Getting to Know: Jenn Belong
Jenn Belong is one of the nicest people you will ever meet. She is also extremely fit and a very talented coach and personal trainer. How could we not hire her?
Jenn will be joining us at CrossFit Ironstone as a full-time trainer, and as the weekday manager. If you plan on coming to morning classes or stopping in for Open Gym or a tour during the day, it is her smiling face you will see.
We are so happy to have her on board, but we know her pretty well. So you can get to know her better, we decided to interview her so we could share a little more:
Hey Jenn, we are so happy to have you onboard. We know you are super qualified and experienced, but why don’t you tell everyone else your background and what you have been doing the last few years:
Thanks guys I am extremely happy to be a part of the Ironstone Team. I began my CrossFit journey in October 2008 with a personal trainer at Nubody’s. I moved to Vancouver in April 2009 and continued following CrossFit.com WOD’s at a similar Globo style gym. In May 2010 I went to Calgary to get my CrossFit Level one certification and started Personal Training. After joining Studeo 55 CrossFit I learned another important aspect of CrossFit – Community. In 2013 I took the CrossFit Kids, Olympic Lifting and Gymnastics Certifications. I also coached Children’s Gymnastics at a club in Vancouver and incorporated Functional Movements into their programs.
How do you define fitness for the average person?
Fitness to me means being prepared for life. What I love about is CrossFit is that it gives you General Physical Preparedness for life no matter what your goals are – whether it is to be able to play with your children or grandchildren or to enhance/improve your athletic performance.
Can you describe your approach to leading group classes and personal training sessions?
When I’m coaching group classes I am watching the athletes and making sure they all get individualized attention to ensure safety and proper technique. I want the group to act as a team pushing and encouraging each other so they experience the community that is CrossFit.
When I’m personal training it is all about establishing the clients goals and figuring out how they best respond to coaching. I want to develop a trusting relationship and get to know what drives them. I want to help them figure out what has held them back in the past so they can make a lifestyle change to achieve sustainable long-term success.
What is your advice for new people starting out?
Don’t be intimidated! CrossFit is completely scalable to all fitness levels. Don’t be afraid of intensity, as it is a variable that you control. Check your ego at the door – listen to the coaches and your body to keep safety first.
What kind of diet do you follow? Do you think your diet is right for everybody or are there exceptions? How does diet relate to performance (in your view)?
I’ve adapted a version of the Paleo diet that works for me as a lifestyle. I avoid gluten, wheat, processed and artificial foods and mostly stick to things that were once alive. Keep in mind this is a lifestyle meaning I have my own versions of traditional foods, have treats and splurge every now and again. I love taking the “traditional treats” and finding ways to make them more nutritious and allow me to feel great about the quality of fuel I am feeding my daughter.
My diet is absolutely not for everyone. Everyone’s body and energy needs are different and what works for me may not work for you. You need to experiment and find out how your body reacts to particular foods. The key is to take things one-step at a time and not look at it as a diet and instead make lifestyle changes that you can live with.
When it comes to performance – food is fuel. It absolutely matters what you are putting into your body. Think about what would happen if you put sugar into your vehicle’s gas tank – your body reacts similarly to this when you put less than quality foods into your body.
What are your fitness goals for 2015?
To continue to improve my overall fitness level, learn to walk on my hands and finally get butterfly pull-ups.
What is your greatest CrossFit weakness and how do you plan to address it?
Getting under the bar on split jerks and snatches. The only way to get better at these lifts is to practice and do more of them.
What is your favorite thing about being fit?
Being able to keep up with my daughter and having the energy and ability to do anything life sends my way. Knowing that I am not limited by my physical ability when it comes to experiencing life – whether that is a leisurely walk exploring a new place or an adventurous hike up a mountain.
What are your hobbies outside of training?
In my spare time I love spending time with my daughter, experimenting in the kitchen, reading and anything outside.
Make a New Year’s wish for Ironstone, what do you want us to achieve this year?
My wish for Ironstone is that we deliver an exceptional health and fitness experience to every person who walks through our doors. I want our members to feel and know that they are part of something special. I want to be a part of growing the CrossFit community and show people they are capable of things they never thought possible.
If you want to find out more about Jenn check her out all over the social media:
