MissFit’s that are M.A.D. (Making a Difference)
Jannese Marie Wood, 32 years old, Lancaster, Pennsylvania
In my quest to find local MissFit’s in the Central
Pennsylvania area, Tim Card, the owner of CrossFit Lancaster didn’t hesitate to
point me in the direction of one of his athletes, Jannese. The first time he met her he was immediately drawn to her tenacity and toughness. Tim has seen a huge change in Jannese and is nothing but impressed by her transformation. She is much stronger now than before in every sense of the word. He feels that she is a helpful inspiration to the
community and culture of CrossFit Lancaster. When asked what makes Jannese a MissFit added that "she is a great example to other women who may be concerned that lifting heavy weights will make them big and bulky...this is clearly not the case!"
Jannese’s fitness journey started in 2009 after overcoming a
difficult divorce process that sent her into a bout of depression. She struggled with anti-depressants and felt
that she was headed “down a dangerous path of destruction.” One day, she decided that enough was enough
and that she was going to find a way to be “fit and happy again.” Soon after making this decision, Jannese
walked into her first CrossFit gym and found a new way of life.
Her hard work came to fruition on June 9th, 2012,
at the age of 32, when Jannese Wood stepped foot on the stage for her first
body building competition (bikini division).
Little did she know that when she nervously signed up for the Keystone
Classic, she would walk away with the 1st place trophy and a bid to
turn pro in the NABBA (National Amateur Body Building Association.)
A couple of weeks ago, I had the opportunity to sit down
with Jannese and learn a little more about her.
Here are some of the questions that she answered:
What’s your fitness background?
Jannese: I was a
cheerleader for a bit in high school. I
played a little soccer, but no true sports or competitive background.
Why did you get into competitive body building?
Jannese: I never
really thought about doing a bikini competition until a friend that does body
building mentioned that I should try it because I would be good at it. A few months later I learned about the Keystone Classic and decided to give it a try.
It turns out that it is nothing what I thought it was. I thought it was going to be a bunch of women
on steroids parading around in bikinis.
But it is nothing like that…these are women who have dedicated
themselves to being as fit healthy as they can...I really like it. Now I want to compete because it gives me an
opportunity to teach women how to be confident in their own skin…and it can be
done without diet pills and surgery.
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What inspires you?
Jannese: I’m inspired
by the fact that my sister became a mother and my brother became a father. Seeing them become the people that they want
to be has inspired me in striving to become the woman that I want to be which
is, strong, independent, and successful.
I’m inspired and motivated to be a good example for other women
that want
to try something new. Not to mention, the women in my box are
absolutely FIERCE! Each day that I walk through the doors of CFL, I am
met by these women doing exactly what I want to do. They are becoming
faster, stronger and putting up some big PR's!! We have cheered
together, laughed together and yes, cried together sometimes. But they
all get right back up and try, try again. Inspiration!
Do you have a personal philosophy?
Jannese: I have a tattoo
of a phrase that everyone knows, “Live, Laugh, Love.” To me it means live life to the fullest and
to have a good time while doing it. You
only live once, and you should be true to yourself, your goals, and the person
that you are.
Do you have any advice for women or young girls that might
be interested in trying out the sport of body building?
Jannese: First of
all, I want to emphasize and encourage the healthy approach to body building
and competing. Just like any sport, it takes
hard work and dedication and i want to eliminate the stereotype that
bodybuilding can only be accomplished by taking drugs. Anything is
possible, and if you want it…just keep working towards your goal and it
can
come true. I thought I was too old to
compete, but then I met a competitor that was in her 50’s. By meeting her I realized that anything is
possible and it’s possible at any age. I
also want women to know that accomplishing goals in the gym doesn’t mean
that
you can’t carry yourself like a lady…like a woman. Judging for one of
these competitions is not solely based on how you look in a bikini. You
are also judged on your charisma, attitude and confidence as well. In
the end, I would encourage ANY woman, now matter what shape or size who
wanted to compete to do it.
Last question, what makes you a MissFit?
Jannese: Well, I want
to help empower other women. I want to
show them that you can do anything that you put your mind to. I have worked extremely hard through all of
the adversity that I faced, I chose to take control of my emotions and I
refused to let them get the best of me. There are other ways to
handle the difficult times in life. So often we want to turn to a
pill...a quick and easy fix. I not only want to empower women, but I
want to empower ANYONE who suffers from depression to see that making
healthy choice that revolve around living a healthy lifestyle can save
you. CrossFit saved my life in more ways than one. It led me to doing things that I never
imagined I would do…like compete in body building. I have turned into a fighter!
After speaking with Jannese, CrossFit York was graced by her
presence at Sunday Funday where she crushed the WOD! She is definitely a force to be reckoned with
and it is clear that she is not afraid to set high standards and dream
big! She is fit, she is healthy, and she
is strong…Jannese is a MissFit!
If you would like to learn more about the sport of body
building and the organization that Jannese competes with, check this link out:
Thank you Jannese.
You rock!
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*EMPOWER. INSPIRE.
ENCOURAGE.*
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