Remembering Cora

Wednesday December 19, 2018, will forever remain a day I will never forget.

To date, this is one of the most difficult blog posts I’ve had to write. As usual, it will be raw and real.

I received word that our youngest member, 13 years old, Cora Schryver committed suicide. Friends there’s no easy way to share this, and I have no words for the heartbreak that her parents, siblings, family, and our community are experiencing. This has rocked us all to the core.

As CrossFit affiliate owners and coaches, we strive every day to help people become better. To help them achieve their goals and believe in themselves on the good days and the not so good days.

We are life changers, and are called to start fires in the hearts of people we help to live healthy lives and go out into the world to make a difference as well. We truly want to help people. 

I can tell you without a doubt, we never saw this coming. None of us. We’re completely broadsided with shock, disbelief and grief. We missed it folks. We all missed it.

I can still hear her voice that Tuesday evening at 4:52 pm asking me if I had a “Good workout Coach?”. I wasn’t talking to a 13 year old young girl. Cora was mature, and connected with everyone she met so well.

She was so brave, so full of life, and enthusiasm. She never quit. I’m telling you the girl had “go” in her and would always strive to give 110%. I laugh because our Coaches would share all the time how she’d finish her WOD, completely done, blasted, and still somehow recover and then get up and do handstand walks or muscle ups, or whatever crazy gymnastic thing she came up with.

There was NOTHING stopping her. Nothing.

She had plans, had goals, and was driven. She was getting ready for wrestling season, and had a successful football season! Like I said the girl wasn’t afraid. Yet some how we missed it. We missed a pain, a hurt, way down deep.

Cora carried the Spirit of 3 Peaks.

She truly did. She cared so much about helping others, encouraging others, and never giving up. She worked so hard, never complained and always had the try attitude. I’m truly honored to have known her, and been so inspired by her. My life will forever be changed. The lives of our coaches and members will forever be changed. We had no clue.

We will for ever remember Cora as the amazing young athlete, and kindhearted soul that she was. We want her remembered for who she was in the box.

This memorial workout “Cora” was created in part by our sweet girl herself. She was our September Student Athlete last year and I know she would have kicked all of our butts with this one. I will do this for her.

“CORA”

21-18-15-12-9-6-3

Situps

Box Jumps

Burpees

Pullups

3 Handstand Pushups Between Each Round

We are absolutely so blown away by the love and support that the CrossFit community has shown. Affiliates from all over the country and world are doing this workout tomorrow in Cora’s honor. That my friends is the spirit of CrossFit. I don’t know really any of this owners or affiliates, yet, they’re partnering with us for her. I’m in awe and so honored.

So what’s next?

Well here’s what I know. I’m no counselor. However, I know, we can do a better job at showing people they are valued, needed, and loved. Instead of asking people how they’re doing, we need to start LISTENING to them, truly listening and digging just a little more. We can do more friends. I can do more.

Pain and heartache are always going to come, it’s life. But, we can do a better job at showing others they DO matter. We, as leaders, any individual actually, we truly need to work on changing a mindset and a culture that hides, that doesn’t want to be transparent, or vulnerable.

People need to know it’s ok to not be ok, and that we still care and love them. That there is hope and they have value. But what so many see is the “pretty” stuff that others want you to see, not the real and raw, for fear of judgement, and rejection.

I want to challenge you all be real, be raw, be vulnerable to others to become aware on suicide prevention and signs.

Find a local prevention center like a Best Care and learn what the warning signs are. If you own a business, you should send your staff. We need to understand, we need to do more, we need to take action. If not us then who?

We may not be able to bring her back, but I promise you, we can get up and do something. We can learn, we can listen, we can stop being so afraid to be real. What on earth would happen if we all actually just took action. If we all just got real, and took extra time with people truly building relationships. That’s the spirit of CrossFit. Community.

At 3 Peaks, we’re setting up scholorships for local high schools to uplift kids, to bring life and hope to our youth. We’re also going to work with many key people to do a suicide awareness walk/run to Central Oregon to bring awareness and life back to people in this community. We are taking action. And I challenge you to as well.

Our hearts are broken, there are no words, and we feel helpless. But what I do know to be true, is our CrossFit community is strong, supports each other, and can impact so many. Together, I believe we can truly make a difference in the lives of others.

Much Love & Hope 

Mel

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