New month, new Wildheart of the Month (WOM)! Every month we interview one of our Wildhearts. We ask them about their Crossfit journey, their day job, their favourite movements and about some other goofy stuff. This month our WOM is Jessica (42), she has been a member since June 2018.
Getting strong again
“I found out about Crossfit 2 years ago. My boyfriend and I joined a Crossfitbox in Zevenkamp. I have a background in classical ballet dancing. I attended the Dance department of the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague. Unfortunately, I had to quit because of a torn knee ligament. I had surgery, unfortunately, ten years later, when I jumped of the rig while doing pull-ups during a WOD, I tore it again. Because of this injury, my Crossfit journey never really took off. And it got even worse. During a holiday in Aruba with friends last September, I dove into the sea in a shallow area and broke my neck (C2 fracture). I was really lucky to survive. The recovery was long: they gave me a halo brace, so that my spine could heal in a stabilised way. I wore the brace for 3 months, and since then, it is all about getting strong again.”
“I am so ready to get strong again”
Saving lives
“As a surgery assistent, I see a lot of trauma coming in. I work at the Erasmus MC, the hospital that is functioning as the trauma centre for the whole area, from Zeeland to Noord-Brabant. But I also get to assist on kidney transplantations and general surgeries. What I love about the job is the fact that you don’t know what to expect. Every day is different. Actually, I want to specialise in orthopaedics: a specialisation that has to do with the knees, hips and shoulders.”
Inspiration and motivation
“I love Crossfit, because it challenges me. Just as my job, not a single day is the same. You might be good in one thing, and worse in another, but you have to do it all. It really pushes me out of my comfort zone and that is a good thing. When I train on my own I don’t have the motivation to give it my all. The community part of Crossfit really motivates me to get the best out of every WOD. And you know what inspires me the most? The people that are not the fittest or the strongest. The ones that are getting fit, are doing what they can. And you can see them getting better every day. They are my heroes!”
“You know what my favourite movement is? Thrusters! Add thrusters to the whiteboard and I am happy. What I dislike? Running… but hey, it’s part of the package.”
Happy to be a Wildheart
“I am really happy to be a Wildheart. I feel very welcome and the coaching is great. And the best part… Vivienne’s mocha protein shake. I have to restrain myself from ordering it after every WOD.”
Stay tuned, our next Wildhearts of the Month will be announced very soon!
Written by Wildheart Marte