Wednesday, November 23, 2011

FIGHT!

Today would mark my Dad's 71st birthday....gosh that seems so old. In 2006, my dad passed away after a long battle with Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.


His birthday always falls around Thanksgiving which to me seems fitting. Since he has passed away, I have never really been angry or asked "why me" or "what did my family do to deserve this." Instead, I took a different approach. I am just incredibly THANKFUL that he was in my life, even it was for a short time. Being bitter and angry isn't going to bring him back; therefore; I choose to cherish the great times I had with him. He still very much alive inside of me.

If it weren't for my dad, I probably wouldn't have a lick of common sense. He taught me how to be independent and self sufficient. Most importantly, he taught me how to fight. Not the "Rocky", Kung-Fu, meet me outside and let's duke it out kind of fight, but to really fight...fight for your life and the things you care about.


It was not a short fight by any means...4 years to be exact. He relapsed 3 times and each time the doctors said it would be the last. Each relapse brought on a new set of complications, but he overcame them and went into remission. It wasn't over till he said it was gonna be over. My Dad told me that he was waiting for me to graduate from college. He wanted to be there in person to me see receive my diploma....no pressure there, right. :) I graduated from Texas State in December of 2005. He passed in January of 2006.


No one has ever fought that hard for me. I owe it to him to fight hard for my life and whatever I want out of it. There is no battle too big. If I fight hard enough, I will win! He will always be the voice in my head telling me 1 more rep, pick up the bar, and move! I am truly blessed and THANKFUL to have had 24 AMAZING years with him.

Peace Out,

Jess

Monday, November 14, 2011

Music Mondy

I Love this song. I Love this video.

Enjoy!


Peace Out,

DJ Jazzy J

Tuesday, November 8, 2011

What It Means To Be A CrossFit Central Coach



Before I started coaching for CrossFit Central, I was only doing in-home personal trainer. I had a pretty cush' lifestyle. I would train a few clients in the morning, come home watch TV or play on the internet, go workout, come home nap or watch more TV, then train a few more clients and usually home by 6:30 or 7. I had clients that traveled quite a bit or really hectic work schedule which allowed for even more free time to waste. It was great. I loved it. No complaints.

A few months ago I decided that I wanted to start coaching CrossFit. I met/interviewed with Jeremy, Lisa and Carey and got the go ahead to start my mentorship. It didn't take long for me to realize that this is exactly where I wanted to be. I took all the necessary steps in the mentorship program to ensure that I would make a successful coach. It also lead to a complete lifestyle change. I no longer had the relaxing down time that I had once had. Any downtime I had was spent at Central shadowing classes, coaches and elements. If I wasn't at the gym, I was home doing the required assignments to complete my mentorship in a timely manner. There were no more naps and very little TV time. In fact 90% of the time, the TV is just background noise. I have about 3 months worth of General Hospital on my DVR right now that probably won't get watched....that's how much I LOVE my job. Being a CrossFit Central coach is not just showing up for classes and meetings. There is a lot of behind the scenes work that demands a lot of our free time. I have not once dreaded any part of the process because it's all the little things add up that make us GREAT!

As many of you may know, the coaches at CrossFit Central are NEXT LEVEL coaches. You will not find such a dynamic group of badasses at any other CrossFit gym...i'd bet money. I quickly learned that if I wanted a spot here, I was going to have to step up my game BIG TIME. This is the big leagues and here your "A Game" is not good enough. You better bring your A+++ game to keep up with this crew. So, that's where I am right now. I am doing everything possible to earn my spot and make a name for myself. I have a lot to learn, and I have the BEST coaching/ teaching team in the world. Not to mention the most amazing clients in the world. They are the most important key to great coaching because without them...we have nothing.

Monday, November 7, 2011

Music Monday

It's here, the moment you've all been waiting for....Music Monday. This week pick is from the band M83 and the song is Midnight City.
It's pretty gloomy outside today, but this song is guaranteed to put a little skip in your step. Enjoy!


P.S. Their Pandora station is pretty legit as well!

Peace Out,

DJ Jazzy J

Wednesday, November 2, 2011

Music Monday...better late than never

Put on your dancing shoes.


Peace Out,

DJ Jazzy Jess