Failure is not an option

By Kelsey Butler '13 '14
Published Monday, Sept. 16, 2013

We all live by some sort of motto in life. Steph Hammerman '12, who graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, says her motto is part of who she is.  “Failure is not an option,” says Steph who was born with Cerebral Palsy  (CP).  She believes that everyone is as capable as they choose to be. 

Looking through photos following her freshman year of college, Steph decided it was time to make some life changes.  Working out on her own three times a week just was not cutting it anymore, so she hired a personal trainer.  Before her college days had timed out she had even completed the 26.2 mile Palm Beaches Marathon using a hand cycle.  After completing such a great accomplishment, there was no stopping her.

According to Steph's college blog, she first tried CrossFit, a core strength and conditioning program, on May 4, 2012, and there is no pulling her away from it now.  Steph has become the first certified female CrossFit trainer with CP.  “There is no reason in this world that people have to say they can’t do something.” 

She does not wake up feeling sorry for herself that she has Cerebral Palsy. In fact it is something she is proud of.  “I do not suffer from a disease and my different abilities do not impact my life in a negative way,” Steph stated in an MPower interview.  Steph has been the inspiration for many people with CP to work out and try CrossFit. Even little kids with CP are giving CrossFit a shot, she says.

Once she completes her master's degree in 2014, Steph aspires to begin a career in fitness.  “I love watching people do things they never thought they could do – able bodied or not,” Steph said.  With hopes in 5-10 years to own her own fitness facility, Steph will make it a point to incorporate adaptive and non-adaptive athletes. 

Her goal is to open a facility where everyone feels welcome and comfortable, whether they are overweight, disabled or able bodied.  She hopes to create a close knit community much like Lynn, even though she says there is no place in the world quite like Lynn. 

The sky is the limit for this inspiring CrossFit trainer, because “Failure is not an option.”