Julie Jones

Julie Jones

In the beginning…

I have been involved in sports all my life. As a kid, I played softball with my dad. In high school I played field hockey, basketball and softball.  After high school, I took a break from sports. By 2007, I gained a considerable amount of weight. I was about 80 lbs heavier than I am now.

Me In Italy in 2007
In Italy in 2007

In 2011, I joined Weight Watchers and in 2014, I reached my Lifetime weight goal. By the time I reached my  goal weight, I was running on almost a daily basis. I ran 10 races, including 8-5ks, my first 10k and an obstacle course race in 2014. I placed 4th in my age group for one of the 5k races and in the 10k race.  Running helps strengthen things up like your legs, which helped improve myself-image. But adding CrossFit to my routine helped bring my self-image to a new level.  When I was in middle and high school, I had large legs and people bullied me because of how I looked. Now, in my forties, I have still have larger legs than many of my friends, but my legs are super strong. My legs help me do cleans and deadlifts and box jumps and I love them for that.  I wear shorts now because I’m proud of them.

In 2015 I began CrossFit with a friend who invited me to her box for a free session.  We did a Hero WOD, 21-21-21 and I fell in love.  I joined a local CrossFit box, Columbia CrossFit Cove.  In the two years since starting CrossFit, I developed an interest in all aspects of functional fitness for athletes of all ages. In 2016, I took a personal trainer course and subsequently passed the ACE Fitness Personal Trainer Certification exam. That same week, I attended and passed the CrossFit Level 1 Trainer course/exam.   

CrossFit has had a huge impact on my fitness, but also in the way that I take care of myself and others. I love helping fellow athletes reach new goals. It is really amazing seeing them achieve goals and incorporate what they’ve learned outside of the box in their everyday lives. My passion project is developing a program for CrossFit athletes over 35. That’s what the Masters Division is all about; that is its main goal. Many people accept the idea that getting older automatically results in a decline in functional movement. We know that the CrossFit methodology proves that idea wrong. Let me help you see the potential that lies inside of you.

Credentials

  • CrossFit Level 1 Trainer, January 2017
  • CPR and AED Certified, June 2016, June 2018
  • ACE Certified Personal Trainer, January 2017, January 2019
  • CrossFit Online Judges Course (2016 & 2018)

Advice for people who are just getting started with CrossFit
#EmbraceTheChallenge.

Every workout is a challenge. But it’s a challenge you can face and conquer.