gym manager, so I do everything from the front end to the back end. I even coach 18 classes each week.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Success is happiness and improving my athletes’ lives day in and day out. Guiding them each day to become better, happier, more confident in their skin which will catapult into every area of their lives. To see my athletes committed to a consistent workout schedule, pushing themselves past their comfort zone, working on their goals, making better food choices, and trusting the process to become happier, more confident and the best version of themselves. We are the catalyst of transformations physically, mentally, and emotionally. Your physical, mental, and emotional health and well-being are all so tightly woven together. When you physically do things like working out or doing things that you may perceive as “hard” or “challenging”, it will improve you mentally and emotionally and will transfer over to every area of your life.
Success is changing people’s lives for the better.
My favorite coach quote. “I am a lighthouse rather than a lifeboat. I do not rescue but instead help others find their way to shore, guiding them by example.” modern affirmation.
Pricing:
- Adult 2X Per Week membership $130 per month
- Adult 3x Per Week membership $160 per month
- Adult 4x Per Week membership $175 per month
- Adult 5x Per Week membership $190 per month
Contact Info:
- Website: www.CrossFit3Strands.com
- Instagram: crossfit3strands
- Facebook: CrossFit 3 Strands
Image Credits:
John Loftis
