June Athlete of the Month

 Congratulations Jill A!

Hometown:  Blue Bell, PA

Current Location:  Blue Bell, PA

Age:  25

Occupation:  Personal Trainer

College:  University of Montana- Western.  I originally went out there for a horse training program, did that for 1 year, changed my major to social science/ psychology, and ended up staying in Montana for 6 years.  They don't call it Big Sky Country for no reason!

How long have you been a CrossFitter?  A little over a year now
Did you ever play sports?  I've always been an active little kid.  Started out with soccer, field hockey, and volleyball when I was younger.  Always played defense because I thought they didn't have to run as much.  I danced for most of my life (if you consider that a sport).  I also ride horses and did collegiate English and Western riding.

Got some cool (or uncool) hobbies you'd like to share?  Work and working out take up majority of my time.  Currently, my favorite hobby is spending time with my 5 1/2 month old niece!  Most people would not guess that I hunt and fish.  It's a great adrenaline rush!  I also enjoy snowboarding in the winter.

What is your biggest achievement at CrossFit?  Becoming more proficient in the gymnastics movements.  I've never been able to do an unassisted pull up until I got into crossfit. 

What do you feel that you still need to work on?  My endurance.  I don't like running, never have.  Also strength.  You can always get stronger!  Nutrition.  Chocolate will get me every time.

Goals for the rest of this year?  I would really like to accomplish a muscle up this year, but that is going to take a lot of work.  Also, trying not to complain so much during running!  I tend to play mental games with myself while working out, so trying to push myself a bit harder as well.

What's your favorite WOD?  Anything that includes squats.  Any type of squats.  I also enjoy the strength WODs and am starting to really enjoy ones with more gymnastics movements, as I enjoy the skill work that comes with those movements.  I will take any little bit of help/time to make myself more proficient at those movements.

How about your favorite food/snacks?  Popcorn, chocolate, I really like grapes and hard boiled eggs as well.  I also have a strange liking for frozen waffles.

What is the craziest workout outside of CF you have ever done?  Well, I did the Spartan Sprint last September with some other girls from the gym.  That was my first obstacle race, so that was a lot of fun!  I don't know if that counts as a workout, but crossfit is a bit crazier than the "pump" sessions I used to do in college.

What’s your least favorite WOD?  Anything that includes running

Favorite lift/movement?  Squats and pull ups.

What’s your least favorite lift/movement?  Snatch, ring dips

What skill re you planning working on in the new year 2015 the most ?  Muscle ups.  It's going to take a lot of work but I have fun working on them and the skill work for them.  It is fun for me.  I enjoy learning things I have never done before.

Whats your favorite piece of workout "gear"?  Chalk and my lifters  (I don't really wear "gear")

What you say is your biggest improvement since starting CF?  My biggest improvement since starting crossfit has been being more fixated on my fitness, strength, and overall health.  I have spent a few years just going to your typical globo gym, lifting weights and doing cardio just to try to be skinny.  Until I found crossfit, I only wanted to workout to "look good."  Now my workouts are geared towards being a strong woman and increasing my fitness and overall health.  So, my biggest improvement is how I view myself.

Who is your favorite coach?  I absolutely love each coach at KOP.  I have learned something or have been taught something in a different way from each one of them that has made things just click in different ways.  I have to say I do see Aimee a bit more due to my current schedule.  But every time I have had a question or asked for help to any of the coaches here, no one has ever turned me down for assistance.  I want to thank each of you for pushing me since day one.

PR's to mention? Goals Reached? Nutrition highlights?..  I've hit a few PR's lately with strength and our "test day" WODs.  I hit a 145 lb pr clean and jerk during the open this year.  Also completing my first open!  Linking more repetitions together like pull ups, handstand pushups, and double unders.  My nutrition is nothing special to talk about.  I have good days and bad days.  Starting to have more good days than bad days, so that's an accomplishment for me, as some of you know I have a bad sugar habit that is very hard to kick.

I would like to say thank you to the coaches for nominating me for the athlete of the month.  Each of you have helped me in some way to achieve my goals.  Thank you for pushing me each and every day and making me not scale when I don't need to do, even on the days that I really want to.  I couldn't be happier to have been introduced to such a great community here at KOP.