AOTM - Brittany Yannuzzi

Congrats to Jill Stinson for receiving AOTM for May! Jill joined 12 Labours after having multiple pregnancy losses and needed something to get back into an exercising routine to feel strong again. Jill had considered joining CrossFit and found 12 Labours closest to her, once she took the first class it helped her realize truly how strong she was! "It was intimidating initially walking in the doors, but the coaches are so kind, knowledgeable and helpful in finding the right option for you and where YOU are at. This allowed me to focus on myself and my goals, while also supporting others." Jill is a physical therapist full-time and regularly attends the 5:30pm class. Her biggest goal right now is to do a strict pull-up and is improving on headstands (thanks for Erin and Sunday yoga). Her favorite 12 Labours memory is Resolution Games 2025, and enjoys the friendships built and daily laughs. Jill thrives off of the community at 12 Labours and encouragement from the coaching staff and other athletes. "That’s what makes it so wonderful. Even on your hardest day everyone is cheering you on, and pushing you to be your best self. This place is truly a community I never had before!" Jills advice to anyone hesitant to start is to do the hard thing, because it will 100% be worth it. Don’t compare yourself to others, you are on your own journey and showing up each day is a win. Congrats Jill!

On October 1, 2024, we launched something truly special at 12 Labours Annapolis: the Silver Lions—a fitness program designed specifically for adults aged 55 and up. We kicked things off with a small but mighty crew of six athletes, all in their 60s and 70s. With a rich mix of life experience, personalities, and fitness backgrounds, this group is both inspiring and interesting and brings something special to our gym community. The Silver Lions program is grounded in CrossFit’s proven methodology and supported by the latest research on aging and physical fitness. Here's what we know: Staying active later in life isn't just about fitness - it's about living well. Older adults who train regularly report a higher quality of life, fewer falls, and lower rates of diabetes, heart disease, stroke, hypertension and cancer. Many effects of aging can actually be reversed with consistent training. That's why we prioritize weightlifting, strength and mobility. Research shows elite older athletes outlive their non-athletic peers. Injury prevention matters: rotator cuff tears are the most common issues among older athletes, so we're smart and cautious with overhead movements. Perhaps most importantly, the social connection is a huge motivator for the community. The friendships built here are just as powerful as the workouts We started slow and steady. Then week by week, they surprised us. They got stronger, moved faster, and pushed harder. So, we put more weight on the bars, increased the wall ball weight, and added height to the step-ups. They’ve done it all—deadlifts, push-ups, front squats, thrusters, burpees. They even crushed “Silver” Fran (21-15-9 DB thrusters to a box + ring rows), and everyone came in under 7 minutes! Eight months in, the impact is undeniable: “We thought we’d have to sell the house because stairs were getting too hard. But now? I can take the steps with ease—we’re staying put.” “We emptied our parents' house—moved furniture, lifted boxes—and kept saying, ‘Thank God for CrossFit. We’d be dying if we hadn’t started.’” This crew never backs down from a challenge—and let’s just say, bench press day, things get a little spicy with friendly competition. They inspire us every single day. They’ve taught us that aging is just another chapter—and with the right mindset and support, you can meet it head-on and come out stronger. The truth is: we never stop becoming a better version of ourselves. Join us. Be bold. Be strong. Be a Silver Lion.