Meet Jen
By
March 29, 2016
3 Rounds:
12 OHS (125/85)
12 Slams
12 Burpees
Strength:
Hang Power Snatch
3-3-3-3-3
I have a bad habit. Sometimes, when I meet someone for the first time at the gym, I make a snap judgement on whether or not I think they will stick around. I think I have confessed this before but it is something I am working on. I am wrong as often as I am right, so it really is not a habit that serves me well. In Jen's case, I was right. From the very first day I met her, there was a fire in her eyes that I knew would be a perfect match for CrossFit and our family. She's had some bumps in the road along her CrossFit journey, but always comes back stronger and more determined. She's also one of those people that makes everyone around her better. Thanks Jen. You mean the world to our Catacombs family.
When did you start at Catacombs and why?
I started in June 2015 after my dear Darcy talked me into trying it out. I was looking for a good cross-training program for my long distance running. I never expected to fall in love with Cross Fit itself. And not just Cross Fit, but Catacombs! We have such a supportive awesome community here and it's like family to me. My passion for Cross Fit now oozes out of me and appears to be contagious enough that I am infecting family and friends!
What do you do to pay the bills?
I'm an Emergency Medicine Physician in Farmington. Remember the show ER? Yeah...it's sometimes like that down there. Cray-Cray.
How do you like to spend your time when not at work or the gym?
My 4 year old little boy, Ryder, keeps me on my toes! We spend a lot of time exploring, playing and I hope I am infusing my passion for the mountains into him in every way I can! I love distance running (hoping to run my first ultra this summer), skiing, mountain biking, and climbing when I can fit it in.
What do you want to see on the whiteboard when you walk in for a workout (favorite movements, time domains, workout style, etc.)?
As painful as they are, I love endurance work outs...anything with great cardio. I've also really come to love body weight exercises, pull ups, push ups, box jumps, etc. Never expected to get into the one rep max stuff, but now I get totally psyched when I see it on the blog for the next day.
What gives you a sense of dread when you see it on the whiteboard?
Can I cuss on here? Effing double-unders. They haunt me. Wall balls can suck it, too.
How do you use your fitness outside of the gym or why do you care about being fit?
I love to do pretty much anything in the mountains. It's so rewarding to be strong, feel good, and excel in the things I love outdoors. CrossFit supports all of that. But being fit is so much more to me. I HAVE to exercise. It's imperative I exercise. It's mental and spiritual for me. The physical benefits are awesome...but exercise is my prozac. In the words of Jerry McGuire...it completes me. (Translation...I am a stark raving bitch if I don't exercise). It's also extremely important for me to set a great example for my son on how important being physically fit is.
I'd like to add one more thing here...my main passion is distance running which is meditative and frequently solo. I enjoy this solitude immensely. Conversely, I have learned I need the support of other like minded individuals in my life. Catacombs has provided this community for me. I have dear friends here now and I love the social suffering we get at our WODs. Awhile ago, Tracie blogged about the fanatical aspect of CrossFit and how for some, there is an analogy to church. That describes it exactly for me. It is a community of like minded individuals all seeking to better ourselves physically and are mutually supportive, but it has become so much more. We care about the big picture in each others' lives. We are there for each other, notice when someone is having an off day, going through loss, or struggling in some capacity. I cherish this. It cannot be replaced in "just another gym" for me.
What's your favorite motivational quote, song, or ritual?
"To thine own self be true"
I would like to follow this up with the fact that you can't take yourself too seriously...ever. Growing up, my dad used to say, "As you go through life and your rewards are few, just remember that the mighty oak, was once a nut like you."
"Be the change you wish to see in the world" is another fav.
One of my favorite songs is Jackass by Beck. My name's sake. You know what a Jenny is, right? A female jackass. Look it up. Fitting, right? ;)
Name one thing you want to achieve in the gym in 2016.
I desperately want to conquer double-unders. I want to kick their stupid little butts to Mars. And I would LOVE to get a muscle up in 2016. 2015 is over with. Get with the program, Tracie.
What else do you have to say for yourself?
I am a recovering alcoholic. Why would I say this out loud to everyone? My goal is to show people how pervasive this disease is and how it can truly affect ANYONE. But MORE importantly I want to show everyone what true recovery looks like and how amazing it can be. I hope to start taking some of the stigma away from this disease and give hope to those who suffer silently. Recovery is beautiful and has changed me completely. My life now has more meaning than I can ever express.
Peace out. See you in our box!
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