Outside of work, I spend most of my time either making art or at the gym. In my first blog post, I wrote about the intersection of coding and art. In this post, I want to talk about how being an athlete (lowercase a :) ) has helped me navigate my journey into software engineering.

Keep in mind, I’m writing this in the early weeks of my first job search as a software developer. If you’re in a similar position—feeling stuck, in need of a little motivation—I see you! This blog post is for you. <3

Wait—It’s Not What You Think!

I’m learning that how you approach fitness and how you approach job applications have a lot in common. This blog post is about my learnings, but first things first…

I go to a CrossFit gym.

HEAR ME OUT! Whatever you think about CrossFit, suspend your beliefs! Embody a new perspective! It’ll be fun. :)

I myself entered the CrossFit space with zero preconceived notions. I didn’t realize the sport had a bit of a bad reputation—some of it deserved, some of it not. If you are also unaware and want to learn more about common critiques of CrossFit, I recommend listening to this episode of 99% Invisible where gym owner Maillard Howell shares his insights on common critiques throughout the interview.

So, What is CrossFit?

CrossFit is functional fitness.

Okay, but what does that mean?

The concept of functional fitness is based on training movements that mimic real-life activities, like lifting, pushing, and pulling. Podcast host Roman Mars puts it best: “Functional fitness is about what your body can achieve, not what it looks like.”

Say I’m hiking (as I often do), and one day, I slip off a ledge. Functional fitness gives me the skills AND confidence to pull myself up to safety (AKA, perform a pull-up). An extreme example? Sure. But even on a day-to-day basis, the benefits are obvious. Living in a city without a car, carrying my groceries home has gotten significantly easier over time, 100% due to the work I put in at CrossFit.

The Cult(ure)

One common critique of CrossFit is its cult-like nature. And, okay, fair—CrossFit definitely has a CULTure. It varies from gym to gym, but the core principles are the same. And honestly? This culture is exactly what makes it so valuable to me. Since starting CrossFit two years ago, I feel that my athleticism has improved minimally, but my life has improved drastically.

Of all the lessons I’ve learned from the CrossFit cult, two stand out:

The Rule of Thirds
Slow is Steady, and Steady is Fast

The Rule of Thirds: Embracing the Struggle

“When you're chasing a big goal, you're supposed to feel good a third of the time, okay a third of the time, and crappy a third of the time... and if the ratio is roughly in that range, then you're doing fine.”

This is a quote from Olympic athlete Alexi Pappas, recounting advice from her coach. This concept is similar to the 80/20 rule and both are shared time and time again in CrossFit and CrossFit adjacent spaces.

The Rule of Thirds reminds me that it’s not about being perfect. It’s actually impossible to give 100% effort all the time. More importantly, the rule reframes those inevitable unsatisfying moments. Whenever I have an "unproductive" day despite my best efforts, this rule helps me shift my perspective. Instead of resenting those moments, I see them as part of the process.

If I weren’t experiencing all three thirds, it would mean I wasn’t showing up. And if I’m not showing up, I’m not making meaningful progress. Reminding myself of this mindset has been a game-changer in my job search (I like to think my job search experience is currently being front-loaded with the crappy third, so I'll be happy to have it over with later on)!

The Power of Slow Progress

“Slow is steady, and steady is fast.”

This principle is all about consistency. Rushing through a workout leads to burnout or injury. The same applies to life. If I had rushed my first job search out of college and taken the first offer I got, I would have ended up with shitty pay in an industry I now know I have no interest in.

Taking the time to be intentional led me to my dream job.

Relearning How to Job Hunt

My first job search out of college was obnoxiously easy. I had a four-year degree from a phenomenal institution that directly aligned with my industry. I applied to fewer than 20 jobs, heard back from all five of my top choices, and got three offers. My job search barely took 3 months.

I’m not saying all this to brag. I’m saying this to illustrate how poorly equipped I feel in my current job search as a woman in tech with a certification from a 15-week bootcamp in a very different job economy. Without the validation of a traditional degree, applying to jobs has felt intimidating. There are so many roles with so many tech stacks, and none seem to align with the four languages I worked so hard to learn in just a few weeks.

But that’s where CrossFit’s lessons come in. Notice what I said earlier: fitness gives me the skill and confidence to pull myself up to safety. Progress isn’t just about incrementally unlocking new physical abilities—it’s about overcoming mental barriers. In my fitness journey, every new skill came only after I (with the help of my coaches) confronted the voices in my head saying, I’m not athletic. I can’t do that. The only way to prove those voices wrong was to do the movement anyway. Then, do it again. And again. And again. Until one day, I wasn’t just athletic. I was an athlete.

The ability to push past self-doubt is a skill in itself—one that strengthens your foundation for growth in the gym, in your career— everywhere.

Your Secret Weapon…

My final note—somewhat related to lessons from CrossFit— is on community. An essay I love and return to again and again comes to mind as I’m writing this. In her essay "Wear Sunscreen", Mary Schmich writes: “Your choices are half chance.”

What about the other half?

I believe it’s hard work. No successful person got to where they are without putting in A LOT of effort. At the same time, no one can honestly say, “Nothing was ever handed to me.” Everything that happens is a result of the friction that exists between us and every other atom in this world. Okay? Okay.

Reeling it back in: My point is that whether you ask for help or not, you can’t do this alone. To get a job, someone has to interview you. Simple as that. We depend on others whether we like to admit it or not, and once we accept that fact? We can actually learn to enjoy the ways in which we depend on one another.

For example, I never went to the gym to find community, but by showing up consistently, I found that regardless of whether or not I engaged with people, the community at my gym holds me accountable and cheers me on, reminding me how meaningful each of my accomplishments truly is— all this without my ever asking. Trust me when I say I know that people can be frustrating, but more often than not, they are kind-hearted and do want to help. Once I started engaging with people at the gym, I found a lot more joy in being part of the community.

So take that power into your hands: Surround yourself with community even if it doesn’t feel good at first. Reach out to people. Ask for help. People will either be happy to assist or polite in saying no. At worst, they won’t respond. And in that case? Life happens. Think about how many times you’ve forgotten to reply to someone, not out of malice, but because you were busy. No one is entitled to anyone’s time, and taking a no-response or rejection personally just doesn’t make sense.

Surround yourself with community not just to ask for favors, but for ALL the benefits—especially those reminders to rest. If you’re currently completely unemployed (like me! help!), make sure to surround yourself with more community than just professional contacts. You can’t apply to jobs 24/7. So get outside or go to the gym. DAILY.

And if you need a little motivation, just remember:

Slow is steady. Steady is fast.

You got this!

TLDR:

Work on applications consistently at a pace you know you can sustain— figuring out what this pace is will be the hardest part.
Work in spite of your self-doubts— doing so will help you get in touch with your intuition which will also will help you figure out an appropriate pace for YOU
Finally, seek out joy, comfort, and rest in community— this part is crucial. It’s non-negotiable!

Fitness & Finding Work: Motivation for Job Seekers 🏋🏻‍♀️