Member Spotlight: Anthony Jones

Prior to the Army moving me and my wife (and newest CFB Coach,) Natasha, to Columbus from Hampton, VA in the Spring of 2018, my experience with CrossFit was limited. My initial experience with CrossFit came from trying to keep up with Field Grade Officers during “mentoring” sessions held during 1-on-1, soul crushing physical training (PT) sessions through my first few years in the Army. The next serious exposure I had with CrossFit was during the month prior to moving to Columbus. I attended Tasha’s CrossFit gym during my free time while preparing for the move and enjoyed it enough to make me want to find a gym after the move.

Prior to starting our membership at CFB, my fitness routine consisted of doing about 45 minutes of PT with the unit and then trying to get in about 30 minutes of strength training as time allowed before the work day started, in addition to walking our dog, Winston, a few miles a day (if the Virginia humidity permitted.)

After joining CFB, I really fell in love with the programming variety and the physical demands required to survive each WOD. The coaching at CFB has been outstanding! Over the last two and a half years, it’s been great seeing myself progress from scaling most WODs, to being proficient with most movements and using more technique than the “grip it and rip it” strategy when doing barbell movements. And then the COVID-19 shutdown happened…

During the COVID-19 lock down, I saw my physical fitness decline and started going stir crazy being in the house all day and only doing calisthenics by myself and walking the dog. When CFB reopened, I initially wanted to get back to where I was prior to the lockdown, but when I saw that some of our member not only maintained their fitness, but improved and were leaving me in the dust, I decided I needed to find another gear to keep up with my friends during the workouts. I started making it a point to do Sunday endurance classes to improve my stamina and attend the Tuesday Olympic lifting sessions to become more efficient in those lifts. I was also helped by coach Katie’s nutrition challenge and learned about portion control and macros, and after I got used to the changes in my diet, my energy level went from a 5 to a 9 and directly impacted my output during WODs.

After all that being said, the most important thing that I have fallen in love with is the welcoming and caring community that CFB has to offer. From the first time that I walked into the gym, I felt immediately welcomed and part of a family. All of the gym members have unique stories and varying interests that I have come to enjoy learning from and getting to know. It has been fun competing with friends during the monthly challenges and getting the encouragement to gain the confidence to do my first CrossFit competition this past September.