Name: Jon Williams
Age: 43
Member Since: April 2019
Where are you from or where do you live around here?
From Illinois originally, moved to McGaheysville in 2014. I lived a lot places before that: Ohio, California, Montana, North Carolina, Wyoming, Georgia, and Mississippi.
Tell us a little about yourself.
Married (14 years), father of two (Sophia - 11 and Jack - 8). I've worked for the National Park Service since 2007, currently at Shenandoah National Park.
What got you started at Rocktown CrossFit?
I had heard about CrossFit from a coworker back in 2007. He showed me the main page where workouts were listed. The idea was pretty intimidating since I was unfamiliar with what most of the movements. I had never really lifted weights except for a small amount of time while in college but that was just using some machines. As time went by, I, along with other coworkers became more familiar with the programs and movements. I eventually joined a box in Saltillo, MS. From there I really enjoyed the classes and not having to think about what I was going to do at the gym. My family and I moved from MS to VA in 2014 I kind of shelved CrossFit for a few years. There happened to be a silent auction at my kids school and one of the items being auctioned was a month membership at the Rock (my wife won the auction and gave me the free month). I showed up for the start of my month, got paired up on a partner workout, got smoked, but kept coming back and I think that was more than 2 years ago.
When or what was your "CrossFit Moment" - the moment that you really felt pushed or felt like you really accomplished something?
I'm not sure if I've had a "moment.” I remember my first workout at the Rock and getting destroyed and thinking that maybe I was making a mistake and that maybe I didn't belong. However, all the support from my partner, coach and other athletes made those doubts disappear and I realized that it didn't matter if the workout didn't go as planned, as long as you put forth the effort and didn't quit or listen to the voices in your head telling you to stop. I had moments like this many times during difficult workouts or on days when the movements (especially Double Unders) weren't going well, but I try to pause, relax, and remember that it's just a workout and getting frustrated or mad (or swearing a bunch) isn't going to make the workout any easier so just calm down and do my best.
What are your goals for CrossFit? Why do you do CrossFit?
Finally smooth out my Double Unders and get that Bar Muscle Up.
What do you think is special about Rocktown CrossFit?
Everything from the other members, the coaches and the programming. I was never sure what I wanted from a gym until I started going to CrossFit back in MS. When I moved here I knew it was something that I wanted to get back to and when I started coming to the Rock on a regular basis, I knew that the environment here is what I had been looking for.
What are your favorite movements to do in a workout? What are your least favorite? Why?
Favorites are probably running (the thing that I don't really have to try so hard) and Pull Ups. I absolutely hate Thrusters. They are the one move that no matter how "good" I think I'm doing, they always steal my lungs and zap my energy. I'll do them, but I don't like them.
Free write - whatever you feel like you want to share.
I would like to thank Lauren and Nate for building this gym and community, the other coaches who make the classes one of the best parts of my day, and all the athletes who come to the Rock and put forth the effort. This is a really great place to experience and I look forward to each day that I get to keep coming in.
If you have been on an 800m run and heard the patter of feet quietly approaching behind you, you’ve probably worked out with Jon.
Jon is knowing for making appearances at any and all classes to get in his workout. He’s usually the quiet one in the back close to the rig. You might not hear much out of him, but he’s consistently there each week.
While he’s known for being quiet, he always has a joke or comment that brings a smile to his coaches.
Jon never shortcuts himself on the technique work and is always putting in the extra time and reps to work on weaknesses. Jon, we see you putting in the work. Keep grinding!