Meet 53 year young, JCCF Superhero and Black belt! Gwen Blotevogel JCCF MVP!
” You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take.” Wayne Gretzky
We are grateful for Team Blotevogel! They are a shining family inside and out. With constant warm smiles and inspiration. I still remember the phone call we had getting started. Jake and I are so glad you took that leap to JCCF. Read ahead, because this woman after so many life accomplishments is not planning to slow down anytime soon. And after everything she has done, find out what she says her greatest accomplishment is of all time. I would have to agree!
Meet 53 year young, CrossFitter at JCCF, Gwen Blotevogel!
Family: Matt, Catherine (19), Elisabeth (22)
Occupation: College Professor
When and how did you get started with us? June 2019; Matt and I have been CrossFit fans from afar for years. When we learned that Catherine needed to train for her ROTC PT test in the Fall, we decided to join with her to help her get ready. It was a good decision: she passed her PT test, and we’re loving the workouts and the crossfit community!
Favorite Lift: Overhead press…maybe?
Favorite Workout: Anything with lots of running!
Favorite Meal: Pasta in white sauce with seafood and snow peas
Favorite Beverage: coffee 🙂
Funniest memory at the box: Oh, so many…it’s difficult to choose just one. Maybe when Kevin cursed at the wall ball after completing 20.5; or when Guy gave Jill such a hard time about encouraging him on his squats.
What class time do you usually attend and what is the favorite part about that class? 4:30 pm. (5:00 on Thursdays and Fridays) It’s the perfect transition between work and the evening.
What is your favorite JCCF Tradition/Community Event? The formal in October was fantastic! I truly enjoyed seeing everyone dressed up in their finery and the opportunity to get to know one another a little better.
What is one thing that most people do not know about you? Matt and I practiced TaeKwon Do for 22 years. We both earned our 5th degree black belts and were co-instructors of our own club for 13 years.
Tell us some about your journey, greatest accomplishments: There is the stuff of resumes, of course: I earned a PhD; ran a marathon; walked the Camino Primitivo pilgrimage route in Spain; self-published my book on Amazon; designed, developed, and taught college history courses… But my absolute GREATEST accomplishment is helping to raise my two children into the caring and accomplished adults they have become!
If you could give any advice for a person new to CrossFit, what would it be?: Keep at it! You will learn the terms and movements, and the community in the box will become an important part of your life. And when you near the end of a workout and think you can’t go on, remember: Still breathing, can’t quit!
Two future goals 6 months and one year:
Six months: Take a beach vacation with my family (planned for December in Puerto Rico!) One year (or thereabouts): Walk the Italian Camino (Via Francigena) from Florence to Rome.
Favorite Quote: Having a hard time choosing between: “You miss 100 percent of the shots you don’t take” Wayne Gretzky and ” If you try to walk in my shoes, you’ll end up in a bookstore” Craig Sunter
Gwen: “I’m having a great time doing a new sport (CrossFit) and am so very grateful for this welcoming, friendly community!
If you want to meet more of our amazing members, you may need to just show up and try this whole “CrossFit” thing out!