Coachable | Hardworking | Positive
These are the attributes that we look for in our athletes. Each month we like to Feature an athlete who exemplify these core values.
With hair (and a mustache) more fabulous than Ron Burgundy, Jared is a fun and important part of our community. You’ll find him working out in the noon class, or throwing weights with Coach Josh. Whatever he is doing, it’ll be with a smile and an attitude ready to crush whatever he is faced with.
Let’s get to know a little more about Jared…
What’s your athletic background? Very little… I didn’t start to enjoy being active until college. In college I found running and Ultimate Frisbee as my gateway sports.
When did you start working out at The Hill? November 2016.
What keeps you coming back? Coaches. Classmates. Community. Competition. Cool Clothes. Could I continue with C words? Yes.
Was this your first experience with CrossFit? No – I started earlier in 2016 for about three months, than took a hiatus while I was moving.
If you could write the WOD what would it be? Back Squat, Rowing, Cleans, and Pull-ups.
What are some of your goals, fitness or personal- for 2018? My CF goals for 2018 are to get more confident in my Olympic lifts, build overall strength, string together more than three double-unders, and complete muscle-ups as a part of a WOD. We’re 5 months in and I’ve knocked out two of them! Personally, two of my biggest goals are to participate in my first art show and publish the children’s book I’m illustrating.
Any PR’s that your proud of? All of them? I take pride in what I’ve accomplished every time I gain greater proficiency at a gymnastic movement or gain five pounds on a lift. I recently completed a more focused strength training small group class with Coach Josh and gained +5 lbs on my back squat and +10 lbs on my strict press – and I’m super stoked about that.
List one or two improvements you have seen in your life since starting CF? Aside from being more athletic? The first new friends I made after moving to KC are at the Hill and they helped me find friends in a new city.
What do you like about KC? I love the friendly, resilient people, the coffee and the strong support of the arts. And The Hill.
Why do you live in KC, and how do you like to spend your free time? I moved to KC in 2016 both for an opportunity to be the first communications director at my employer, FarmHouse Fraternity, and to be closer to two of my brothers. I spend my free time mostly on creative pursuits – drawing, volunteering on the creative committee for the Bloom Party (benefiting KC Care), or trying to bring to life any other number of visual ideas that come in to my mind.
What’s your favorite cheat meal? Macaroni and Cheese – Or ‘Za. Also an Old Fashioned. But not at the same time.
What would you say to someone thinking about starting CrossFit? Do it, but just know – it’s a marathon not a sprint. You probably won’t be good overnight. It may take a year or two, but one day you’ll wake up and think, “Wow, I did 100 pull-ups yesterday and before I even started, I knew that I could.”
Anything else you would like to share with the whole #fitfam? Thanks for welcoming me into the community! You all rock. It is definitively the friendships and authentic support from coaches and fellow athletes that keeps me coming back. #NoonClass is the best class.
