jgroom33
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6 months ago Lauren Farhat is a resilient athlete and inspiring figure who has defied the odds to excel in the world of CrossFit, adaptive athletics and beyond. Born in 1995 in Detroit, Michigan, Lauren faced challenges early on having been diagnosed with a hip deformity and limb deficiency known Proximal Femoral Focal Deficiency (PFFD) at birth. Despite undergoing over a dozen surgeries at a young age in attempts to correct her limb deformity, Lauren ultimately faced the reality of amputating her right foot and wearing a prosthetic full-time.
Lauren’s childhood was marked by frequent hospital visits, physical therapy sessions, trips to her prosthetist, and significant financial strain exacerbated by her parents' divorce. Raised primarily by her single mother, Shelly, who navigated the complexities of her medical journey alone while also caring for her younger brother, Nathan—Lauren found inspiration in her mother's unwavering work ethic and dedication to provide their family with the best life she possibly could.
Determined to live life to the fullest—and refusing to let circumstances define her—Lauren immersed herself in academics and sports, excelling in volleyball, basketball and other extracurriculars during her elementary, middle and high school years. At age 12, Lauren even began working as a golf caddie in order to become more financially independent and remove some of that burden from her mother’s shoulders.
Lauren’s decision to start working at a young age not only instilled a strong sense of responsibility in her life, but her dedication paid off when she earned the prestigious Evans Scholarship—a four-year, full-tuition and housing college scholarship granted to caddies who exemplify financial need and a strong academic record. Not only was earning the Evans Scholarship a beacon of hope for Lauren and her family, but it set the stage for how she would adapt, overcome and make the most of any obstacle that came her way in the future.
After graduating from college and entering the workforce, Lauren found herself longing for the competitive spirit and physical challenges she had experienced as a caddie and while playing sports in school. This yearning eventually led her to discover CrossFit, where she found her true calling. Under the training regimen of Mat Fraser’s HWPO and mentorship of Kerry Sproles, owner and head coach at CrossFit Arvada, along with many others, Lauren quickly rose to prominence in the adaptive athlete community.
In a remarkable display of skill, determination, and more importantly, hard work, Lauren qualified for the 2023 CrossFit Games within the Women's Lower Extremity Division, marking her first-ever debut in competitive athletics. Just four months later, she clinched first place in her division at the 2023 WheelWod Games in Raleigh, North Carolina, competing against some of the world's best adaptive athletes.
Throughout her journey, Lauren has cherished the support of her community, family, friends, and mentors. Guided by her favorite motto, "if you want to go fast, go alone, but if you want to go far, go together," she aspire not only to achieve continued success within competitive CrossFit, but also to use her platform as an athlete to foster positive change in the realm of adaptive athletics. Lauren is dedicated to empowering fellow adaptive athletes to embrace movement as a form of self-expression, fostering inclusivity and paving the way for a world where all individuals can pursue their dreams with determination and access to support.
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