What was your athletic background, if any?
I did gymnastics for 15 years and track in high school.
What do you do when you’re not at CFA?
Nursing school keeps me very busy when I’m not working out or petting puppies at CFA.
When did you realize that CrossFit is right for you?
Basically right away, I loved the intensity mixed with the gymnastics and weightlifting. It was a very hard transition from working out 20 hours a week in gymnastics to doing nothing my freshman year of college so when I finally found CrossFit my sophomore year I knew it was something that could fill this gap and challenge me.
Do you remember your first WOD?
My first WOD at CFA involved lots of squat cleans and then running, I remember my legs being jello.
What is your favorite or least favorite WOD/movement?
I like power cleans and basically anything with the bar as well as toes to bar and handstand work. I’m not a big fan of running, thrusters, or a crazy amount of burpees.
What is your most proud CrossFit moment?
I think my proudest moment was putting myself out there and joining Crossfit in another country where I was learning the language. I was thousands of miles away but the CrossFit community was the same that I have at CFA, they were always there to help me, cheer me on, and coach me. I’m just proud to be a part of something that no matter where you are, you’ll always have a CrossFit community close by.
(Jenna with her CF gym in Chile)
What motivates you during a tough workout?
Knowing that no matter how long it takes me, I will finish it eventually and I’ll have people there to cheer me on.
What are your goals going forward and what do you think will help you achieve them?
My goals are to keep improving, I love how there’s always something that you can be better at. I can always count on my coaches to push me at adding weight and achieving my other goals. Specific goals would be getting double unders and muscle ups.
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness or just day to day life since starting CrossFit (before/after?)
I definitely have more energy on days that I go to CrossFit. Before I go to CrossFit I’m excited to go and afterwards I feel like I have more energy to stay awake and get things done. It’s such a good way to de-stress from my day. I also notice that I want to eat healthier to be able to fuel my body for CrossFit.
What would you recommend to someone who is just starting out with CrossFit or is too afraid to try it?
Just give it a try. Don’t compare yourself to what others are doing just celebrate your own accomplishments. It’s okay to have no idea what’s written on the board or what a movement is, we’re all here to help.
If you could have one skill or characteristic of another member at CFA what and from whom would it be? Or which other CFA member are you the most motivated by?
Being able to run like Ted, I always look like I’m dying and he’s there just casually sprinting.
Quick Questions
Favorite Cheat meal: Pizza
Favorite Workout song: Anything loud
Favorite Place You Have Traveled: Chile
Favorite TV Show: Grey’s Anatomy
Favorite CrossFit Athlete(if any): Patrick Vellner
Coach’s comment:
To be honest I think 99% of the reason why Jenna comes to CrossFit is to pet the puppies and show off her handstand walks. But really we pick our member of the month based upon consistency, hard work and improvement and Jenna shows all of these on a weekly basis. She rarely ever misses a day and really gives it her all every single workout. Since starting with us she has improved every element of her fitness such as becoming a better and faster runner and much stronger. To show her dedication she even found a CF gym im Chile to workout at while on study abroad last summer. What a great way to learn Spanish! Thanks for being an awesome member and supporter of CFA Jenna, we look forward to seeing you improve even more in the future!
(Also her mom does CrossFit too!! This is her favorite picture.)
