6 Rounds:
1 Minute Max KB Swing 70/53
1 Minute Max Calorie Row
2 Minute Rest
Jessica Odom has been in the gym a few short months and has made tremendous progress. I saw her hititng some beautiful squats this morning and wanted to give her some well deserved props on the blog. This squat is 145, which she hit for 5 reps.
I emailed Jessica asking her a few questions so I could introduce her properly. I figure I will just share what she wrote back to me instead of paraphrasing.
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First of all, I'm flattered… Thank you for noticing and recognizing my accomplishments. I really appreciate it.
I know they seem like easy questions, but I do have to put some thought into this!
I have 2 boys, ages 2 and 5.
I started in August at CFES
I've always been athletic. As a child I did gymnastics, played baseball/softball and through high school, I played basketball volleyball and track. I also swam and competed in rodeo, until I broke my neck when I was 16. I did nothing athletic for at least 1 year after having surgery and going through rehab to learn to use my left arm again.
In college, I played on a few co-ed teams, taught master's swim conditioning, and started into martial arts when I was 20. 5 years ago, I got pregnant, blew out my knee and had surgery, took a few months of rehab while pregnant. After having Alex, I started CrossFit when my husband got into it from fellow firefighters. A few months later, was pregnant again, bleeding and put on bed rest. We lost that baby in my second trimester. Did CrossFit informally during that next 8 months until I got pregnant with Evan, started CrossFit Mom regularly until I had him. I did CrossFit Mom after I had him and then stared back into CrossFit up until I moved here in Dec. All the CrossFit I did was based on my previous "knowledge" of weightlifting, and with some help of my (soon to be ex) husband who became a CrossFit instructor. Now I am also training 2 days per week in jiu jitsu and 3 days per week in Krav Maga.
From Dec-Aug (when I started here) I was not exercising at all. I was in the worst shape of my life. It was hard to perform even basic movements (getting up from a squat position, etc)
I have lost 38 pounds since I started here!
My current physical condition, I believe, is the best I've been in my life. I feel the strongest, fastest, most agile all at the same time for the first time. I do have to say that CrossFit has done so much for my psychological condition (I know you didn't ask that!) But I feel better than I ever have, I feel strong, capable, confident. I sleep well, I feel waaaayy less stressed and I feel so much of that has to do with the hours that I spend daily pushing myself beyond my securities. This isn't easy, and I'm so much stronger in every way for doing it. It's definitely been my "therapy" since moving here, going through a divorce and creating a whole new life on my own.
Accomplishments/Breakthroughs: I can do pullups, rope climbs and bar dips and I've never been able to do those. I am running faster than I ever have before.
My biggest CF goal is to be able to do all the movements and do them well, all while increasing my stamina, speed, strength and agility (is that too much to ask?!) I am competitive and I'd like to get up on the board! I'd like to compete and do well. I'd like to be a "competitor"!
Sorry that was so long-winded….
Thanks for taking the time and interest in my physical fitness! I am so appreciative of you guys. I could NOT have done this without you!
-Jessica
