Jonathan is PUSH511's August Member of the Month!
Jonathan has only been a part of the PUSH community for a little over a year, but he has already become a regular friendly face in our morning CrossFit classes. Our coaching team thought that he was the perfect choice for Member of the Month... here's why they think he deserves the honor!
Jonathan is a delight to have around even at 4:50 am in the morning! Is he crazy for having a smile as he walks into the gym that early in the morning? Maybe. But it's a crazy worth having around! He's a speedy fella and has come a long way since he started. He's a coach's delight as he pays attention to his own form, doesn't try to go way above his means, and listens to cues. Not only that, he's always there to high-five the next athlete he sees no matter how grueling the workout is. Keep up the excellent work Jonathan!
Jonathan is beyond awesome. He walks into every 4:50 am class with a big smile and a big good morning! He has come so so far in his time at Push and it’s been such an honor to witness his growth. He is the best kind of competitor you could have in class - he will push to make himself better all while challenging you to keep going - then celebrate with you when the WOD is over. He is so good at bodyweight movements and we are all just waiting on the day he nails that ring muscle up (he’s so close). He takes feedback and cues so well and in return, his barbell form continually improves week after week. He is such a pleasure to have in the morning crew and has become such a ray of sunshine for everyone!
Jonathan is one of the most humble humans I have ever met. He is dedicated to coming in every morning and somehow always has a smile on his face. He is so supportive of everyone around him and is never afraid to try new things. He is someone who purposefully comes to the class with movements he does not like, just to work on his weaknesses. He is the true spirit of PUSH511.
For an athlete that works out in the early morning 4:50 class - I always catch him with a smile even during workouts. Super coachable and great energy to have around - Jonathan is the athlete you would love to have around in any class for his spirit and heart to grind during workouts.
Now, let's get to know our Member of the Month!
When did you start CrossFit? May 2022 (1 year ago)
What's your fitness background? Wrestling in high school. Since then, I primarily focused on running and had limited gym experience before PUSH.
What’s your favorite CrossFit movement? Cleans.
What’s your least favorite movement? Overhead squats.
What do you do for work? I work in pharmaceutical development as a Director of Regulatory Operations. My primary role is to oversee development programs and bring new treatments to patients.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family. I am a Baltimore native, growing up in Catonsville and attending Mount Saint Joseph high school. My fiance, Liz, and I now live in Canton and only a short walk from the gym. We have a yellow lab named Wellie and enjoy exploring the city with him on the weekends. In the summer, we love taking hikes in Patapsco and spend a lot of time at Lake Louisa in Virginia.
Tell us something we don’t know about you! I have a tattoo.
How has Crossfit affected your life outside of the gym? Since joining push, my physical and mental health has increased tenfold. I feel stronger and more confident in every facet of my life ready to take on each day and be at my best.
What do you enjoy most about PUSH? The family atmosphere. We all support each other and hold each other accountable to be at our best. The coaches really make you feel confident and ready to take on the WOD.
What tips would you offer to someone who is just getting started with working out? Embrace pushing yourself and always feel comfortable to ask the coaches for help on a movement or scaling option.
What's your favorite song to work out to? Noah Kahn, Dial Drunk (thanks coach Amanda)
What's your favorite restaurant? Hucks.
Who's your hero (real or fictional)? My late Aunt, Gigi, who devoted her life to teaching children with disabilities until pancreatic cancer took her from us after a 5-year fight (the doctors gave her 6-months at the time of diagnosis).
What does your frequently used emoji tab look like? Thumbs-up and smiley faces.
Words to live by or favorite quote? Nothing in the world is worth having or worth doing unless it means effort, pain, difficulty - Theodore Rosevelt
What's your favorite travel spot? Lake Louisa, Virginia.
If you could win an Olympic gold medal for any sport, real or fake, what would it be? Triathlon.
What's your hidden talent? I can solve a Rubiks Cube.
What are your top five favorite movies?
- The Sandlot
- Forrest Gump
- Grandma's Boy
- The Big Lebowski
- Saving Private Ryan
