Our November Member of the Month is Jason Mielcarek! He is a loyal member of the 5 or 6pm classes and loves the 20+ minute WODs. Let’s learn a little more about Jason!

1)      What are your hobbies/interest/talents outside of CrossFit?

I enjoy anything where I am working with my hands and moving around.  Especially working on my house and yard or hiking and biking with the kids.

2)      Share with us one thing that most people do NOT know about you?

I talk non-stop all day at work.  When I leave the office I like to be quiet and just listen.

3)      How long have you been with us at CFR?

I have been at Relentless for 1 year now.

4)      Take us back to your first week here. How did you feel? Remember the workout?

My first work-out was a real eye-opener over the Thanksgiving holiday.  I figured “how hard could it be”, it was a holiday.  It was a deck of cards with each suit assigned a movement.  I believe it was sit-ups, push-ups, jumping jacks and burpees.  The whole class had to complete each movement before we moved on to the next.  I remember this starting my dislike for burpees and that I had no chance of keeping up with anyone in the class.  It pushed me to want to be better.

5)      What moment/achievement are you most proud of at CFR?

My proudest moment was my first handstand push-up.  I could do them when I was in high school and it was a goal of mine as an adult.  I tried for about 6 months before I got my first one.  I like working hard and seeing it pay off.

6)      Design your perfect workout?

I like the endurance work-outs and anything that pushes you mentally.  It would probably involve rowing, pull-ups and push-ups in an AMRAP format.

7)      What is your least favorite movement?

I dislike the rope climbs.  I am too big to be that far off the ground.  Burpees suck too.

8)      Summarize your lifestyle in 5 words or less.

Work hard to get results.

9)      Have you experienced any changes in your lifestyle now that you have been a CrossFit athlete?

Definitely changed my lifestyle.  I realized that if I want to stay healthy and mobile, exercise alone was not going to cut it.  I am not strict, but I do try to follow a Paleo diet.  Giving up beer was the toughest part.  Thankfully they make something called Vodka that subs in pretty well.

10)   What advice do you have for anyone who is thinking about joining or who has recently joined?

Take your time in the beginning.  Learn the proper techniques, skills and ask questions.  Once you have mastered the movements then start to push yourself.  Keep track of your workouts as well.  It is an awesome feeling to see yourself improving with each workout.  Your only there a couple of hours a week, make it count.  It was a real life changer for me.