Debra Raber

Hello, my name is Debra Raber and I’ve been a member at Ground Zero since the beginning.  I joined as a 46 year old year old single mom out of shape and mentally broken.  I wanted my active life back and mental peace.  I grew up in a small single A school in Randolph County, I played basketball and softball. I played one year of softball in college as a walk on.  I’ve always been competitive and a decent athlete.  I have 3 daughters but since my marriage a few years ago we share 5 daughters and 3 granddaughters!

I went to college straight out of high school and became a Registered Nurse two years later.  Now thirty years later , I’m still a RN taking care of our American hero’s.  I’ve always had a big heart and love for people so being part of the gym family at Ground Zero just felt natural from day one.  

My husband now, boyfriend when we joined together, share a love for fitness and health so this place has helped our relationship grow even stronger.  We both had been members for about 2 years when Devan Futten approached about coaching.  I was extremely nervous at first because I didn’t want to fail or mislead anyone on their fitness journey but I had a few ups and downs that I felt could really help and encourage others.  

About two years into my Fitness journey, I started having pain in my neck so bad that I couldn’t even lift my arm over my head, long story short I had bone spurs, not exercise related that were impending any type of movement with that arm…. I lost all ability to do pull ups, burpees , push ups and any lifts overhead. It was  a very humbling experience and I learned so much about myself and my gym and gym family.  I was told by a specialist to stop working out but I knew that wasn’t an option for me so I worked really hard in PT with the gym owner Devan Futten. It took me around 6-8 months to start using that arm again. After this experience I can sympathize and empathize with others struggling  mentally and physically. I know for a fact that experience has made me a better coach! I love seeing new members reaching their goals and performing tasks like burpees that they never thought possible!    

In my 5 year of Ground Zero I have competed in several different competitions and most of my partners have been at least 20 years younger than me and we have made the podium every time.   I turned 51 years old this year and competed in the CrossFit open in my age group of 50-54 years old and I ranked at the top in WV, I think that is what I’m most proud of so far in my journey because of everything I have had to overcome.  I love deadlifting and my 1 rep max is 360lbs. My back squat 1 rep is 300lbs.  I started out running a mile in 13 minutes  and can now run a mile in 9 minutes, so I’m more than just strong 😉

I ran my first 5K in and came in 3rd in my age group, 2 years ago.  I completed my first rowing marathon 2 years ago!  I’m doing more now physically than I ever did in my 20’s. That’s why I love coaching because I’ve been there and I can help you get where you want to be! The most satisfying thing for me as a coach is seeing others succeed and become the best versions of themselves.  

I say it all the time but I truly mean it, I love this gym and the people in it. I have witnessed so many lives be changed, it just doesn’t get any better than this! Hope to see you soon!