March Athlete Spotlight–Jaci!

1. How long have you been a member at CFD, and what made you want to get started?

I’ve been at CFD a little over a year. I started because I have size DD boobs and I wanted to get CrossFit boobs. Hahaha!!! I’m a yo yo dieter AND exerciser. I love to be active but I could never find anything that held my interest long enough. My son Chase was my primary motivator. He was one of those ‘just try it’ people that finally got the best of me. Here’s a 21 y.o. extremely healthy kid telling me that I can and should do this. What the heck did he know about a 41 y.o. body?! How did he just ‘know’ I could do it? I did not think it was for me. I was also motivated by my cousin Shane and his wife Abby, who have been doing this for years. When I walked in to the CFD box for the first time I was scared out of my mind but I knew it was something I wanted to be a part of. Who was this guy teaching me how to do a ‘proper’ squat, and what the hell does ‘proper body mechanics’ mean? How did I spend the majority of my 41 years squatting the wrong way? He wants me to activate my glutes (my what?)? Just listening to Phil that first night taught me so much and planted the excitement for what was to come! Phil took the time to learn about each person coming in which meant a lot and eased my nerves.

2. What changes have you seen in yourself since your very first day?

EVERYTHING has changed. I feel like I felt when I was 16 years old and working on the youth core. I’m not as small as I was then, but I feel THAT good. I just sent Chase a text the other day thanking him for his motivation, and thanking God for giving me such a special kid. I will forever be grateful to Chase for motivating me to start, and in general for motivating me to be a better version of myself every day. Sounds backwards I know, he’s a great kid and old soul even when he’s bitching at me not to eat mayo. It used to be about the number on the scale and if I could fit in a size 6. Now it’s a balance. You get stronger in the gym and skinnier in the kitchen. You cannot outwork a bad diet! You cannot feel this good without MOVING! I could barely squat on the first day, and every day I can lift more and do more. My first T2B (toes-to-bar) was just a few short months ago. That feeling when my toes TOUCHED the bar the first time- who knew how hard it would be to hang on a bar and try to get your feet over your head!!! The first time the rope went under my feet twice!!! It’s the feeling of accomplishment you get every day when you show up for a WOD and finish it. You walk in, look at the board and think ‘holy shit why do I subject myself to this’. Then you do it and get that amazing feeling you DID something. Just standing around I feel stronger, I feel muscles in places I didn’t know I had. The first time picking up a barbell was intimidating- just the bar! My strength isn’t anywhere close to the strongest females in the gym but boy does it feel good to know I can confidently pick up the bar now AND some days it feels light even with heavy plates on the end! I love when Aaron says ‘pick up that bar with confidence’. Mindset matters prior to a lift- even though you know he snuck extra plates on the end! Each coach always offers some new tip that you connect with. Austin and overhead squats, Mike with hang cleans, the list goes on and on. I cannot say enough about the coaches at CFD, each one is amazing in their own way. I can’t imagine going a day without the morning WOD. If I don’t earn my shower I feel like I’m wasting water. Did I mention, hardly any chiropractor visits in the past year. I attribute that to the strength I’ve gained and to the focus on proper body mechanics the coaches reinforce with us daily!

3. What did you do for fitness prior to CFD, and what do you like most about CrossFit?

I was doing a kickboxing class for the year prior to joining CrossFit, and found myself bored, and at the chiropractor way too much. Kickbox days were fun but it was pretty much the same routine every day. I’d always look at the clock and wonder when it’d be over, I felt more committed on cardio days less on band days- they bored the hell out of me.
What I love most about CrossFit is the VARIETY, the PEOPLE and how lightning fast every class goes! It doesn’t feel like we are there for an hour. I love that I am doing something I didn’t think I could do. I love I am not the strongest person and no one judges me. I love looking down and seeing the muscle definition in my legs when I go to pick-up the bar. My CrossFit family has seen me at my worst and always shows up and we do it again every day (shout out to 6:30 am crew).

4. What type(s) of workouts are your favorite?

EMOM’s! I do not know why. Unless they are assault bike EMOM’s.

5. What type(s) of workouts do you least like to see come up?

RUNNING. Ughhhh. Running. I smoked for years and quit when I was 35 so breathing can be challenging for me. Even though I dislike it, I’ve gotten a lot better at being able to pace myself and breathe. And power cleans. I have such a hard time with hang cleans, so power cleans are that much more challenging. I look forward to getting better at these over time. I did my first overhead squat just last month. I didn’t think that would EVER happen!!! And lunges. Lunges are awful, add a barbell and holy hell. But lunges lift butts so the sore legs and rear end for days after is so worth it!

6. What are your goals going forward?

So many!! I want to be able to cycle T2B, I want to add weights to the bar for OHS, I want to be able to do double unders, power cleans and anything with the word ‘jerk’ in it. I want to be able to Rx a workout. I want to do a pullup! I want to jump on a box- not step! Something else that has changed, day 1 I could not jump over the bar or erg, now I don’t even think about it!

7. What advice do you have for someone just starting out at CFD?

CFD is the best box you could hope for and it’s right here in Dubuque!! If you are thinking ‘can I’ ‘should I’ ‘I’m too old’ ‘what if’ – get out of your head and take action. Check out the webpage and go in for the introductory session. If I could gift everyone with the feeling of strength I have every day I would. I’m blessed with a healthy albeit aging body and I am committed to doing what I can every day to ensure I maximize that gift. Gift yourself strength and quality of life as you age. Don’t be afraid! Before you know it you’ll be throwing around weights with really cool people!

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