December Athlete of the Month: Jessica Bennett

Our December “Athlete of the Month” was an easy choice for the coaches, as Jessica Bennett’s performances each month are consistent and always impressive. Don’t let her small physique, quiet presence, and friendly smile fool you. As soon as 3, 2, 1 is called, Jess is off to the races and is sure to destroy whatever WOD is put in front of her. Most impressively, she is mindful about form and scaling, and pushes herself in smart and effective ways! Jess is the first to cheer on her fellow athlete mid-WOD, and always seems to have a smile on her face, no mater how difficult the workout. Congratulations, Jess!

Tell us a little bit about the difference CrossFit has made in your fitness since you joined CrossFit Sausalito. What are your most satisfying accomplishments in the gym so far?

I’ve participated in a lot of different sports and types of fitness over the years, and I’ve never experienced something as effective and immediately impactful as CrossFit. The number one accomplishment for me is that I’m still doing it and loving it 3 years later! Despite how effective it has been for me, starting out, I felt quite intimidated and I have a problem sticking with things. The first time I made a top 5 leader board was also big for me – I finally felt like I could hang with the crew!

What’s your favorite part about coming to CrossFit class?

I love that CrossFit is time-boxed. I know I’ll get in and out in 60 minutes with a killer, full body workout every time. The variety of having a different workout programmed every day is great for keeping me engaged. When it comes to workouts, I do better having someone tell me what to do. Give me a standard gym, and I’ll still be there for an hour, but there’s lots of pottering around. Also, the community at CrossFit Sausalito is incredible. From the coaches to the athletes, people are so warm and welcoming so it’s also a time to just catch up with friends.

What’s your best piece of advice for a brand new CrossFitter?

Funny, I was just talking to Coach Jesse about this the other day! My advice is: patience, consistency, and check your ego at the door. The first 3-6 months were very challenging for me, and I wanted to quit all the time. I wasn’t picking it up as quickly as I wanted to, and compared myself far too much to those around me. Give yourself time to learn the movements properly, be consistent (3 classes per week seemed to be the magic number for me to keep momentum but not blow out my back), and play your own game. Also, create an account on SugarWOD early. It took me several months to do so, but when I finally did, it increased my engagement to be able to track my progress on lifts and workouts, and it kicked my competitive juices into gear.