Joni Berry is our female athlete of the month. Whether she is competing in a competition with fellow CFB members or providing instruction at Maryville, Joni is a powerhouse. You will learn about her busy life below but what inspires us is her consistently positive attitude no matter what life throws at her…even that pacemaker she rocks while she puts most of us to shame at the box.
CFB: Tell us about yourself (family, job, sports, interests etc)
JB: I’m a physical therapist and professor at Maryville University. I’m married to Bill, have 2 kids, Josh and Jen. We will be empty nested in the fall but expect to have some furry children by then
CFB: When did you start CrossFit?
JB: Exactly 4 years ago this month
CFB: What were you thinking/feeling after your first CrossFit WOD?
JB: During the WOD that I like this way more than running but a day or two later it felt like someone had tried to pull off my arms and lowered all the chairs in the house.
CFB: What is your favorite WOD?
JB: I think I would have to say Fight Gone Bad is a good one.
CFB: Least favorite WOD?
JB: Nancy (a combination of overhead squats and running, yuck)
CFB: What is your favorite WOD song?
JB: I like what most here would call oldies (80’s pop)
CFB: Do you ever get competitive with each other in WODs? JB: More so during strength and skill part if someone I’m with tried to increase weight I usually try to keep up.
CFB: What is your favorite quote?
JB: Life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react
CFB: What is something about you that your fellow members wouldn’t know?
JB: I was a gymnast until I graduated from the University of Iowa
CFB: How has CrossFit affected your life outside the gym?
JB: It is a great way to practice what I preach about fitness and overall the stronger I get the better my joints feel (or the WOD help me produce endorphins)
CFB: If you could write a WOD tailored to you, what would it be?
JB: Something with a medium weight power snatch, hand release push-ups.
CFB: What is your favorite thing about CFB?
JB: Let’s see I like the people, coaches, owners and by June I’ll be happy that we have air-conditioning too!