July 2023--Tanya Jones

1. Tell us about yourself, your family, your occupation, hobbies/interests.
I was born and raised in Portland, Oregon, and though I've lived in many other cities, I will always be a bit Portlandian at heart.
I am married to my best friend and have 7 beautiful children, and I am so grateful to be their mother. Honestly, my favorite thing “to do” is spend time with my husband. I know anything we do together is enjoyable, and I am always happiest with him. Also, just making memories with my family and seeing happiness in my kids is very dear to me.
I do love art, especially painting and photography. I always enjoy learning new skills in other mediums as well. Of course, over the past year, CrossFit has worked its way to the top of my favorite hobbies/interests list.



2. When do you start CrossFitting? Why did you start? Why do you continue now?
I started CrossFit in April of 2022. I was working out at home with just some dumbbells, and I was getting bored with the routine and wanted to be able to lift heavier weights. My husband, who had just joined CrossFit, pushed me to join and convinced me it would be something I would love. I reluctantly decided to try it, thinking I would definitely hate the high-intensity and group workouts. My husband was right, as usual, and I immediately fell in love with it. I continue now because of the benefits I've seen and because I really enjoy it.



3. Do you remember your first WOD? What were your thoughts after your first WOD?
I remember everything about my first WOD. It was a back squat 5x5. I remember leaving the box thinking, 'Wow, CrossFit is easier than I thought.' I also remember my second WOD erased that thought completely.


4. What do you enjoy most about CrossFit?
I don't know where to begin with this question; I enjoy so much about CrossFit; choosing what I love most is difficult. I appreciate the variety of the workouts and knowing that each rep, each movement, is building strength. I love being able to work out with amazing and strong women. The spirit of the box is always positive and motivating. There is no end to the encouragement. I love that even though there is a little competition, we all are cheering for the other ladies and encouraging each other to do our best and push ourselves.


5. What is your proudest CrossFit moment?
I struggled with this question. I don't know if I have just one moment I'm most proud of. I would have to say my proudest moments at CrossFit are when I surprise myself. When I look at a WOD and think, 'There is no way I can do that!' Or 'Man, I'm going to scale that,' and then I go in and do better than I thought I could or lift a weight I never thought I could. When I leave the gym, and I'm just shocked that I survived and didn't give up; that's when I feel most proud.



6. What is your favorite movement or lift? What is your least favorite?
I enjoy the weightlifting aspect of CrossFit the most. My favorite lifts would have to be deadlifts and snatches. Deadlifts because they're simple and straightforward, and they just make you feel strong. Snatches because they're not simple or straightforward. They're more methodical and definitely not my heaviest lift, but they're incredibly fun, and each pound added is so satisfying when you get it.
My least favorite is wall balls. I'm convinced whoever invented them hated short people and created wall balls as some form of torture.


7. Have you had one or two challenging CrossFit goals that you've achieved recently? What are your current goals and how close are you to reaching them?
I feel lame now because up until a couple of months ago, my only goal was to survive each WOD. Though some WODs I barely survived, I’m still here, so that's an accomplishment.

After getting over my fear of falling on my face, I was able to achieve a handstand! Now I enjoy doing them, and I'm working towards an HSPU. I would like to be able to do toes to bar, but I'm not even close to that goal.


8. What makes CrossFit different from other fitness programs you might have tried in the past?
I've never done any fitness program like CrossFit. Everything about it is different. The most beneficial difference is having a coach to train with.



9. What impact has CrossFit Benedictus had on your life, in and out of the gym?
One of the most surprising things to me about CrossFit was how the impact spilled over into my life outside of the gym. The most noticeable difference is the amount of energy I have, not just during a WOD but on a regular basis. I don't give up as quickly and find myself pushing past my comfort zone in and out of the gym. Before doing CrossFit, I will admit that I easily gave up on things. I doubted myself and my abilities in many aspects of my life and didn't have the energy or confidence to push myself. Through pushing myself physically in the CrossFit gym, I also learned how to push myself in my spiritual life. As I grow stronger physically, I find I'm also growing stronger in my faith. So I would say CrossFit has helped me tremendously in my physical, mental, and spiritual well-being.


10. Tell us about your nutrition and how it has changed, if any, since starting CrossFit?
For the past several years, I've been mainly eating “paleo,” My nutrition hasn't changed much. Though in the past year, I have discovered some health issues that have forced me to change my diet. Though I probably could be more strict about things than I am.


11. If you could write a WOD for the classes to do, what would it look like?

I would call the workout Weak in the knees:
For time
Run 400 meters
21 deadlifts
500-meter row
15 deadlifts
assault bike calories (28/20)
9 deadlifts

Men deadlift 145; women deadlift 115


12. What advice do you have for others about the importance of the dedication of taking care of yourself, of investing in yourself?
I am probably the last person who should be giving advice on this topic. It took me 14 years to put time into caring for my health and well-being. I don't think anyone will regret dedicating some time and energy to their health, whether physical, mental, or spiritual. Especially as a mother and wife, I'm more efficient at my duties now that I'm taking the time each week to care for my health.


13. What advice would you give to someone new to CrossFit or who is thinking about giving it a try?
For those who are new, my advice is to keep showing up and pushing yourself. Just dedicating the time to show up is a feat in itself and sometimes the most challenging step. For those considering joining, I will steal Nike’s advice and say, just do it! There is no harm in trying, and you might accidentally find something you really enjoy.




14. Open Forum:
I thank God for the opportunity to work out in a gym with incredible women and fantastic coaches and for giving me the strength to carry through each WOD. I’m so grateful for each workout I can be at. It is a gift to have found CrossFit Benedictus, and I am thankful for it.
I want to thank my husband for knowing me better than I know myself. For encouraging me to do something entirely out of my comfort zone and motivating me to keep at it. And for always cheering me on. Also, it would be amiss if I didn't also thank him for always lovingly listening to me talk about CrossFit.

I also want to thank my children for being my biggest fans, wishing me good luck for a tough WOD, and celebrating with me when I survive, or accomplish a new weight or movement. I especially want to thank my two oldest daughters for keeping things running smoothly at home so I can keep showing up to workouts.

Thank you to all the coaches for your dedication and work in the gym and behind the scenes. That allows us all the opportunity to have a place to work out. I'm so grateful for your skills and knowledge and your constant encouragement.

And last but not least, I want to thank all the other women at our CrossFit gym. For your inspiring strength and dedication. Your encouragement and 'don't give up' attitudes. Without you ladies, I surely wouldn't have made it through so many WODS and would have given up long ago. So thank you so much for being an inspiration to me. I hope to continue working out with all of you for a long time to come.