Athlete Spotlight: Michelle Jones

Name: Michelle Jones
Age: 23
Occupation: Full-time Law Student
Which class time do you usually attend? 4 p.m.
Favorite WOD: Angie
Favorite Lift: Clean and Jerk!
Deadlift Max: 175
Back squat Max: 165
Fran: n/a
Cindy: n/a
Got Muscle-ups? No
1 mile run: 7:07
How long have you been CrossFitting? Since February 2013

What keeps you coming back/motivated?
“The results are amazing. I love feeling that I get stronger each time I come. It’s also just a fun environment. Everyone is friendly and so encouraging to each other. The coaches are really there for us and do whatever they can to push us and make us better athletes. I am in law school full time, so I don’t have a lot of extra time and the extra time I do have I want to be at the gym. It allows my mind to rest while my body does the work for an hour. Afterwards I feel rejuvenated, refreshed and ready to get back to my studies. I don’t think I would be as good of a student without CrossFit.”

How did you find CrossFit?
“My brothers started doing CrossFit a couple of years ago and kept trying to get me into it. I finally tried it in February and haven’t stopped since.”

What is your athletic background (If applicable)?
“I played softball all throughout my childhood and was a gymnast throughout high school.”

How has CrossFit changed your life, lifestyle, level of fitness?
“It makes me feel better about myself. I had always been athletic and in good shape until I went to college and just stopped working out. I would be hard on myself and feel guilty all the time for losing that athletic drive.  However, once I started CrossFit I became addicted and couldn’t stop.  After a workout I just feel refreshed and like I can take on anything that law school throws at me. After doing Fight Gone Bad there seems to be no part of law school that I cannot handle. My level of fitness has improved so much. I can lift more now than I have ever been able to in my life. I can run, at a steady pace, for as long as I want which is something I was never able to do.”

What is the one thing you have done here that you never thought you could do? (muscle up, double unders, heavy deadlift, run a mile, etc.)
“Everything. I never thought I would be able to do double unders and during the last WOD we did with double unders I got 60 in a row! I never thought that would happen. I also never thought I could lift the way I can. I’m very short and small and always felt disadvantaged, but CrossFit taught me that it has nothing to do with that. You just have to keep working at your goals and you really can achieve any goal that you want. I really understand the phrase ‘never underestimate your body’s ability to respond’ now. As long as you never give up, your body will respond and do what you push it to do.”

What motivates/inspires you?
“The people around me at the gym and my coaches. They are so encouraging and helpful and I just feel that everyone is there for me. The athletes at this gym inspire me every day. To watch people improve and work and push so hard is the most inspirational thing I can think of. Some people come in there and look at the things we do and feel as if they can never do some of these WODs. However, then you’ll see them set their mind to it and they achieve the most amazing things. Watching other athletes achieve their goals inspires me to achieve mine. I have made some of the best friends in CrossFit who are there for me all the time even for things outside the gym.  They motivate me to come as much as possible and without them CrossFit wouldn’t be nearly as fun!”

What is your proudest CrossFi achievement?
“Kipping Pull-ups! I never thought I would get them.  (Coach) Laci really taught me how to kip one day and took the extra time to work with me on them and now I can do them during WODs.

Name one goal/personal achievement you would like to achieve through CrossFit?
“I want to get muscle ups! I know they are super challenging and it will take some time but that is my ultimate goal.”

What goals have you achieved in CrossFit?
“I wanted to be able to run long distance for a while and once I learned the breathing technique I was able to. I can’t run too fast when it comes to long distance, but the fact that I can run without stopping for miles is a huge accomplishment for me.
Pull-ups were always a big deal for me. I’ve always wanted to be able to whip out a pull-up at anytime and now I can!”

Hobbies/Interests outside of CrossFit?
“Right now I don’t have much outside of CrossFit. Like I’ve said, I’m a full-time law student so any extra time I get I go to the gym.”

What is your favorite meal?
“Pizza!”

Any advice for new members?
“Don’t give up. It really is hard for the first couple of weeks. You’re using muscles that you didn’t know existed and you are so sore you can barely move but all that means is that it is working. Just stay with it and you will see results come fast!”

Coach Laura Moore’s take:
“Michelle is a tenacious and hard working athlete. Her passion for getting better is on display every single time she comes in the gym. Always eager to learn and get better, Michelle has quickly seen gains in her fitness. I know that she will continue to work on her weaknesses and continue to see progress because of her determination.  With balancing law school and making it into the gym, she is accomplishing quite the feat!”