Jacki

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Jacki has always been active, running track and cross country in her youth and in college.  She holds a state record for the 100 yard dash in Pennsylvania.  She discovered CrossFit 15 years ago and knew right away it was for her.  It was something after scholastic sports that could fulfill her need to compete and push herself.  In 2006 she attended her first CrossFit Level 1 certification and began coaching at her gym in Pittsburgh. Over the years, she’s moved across the country with her husband Danny and two girls, Kaidyn and Kinsley, but has always found herself at home in a CrossFit gym. Showing her kids that being strong and confident is one of her top priorities. She has competed and trained with some of the top athletes, and has been coached by some of the best coaches out there.  In 2015, Jacki and Danny along with their brother and sister-in-law Billy and Lainey, fulfilled their dream of opening their own gym and CrossFit Mudtown began.  They added their son, Nash, to the family in 2016 and Jacki continued to CrossFit through out her pregnancy.  As an athlete, Jacki loves competing and pushing her body to new limits.  Coaching comes natural and is Jacki’s biggest passion.  She loves to help people push themselves farther than they ever thought possible.

Certifications: 

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • CrossFit Level 2
  • CrossFit Weightlifting
  • CrossFit Gymnastics
  • Lululemon Ambassador

Danny

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Danny has been active in CrossFit since 2007 as an athlete, coach, and within his full-time profession. Originally born in Pittsburgh, PA, Danny spent most of his years growing up in Plymouth, MN, and attended Benilde-St. Margarets High School where he was a 3 sport athlete for all 4 years. After graduation he attended Bemidji State University where he was a 3 year letter winner in football, who won their first conference championship in 53 years during his senior season. After college he began working in the event management field and was introduced to CrossFit in 2007. While moving around for work, Danny met his wife Jacki at CrossFit Pittsburgh where they both coached and worked out. After living in Pittsburgh for 2 years, Jacki and Danny moved to Omaha, NE, for 3 years and then to Birmingham, AL, in June of 2014. They have two wonderful daughters, Kaidyn and Kinsley and son, Nash.

Certifications:

  • CrossFit Level 1
  • CrossFit Level 2

Mel

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In 2016, Mel moved from California to Alabama with her husband, Josh, who also coaches for CFM. They stepped foot in our gym on their second day in BHM and immediately felt at home. Mel played softball in college, which is where she developed her love for strength and conditioning, and CrossFit filled the void of competitive sports. She found the supportive atmosphere in our box comparable to being on a team, which is something she missed. In addition to coaching on occasion, Mel works full-time as a physical therapist, where she applies many of CrossFit’s principles to the care of her clients.

 

Certifications:

  • CrossFit Level 2
  • CrossFit Weightlifting

January Member Spotlight

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Josh Fisher

Consistency and determination define Josh. One of our early OnRamp graduates, Josh has been the perfect examplejosh-200-classes of slow and steady wins the race. He doesn’t get frustrated and is patient knowing that hard work each day will pay off in the long run. Like most he started CrossFit not knowing what to expect, but soon learned it could help change his life. From overcoming hard things, like quitting smoking, to succeeding with a chest-to-bar pull-up. His approach to CrossFit training will set him up for a long life of functional living. We’re proud of you Josh, keep progressing!

Member since: ? (he doesn’t remember, but it was July 2015)

What do you do for a living? I’m a Realtor for ARC Realty.

How did you hear about CrossFit and what was your first workout? I first heard about CrossFit almost 2 years before I started. I got a gift card to a local CrossFit and never went because I didn’t want to go alone. Two years later people from ARC were trying to get a group together and I jumped in! The first workout I did in On Ramp was something with deadlifts.josh-press

How many days do you CrossFit? What classes do you normally attend?  I typically attend the 5pm class 3 times a week.

Favorite CrossFit movement/workout? My favorite movements are the over head movements like snatch and overhead squat. I’m not sure I have a favorite workout but I definitely prefer a short spicy workout over the long enduring ones.

Least favorite CrossFit movement/workout? Is running a CrossFit movement? If not, I also hate shoulder to overhead movements.

What motivates you/keeps you coming back to CrossFit Mudtown? The progress I see in myself is my main motivation to keep coming back but a close second is the community and the friendships I’ve made

Most embarrassing/funniest gym moment?  My most embarrassing gym moment was probably when I unloaded one side of a racked barbell and the weights on the other side tipped the bar and threw it into the middle of the room.

Favorite thing about Birmingham? One thing I really like about Birmingham is that you can be right in the center of life downtown and you’re only a 10-15 min drive to be in the middle of nowhere. A big plus is our expanding food scene too!

What accomplishment are you most proud of (outside and inside of the gym)? The accomplishments in the gym I’m most proud of are still my “firsts” like my first pull-up, my first Rx workout, my first double under etc. img_6280Outside of the gym I’m most proud of quitting smoking. I’ve been smoke/tobacco free for a little over a year now. I know without a doubt that Mudtown played a major role in that process and I might not have been able to do it without them.

What is your favorite meal? Is Macaroni and Cheese a meal?

What are some of your interests outside of CrossFit? Other than CrossFit I enjoy going hiking and recently discovered rock climbing!

What is one goal that you are currently working on? I haven’t written out any official goals but triple unders look interesting and maybe I’ll get a muscle up one day!

Do you have a hidden talent? If I do, then it’s hidden from me too.

Tell us a fun/interesting fact not many people know about you. One thing not a lot of people know about me is that I did not learn to ride a bike until I was 12 or 13.