Allison Jetton
My athletic “career” began at the age of 3 when my mother caught me jumping on the bed too many times and put me in gymnastics. Growing up, I played various sports, joining whatever team my friends were on (gymnastics, swimming, cross country, track & field, tennis, basketball, volleyball, and cheerleading). In high school, I earned seven varsity letters, made the regional Junior Olympic Volleyball team, and was an All-American cheerleader. In college at the suggestion of my Resident Advisor, I tried out and joined Virginia’s NCAA Division I Women’s Crew as a novice walk-on. After college, I went to law school and drifted away from the athletic pursuits that had shaped me as a person growing up.
Joining Balance in October 2009 helped me to rediscover myself as an athlete and to remember having fun along the way! I started Balance Boot Camps and personal training with Ben. We met Danielle one day to work on the Olympic lifts. At the end of the hour she said, “Come to CrossFit!” I remember how hard that first workout on March 26, 2010 seemed. People were cheering, “Come on, one more round!” when I actually had two rounds left. Strangers in class quickly became friends, and I found myself again having fun as part of a team. I joined CrossFit Balance’s 2010 Regional Team, 2010 Mid-Atlantic Hopper Team, Balance Gym’s 2011 flag football team, partnered up for the 2012 Battle for the Capital, Balance Blue for the 2012 Capital Affiliate League season, and competed in the 2011 and 2012 CrossFit Open.
Just as much as I have enjoyed the team and community aspects that CrossFit Balance provides, I love CrossFit for what it has done for me as an individual. CrossFit empowers me. There is nothing like putting weight over your head and knowing in that very instant, you are stronger than you have ever been. CrossFit has helped me focus and be more mindful, knowing that I can get through one more rep using positive self-talk to tell myself “yes, I can!” CrossFit has also taught me to persevere. Not every workout is a PR. You set your goals on fighting for it another day, and you get better at persevering in the moment, over a training cycle, and over years. Slowly, your life outside the gym evolves to support healthier habits. My workout logs are a great reminder of how far I’ve come, measured workout by workout.
Having fun doesn’t mean you can’t be serious about goals. For the last couple of months, I’ve been working out in the main gym as an individual, focusing on my weaknesses as an athlete, with remote coaching from CrossFit Balance alumni and evil genius, Quint Fischer, now leading CrossFit Magnus in Portland. I’ve worked with a chiropractor, a PT, and a nutritionist, all trying to learn more about what it takes for me to become the best version of myself. I’ve finally pushed through many personal sticking points and crossed off old goals to make way for new ones. Most recently, I became a CrossFit Level 1 Trainer!
The lessons I’ve learned along my journey so far are what I hope to share with CrossFit Balance members. Everyone is an individual, but so much of what makes CrossFit compelling is our shared experience. We all deserve to be the best version of ourselves, and progress is always possible if you focus and put in the effort. Great coaching can be the key to help get you there faster! As a coach, I look forward to helping individuals meet their personal goals, become better athletes, have fun being on a team, and thrive as a part of our Balance community!