Jeff
Hometown: Unionville, PA
Age: 53
Occupation: VP – Revenue Cycle Management
When did you first start training at CFKSQ? 12/2017
Favorite WOD: Love those Tabatas
Least Favorite WOD: Anything with Burpees
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: High School Football, Basketball and Baseball. College Intermural Basketball and Softball.
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? My persistent wife finally wore me down. I have never worked out in a group setting before. I didn’t think I’d get through Fundamentals but here I am 2 years later (Thanks Lauren !!)
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? Being a stress eater in a high pressure job, my health/fitness did not get prioritized. As I aged, it became even more difficult. CF has enabled me to better control stress, set dietary goals and feel physically better than I have in the past 20+ years.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? What was most unexpected was how out of shape I really was. It’s too easy to be in denial or unaware. Now, I can’t imagine not spending ~5 hrs. a week at CFKSQ improving my health and working toward PRs. Most recently I climbed to the highest peak in Texas (who knew they had mountains in Texas) and know that I couldn’t have done this prior to Crossfit.
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKSQ moments: Every day I get to show up at 5:30 and workout with a very special group of Athletes/Friends and Coaches. The camaraderie developed with this team is what truly makes this the best hour of my day!!
Any advice for people just getting started? Come in with a positive attitude, don’t be intimidated and have a willingness to test your limits. There will never be an easy day at the box, so embrace the challenge, modify when needed and feel the great sense of self-achievement (about 15 minutes after the WOD).
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Spending quality time with Stacey and our 2 kids, Avid Philly sports fan, hiking, travel and visiting National Parks
Stacey
Hometown: Born in Queens, NY but grew up in Upper Saddle River, NJ
Age: 52
Occupation: Co-Owner & CEO of a Talent and Leadership Development firm
When did you first start training at CFKSQ? I came in about 2-1/2 years ago and saw the light.
Favorite WOD: Love any longer AMRAP that have several different movements (I get bored easy, just ask Jeff!) so these keeping me moving. I tend to zone out and before I know it, the WOD is done, as opposed to those pesky four to six-minute ones which you look at and think “that won’t be so bad” until your crawling around the floor looking for your lung.
Least Favorite WOD: Not gonna say…Jared will then put it in every WOD:-) but I’ll give you a hint…by the end of it your heart is screaming but you go nowhere.
Tell us about your sports & fitness background: I have always been into health and wellness. As a kid, I was a lifeguard, taught swim lessons, and played field hockey for a year at college until those pesky classes/labs got in the way. As an adult, I’ve always worked out but really stepped it up when I hit 40. I also have an undergrad degree in Nutrition that I feel I use every day. Right now, I am working on my Health Coach certification so I can help my clients look at the impact their health and wellness has on their ability to lead – spreading the word, very cool that I am coming full circle!
How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD… what was it, and how did it feel? I worked out with Everett at Advanced Fitness but when he moved to CF it scared the life out of me (so mis-informed!) So, when I finally mustered up the courage and finally reach out to him, the first thing he said to me was “It’s about time, I’ve been waiting for your call!” I got set up with Lauren (so lucky!). I thought I was in decent shape, but man did she prove me wrong. I am just so happy we didn’t really use the assault bike back then. I don’t remember my first WOD, but I do remember running around the building on a warm, humid night thinking I was going to toss my cookies, humbling indeed!
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? Like many of us, I thought I was in shape, but this journey so far has pushed me so much farther physically, mentally and emotionally than I ever could imagine. I am a big believer that there are things in life you can control and things you can’t. Our wellness is one we can. I am amazed at what I can do. I hate when people who are “my age” say I’m old or I can’t to that…that’s BS, get moving people, you only get one shot at this! Jeff and I will be doing 200 meter laps (maybe with our walkers LOL) around the nursing home when we’re 80.
What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected? That I will never have an excuse not to work out on the road; push presses with my backpack, farmer’s carry with hotel ice buckets, OHS with a floor lamp… thanks to our coaches and my fellow creatively talented workout buds during this pandemic, I will never be able to look at everyday objects again in the same way!
Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKSQ moments: That’s an easy one – every time I walk in the door, whether is a smiling face of a coach or the warm “hello” from a fellow athlete, CFKSQ is one of my most favorite hours of the day. I also love that Jeff and I do this together – it’s a great way to start off our evenings.
Any advice for people just getting
started? As that famous Nike slogan tells
us…Just Do it! My only regret is that I didn’t start sooner. I wish I didn’t
listen to the naysayers, they’re just jealous. Just get yourself through the
door and our coaches and our community will take it from there. CFKSQ is the
definition of a caring community. Don’t be intimated or embarrassed to ask for
help, there truly is no judgment here, just kindness, love and support.
What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? Hanging out, traveling and shopping (ok, this
is more me and my daughter – we can shop anywhere; roadside stands, gas
stations, much to Jeff and my son’s chagrin) with my three most favorite people
on the planet. Jeff and I are blessed to have two amazing kids (Erik – 21 and
Kaitlyn – 18) who still think we’re cool to hang with, well most of the time. I
travel a lot for work and love all the amazing people I get to meet. I’ve
instilled that love of adventure into our family as well. As a family you can
find us scheming, dreaming and planning our next adventure whether its hiking
one of our amazing National Parks, exploring cities or traveling abroad.