July Athlete of the Month || Jamie Defilippis!!
Each month we spotlight a different CFA athlete who stands out and shows just how awesome they are. What is it that makes up an Athlete of the Month? It may not be the person that finishes the fastest, Rx’s every WOD, or gets a PR every time they walk in the gym. Although we love and celebrate when those things happen, the Athlete of the Month is made up of much more than physical ability. This person shows up, gives their best every time, and then gives a little more. They are hungry to learn and always ready to do the work. They support their fellow classmates and encourage them to reach their goals. This athlete embodies what we believe the CrossFit Austin Community should be about.
Our 2024 July Athlete of the Month is Jamie Defilippis! Jamie came in with a weightlifting and CrossFit (mainly weightlifting) background, prior to joining our family in April of 2023. She is now a regular in our Weightlifting class and started dabbling in our CrossFit program. We have enjoyed getting to coach Jamie in a good amount of weightlifting meets now. Weightlifting class would not have the same social liveliness without Jamie in it. She is a great person and always comes to class with a willingness to learn and is extremely coachable. Congratulations Jamie, as it’s been a long time coming and so well deserved! Thank you for letting us share in your journey!
State your Name and/or Nickname please:Jamie DeFilippis Words to live by?Starve the ego, feed the soul. What is your fitness background?I was a dancer and played basketball as a kid. I got into running then, discovered Crossfit in my early 20s. For the past six years, I’ve been dedicated to Olympic lifting, with some Crossfit classes mixed in (thanks for welcoming me and putting up with my Crossfit class acclimation!) How long have you been CrossFitting?Welp, this is awkward… I’ve been doing Olympic Weightlifting (in my weightlifting shoes, not ‘lifters’) for 6 years. As for CrossFit, I joined a CrossFit gym in my 20s when I moved to Brooklyn! I made a ton of friends and discovered how much my body could do with the right mindset and consistency. I even competed a few times back in the day! When I moved to Austin in 2017, I joined another CrossFit gym but fell in love with the Olympic lifting class. Over the past few months, I’ve been sprinkling CrossFit back into my routine. Take us back to your first day of CrossFit… How did you feel? How do you compare it to workouts today?WELLLL, fun fact: I was a distance runner before I joined my first CrossFit gym in Brooklyn, so I was VERY good at something CrossFitters traditionally hate—running! Now, after taking occasional CrossFit classes during my Olympic lifting off-days, I totally get why running isn’t everyone’s favorite. I respect it, but it’s definitely challenging. WEIGHTLIFTING, ON THE OTHER HAND… I was convinced I’d never snatch or clean the bar in my first few months of CrossFit. Now, I’m fascinated by all the little details that make a lift successful. My favorite thing about lifting is that there’s no such thing as perfection. You might crush 35 kilos (yes, kilos!), but add more weight, and it’s a whole new challenge. Every part of the lift matters, especially your starting position—thanks, Dylan! What’s your favorite part of CrossFit Austin?The people! This feels like a no-brainer. As one of the few with a weightlifting-only membership (now with a CrossFit punch card I plan to renew), I always feel like part of the bigger puzzle. The support I got as a team captain in the CrossFit Open was amazing… GO PIT VIPERS! SORRY I ONLY MADE IT TO ONE OF THE FNLs! Current Training Goals/PRs?My current goal is a 47 kilo snatch! I had the rare experience of PR’ing both the Clean and Jerk and Snatch at a meet at our gym (or ‘box?’) several months back, hitting a 46 kilo Clean and Jerk. Yellow plates used to intimidate me, but there’s something so empowering about being a woman and lifting heavy weights. Building confidence can be challenging. In my experience, this can be especially challenging as a female. But thanks to the awesome people here, I get to see badass women, men, and all types of people consistently escalate their strength and performance in the weightlifting corner. Shoutout to Viola for PR’ing both lifts last cycle! I truly believe the team will help me hit 47 kilos before the end of the year. What advice do you have for folks just starting out in CrossFit?My advice for all the CrossFitters out there, especially those who haven’t tried a weightlifting class: don’t be afraid to start lighter and unlearn habits that won’t help you lift correctly. I’d LOVE to partner up and share the bar with anyone who wants to give weightlifting a shot. Let’s lift and learn together! How do you balance staying focused in your training when life gets busy?Make friendships with your classmates! There’s nothing like the accountability from someone who’s watched you work hard and grow, and wants to see you keep succeeding. Plus, training with friends makes everything more fun! What is your “cheat meal” go-to?Everything Bagels from New York (like meeee)! How do you use your fitness outside of the gym?For 12 years, I’ve worked in the male-dominated field of sales. The confidence I’ve gained from exercise empowers me to handle rejection (a huge part of sales) and navigate challenging dynamics at work. Plus, I love being the go-to person for carrying heavy stuff in the wild! What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced in your fitness journey?Injuries! There’s nothing more frustrating than having the mental will to show up but being physically unable to perform. Tell us about a moment you felt most proud of yourself during a workout.When I snatched yellows for the first time (45 kilos)!!!! If you could create a WOD and name it for yourself, what would it be?Big Bertha… IDK, just feels right? What keeps you going on the days you don’t feel like it?A good pop-punk/emo playlist What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?I’m a singer-songwriter who goes by Sometimes Jamiee—check out my Spotify! Catch me performing on July 20th from 5-6pm at Meridian in Buda if you’re free. Shout out to Cory, Alyx, and Michael for coming to see me there a few months back! I also have a huge passion for emo music—hit me up if you want to catch a show together! Tell us something we don’t know about you…I won concert tickets from radio station competitions twice (Aka i was caller 100)… Brittney & Beyonce! Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words…Keep pushing your limits, supporting each other, and embracing the grind. The journey to strength and community is what makes this place special. Support local business 🙂 |
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