Sydnie Byam

I played a lot of sports when I was younger and was a very active kid. Basketball and volleyball were huge in my family, but I stopped playing because of a bad coach and became very lost in being active. I have always been very tall and just an overall "bigger girl" and struggled to find out where I fit in for a long time. A couple of my family members started CrossFit, but I never gave it much thought until I saw the 2017 documentary when Tia won for the first time. I was instantly in awe of those athletes and started looking for CrossFit gyms that night. It wasn't until I found CrossFit that I got my confidence back. I started to be proud of my size and strength and have achieved things I never thought I could.  I knew within 6 months of starting CrossFit that I wanted to coach. I was lucky to have a friend who was a coach and started off training in 2019 at a very small gym in Calgary. This gym had many senior members, and I grew a love for adaptive fitness.  I moved to Edmonton for work and have been at CrossFit FNA ever since. I really enjoy helping people who don't think they can do CrossFit realize they can. Helping them find ways to adapt and be able to work out always puts a smile on my face.

During the epidemic I was at a crossroads with work. It was having a disastrous effect on both my mental and physical health to the point where I had to go on short term disability because I couldn't function. My fiancé pushed me to apply for new jobs and since there weren't many in Calgary at the time, I started applying anywhere and everywhere. I got 1 call back from a hospital in Edmonton and even though it was scary I decided to move there by myself with my fiancé commuting back and forth. Once I was moved and settled into a new apartment and gym, I noticed that my symptoms where lessening and I was able to be myself again and focus on my health. I still struggle with moments of self-doubt, but the people I have surrounded myself with at the gym have become some of my best friends in the world and motivate me to improve and keep coming back. I wouldn't trade my life now for the world.

I fell in love with adaptive fitness very early into my coaching career. I absolutely love helping people who don't think they can do CrossFit realize they can. When a movement comes up that you are unsure of, I am there to help you adapt and find a way to make that movement less scary, so you leave feeling accomplished. When members realize they can do something they thought was impossible everyone smiles and cheers, and it makes my heart very full.