From D1 to Mom of 3: Laura Durfee’s Still in the Game
Meet Laura Durfee, powerhouse. Laura is a mom of three and Speech-Language Pathologist who somehow manages to balance early morning workouts with the joyful chaos of raising three boys. A Long Island native, she moved to Maryland for college, played Division I lacrosse at Towson, and later earned her Master's at Loyola. Now settled in Sykesville with her husband Russ, she brings her amazing energy to everything she does, whether it's chasing kids, seeking out the next thrill, or vibing at the beach. We especially love when Laura brings her positivity to the 5:30am class - it's one of our favorite ways to start the day!
Since joining Blackbird CrossFit (thanks to a well-timed push from fellow Blackbird Bianca), Laura has found more than just a fitness routine, she's found a community that fuels her. From crushing the cardio to pushing herself at Friday Night Lights and competitions, she shows up with heart, hustle, and humor. CrossFit has not only helped her rediscover the competitive edge she thrived on as an athlete, but also inspired a mindset shift: consistency and progress over perfection. Whether it's burpees or box jumps, Laura embraces the challenge and her biggest win, simply being present, prioritizing her health, and setting a strong example for her boys. Meet Laura...
Tell us about yourself.
Hi! My name is Laura Durfee and I'm 39 years old. I'm a former D1 lacrosse player from Towson who earned her Master's at Loyola and currently works as Speech-Language Pathologist for
HCPSS, where I am just trying my best to balance my career with the lively chaos of being a full-time mom to three boys, Danny (8), Chris (6), and Nick (2). I share all of this fun with my husband, Russ, a proud former Blackbird goer. I'm originally from Long Island, New York, but have been living in Maryland since college.
What was the turning point that led you to CrossFit? What keeps you coming back to Blackbird week after week?
I've got to give credit where credit is due, our girl, B! I moved to Sykesville from the city, where I was surrounded by amazing friends who were the perfect balance of social and fit. Once I moved to the burbs, I was craving that same type of energy and those Merritt classes weren't cutting it. I distinctly remember sitting on my couch one Sunday night and Bianca texting me basically telling me to be at the 5:30am class the next morning. I'm so glad I didn't have much time between heading to bed and waking up to change my mind about going. What keeps me coming back week after week, the community and the friends I've met along the way! Oh, and of course, the fitness.
Can you share a specific instance where CrossFit has challenged you in a positive way? What did you learn from it?
CrossFit has really pushed me to try movements I never would have attempted outside of BBCF. As someone who's definitely not a gymnast, tackling various gymnastic movements has been a significant challenge and certainly outside my comfort zone. Even so, it's been incredibly rewarding and fun to just give them a go. I'm slowly learning to care less about epic fails and more about just trying. Sure, I still have those moments where my brain screams "nope!", but I'm (with Meeks? help) getting better at squashing the negative self-talk and just trusting the process.
What is your favorite memory or experience from the gym?
Honestly, it's tough to pick just one, but the big ones that come to mind are my first competition with Girls Gone Rx, our annual Murph on Memorial Day, the Open and Friday Night Lights, and our recent in-house competition in 2023. These events still give me the "nervous-butterflies", but I absolutely love participating thanks to the incredible community and of course, the social events that always follow! And speaking of community, "The Bird Cage" era (when we worked out on concrete in the blazing heat with streamed workouts and lent equipment). This time of life was tough AF, but also a time where I would have been lost without BBCF. I mean Matt literally built individual equipment holders on wheels so we could easily move barbells and weights outside each day to meet COVID regulations!
What is your favorite CrossFit movement, lift, or WOD? Least favorite?
True confession - I'm a CrossFit enthusiast who's secretly a cardio fiend. Running, burpees, box jumps, wall balls, rope climbs, yes, please! I also have a soft spot for heavy dumbbells, split jerks, push press and dare I say it, thrusters. Just no snatches, OHS, or deadlifts and T2B is my favorite frenemy.
What do you enjoy the most about Blackbird or CrossFit in general?
Honestly, it sounds cliche, but what I love most about Blackbird is the community. The vibe, the people, it's all just top-notch. As for CrossFit generally, CrossFit totally scratches my itch for that competitive, team, D1 athlete intensity I used to thrive on. So yeah, those "I'd love to be a Pilates girl, but I'm not chill" memes, totally me, which is why CrossFit fits the mold.
Can you share a specific health improvement or positive change in your life that you attribute to CrossFit?
CrossFit and the BBCF community completely transformed my mental mindset; now I live by "something is better than nothing" and am often amazed by what I accomplish just by showing up.
I'm also so grateful my boys get to see their mom prioritize health and fitness. They're so curious about CrossFit, and I truly hope seeing its positive impact inspires them to pursue their own fitness journeys.
What are your CrossFit goals and how close are you to reaching them?
UGH! I want to string pull-ups and T2B for more than 5-7 reps at a time. I'd also love to learn butterfly pulls ups just because they are so damn pretty!
When you are not CrossFitting what is your favorite thing to do?
I'm rarely one to sit still! My world revolves around my three boys, which means lots of nights and weekends at practices and games, silly moments, dance parties, and late-night movie marathons. When it's just me, I love diving into crafts, cooking, DIY projects (especially organizing!), and, of course, escaping to the water - boat, beach or lake, I love it all.
What is one fun thing about you that we may not know yet?
I'm a total thrill-seeker who loves a good time, especially surrounded by people! If you ask me to do something, I very rarely say "no." Dinner and drinks, I'm in! A concert or trip - when do we leave? I've even been skydiving, so I think God knew exactly what He was doing when He gave me three boys!
What advice would you give to someone who is hesitant to try CrossFit?
Just show up (to the 5:30am class of course)! Seriously, that's the hardest part for most people, and it was for me too. Don't worry about
being "fit enough" or knowing all the movements, no one starts that way. The coaches are there to guide you, and the community is incredibly supportive. You'll surprise yourself with what you can do, and you'll quickly realize it's less about being a super athlete and more about showing up for yourself and having fun while getting stronger.
How has your approach to nutrition changed since starting CrossFit?
My nutrition journey is definitely a work in progress, one day I'm overindulging, the next I'm not eating enough! But things that I have changed over the years ? I've ditched the scale and simply gauge things more so on how I feel. I've leaned on HelloFresh and Factor meals for fitting healthy eating into our busy family routine. I've learned the importance of not skipping breakfast and fueling up with protein-packed meals throughout the day. My latest mission is figuring out how busy parents are supposed to squeeze in dinner between all of the daily practices and games!
What is your favorite workout fuel? What about your favorite indulgence?
I've never been one to eat before a workout. But, my go to fuel is definitely my pre-workout, which I rely on for energy, despite the fact that I am convinced it glows in the dark. I'm usually sipping on it in a child's size cup as I stroll into the 5:30am class at 5:32. I also love throwing LMNT into my water. My favorite indulgences - pizza, chips & queso, and of course jalapeno margaritas and grapefruit crushes!
Results? Tell us about your results!
I don't have exact numbers, but I can say that my biggest win at BBCF has been a positive improvement in my overall consistency and attendance. After three pregnancies, the recovery, postpartum, and lots and lots of sleep deprivation, just being back in the gym regularly feels like a huge accomplishment. With that consistency, I've definitely been able to hit some PR's and tap that Rx button more often. I'm still a work in progress, but it's a journey that I don't plan on giving up on anytime soon.
FREE WRITE: Is there anything you'd like to add about your CrossFit journey, the coaches, the community, or your experience at Blackbird?
I always wish I'd started CrossFit sooner, but I truly believe it's the Blackbird community that's kept me committed. This gym is unlike any other; I genuinely mean that. My younger self would've laughed at the idea of me willingly waking up to work out at 5:30am, especially since I'm a complete night owl. But I do it because it doesn't feel like "work" when you are surrounded by incredibly fun individuals. The coaches, the environment, the positivity, the perfect intensity at Blackbird are unmatched. I can't thank this community (and my morning crew) for always keeping me laughing, having fun, and coming back for more!
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