ATHLETE OF THE MONTH - JULY

JESSE SPURR

Athlete of the month questionnaire

Tell us about you? - age/nicknames/background

I’m 35 years old (Masters boom!) and strangely have never had a nickname other than occasionally being called “Spurry”. I’m a proud Dad to Bree (15) who is also a CFMB member and Archie (4) who is very keen to come to CrossFit too. I work as a Nurse Educator in Emergency and have a pretty big background in resuscitation and intensive care. I am massive fan of Twitter and run a couple of websites and podcasts on healthcare education. Before nursing I completed study in Exercise Science.

What did you do fitness wise before crossfit?

Mainly running for the prior few years. My sports background was in athletics and basketball. I had done quite a bit of serious training at state and national level in my teens.

Why crossfit?

The draw of high intensity, getting way out of my comfort zone, and having a shared experience with a great group of people giving it everything. I really like training as opposed to exercising. There is a serious difference. No one at CrossFit is thinking about how they look, which is good because we are training until we are left sweaty, covered in chalk and often nearly vomiting – not pretty, but inspiring. The pursuit of skill mastery is a very big motivator for me, I thrive of failing and having to work through things that aren’t easy.

What results have you seen while at CFMB?

It has blown me away to be doing skills (from age 34) for the first time in my life. I never thought I would be able to do a muscle-up, handstand, squat-snatch… the list goes on. But gradually, with patience and work it all happens. My body shape has changed dramatically and strength has increased across every movement (some more than doubling in the past 18 months). More than any strength change, has been the improvement in mobility. Less than 2 years ago, I fell on my butt trying to do an overhead squat with a PVC pipe. With persistent grind my mobility from ankles to shoulders has improved at every joint.

I have found some of the best coaches I have had in my life across any sport. I was helped to understand what my “why” is for training. This is really important.

Favourite exercise?

Bar-muscle ups and rope climbs

Least favourite?

Handstand push ups

Favourite food?

Crispy Pork-Belly

Who or what inspires you?

I am lucky, working in Emergency I see people facing adversity and pushing through, finding ways to cope. I am inspired by people who are motivated by failing, don’t give up and seek to do the absolute best with what they have in life.

Advice to new comers?

Be inspired, not intimidated by what others are doing. Embrace your strengths but run head-on at your weaknesses. It is really easy to avoid the things that you aren’t good at, but small improvements in these areas are far more rewarding than topping the whiteboard in something you are already good at. Don’t be scared to ask questions. Have fun and remember – mobility is everything!