Anyone that knew me before the 2008, would say, "Lisa? a weightlifter?!?" Even though I have always been active, pitching for the high school softball team, weightlifting was never a part of my regular workout routine. I was one of those girls that would go to the
typical globo gym and waste 30 minutes on a treadmill. Well at least that's what all the magazines called "exercise".
It wasn't until I met Mike Bledsoe and Doug Larson at Faction until my life was changed forever. "Me?!? Lift weights?? NO WAY I don't want to get big!!" That's exactly how I felt when I started Crossfit. "Do these guys really know what they're doing?" I decided to give it a try....and 4 years later my life is truly changed forever.
With the training from Doug and Mike at Faction, I have exceeded many goals and my body has been forever transformed. Crossfit's unique training always kept things interesting for me, and challenged me to reach new goals every time I walked through the door.
I went from never touching weights in my life, to nearly perfecting my form in Olympic weightlifting. I also enjoy powerlifting and have competed in several powerlifting meets, reaching new PR's every time. I am very thankful for the lifestyle change that Crossfit has brought into my life.
Mike McGoldrick "McG"
Hockey player for 10 years, skated for 4 years with the MTSU Blue Raiders. Has been CrossFitting for 3 years and competing for 2. Now trains and coaches out of Faction Strength and Conditioning/CrossFit Memphis.
Monica
I came to Faction with long distance running goals. I started in May 2011, with aspirations of running 15 miles by September; in order to compete in a 30 mile ride and tie. A ride and tie is a competition that involves one horse and two people that alternate between running and riding down the trail.
Throughout the summer my coach, Mike Bledsoe, had me learning the Pose method of running in addition to the standard Crossfit workouts. My partner trained with a more traditional approach, which unfortunately resulted in a stress fracture three weeks prior to the competition. Regardless, the weekend of the race I went to Stankey Creek and tested myself.
I ran 15 miles and it did not hurt! Actually, I felt invincible so I kept going another two and a half miles for good measure. Totally obliterating my goal has motivated me unlike anything else. Now, I want to push my limits and with Faction’s support I have no doubt that I can achieve any athletic ambition I chose.
Shepherd
I began my fitness journey in August of 2010 at Faction Strength and Conditioning. After ending my collegiate baseball career at the University of Memphis, I knew I had to find a similar way to stay physically fit that had the same competitive aura I had fallen in love with from my years of playing sports and doing workouts in a team
atmosphere. Crossfit was the answer. Not only did it push me physically, but it pushed the boundaries of the mental limitations I had set for myself.
Faction is not just a gym but a community. If there is one thing I have learned during my time here, it would be that fitness and life in general are both constantly evolving processes, there is no standstill. And, in life, only by taking the time to better those around you can you better yourself. I think that the community here has this in spades. It is a community that will hold you accountable to your goals when others will not. It is a community that will go out of its way to make you the person you want to become.
Shereen
I have been a member of Faction Strength and Conditioning since September of 2010. Prior to Crossfit, I played lacrosse, soccer, and intramural sports in college, and ran long distance until a fateful knee injury during a kickball game.
I joined the fundamentals program in September after 3 months of physical therapy for the knee surgery I had in April 2010. I came to the first class for two reasons; first, I was curious about Crossfit and hungered for challenging physical activity, and second, because I wanted to date the guy who convinced me to come.
Within my first year, I seized the opportunity to participate in the Crossfit Open, and was then invited to compete with the Faction team at the Crossfit Regional competition in Columbus, OH. My competitive spirit got ahold of me, and nearly one year after joining Faction, I competed in the Faction games.
It’s hard to believe that a year before that I had gone as a spectator and left feeling inadequate, weak, and of the mindset that I could never do what those athletes could do. Today, I am accomplishing more in my fitness, diet, and lifestyle than I could have ever imagined. It goes to show that “if we did all the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves [Thomas Edison].”
Hockey player for 10 years, skated for 4 years with the MTSU Blue Raiders. Has been CrossFitting for 3 years and competing for 2. Now trains and coaches out of Faction Strength and Conditioning/CrossFit Memphis. 
I came to Faction with long distance running goals. I started in May 2011, with aspirations of running 15 miles by September; in order to compete in a 30 mile ride and tie. A ride and tie is a competition that involves one horse and two people that alternate between running and riding down the trail.
I began my fitness journey in August of 2010 at Faction Strength and Conditioning. After ending my collegiate baseball career at the University of Memphis, I knew I had to find a similar way to stay physically fit that had the same competitive aura I had fallen in love with from my years of playing sports and doing workouts in a team
I joined the fundamentals program in September after 3 months of physical therapy for the knee surgery I had in April 2010. I came to the first class for two reasons; first, I was curious about Crossfit and hungered for challenging physical activity, and second, because I wanted to date the guy who convinced me to come.