GGS Spotlight: Jen Smith

https://www.girlsgonestrong.com/

Meet Jen Smith!

Name: Jennifer Smith

Age: 29

Location: Recently relocated from Lexington, KY to Boston, MA to work at Reebok’s World Headquarters

What does being a Girl Gone Strong mean to you?

I see GGS as a movement empowering women to be healthier, stronger, and build confidence.   It’s amazing to be able to represent all three of those.

How long have you been training?

I’ve been training for as long as I can remember. I played any and every sport growing up. I’ve been doing Crossfit for about 5 years.

How did you get introduced to strength training?

I started lifting weights when I ran track at the University of Kentucky. I ran the 800 and pole vaulted. We lifted weights for pole vault.

What attracted you to Crossfit?

Not knowing what it really was initially attracted me to it. When I graduated college I was just running alone, and Crossfit was a way to train with likeminded friends everyday.

When did you first think about competing in the Crossfit Games?

Individually or as a team? I’ve competed at the Crossfit Games twice on a team (2010, 2012) and once as an Individual (2013). Crossfit Maximus had needed another girl to complete their team and asked me to join in 2010 just a few months after joining the gym. I actually didn’t want to get back into competing and also didn’t understand Crossfit competitions, but once I competed my first time I was hooked.

I remember sitting at the Crossfit Games in 2012 on Crossfit Maximus’ team watching the final heads of the female individuals – wondering to myself if I could ever qualify individually. The next full year I trained the best I knew how, and won the Central East Regionals to qualify to the Crossfit Games.

What is something that you think many people have a misconception about regarding Crossfit?  

I can think of so many misconceptions, but the biggest one for me is that girls don’t want to get “bulky” lifting weights. I tell girls all the time that you won’t just morph into a bodybuilder physique with Crossfit. The girls that do get more toned are training multiple hours a day, and some can’t ever get that way. If it were so easy to bulk up, guys who naturally have more testosterone than ladies wouldn’t have to try so hard to get bigger!

People tell me all the time that they need to get in shape before they try Crossfit. There are so many different ability levels and ages in one Crossfit class. That’s the beauty of it! You could have an elite athlete and a 72 year old lady doing the same workout. She uses scaling options that work for her, but they both get the same stimulus out of the workout. There aren’t many things that are more impressive than that!

What does a sample workout look like for you?

My training changes everyday, but I usually do some form of strength training, Olympic lifting, and a couple workouts. It’s typically broken up into two sessions.

For example, my training yesterday looked like this:

• 30 Power Clean & Jerks (105#) for time.
• 5×7 Front Squats 3 minutes rest between
• 7 Pullups & 7 Pushups On the Minute x 20
• Work up to a heavy single Snatch on the minute x 15
• 100M sprint On the Minute x 10 Min.

Favorite Lift:

Hmmm… That’s a tough one! I love all lifts, but if I had to pick I’d say cleans and deadlifts.

Most memorable PR:

I was competing in the East Coast Championship in Boston this past winter and hit a new PR for my Clean & Jerk at 235#. The competitors came out one by one on a lifting platform with the lights out and a spotlight on us. We had 20 seconds from the point they called our names to start the lift! It was nerve-wracking to say the least! Even though this was the most memorable for me, any PR I get is a huge accomplishment!

Top 5 songs on your training playlist:

1. Roar – Katy Perry
2. Can’t be Touched – Roy Jones
3. Ayy Ladies – Travis Porter

Top 3 things you must have with you at the gym/in your gym bag:

• Chapstick
• Tiger Balm
• Change of clothes. There’s nothing worse than stewing in your sweat!

Do you prefer to train alone or with a training partner? Why?

Training partners are way better! Getting fit is way more fun with friends!

Most hilarious pick-up line you’ve heard at the gym:

I think guys are scared of me at the gym! I rarely get hit on.

Most embarrassing gym moment:

I gave myself a black eye from high rings doing a muscle up! It wasn’t awful, but I definitely got some questions because of it.

Favorite meal:

Grass-fed burger with sweet potato fries.

Favorite way to treat yourself:

I treat myself daily. I’m a sucker for desserts. I usually have something sweet every day.

Favorite quote:

Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Be the best version of you!

Favorite book:

The Traveler’s Gift by Andy Andrews.

What inspires and motivates you?

For as long as I can remember, I’ve always tried to push my limits. I want to see what I’m physically and mentally capable of. I know I’ve been blessed with abilities that a lot of people would love to have, so I try to make the absolute most of it. I try not to compare myself to anyone else, but to push myself as far as I’m capable.

What does a typical day look like for you? (From waking up to bedtime)

Every day I wake up, and immediately eat a banana with almond butter and coffee. I go into work at Reebok and train for about an hour before the day really starts. After training, I clean up, eat, and get ready for meetings, coaching their employees through Crossfit classes, and any other events going on. I usually finish the day out with the remainder of my training before heading home to eat and rest up. I need a lot of sleep training this much. I always joke about how “uncool” I have become since I started training competitively for Crossfit.

What’s the coolest “side effect” you’ve noticed from lifting heavy?

When I ran track at the University of Kentucky, we would run 6-8 miles on average each day. Aside from feeling stronger and overall healthier from weight training, I’m so much leaner now than I ever thought was possible.

Next training goal:

Qualify for the 2016 Crossfit Games

What are you most grateful for you in your life?

Being blessed with confidence and a healthy body. There are so many people who have limitations holding them back that they can’t control, so I never take anything for granted.

Three words that best describe you:

Positive, driven, confident

What do you want to say to other women who might be nervous to start lifting heavy?

Once you start lifting (and I’m especially passionate about Crossfit), it will blow your mind to see what your body is capable of. It may be intimidating at first, but once you get past that initial fear, it truly changes your life for the better. And it’s changed in more ways than just your physical health. The mental side effects are amazing!

Filed under: Fitness