Athlete of The Month – June 2013

Name: Jonna Kennie

Started Crossfit: March 2012

Favorite WOD: Anything with kettlebells or wall balls

Least favorite WOD: Anything involving sleds or burpees

Favorite lift: Back Squats

Least favorite lift: Overhead Squats or Snatch

Story:

I distinctly remember my first CrossFit class because I did not want to go. Between ESPN and my Facebook newsfeed, I thought CrossFit was too hard, too intense, and too extreme for me. But, after a LOT of coaxing from a friend, I gave in. She had done her research on both CrossFit and Mission CrossFit SA and knew that this was the place for us. So, I showed up on a Friday morning and took my first class. Now, here I am, over a year later, still showing up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed. (Or as bright-eyed and bushy-tailed as you can be at 5:30 in the morning.)

That first CrossFit class was exactly what I thought it would be – hard, intense, and extreme. There were people all around me doing things that I never thought I could do. I remember having to walk during a 400m run. After a while, I stopped looking around and started to focus on myself, my abilities, and my personal goals.

I’ve been CrossFitting for a little over a year and my time at the gym is still a challenge, but it’s a good challenge. It is a force that teaches me to never give up, and always keep pushing myself to do better. I continue to see consistent improvement in my physical performance. My times are better, I can string more reps together and, on a really good day, I can do a WOD prescribed.

I’ve been “skinny fat” since college. Thin, but with no muscle tone. I’ve put on about 10 lbs. since joining CrossFit, but I’ve never felt better about my body. My muscle tone is evident, I have more energy, and CrossFit has made me a more conscious, more thoughtful eater.

Every day at CrossFit is filled with mini-victories. Some days that victory is simply making it to the end, but some days the victory is putting that extra 20 lbs. on the bar and surprising yourself at your strength and ability to fight through the pain. I owe a lot of my success to the coaches and the other athletes at the gym. Their patience, willingness to help, and unwavering encouragement has made me a stronger, more confident athlete.