Here, we want to share stories about people who use functional fitness to stay ready for their main sport. About people who need to be fit for their jobs. About mothers who keep training during pregnancy and return to training after giving birth. And about people living with medical conditions who, thanks to training, manage their symptoms better.
Today, Carina shares her personal experience with CrossFit & Endometriosis—and how training has noticeably improved her everyday life.
ABOUT CARINA
- Experience: CrossFit for approx. 2.5 years
- Background: Endometriosis — training with individual scaling
- Focus: Consistent training, day-to-day adjustments
- Support: Coaching & community at CrossFit 40477
WHAT IS ENDOMETRIOSIS?
In short: Endometriosis is a chronic condition in which endometrium-like tissue grows outside the uterus. This can cause inflammation, pain, adhesions, and may affect fertility.
- Common signs: severe period pain, pelvic/lower back pain, fatigue; sometimes gastrointestinal or urinary symptoms.
- Diagnosis & treatment: based on medical history, imaging and, if needed, surgical assessment; management may include medication/hormonal therapy, physiotherapy, or surgery—depending on symptoms.
Important: Symptoms vary widely from person to person. Please seek medical advice to determine what’s appropriate for you.
CrossFit and Endometriosis — how training changed my everyday life (a personal experience)
Before I started CrossFit, my daily life was heavily shaped by endometriosis and pain. Sometimes it was so intense that I couldn’t leave bed for days. I spent many hours in the emergency room; my social life suffered, and I often missed work.
After a longer break from sports, I began looking for ways to do something for myself again. I often read that CrossFit was “too intense” for women with endometriosis. Doctors also suggested “gentler” activities like yoga. But I wanted something that challenged me physically, gave me mental strength—and was fun. Looking back, I’m grateful I signed up for a trial class.
From the very start at CrossFit 40477, everything was tailored to me: the coaches offered scaling options that matched my level and my day-to-day form. If I couldn’t do jump rope at first, it was never a problem—there was always an alternative. This openness and support—even from the male coaches—helped me tremendously.
Over time I noticed changes in my body: the pain became less limiting, my capacity increased, and illness-related absences became far less frequent. Today, almost 2.5 years later, I don’t have to cancel workouts even on period days. On the contrary—I look forward to class, enjoy training, and can take part in other activities as normal.
For me, that’s a huge gain in quality of life. Mentally, it means a lot to know my body isn’t only capable of producing pain—it’s capable of great performances. CrossFit showed me I’m stronger than I thought, and that there’s always a way to move, no matter the starting point.
I’m incredibly grateful to CrossFit 40477 and my coaches for this gain in quality of life. 🫶🏻❤️ CrossFit has become a fixed part of my free time. And the community doesn’t just help with physical challenges—it lifts me up when things are tough mentally. I wouldn’t want to miss that. So if you’re wondering whether CrossFit is right for you, my advice is: just try it—there’s nothing to lose here.
Note: This is my personal experience and not medical advice. If you have endometriosis, please speak with your physician about what’s right for you.
You can find more inspiring stories in our Member Stories. If you have questions about getting started or about individual modifications, talk to us in coaching—we’re here to support you.