"We are all from different walks of life and may have not met each other outside of the box, but once we step foot in the door, we are all part of the same family."
One month before the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games Open, Michelle Brandt had surgery to remove an ovarian cyst. Three weeks later, she was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.
“When registration started for the Open, I had just started some of the testing for my thyroid, and was recovering from what was my first-ever surgery, a removal of an ovarian cyst,” she says. “I received the diagnosis of metastatic thyroid cancer the week before the Open started, and was still debating about registering. But on March 6, I decided to go for it and sign up.”
Despite the diagnosis, she went on to finish 13.1, 13.2 and 13.3 at CrossFit X2 in Bend, Ore. She snuck in this week’s workout on Wednesday night, just hours before she went into thyroid surgery. She finished the walls balls in just under seven minutes, and the double-unders at 8:45. Although she can do bar muscle-ups, she couldn’t lock out on the rings.
“She worked so hard to get it,” Carrie Coe, head coach at CrossFit X2, says.
Brandt has been doing CrossFit for two years. As a former competitive gymnast and Division 1 diver at the University of North Carolina, she quickly caught on to the functional movements and competitive workouts.
“The Open last year definitely pushed me into becoming more serious about CrossFit,” she says.
Coe appreciates Brandt’s good attitude in the gym.
“Since joining CrossFit X2, Michelle has taught all of us the meaning of hard work, proper form and having fun. When Michelle is in class, she seems to push everyone to do just a little bit more, step beyond their comfort zone and try a little harder,” Coe says.
On Wednesday, many were cheering her on as she worked through 13.3. Her mother, father and sister were on the sidelines, as well.
"Michelle hasn't let the cancer get her down; she is determined to beat it," her mother, Alix Dieter, says.
The doctors say she will be in recovery from surgery for the next six to 12 weeks. Although it won’t be easy, she intends to finish the Open by putting in at least one rep on 13.4 and 13.5.
When she’s ready, her box will be waiting for her.
“We all want to do everything we can for her while she recovers … In such a short time, we have all grown to respect, admire and love her,” Coe says.
“I must say that everyone in my box, CrossFit X2, has been amazingly wonderful and supportive,” Brandt says. “They have gone above and beyond to help support and motivate me during this difficult time. I have been involved in a lot of different activities and sports in my life, but never have I grown so close, so quickly … We are all from different walks of life and may have not met each other outside of the box, but once we step foot in the door, we are all part of the same family."
