You may know Jeanna from her work on ABC 6 News but there’s much more to this woman than her work.  She’s an incredible asset to the Progression community and is offering up quite a few one liners that just may get you into the gym more often.  Meet Jeanna…

What do you do for a living?

Sports Broadcast Journalist; I am the sports director at ABC 6 News.  I anchor the sports show Monday-Friday.

What’s your favorite thing to do outside of the gym?

Hang out with my fiancé’ Zach and our dog Payton.

What made you decide to try CrossFit?

I played college volleyball and when I was done I had a huge empty competitive hole left in me.  I tried different things after college but nothing compared to training as an athlete like I was used to.  Zach and I went to the Northeast Regionals at CrossFit HQ when we lived in Boston.  I fell in love with the sport and we literally signed up the next day and I haven’t stopped since.

How long have you been at CrossFit Progression?

I have been with Progression since September 2014.  When I got my job and moved to Rochester the first thing I looked up was a CrossFit gym.  Progression seemed to be the best one so I tried and never left!

What was your experience with fitness like prior to CrossFit?

I played competitive soccer since I was very young and eventually switched to volleyball.  Played that in college.  Also, ran a half and full marathon during CrossFit.  I completely believe I wouldn’t have been able to complete either race without training with CrossFit.

What was your biggest fear when you started CrossFit?

Everyday when I hear Samida or Julie yell 3-2-1… 🙂 Honestly, haven’t had any fear with the sport.  I’ve had a really open mind the entire time so I try to accept obstacles and failures as they come.

Favorite cheat day meal?

Pizza!!!

What goal(s) are you currently chasing?

I want to be a competitive CrossFitter; meaning I want to do everything Rx and not have something that I can’t physically complete.  I don’t plan on being an advanced athlete but I’d like to get through the Open with being able to do very movement brought up.  I have a lot of trouble with gymnastic movements and anything on the rig so I would like to get to the point where nothing stops me whether it be handstand work, muscle ups, etc.  Short term, I want to complete a full Murph this Memorial Day.

Official Murph Update:

It took me 48:20… I almost puked on the second mile run haha!! It was so awesome to have everyone doing it right there with you. I did complete the full murph; I just scaled the pull ups and did most of the push ups from my knees so my goal for next Memorial Day is to do the full Murph RX. I did think it was inspiring to see everyone come together… By choice… To do a workout to honor someone who served. It was also really awesome to see those doing it RX.. Or game style. My fiancé Zach, Sean Vinz, Rob Murry and a few other people did the weight vest and games style 100-200-300. That was awesome to me.

What’s the hardest part about CrossFit?

Oh geez.  Everyday theres something that is hard.  I struggle with certain movements like I said but it’s hard every day.  It’s a sport that challenges you every single day and it takes you out of your comfort zone and pushes you to be better, faster, stronger than you previously were.  I think if it’s not hard, you’re not doing it right.  But that’s also my favorite part.  Every day challenges you to get better and improve.

What’s one thing your fellow CFP’ers would be surprised to learn about you?

I can eat like it’s nobody’s business.  And I had a pet duck in college named Dr. Oliver Waddlesworth.  And he stole pizza from Zach.

What’s your favorite piece of advice you’ve gotten from a Coach at CrossFit Progression?

“Embrace the suck” and basically everything Nic Scudamore has ever said.

How has your outlook on health/fitness changed since starting CrossFit?

Drastically.  I try to eat to train now… where I never used to do that.  I am much more aware of what nutrition is and how it can help your body.  CrossFit makes me want to be a more capable human being.  More functional.  The sport of CrossFit and the health choices that go hand in hand with the sport are now a big focus in my life as an “athlete”.

What has been your fondest memory during your time at CrossFit Progression?

How quickly people at Progression accepted and welcomed Zach and I.  I moved to Minnesota for work from Michigan.  I didn’t know a single person in the state of Minnesota.  But instantly after starting at Progression I felt like I had a group of friends at the gym.  Everyone is just a genuinely good person.

Why do you think you’ve stuck with CrossFit Progression?

Reasons above 🙂 It’s more than just a gym.  The coaches here are amazing.

What would be your one piece of advice for someone who’s just joining Progression?

Have an open mind!!  It can be an extremely intimidating sport because of how varied it is every single day.  But if you go into it with an open mind and accept failure, welcome soreness, and embrace struggle it can be such a rewarding sport.  More times than not I am failing at something… but I take higher priority in my PR’s,  my successes, and improvements that my failures get outweighed very easily.