AOTM - Ariana Evans
Mel McCamley • June 19, 2025
🏋️♀️ Congratulations to Ariana, Annapolis' Athlete of the Month! 🌟
We’re excited to spotlight Ariana, a committed and inspiring member of our 12 Labours CrossFit community! From early morning workouts to passion-driven work outside the gym, Ariana brings the same level of dedication and energy to every part of life.
A quick Google search was all it took to discover 12 Labours after moving to Annapolis in June 2021. Already familiar with CrossFit, Ariana quickly felt at home thanks to the welcoming staff and strong community vibe. Getting started was seamless—and the rest is history.
You’ll often catch her crushing it at either the 6:30 AM or 3:30 PM class, proving that discipline and routine make all the difference.
A big fan of power cleans and kipping pull-ups, Ariana thrives on dynamic movements that combine power and technique. And the next goal? Knocking a bar muscle-up (BMU) off the bucket list!
Since joining, she has built up strength and now confidently knocks out strict pull-ups and regular push-ups—major wins that speak to her hard work and perseverance.
“The people, the coaches, and the programming,” Ariana says without hesitation.
“12 Labours constantly reminds me of my limits—and then pushes me to break them.”
It’s that kind of mindset that keeps this community strong and motivated.
“CrossFit isn’t about being perfect. You don’t need to be fit to start—you start to get fit,” Ariana adds.
“Everyone is at their own level, and the community is super supportive. They’ll help you find your pace.”
When Ariana isn’t working out, life stays full and adventurous. A physical therapist at a senior living community by profession, she also enjoys traveling, crabbing and fishing with her husband, running a side business donating eggs, and caring for a small farm of animals.
Congratulations, Ariana!
Your dedication, positive energy, and commitment to growth embody everything we strive for at 12 Labours. Keep crushing your goals—we can’t wait to celebrate that first BMU with you!
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The 12 Labours Special Olympics program is more than just a CrossFit class. This program provides unique opportunities for individuals with special needs to maintain, gain, and challenge their mental and physical capabilities. Through our targeted skills and programming, we strive to improve and assist in their lifelong battle for increased and long-lasting independence. Over the past 3 years, our program has focused on increasing each athlete's strength, endurance, coordination, cardio, and neuromuscular performance. All of our athletes have made great strides in each area. The coaches and members have celebrated new PRs; ranging from independent sit-ups to lifting very impressive barbell numbers. The Columbia district has recently implemented performance tracking for each athlete's Olympic lifts (Squats, Power Cleans, Snatches, and Deadlifts) and introduced some higher-level skills. The athletes have surpassed our expectations with their abilities in new skills such as wall walks and jumping rope! The past 2 years, the Columbia class members have completed the CrossFit Open workouts as a group in the beginning of the year and have demonstrated an increase in independence and improvement in their skills. They again stepped up to the challenge of and exceeded expectations in the Community Cup. As the athletes continue to demonstrate overall improvement and capability with new skills; we will continue to introduce additional higher-level skills. Several of the athletes have turned their sights to officially competing in the Open workouts as individuals next year. Come check them out on Monday and Wednesday nights at the Columbia District. We look forward to continuing our work with these amazing athletes and are excited for the continued success yet to come! - Elizabeth Gilbert M.S. CCC-SLP, CF-L1, ATA
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We’re excited to highlight Wade as our Athlete of the Month! Wade joined 12 Labours in early 2025 after some convincing from longtime member Dillon Posten. At first, CrossFit felt a bit intimidating — new movements, a new environment — but the community quickly made him feel at home. He credits the Foundations course with Mel for helping him get up to speed and build confidence early on. These days, you’ll catch Wade at either the 5:30 AM or 4:30 PM classes, throwing down in Olympic lifts and long workouts — two of his favorites. His current goal is to master double unders, and long-term, he’s eyeing his first CrossFit competition. He recently completed a Hyrox event in May and has another lined up in September, which he says he couldn’t have done without 12 Labours. What Wade loves most? “Easy — the people.” The support from coaches and members alike keeps him motivated. His advice to anyone on the fence about starting: “Just do it. There’s something for everyone, and the coaches will help you scale anything so you can succeed safely.” Outside the gym, Wade is a project manager, a proud dad to his son Jett, and spends his free time riding motocross, mountain biking, snowboarding, hunting, or filming with his camera. His personal motto, courtesy of a doctor after a major injury? “Motion is lotion.” Congrats, Wade — we’re lucky to have you in the 12L crew!
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