Congratulations Jessica Duchen!

Jessica has been a member of PUSH for just about 2 years.  Let's read what her fellow sweat buddies and coaches have to say about this rockstar person.

Jessica has the best attitude and I love having her in my class!

Jess is a rock star, by all means. For one, she is a speedster and flies through endurance workouts.  She is also incredibly strong and dedicated to improving herself, no matter what it is.  But more importantly, she is a great team player and a positive person to work out with. She encourages people around her and I am so glad to have met Jess through PUSH511. One of my favorite memories will be running the American Odyssey with her this past year. She motivates me to do better and to train harder! :) Miss you Jess!

She embraces the challenge, works hard, and is capable of bringing others that she loves in to do the same.

Jessica always strikes me as a person with a positive attitude. She has grown so much since the early days of Grit, becoming a very complete athlete. Doesn’t matter what the Endurance workout is: run, gymnastics, weights, she masters each one of these components. She also puts in the extra effort with accessory programming or extra classes. She is a pleasure to workout with!

She gets gritty with bootcamp classes!

Jessica embodies positivity and consistency and is always great to have in class. Vast improvements everywhere across the board on strength/gymnastics.

Jessica’s smile, encouragement and positive attitude always brighten my day and WOD. I have loved getting to know her more and am so glad she is part of our PUSH Family.

Jessica comes in smiling every single day and instantly makes the gym a better place. She works so hard and it shows. We are a better community because she is in it.

Now let's get to get to know Jessica a little better.

Started CrossFit:  I started CrossFit in October 2012, took a break for a couple years and came back in August 2017 when I came to PUSH511.

What is your fitness background: I’ve always loved sports, but unfortunately lacked the athletic skills and coordination to play beyond high school. After college, I started running and training for long distance races.

Favorite Movement: Kettlebell Swings, CARDIO!

Least Favorite Movement: Overhead Squats and Snatches.

Occupation: Research Data Analyst at Hopkins.

Tell us a little bit about yourself and your family: I grew up on Long Island, NY (it is not that bad!!) with wonderful, supportive parents and 2 siblings, and went to college at the University of Scranton. I met my husband Dylan in grad school and we have a fur baby named Ruby (who in my unbiased opinion is the cutest dog in the world). Moved to Baltimore in August 2017, after living in San Francisco for about 3 years. I love living back on the East Coast and being closer to friends and family. I am an aunt to two (soon to be three!).

Tell us something we don’t know about you: I LOVE reality television - the trashier the better!

Words to live by or Favorite Quote: “Would I rather be feared or loved? Easy. Both. I want people to be afraid of how much they love me.” - Michael Scott (The Office)

How has CrossFit affected your life outside the gym: In so many ways!! It has given me more confidence both inside and outside the gym. Before this year, I never thought I would be able to do a pull-up, but PUSH has helped me build the confidence and develop the skills I needed.

What do you enjoy most about PUSH: What is not to love! But most especially, I enjoy the people and the atmosphere at PUSH. I love that every time I come to the gym, I am working out with friends who always push me to do my best.

Fill in the Blank:

I like… wine, The Office, mint chocolate chip ice cream.

I eat… a lot of sweet potatoes.

I do… not like to parallel park.

I am… a huge Harry Potter fan.

Favorite Cheat Meal… French fries, pizza.

Favorite Real-Life Hero/Athlete… Serena Williams.

Thank you so much! I am so happy to be a part of PUSH511!