January Member Spotlight
Sharon Gonzales • January 27, 2026
Member Spotlight - Braylee and Ellis
Member Spotlight: Braylee & Ellis
Stronger Together — Inside and Outside the Gym
One of the most impactful things we see at Evansville CrossFit is what happens when people stop trying to do hard things alone. This month’s Member Spotlight features Braylee and Ellis, two nurses whose friendship, accountability, and commitment to showing up have fueled both their fitness progress and personal growth.
Braylee’s Story
Braylee joined Evansville CrossFit in August 2024 after moving to Indiana and looking for a new hobby—and new friends. What started as something unfamiliar quickly became a place of confidence, growth, and belonging.
Since joining, Braylee has made PRs and performed lifts she never thought were possible. One of the most important lessons she’s learned is that slowing down and scaling is not failure—it’s often the key to long-term progress.
As a nurse working long, exhausting hours, Braylee treats the gym as something to look forward to—an hour on her days off that’s just for her. The motivation comes from coaches who genuinely care and workout partners who make training fun and encouraging.
Trying CrossFit was a leap outside Braylee’s comfort zone, but it sparked confidence that extends beyond the gym—creating motivation to try new things in other areas of life as well.
Ellis’ Story
Ellis officially joined Evansville CrossFit in July 2025 after a few drop-ins, balancing a demanding schedule as an ICU nurse, working weekend night shifts, and pursuing a second bachelor’s degree.
Despite limited time and a constantly changing schedule, Ellis has already hit new personal records in the deadlift, clean & jerk, and snatch.
The biggest challenge wasn’t physical—it was consistency. Long shifts, school responsibilities, and everyday life made it easy to find excuses. That’s where Braylee made the difference.
Ellis intentionally fits fitness into life by blocking out 3–4 hours per week, sometimes training before night shifts, sometimes squeezing in a class between schoolwork and evenings, and occasionally doubling up on classes when schedules are packed.
Beyond physical strength, Ellis has noticed a significant improvement in mental health. Between the emotional demands of ICU work, school stress, and an irregular sleep schedule, the support of coaches and the EC community helped Ellis through a difficult season—often without them even realizing it.
Stronger Together
What makes Ellis and Braylee’s story special isn’t just their individual progress—it’s the way they show up for each other.
From accountability texts and shared classes to encouragement during tough workouts, they represent what Evansville CrossFit is built on: community, consistency, and support.
Their Advice for New Members
Ellis: Just start. No matter where you begin, you can grow with the help of the coaches here. Everything is scalable, and they’ll help you reach your goals.
Braylee:
You don’t have to be perfect—just committed.
More Recent Posts
Meet Kaylon , our newest coach and a member of the Evansville CrossFit family! By day, he's a Union Ironworker and General Contractor. By the time he hits the gym, he's building strength as an athlete, pushing limits, and inspiring everyone around him. Since joining us in May 2025, Kaylon has leveled up his overall strength and work capacity, mastered the balance between heavy strength training & conditioning and discovered his passion for coaching others. On his fitness journey, Kaylon says: " I focus on discipline more than motivation. Showing up consistently and pushing a little harder every day adds up over time. I treat training like a non-negotiable part of my day. If it’s important to you, you make the time. I have found that working out at EC provides me with more discipline, more energy, and a stronger mindset that carries over into work, life and business ." But here's what makes Kaylon truly special—his genuine passion for coaching. He's driven by one mission: helping people realize they're capable of MORE than they think. Whether it's breaking through mental barriers, hitting that lift you thought was impossible, or discovering your inner strength, Kaylon is here to guide you there. “ A lot of people walk into the gym doubting themselves or feeling intimidated, and being able to help them break through those mental barriers is something I love. Watching someone hit a lift they never thought they could do, learn a new movement, or push through a tough workout and realize they’re stronger than they believed is one of the most rewarding things about being in this environment. For me, coaching isn’t just about fitness. It’s about helping people grow physically, mentally, and emotionally. The gym has a way of teaching discipline, resilience, and confidence, and those things carry over into every part of life. Being able to guide people through that process and help them unlock their potential is what drives my passion for coaching .” His advice to you: " Just start. You don't have to be in shape to begin, you just have to show up and be willing to work. Any movement can be scaled to your fitness level, but the one movement that can't be scaled is showing up ." What Kaylon has to say about the EC community: Training around people who work hard makes a big difference. The energy in the gym pushes you to do more than you would on your own. The other members will check on you to make sure you're doing okay. It's an amazing supportive community. His favorite thing about working out at EC: The mix of strength, conditioning, the friendly competitive drive and the supportive atmosphere. It keeps training fun and challenging! Welcome to the team, Kaylon! We're pumped to have you leading our community. Ready to start YOUR fitness journey? Come train with us and experience the Evansville CrossFit difference!
“I don’t have time to work out!” Sound familiar? We all say it. It seems like our workout routine is the first thing to go—even though it was the first resolution we made at the beginning of the new year. We buy all the equipment for our garage or home gym. That new treadmill that slowly becomes a clothing hanger. We spend money and time getting it all set up, just to realize we don't know what to do exactly and can't find the motivation to workout alone. Here's the thing: It's not about time. It's about priorities. The Reality Check: Your 24 Hours Let's do some math. You have 1,440 minutes in a day. If you sleep 8 hours (480 minutes), you have 960 minutes left. That's a lot of time. Yet somehow, when it comes to the gym, something gets in the way. So I'm asking you: What is eating up your time? Is it social media? (The average person spends 2+ hours daily) Is it work overload? Is it Netflix binges? Is it saying "yes" to everyone else's priorities but "no" to yours? Is it poor planning? You wake up with good intentions. But then your day gets loaded with meetings, errands, family obligations, and unexpected tasks. By the time you get a chance to workout later in the day, you're exhausted. The gym becomes something you'll do tomorrow, or next week, or when things calm down. Spoiler alert: Things never calm down. Life is always busy. The gym keeps sliding down your to-do list, until one day you realize you haven't been in weeks. Let's Reframe This What if instead of asking "How do I find an hour?" you asked "What do I need to stop doing to make room for an hour?" That's the real question. Here's what I know about people who show up consistently: - They schedule their workout like a business meeting (non-negotiable) - They identify time-wasters and cut them ruthlessly - They realize that fitness isn't a luxury—it's maintenance for their body and mind - They understand that one hour at the gym saves them time by boosting energy, focus, and mental health Where Can You Find (or Make) That Hour? Morning: Could you wake up 45 minutes earlier? (Yes, it sucks at first. Then it becomes your favorite part of the day.) Lunch Break: A quick 45-minute session beats scrolling on your phone anyway. Evening: Cut one TV show, one social media scroll session, one unnecessary errand. Multitask: Combine gym time with podcasts, audiobooks, or just mental space away from screens. Weekend: Even one session a week is better than zero. Here's My Offer I'm not going to guilt you. I'm not going to shame you. But I will help you . If you're stuck in avoidance mode, let's solve it together. Let's have a real conversation about : What's actually stopping you What your schedule really looks like What we can adjust to make fitness fit your life Which time slot makes the most sense for you The truth? One hour is not a lot of time. But it's enough to change your body, clear your mind, and build momentum. A Challenge For You: This week, track where your time actually goes. Not where you think it goes—where it really goes. Then ask yourself: "Is this the life I want? Are these my priorities?" If fitness matters to you (and I think it does, or you wouldn't be reading this), then it's time to act like it. Let's figure this out together. I want to help. Let’s take a few minutes to discuss ways we can help you at Evansville CrossFit. It goes beyond the workout of the day. It involves a conversation about your personal goals. Fitness, nutrition, time management. You know where to find me. Sharon Gonzales Evansville CrossFit 1230 Heinlein Road Evansville, IN 47725 (812) 250-8466 Instagram - @evansvillecrossfit Facebook - Evansville CrossFit P.S. — Seriously, reach out. Even just a 15-minute conversation can unlock the solution you've been looking for.
Meet Robbie — our October Spotlight Member! Outside the gym : Robbie is a District Director of Audit Operations for the State of Indiana. When he’s not at the gym, you’ll find him golfing, playing pickleball or kickball, and hanging out with friends. When Did You Start at Evansville CrossFit? : February 2025 — After talking with a friend about wanting to try CrossFit. I loved the idea of combining weightlifting with cardio. Goals Already Crushed : Robbie has lost 15 pounds and ran a 5:50 mile this summer! Biggest Challenge : Learning technique and letting go of the mindset that lifting heavier always means better. With coaching and scaling guidance, his form and strength have improved tremendously. What Is Your Motivation? : “Getting to know people and not having to plan workouts keeps me motivated. The community and class schedule make it easy to stay consistent.” What Advice Would You Give To Someone Interested in CrossFit? : "Everyone is friendly and motivating — it makes showing up easy.” “Give it a try! It might feel intimidating at first, but the coaches and members help make it enjoyable.” We’re so proud of your hard work and progress, Robbie! Thanks for bringing such great energy to the EC community!
