Redemption in Motion: Why We Keep Showing Up

Some moments shift everything.
For me, it was standing inside the same prison gym my husband once trained in—pulling a 280 lb deadlift while men on the inside cheered me on.
That’s when I knew this wasn’t just about fitness.
This was healing.
This was homecoming.

RF2 stands for Redemption Road Fitness Foundation (R and F squared—RF2). It’s a nonprofit that brings CrossFit and community into Colorado prisons, with the mission of reducing recidivism through fitness, mentorship, purpose, and connection.

We are so grateful for the full support of CrossFit Headquarters. Through their partnership, we’re able to:

• Maintain CrossFit-affiliated gyms inside multiple Colorado prisons

• Provide annual scholarships that fund professional credentialing for currently and formerly incarcerated individuals

• Receive tickets each year to attend the CrossFit Games

• Work with HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off), led by five-time Games champion Mat Fraser, to program the workouts for our fundraising competitions

It’s not just about lifting weights.
It’s about lifting lives.
Because as long as there is breath in your lungs, redemption is possible.

Men and women inside prison train with RF2. They have the opportunity to earn their Level 1 or Level 2 CrossFit certification, giving them the tools to teach professionally once they’re released.

It’s about giving people a second chance before they ever leave—a sense of direction, a chance to believe they are more than their past.
It’s also a space where they can perfect their craft and take ownership of their growth.

My husband Taylor isn’t the founder of RF2, but he serves as its Vice President, alongside a full board that includes individuals who began their journey while still incarcerated. Having spent over a decade inside himself, his role is deeply personal. He understands the impact firsthand.
So do I.

Every time we walk into a prison with RF2, something sacred happens.

In February, I stepped into the gym at Sterling Correctional Facility—the very place where Taylor once trained.
That day, I pulled a 280 lb deadlift with the support and encouragement of dozens of men still serving time.
I can still hear their voices cheering me on.
In that moment, the separation between “us” and “them” disappeared.
We were just people—fighting for something bigger than ourselves.

In May, we visited Limon Correctional Facility and took part in a hero workout with the men there. We pushed through reps, rounds, and sweat side-by-side.
Just recently, we visited Skyline Correctional Center and connected with yet another group of athletes behind the walls.

The impact is never small.

Each visit reminds me: these people matter.
Their stories matter.
Their strength, resilience, and growth deserve to be seen.

This weekend, we’re hosting a WOD Fest and fundraiser, where our larger CrossFit and recovery communities will come together in support of RF2.

The funds raised go directly toward helping incarcerated participants gain professional credentials like their L1 and L2, providing transitional services for reentry, and ensuring that our volunteers have the support they need to continue showing up and expanding this mission.

And at the end of this month, we’ll head to the CrossFit Games in New York.
Not just to witness greatness—but to represent the ones who aren’t allowed to be there yet.

This blog is where I’ll share the stories that don’t always make it to social media.
The unseen moments.
The people we’ve grown to love.
The redemption we’ve witnessed firsthand.

Because RF2 isn’t just about fitness.
It’s about transformation—
and the stories that rise from the deepest places when you believe in someone long enough.

M