Meet Coach Jared

I played every sport I could get my hands on while growing up.  While at college though, I missed organized sports and was looking for something new.  Then a friend at school introduced me to this weird workout program where you do all sorts of crazy movements I had never heard of.  I had tried other workout plans, but always got bored after a week.  This was finally something fresh and new all the time.  I couldn't do more than 1 pullup at a time, and had no idea what correct form was, but I was hooked.  Next thing I knew, I was sneaking in with him to the varsity gym so we could use the olympic lifting platforms because it was the only place available to do most of the workouts.  At the time, CrossFit gyms only existed on the West Coast.  We were living vicariously through the CrossFit main site.  And if you want to get in your wayback machine, here is my first ever post to CrossFit back in 2005 (I'm the first one)  http://www.crossfit.com/mt-archive2/000701.html

After being lazy for the better part of that first year after college, and having no place to CrossFit in my hometown, my cousin suckered me into my first marathon (May 2006), which segued into my first year of triathlons.  Training went great and I got back in shape, but I lost a lot of muscle, which was very discouraging.  I wanted to have it all.  I decided I needed to do something about it and knew CrossFit was the answer.  I drove out for Pittsburgh for my CrossFit Level 1 certification in November 2007.  While out there, I got some contact info about how I could combine CrossFit and triathlons.  And in March 2008, I went to the first CrossFit Endurance certification offered on the east coast.  

I got my questions answered at the CFE certification, and was inspired to put my new knowledge to the test.  I decided to go big, and I completed an Ironman distance triathlon in September 2008.  I was CrossFitting 4-6 times/week, and swim/bike/run 3-4 times/week.  It was awesome, I was in the best shape of my life, and I still had a life with my friends (not countless hours on the weekends hitting the pavement).

After proving what was possible with CrossFit, I never looked back.  I took my passion and applied it in as many facets of CrossFit as I could.  Since then, I have competed in 2 CrossFit Games at the Regional level (2009, 2010).  I completed the North Face Endurance Challenge 50 Miler (May 2011).  I regularly attended an adult gymnastics class for 6 months.  I went to a specialized powerlifting gym and added 130 pounds to my back squat and 140 pounds to my deadlift in 3 months.  I have been coaching CrossFit for over 2 years, and I am still striving to always better and improve in every area that I can.

I live by doing.  I do not recommend to others what I would not be willing to do myself.  Just like when I was a kid growing up, I still want to do it all (and I still want to act like a kid).  I firmly believe that CrossFit is the perfect medium for any athletic activity.  Whether it is just getting back into shape, or training for a specific sport or event, CrossFit has proven to be the perfect base.

As a CFV coach, I want to use my first-hand experience to help you achieve all of your goals.  My mission is to have you show up and learn something new every class with me, not just show up and go through the motions.  By doing this, I firmly believe you will ignite the fire inside you to realize your true potential.

Level 1 CrossFit Certified, ANSI Accredited

CrossFit Endurance Certified (by Brian Mackenzie)

Jared (aka Jerry) graciously answered some silly questions, go to the Meet the Coaches page to find out his silly answers.