Jenny’s daughter Lila underwent a major surgery with some unexpected post operative complications. Before this surgery Lila was an able bodied 20yr old, working and taking college courses to pursue her dream of becoming a preschool teacher.  

All of that changed when after her 9 hr surgery she was unable to move her arms and legs. She had to be intubated 3 times therefore was unable to communicate and was hospitalized for 4 1/2 months and confined to a wheelchair.  

Her journey has been a tale of unbridled courage and strength.  Lila is slowly gaining mobility and has therapy 4 days a week. Jenny believes that when life throws you challenges, you lean into them and you can ease your hardships by staying positive.

Jenny and the team raised $45,602.80 for Bridging Bionics who have been helping support Lila in this journey!

As a psychology student, Eme came to the hard realization that access to therapy is a privilege. As a black woman, she’s questioned if society deems their existence as less beautiful, desirable, capable, and worthy. 

As a step towards racial, gender, and socioeconomic equity she fundraised for The Loveland foundation which provides financial assistance towards therapy for black women and girls. With the average price of therapy costing roughly $80 to $200, a $1400 donation will cover about 12 therapy sessions. Hopefully, these sessions will increase the likelihood that the participants will be able to afford therapy and be incentivized to return in the future. While therapy does not guarantee an easy fix, it's a remedy to promote a sense of unconditional love that has not been afforded to black women. By helping one woman access care, it heals the past, present, and future communities around her. Furthermore, it eliminates the financial stress for those seeking care.

While training for a half marathon has been one of the most fulfilling and empowering facets of her  life, her work would not be complete unless she used it to uplift someone else. 

Jessica felt like she was an awkward kid who never fit in. There were pressures to be a part of a social group to feel some sort of belonging. But the pressure to fit in and not be a loner was immense. Seeking others’ approval sent her into a depression. Fast forward a few years when depression was real, she contemplated taking her own life several times. She thought things could never change and that no one would ever “get” her. She stewed in this depression for years. 

After college, she was in a job that was not meaningful to her. But she stayed in it because she didn’t think she could venture out. She joined CrossFit Flagstaff to get in shape. Every time she showed up, she was encouraged and supported to push herself because they believed in her. Her confidence began to grow, and she started to see herself as an individual with a purpose for the first time in her life. Because of this newfound confidence, she left the job that felt like shackles and started to take charge of where she was and where she wanted to go.

FYR Flagstaff takes this same community to underserved and at-promise youth. She's positive that if she had a community like CrossFit when she was that awkward kid, she could have avoided years of depression and self-doubt. FYR Flagstaff is inclusive of every body and everybody. FYR Flagstaff brings kids a community of support. This support and knowing that she was raising funds to support youth just like hers what got her across the finish line.