Marita Ford, otherwise known as “Coach Rita,” began her CrossFit journey in late 2014 at the age of 49, when some of her running friends told her about this cool place where you get a full body workout in a small setting with personal coaching – and have fun.

She had been in training for her second full marathon when she decided one day to drop in to the “Box” at Default CrossFit and take a class. Coach Rita had gone to regular gyms for years but realized this was something totally different and the challenges intrigued her. From that day on she was hooked. Not only were the workouts different each day, which kept things interesting, but the people there slowly became her family. She started setting fitness goals, many of which she has achieved (except those darn muscle ups!).

In 2018, she went on to get her Level I certificate as a CrossFit Trainer and has continued as a coach at Default.  She has competed in several local competitions and enjoys competing in the CrossFit Open each year. She also continues to take online classes to enhance her coaching skills. To date, she has completed the Scaling, Spotting the Flaw and Teaching the Master Athlete courses.

Rita is now the proud owner of Default Fitness. She has three children, ages 27, 24 and 22.  When she isn’t working or working out, she likes to hang with her kids, cook and garden.