This former track star turned collegiate scholar is one hard working young lady! Janell pushes herself to succeed in everything she takes on and she's always up for a challenge. Working out with her is a joy because she is so good at recognizing other people's accomplishments (big or small) and encouraging others even when she's fighting hard herself. With all of her time taken up by studying hard and being a good student, she still comes into the gym daily and smashes whatever WOD comes her way!

Tell us about yourself!
I was born and raised in good ol’ Greeley, Colorado…the land of fresh air! After high school I went to college at University of Colorado Colorado Springs and then transferred here to Fort Collins to attend Colorado State University. At CSU I am majoring in Family and Consumer Sciences with an emphasis in Human Development. I am in the National Society of Collegiate Scholars, on three separate academic scholarships, as well as a research assistant in the psychology department. I also work as “maintenance staff” in the Lory Student Center, which is just a fancy word for janitor. After graduating from CSU I plan to take a gap year to teach abroad in Thailand and then go to graduate school (somewhere) to get a Masters of Education in High School Guidance Counseling! Aside from school, I volunteer at the Matthews House where I assist children who struggle in school with their academics. Some of my other interests involve: participating in cycling events with my mama, hiking, boating, playing with my doggie, traveling, and much, MUCH more!

Why do you "CrossFit"?
When I was in high school I got super into “fitness.” I began watching what I ate and started going to the gym in addition to being a hurdler in track. When I went off to UCCS, the gym gave me a nice escape from my hard day at school and the stress that consumed me. But when I went to the gym, I was never able to lift all that much, because I didn’t have a spotter or if I dropped the weight, those metal plates wouldn’t sound so good on the floor. I also stayed in my little zone, with my headphones in, starring at myself in the mirror, and had no support to stay longer or push myself more. Once I transferred to CSU, I started to not like “fitness” anymore. It was so annoying trying to squeeze it into the day, and once I got there I knew absolutely no one so it was also lonely. I remember watching videos of people doing “CrossFit.” Yeah, the movements were cool and the weight looked hard, but what I noticed was the minute that the workout started, there were people by their side, and the minute it ended, there were people by their side. That’s when I decided to seek out CrossFit and cancel my membership at my gym. I had an intro at Choice City and I was hooked. I continue to do CrossFit because before I go to bed at night, I am excited that tomorrow I will get to go to Choice City, see my friends, get encouraged, and feel STRONG! CrossFit has made me fall in-love with fitness all over again, has given me self-love, and has given me a support system.

What makes Choice City so special?
I am very, and I mean VERY close with my family. When I was in high school I never imagined being away from them, not even for a day. When I went to UCCS I missed them, very much, but I shared one room with three other girls, so I was more social than I thought I would be. But once I transferred to CSU and had an apartment with a roommate that was never home and a school I didn’t know anyone at, I really was unsure of how much longer I could be away from my family. I joined Choice City CrossFit at probably the loneliest time of my life. The minute I joined Choice City, I fell in love with the people. The love and support I received from everyone gave me that “community” feeling I was looking for, people to connect to, and a place where I felt like I was back home. Choice City is far from a gym, it's far from a place to “workout,” it’s a place to go when I need something to brighten my day, a place to go when I need advice, and a place to go where I know I can be Janell. Whether you’re getting your first pull-up, deadlifting 50 million pounds, or simply walking into the front door…. Choice City has your back.

Strength - Bench Press
10 @ EB
5 @ 65%
5 @ 75%
5+ @ 85%

Tabata You Gotta be Kidding Me!
(8 rounds of each - :20 Work :10 Rest)
Lowest reps in a round is your score!
Wallballs 20/14
Pull-ups
Squats
Sumo Deadlift High Pulls 75/55

170405 - Faces of Choice City - Janell