Meet Jen and Chris (Newt)!

Jen and Newt are the definition of hard work. Both athletes are at Daybreak 4 to 5 times a week, are always pushing outside their comfort zones which motivates everyone around them.

This year, Jen had carpal tunnel surgery. Post surgery, Jen didn’t let her fitness take a back burner. With the help of her coaches, Jen was able to modify workouts and maintain her fitness level. Now, Jen is not only pain free but stronger than ever. Recently Jen back squatted 105# for sets of 8, did 65# thrusters and cleaned 95# in “Holleyman”.

Newt changed his nutrition during our last challenge and hasn’t looked back since. Focusing on meats and vegetables plus a few high glycemic carbohydrates for energy, Newt has lost over fifteen pounds. Despite all the weight loss, Newt has maintained his strength and now his aeroboic capacity has improved.

 

About Jen

Have lived in Sudbury for 16 years.  Married to the “Mayor of Daybreak – Jim B”.  Two teenagers –  Jackson 16 and Morgan 13 plus Golden Retriever- Dudley.  Prior to Sudbury – we lived in Germany  and Battle Creek Michigan.  Jim and I both went to BC.   I work in technology for SAP. I have been doing Crossfit  with Daybreak for maybe 3ish years and I love the wise guys that normally come at 8:30.
1. What keeps you coming back to CrossFit each day?
Three things.  1. The Community –  the Hilarious, Cynical, Supportive  – and often Silly Daybreak family.  2. The Workouts – they never get boring and really do improve fitness.  3. Coaches  – top notch at everything and know just what to say to kick your butt, or not.
2. What’s your spirit animal (an animal that represents you)?  
No judging please – but an Elephant.
3. Ocean, pool or lake? And why?
Ocean  – nothing like sitting on the beach taking everything in to relax and see the big picture.
4. Are you a thrill seeker? If so, what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done? 
Before kids forced me to be stable (and alive) I was a little but of a thrill seeker.  I have been Bungee jumping off a cable car and hang gliding off a volcano (Jim guilted me into the Bungee Jumping).   Now I wont jump off the high dive.
5. What were you in high school (class clown, nerd, jock, loner, etc.)?  
I cant remember that far back – but my teenagers think that I was probably a nerd and loner.

About Chris

I live in Wayland with my wife Erin and our three children Somerby (8), Ailie (6) and Colin (3).  Both my wife and I grew up in Wayland, and we moved back in order to raise our family here.

I graduated from WPI with a degree in mechanical engineering.   After college, I worked for General Dynamics designing and building submarines, and then I worked for a smaller engineering consulting company performing fire safety analysis for nuclear power plants.  Two years ago, I transitioned to our family business which sells and distributes electrical replacement parts for mass transit vehicles and mining equipment.

I started doing CrossFit approximately 3 years ago in the basement gym at my old office to help provide variety to my workouts.  With some relentless pressure from Kenny McGuire, I joined Daybreak in June of 2015.  I typically attend the afternoon classes and the 12:30 Friday class when I can get out of work.

 

1.What keeps you coming back to CrossFit each day?

What draws me to CrossFit is the competitive nature of the sport.  This does not necessarily mean competing with others in the gym, but with myself.  CrossFit encourages internal motivation and competition to improve myself.  With consistency and effort, I see measurable gains, and these gains drive me to keep walking through that door and to “pursue better”.  In addition, the staff and community are second to none.  The staff has provided an endless amount of direction and coaching while the community makes those brutal WODs enjoyable to be a part of.

 

2. What’s your spirit animal (an animal that represents you)?

We voted on this at dinner and it was a split decision between a lion and a bear.  We searched for this hybrid mythical creature unsuccessfully, so I may have to default to a newt.

3. Ocean, pool or lake? And why?

Ocean. I grew up on the ocean during the summers and still find it strange when exiting a lake that you do not have the salt sticking to you.  There is no place I would rather be than out on the water.

4. Are you a thrill seeker? If so, what’s the craziest thing you’ve ever done?

I don’t know if I would call myself a thrill seeker, but I do like to ski fast, scuba dive on ship wrecks, boat to open waters, and I have been known to pull in 200lb blue sharks with my hands.

5. What were you in high school (class clown, nerd, jock, loner, etc.)?

In high school and college, I was a student-athlete, serving as captain of both my high school and college football and wrestling teams.