Congratulations to Pete Voss from Printers Row and Jenna Phelps from Union Station, our Athletes of the Month for July 2015!
Pete is a former Marine, and a regular 6am-er dedicated to becoming a better athlete every day. His belief in being disciplined, practicing moderation, working hard, helping others, making progress, and enjoying life comes to light every day when he comes through the door and leaves it all out on the floor.
Jenna has an athletic background, and has found that CrossFit challenges and inspires her inner athlete. You can usually find her high up on the WhiteBoard in both strength and skills, as well as in metcons. Her consistent and humble performances motivate others (women and men) to push harder, go faster, and not shy away from being strong!
Discipline, progress, and being an inspirational member in the community are just a few of the qualities we look for in an Athlete of the Month. Take some time to get to know Pete and Jenna by reading their “Member Spotlights” below!
Get to Know Pete Voss
Member Spotlight May, 2015
Age: 52
Occupation: Business Owner
In general, what is your background? Grew up in Hyde Park and always lived in the city. I have a wife and two kids and we live in the South Loop.
How long have you been a member at The Foundry? I have been a member of The Foundry for one year.
What is your CrossFit story? Prior to joining The Foundry I belonged to a gym that focused on bodyweight training. Many of the movements in Crossfit are very similar. Learning the technique for the lifts with the Olympic bar has been the biggest adjustment.
How has The Foundry changed your life/lifestyle/level of fitness? The Crossfit style workouts have exposed my weaknesses and helped me become a better overall athlete. What do you like most about The Foundry? The best thing about the Foundry is the community atmosphere, and finishing the metcon on Friday and knowing that I will not come back for 2 days!
What are your short term goals (gym or personal)? I would like to lose10 lbs.
What are your long term goals (gym or personal)? I would like to be able to do a muscle up.
What is your proudest CrossFit accomplishment thus far? 75 push-ups in less than 3 minutes
What is your favorite movement? Pull-ups
What’s your least favorite movement? Any type of lunges, they kill my knees.
What is your favorite WOD or type of workout? Any reasonably short metcon that involves pulling or pushing movements and aerobic conditioning
What WOD or type of workout would you rather avoid but you know is good for you? A WOD that includes a lot of running
What is your go-to post-WOD meal/snack/beverage? Spinach, banana, almond milk smoothie
What is your favorite movie? Forest Gump
What is your favorite book? The Sun Also Rises by Ernest Hemmingway
You get to choose the music your class listens to this month! What is your favorite style of music, or who is your favorite musical artist? I like all types of music, my favorite is probably rock and roll. I like the Beatles, the Stones, the Who, Jimi Hendrix, Jeff Beck, Neil Young and many others. I also like some of the current day pop music.
Do you have a favorite quote or words to live by? “You are what you think about.”
What is your spirit animal and why? The elephant because it is the largest land mammal and it is an herbivore. I try to be an herbivore as much as possible.
Finish this sentence. I’m passionate about…being disciplined, practicing moderation, working hard, helping others, making progress and enjoying life.
Get to Know Jenna Phelps
Member Spotlight July, 2015
Age: 29 (30 this month!)
Occupation: Headhunter
In general, what is your background? In general, I am from Albuquerque, New Mexico, went to college in Reno, Nevada. I am married to an extremely talented baseball coach. I have lived in Chicago for almost 3yrs. I am a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal, SO “in general” anything is possible.
How long have you been a member at The Foundry? What is your CrossFit story? I have been a member for almost seven months now. Time flies. I have always loved Olympic lifting so CrossFit was an easy transition for me on that end. I wish my parents had me in Gymnastics longer as a child. I think most of those skills come with A LOT of practice and if you can learn them early then you will always have them.
How has The Foundry changed your life/lifestyle/level of fitness? What do you like most about The Foundry? The Foundry has made it easy for me to incorporate fitness into my daily life. I enjoy going, I feel bad when I don’t, and now secretly I am addicted to the “Whiteboard”! I am more competitive than I thought, and I truly enjoy the people.
What are your short term goals (gym or personal)? Gym: I struggle with this all of the time because there are soooo many things I want to improve. I think my lack of mobility hinders some of my movements. So, I would like to dedicate more time to that… for a short period of time. Ha! Personal: Moving into my 30’s just makes me want to “do better” at life, love, health, relationships, career, etc.
What are your long term goals (gym or personal)? Gym: Be consistent. I tend to “Yo-yo” when it comes to fitness and health. I owe it to myself to be healthy. Personal: Happiness.
What is your proudest CrossFit accomplishment thus far? It was eye opening when I did a pull up for the first time in the Open, then managed to do A LOT more. Its things like that that make you wonder what your body can really do. Things just kind of took off for me from there.
What is your favorite movement? Deadlifts. They make me feel manly, especially when you out lift the men. Sorry boys, no shame in my game!
What’s your least favorite movement? Well, I would say muscle ups, but they scare me so much that I pretend they aren’t there. So, I’m going to go with a plain old burpee. I am so slow at burpees it is embarrassing.
What is your favorite WOD or type of workout? I love when reps are low and I can complete all of the movements. I am able to go unbroken and just keep cranking it out.
What WOD or type of workout would you rather avoid but you know is good for you? Running, rowing… endurance… I have none…
What is your go-to post-WOD meal/snack/beverage? Well, I work out to enjoy life and experience the things that aren’t typically as healthy. So, pizza and beer is a serious motivator.
What is your favorite movie? ALL Jaws movies, especially the Sea World movie.
What is your favorite book? I collect children’s books. I think reading is what gives us all those great ideas. So, imagine giving those ideas to children. The possibilities are endless.
You get to choose the music your class listens to this month! What is your favorite style of music, or who is your favorite musical artist? I would never torture the class with a month of Britney Spears. Yes, I know, it’s bad.
Do you have a favorite quote or words to live by? “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I’m not sure about the universe.” –Albert Einstein
What is your spirit animal and why? Maria, this is all you. Can you please assign me one???? (some people have assigned her: dolphin, lion, cougar)
Finish this sentence. I’m passionate about… new experiences.