My Fitness Journey
Erin Dalzell
When young, fitness seemed easy, with a fast metabolism and always a sport to participate in. But as I got older, became a family man, and got a desk job as a programmer, everything changed, and I needed a way to stay fit without having to think too much about how to do it.
My fitness journey began at a young age; I immersed myself in the world of sports. Starting with soccer, I played for over a decade and eventually won the league cup. Gymnastics soon followed, taking me to the Western Canadian Championships, where I proudly won a bronze in pommel horse. In high school, I embraced every sport I could—wrestling, long jump, triple jump, high jump, volleyball, golf, racquetball, squash, tennis, and badminton. Sports were my life.
University brought changes. With a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Victoria, my sports participation naturally declined. I kept up with gymnastics for a while and discovered Ultimate Frisbee, a sport I fell in love with and played for ten years, helping to establish the Surrey Ultimate League.
Despite my active past, I never stepped foot in a gym until much later. My activity level dropped once I began working as a developer in the Vancouver startup scene. I still thought of myself as fit and athletic, playing Ultimate and practicing Hapkido (a Korean Martial Art), but I was doing less and less, especially after starting a family. Even with a gym membership, I found myself lost—wandering around, doing bits of this and that without a clear plan, and seeing no real results.
My boss, a dedicated CrossFit enthusiast, had been urging me to join for years. I resisted, believing I was still in shape. But one day, I had a moment of truth and realized I needed more. I joined CrossFit and have been dedicated for the past twelve years. However, with a busy family life, making it to scheduled classes was challenging. I returned to the gym, but again, I didn’t know what to do.
I tried several fitness apps, but they all fell short. They were either follow-along workouts or lacked a cohesive, long-term plan. I needed something flexible and adaptable to my energy levels, especially with my chronic fatigue issues.
This is when I, along with Adnan and David, decided to create something better—Glazed.
Glazed transformed my fitness routine. Now, I can go to the gym whenever it suits my schedule and choose from Beginner, Intermediate, or Advanced daily workouts based on how I feel. Each exercise is part of a comprehensive, long-term plan that complements my CrossFit regimen. Thanks to Glazed, I've exercised consistently and seen incredible results as I approach 50. Consistent workouts have not only improved my physical fitness but have also kept me focused and mentally strong.