Congratulations to Amber Perrick on being Drop Box’s April Spotlight Athlete of the Month! If you don’t catch this woman at the box killing a workout in our afternoon class, you can find her filling her day as a full time mother to her son Brantley. Amber also is in the United States Navy and works as an Aviation Ordnanceman. It has been over 2 years since she first stepped into our box as a new CrossFitter and since then we have seen this woman catapult in confidence, strength, weightlifting/gymnastics skills, and endurance just to name a few. Amber is dedicated, consistent, and extremely coachable. She is willing to work hard to reach goals and this year she hit some big ones! Additionally, she is highly supportive of her fellow members and always willing to help others around her.

Amber volunteering as a judge for Open Workout 19.3

First, I can’t believe I’m being recognized for athlete of the month it’s such an amazing feeling! I’m so grateful to be apart of a community like Drop Box and for everything everyone (coach and members) have done for me. I’ve made some of my best friends at the box and was blessed with a family while I’m away from my real family for myself and my son Brantley (also known as King B).
My journey into CrossFit feels like a pretty typical story as to why someone tries to gym...they want to feel better about themselves! I had just returned back to Sea Duty after having Brantley in the Navy. I was so excited to see what my new command had to offer and to finally get back into my job after being pregnant. I hadn’t worked out at all, I ate pretty poorly, and feared not being able to pass my PRT (Physical Readiness Test). I was asked to pick up an ammo can and move it. I went over happy to do work but I couldn’t pick it up! I couldn’t even slide it across the floor. Every single person laughed at me and cracked jokes. I couldn’t be proficient in my job or pull my weight and that was my wakeup call. After a year of going out to sea and doing silly workouts called “bye bye mom bod” with no idea what I was doing, we finally pulled in for good. I went home and immediately googled CrossFit.
Drop Box was the first gym that showed up and they offered a free intro class. I said awesome and told them I would be there the next day. Coach G held the class and asked me what I thought about CrossFit. All I said was “I heard it’s an expensive cult”, he just laughed. We then did a quick workout which felt like death, but I immediately asked when I can join. Fast forward to fundamentals and my first in house competition only 2 weeks later, I didn’t think I was going to make it. Now, I’m just thinking this is an expensive cult and they’re trying to kill me.
A few months later once I got used to living sore, I fell in love. I looked forward to hitting a new PR, OLY class through the week, and open gym on the weekends. All the members and coaches welcomed me in with open arms. CrossFit has been the longest that I have ever consecutively committed to something and I don’t plan on stopping anytime soon. My health has become so important to me and being at Drop Box has helped me in so many ways. If I’m not at the gym, I am somewhere talking about CrossFit. If I’m not talking about CrossFit, I’m thinking of CrossFit. Thank you DBCF for making me the best version of myself!