Michelle Kret has always been an athlete with a competitive spirit. She was a multi-sport athlete at Wheeling Park, much like her brother David Depto before her.
And like all athletes, they are never quite satisfied with their performance or their appearance. In that Michelle is no different either.
A graduate of West Virginia University’s nursing school, she soon after began working as an RN at Ruby Memorial Hospital in Morgantown. She also married her husband, Mato, a native of Austria whom she first met when she was a senior in high school while he was attending nearby Bethany College.
In September of 2007, the Krets had their first of three children. Marriage, a career, giving birth to three children and four years—the progression of life was starting to take its toll on a still young Michelle.
“I really struggled with my health after,” Kret said. “I would work really hard to lose the weight and then gain it back in what seemed like an instant.”
She tried restricting calories, which never seemed to last. Like many, she tried to overcome a non-optimal diet with cardio and weight training. “You can’t outwork a poor diet,” she added.
To further her troubles, Kret suffered a major injury during a seemingly routine and fun activity involving a trampoline. She knew that if real, positive and, most importantly, long-lasting changes were going to take place, something had to be done.
Time for a Change
That’s when her husband, who’d gotten into CrossFit early, finally coerced his wife into given it a chance. When it comes to CrossFit, there are generally two types of people—those that love it and its benefits and get extremely into the whole culture; and the other group, which stands puzzled, head cocked sideways staring, and wondering why those people are doing what they’ve doing.
That’s not to say Michelle was ever in that second camp of people. But she’s most certainly in the first camp now. Her results speak for themselves, and she invites others to give it a try and see what CrossFit and a better overall level of physical fitness in general can do for one’s body, and more importantly, one’s peace of mind.
You were always athletic, competing in sports and keeping active. How did you injure your knee, and how difficult was the recovery process both in length and emotional and physical toll? How long did it take you to get back to some semblance of physical activity and a routine?
I suffered a complete left ACL rupture, partial meniscus tear and partial MCL tear while jumping at a trampoline park. We were on minute 58 of an hour session. If only we could roll back time. I also sustained a right-sided severe ankle sprain at the same time. I was basically bedridden for a bit. I discovered I had developed blood clots in the left lower leg, needed an anticoagulant, and my surgery got pushed back six weeks, so my life was wrecked. My mom moved in to care for our three young kids while my husband worked. Thank God for her. It took such a physical and emotional toll on me that I can’t even describe. I felt helpless, useless, and broken. Physical therapy was grueling and LONG. I would say it took a full year before I started feeling like myself again, and even today my knee will never be “normal.” I’ve accepted that and take precautions to keep it healthy.
What ultimately inspired you to embark on the current journey you are on? Was it changes in nutrition first, then fitness goals, or vice versa? How long did it take for it to morph from forcing it into habit into a natural part of your routine?
My husband got into CrossFit through a corporate challenge about three years ago and was instantly hooked. It helped his back pain tremendously the longer he stuck with it. He begged me for a year to come try it. I responded that I was too broken with my old knee injury, my current back pain, and the fact that I had let myself go as far as true fitness. I had the stigma that you already had to be a rock star to partake in CrossFit. (Boy was I wrong!!!) I noticed that at 32 years old I was unable to keep up with my kids. I didn’t want to be a young, but broken mother already. I started with diet, cutting out, but not eliminating, a lot of sugar and carbs. Somehow, he convinced me to meet with a coach one on one, start slowly with personal training and go through a proper rehab for my knee and back in the attached PT clinic. It was slow and tedious at first. I put a lot of boring core work and knee exercises in at first, but I noticed something; my pain was less and less with each week. I started slowly taking the CrossFit classes, scaling the weight, intensity, and reps (as most people do). Slowly but surely during the next few months, pounds started melting away. I got stronger, and the old competitive athlete in me started to surface. After about six months it started to become a normal routine, and I wanted more of this feeling.
How has CrossFit and that type of training allowed you to expand your fitness regimen? You are ripped and have abs. Not many people can achieve that in general, let alone following a major injury. Is it a discipline that is designed to push you past your limits and also ignite your sense of competition?
It’s funny, I started because I wanted to lose weight and help my pain. Now, it’s morphed into a lifelong journey of fitness and health and I want to be strong and healthy above all else. The sense of community I’ve developed is unrivaled and key! You push each other in a competitive teamwork kind of way, root for each other and become true friends with the people you work out with in CrossFit. I simply kept showing up, putting the work in to the best of my ability, working with the nutrition counselor twice a month, participated in a year-long program call Precision Nutrition Coaching and continue to work with my coach one on one weekly. They definitely push you farther than your own brain will, but they also have a wonderful knowledge and balance of what safe limits are. I want to mention that diet has been really crucial to this journey. I have realized that one cannot out work a poor diet. Healthy fats and protein are really important. Eating fresh, whole foods when possible is important. And watching carbs and sugar is REALLY important. I do not count calories; that’s important for me personally, too. Staying dedicated and disciplined to a healthy diet will be a lifelong struggle, but it’s worth it. My main diet focus is making sure about 80 percent of what I eat is whole, fresh, and nutritious. I have lost 50 pounds, gained much strength not only physically, but immeasurable mental and emotional strength/health as well. The combination keeps me coming back and wanting more.
Has this change had a positive effect on your kids, not only in how you can interact with them physically also has your success showed that that hard work does in fact pay off. Plus, as a nurse, you’re having to go out and still work during this pandemic as an essential employee. Is its tough balancing your work and home responsibilities given that you want to help others, but you worry about what you might bring home?
I definitely have way more energy and oomph with my kids. I’d be bold to say I’m running circles around them now. This new fitness makes coaching their sports easier, playing with them more fun, and truly translates to making life in general more enjoyable. The kids aren’t drinking the CrossFit “juice” yet, but hopefully one day they will get it. I have noticed greater stamina in my job as a nurse. I’m lucky enough to only work part-time so I can keep a good family-work balance. They are constantly asking me to work more, but I know where my healthy boundaries are.
Given our current situation, has it been difficult to keep up your training regimen? Has it required a lot of flexibility in not only how you’re training, but what you’re training with while everyone waits for the go-ahead to get back into the gym? I imagine this period sank a lot of people’s budding training regimens and dedication (guilty here), so was it more difficult mentally or physically to push through at home?
This current crisis has confirmed how important the community is for motivation and accountability. It’s been way harder to get things done on my own, I’ve had to change my routine way around with the kids being home needing constant schoolwork help and eating like college football players. My health is so important to me now though, that I’ve pushed through and kept moving. My coach has been reaching out regularly, giving me personalized programming, and I’m also keeping in touch with the nutrition counselor via telephone, so those things help. I can’t wait to get back in the gym, though. I cannot stress the importance of community enough. I would never have said that before, but I’m living proof.
