Written by Jami Taillac, of Rockwall, TX
May 2011
With a nickname like JACKHAMMER, I’m sure you’ve just assumed that I’ve always been a very active person. You’re right! I was a competitive gymnast as a child and a high level martial artist, competing in Jr. and Sr. Nationals and U.S Open competitions. At the peak of my martial art career, I was training twice a day for about 2 hours each training session. After I was done competing, I would run on my own, spend hours at the track working out, pump some serious iron at the gym, etc. I was staying in pretty decent shape by pushing myself pretty hard for hours at a time...that’s all I really knew from all of my training. That’s what made you fit and strong, right!? Although I did several 5k races, a half marathon, adventure type races, I was still missing the need for competition. The running was not challenging enough.
Luckily, Amy and Asa discovered CrossFit Rockwall about 3 years ago. They talked about it non-stop! I really just dismissed it, since I thought I was already in such great shape. After seeing such an amazing change in Amy and Asa’s physique, strength, agility, and stamina, I thought I’d give it a try. I FINALLY went to a free workout at the park, where we did slosh pipe lunge walks and push-ups. Of course I could do this...easy breezy! Not so easy breezy after all! I had to modify my push-ups and I thought the slosh pipe was going to kill me! I tried another free workout at the new box a couple of months later...it too destroyed me! I definitely thought that maybe this was what I was looking for. Amy and Asa’s birthday gift for my 29th birthday was a gift card for Elements at CrossFit Rockwall. Who knew that Elements was going to kick my ass!? I was sore in places that I never even knew you could be sore in! I had to modify push-ups, use a band on ring dips, and lift THAT heavy thing over my head...are you kidding me!?! This was the most challenging thing I had ever done. I told myself I’d stick with it for a full year...now I’m hooked! I’ll be doing CrossFit until the day I die.
I’ve recently signed up for several of the same races that I used to do prior to CrossFit. I’ve significantly beat my time in every single race, and I’ve only been doing CrossFit! I have also returned to Taekwondo after not competing in over 15 years. I am able to keep up, I’m able to spar, kick, and punch, just like I did when I was 18 years old. I’m super excited to compete in my first tournament soon. There is NO way I would have been able to jump back into Taekwondo at this level without CrossFit! AMAZING!
I was also fortunate enough to participate in the CrossFit Games Sectionals WODS! What a great experience! I did things that I never ever thought I’d be able to do. With hard work, a strict diet, and the support of everyone at CrossFit Rockwall, pretty much everything is possible!
I’ve also learned SO much about nutrition, and how ridiculously important it is to my overall fitness and health. This has carried over into nutrition for my two kiddos. We’re all much healthier, happier people because of CrossFit. It’s one of the best life decisions I’ve made.
Editor's note: As a representation of Jami's determination during the Sectional Workouts, the first time she did the Clean and Jerk workout (the weight was equal to her previous best Clean and Jerk), she managed 5 reps! She attempted the workout again a few days later and incredibly got 12 reps!