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SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE: Jeff Ragone

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE: Jenny Goguen

Jenny Goguen has been a long standing member of the CFR community and we’d love to recognize her this month as the spotlight athlete! Jenny is one of the most kind-hearted (and colorful!) people we have ever met and we absolutely love her friendly, fun vibes she brings to class. Jenny always comes in with a good attitude, colorful shoes and a contagious laugh! She listens to coach’s cues and advice; and we’ve seen her progress and get stronger over the years. We are extremely proud to have her as a friend and member at CrossFit Rolesville!

Age: 42

Occupation: Professional Volunteer (main “job” is Cubmaster of Cub Scout Pack 500 + various other roles); also substitute teach at Rolesville Charter Academy


Proudest accomplishment at CrossFit Rolesville? Being able to jump on an actual box. Anyone who has worked out with me on a box jumping day, knows I have a ridiculous phobia of jumping on things. The first time I was able to jump on that tiny 12” box was huge. I’m still only able to jump at that height, but one of my goals this year is to get to at least 16”.


How did you find CFR? Why do you train?I was the Membership Director at Granite Falls and when I left that job, I knew I needed to find somewhere else to work out. I’m fairly competitive and was never good about doing weights on my own or even in an normal “fitness” class, so I told my husband, Josh, that I was ready to try out CFR. He had done Crossfit when we lived in another city and I remember him saying how the workouts were only like 15min. I figured, “that sounds easy- let me try that!” Little did I know The great part was that Josh decided to check it out with me to make sure the trainers werent wacko and he ended up liking them so much, he joined too, followed by his brother, SIL, and my best friend, Susan.

Some days I train because I know Susan and Josh will fuss at me for not going. Some days I train because I really enjoy those particular workouts. Some days I train because I want to get better- stronger- faster… those are the best days.

What is your favorite moment so far at CFR? I don’t have a definitive moment in mind- I just really enjoy the chatter during the 9am class warmup. I love hearing everyone giving each other a hard time, going on tangents about soup or Thomas’ socks. It’s just fun and a great way to start the day.


What is your daily motivation to workout? I have struggled with my weight almost my whole life- if it wasn’t for working out, I would be well over what I am now. The past 6 months have been tough and I’m now having to fix the problems I’ve created for myself. So, I remember that when I don’t feel like getting up or doing anything. When I look in my closet and I can’t wear 90% of what’s hanging up or I’m on the verge of hulking out of my Cub Scout leader shirt. As I’m working through this though, I know I will also start to be motivated by other, non-weight-related aspects of working out- getting back to that better- stronger- faster stuff. Then, it will be way easier to get out of bed- literally. 🙂

Favorite and least favorite movements? Favorite movements are Deadlifts (but not Samurai (aka Sumo) ones- no bueno on those), Running!, and anything with the Wreck Bag. I’m really not good at anything else LOL… but if you need the ones I’m least favorable towards, that would be pullups, T2B, and almost every lift where the bar has to go over my head. 


What’s one thing you would tell a new CrossFitter? Don’t compare yourself to the fastest guy or gal- especially in the beginning. Find that name on the board that seems to match your current abilities and play alongside them. I love having “secret competitions”- I’ve raced against so many people during 5Ks to Full Marathons (and won like almost every single time, of course), but the best part was that almost none of them knew we were even competing. LOL


One song that gets you amped up during a WOD? It changes all the time, but the one song I begged Thomas to tell me the name of when it came on a few years ago was “High Hopes” by Panic! at the Disco. I still love that song and it’s actually pretty motivating. It’s also a lot of fun to play on Beat Saber.


Tell us something about yourself that we don’t already know. Hmmmm… most people won’t know this outside of the 8/9am classes, but I was a dancer/participant in Richard Simmon’s “Sweatin’ to the Oldies 5” and was also on QVC with him twice to help promote his Sweatin’ to the Oldies box set back in 2009. Definitely a fun little time in my life.

SEPTEMBER SPOTLIGHT: Caroline Miles

This month we’d like to spotlight Caroline Miles! Caroline has been a member of CrossFit Rolesville for over 2 years now and we absolutely adore her. She always comes to class with a smile on her face and makes everyone feel welcome. She is extremely speedy! Any endurance workout she crushes. Caroline also takes coaches cues well and her weightlifting movements have seen great improvement. We love having Caroline (and Luke, her husband!) apart of our CFR family and are proud to call her an athlete and friend!
Age: 34
 
Occupation: 6th Grade Language Arts and Social Studies Teacher

Proudest accomplishment at CrossFit Rolesville?

My proudest accomplishment at CFR so far has been getting kipping pull-ups. When I first started and watched people do pull-ups it seemed like a skill that I would never be able to obtain. Kipping pull-ups really felt like my first real “crossfit type” skill that I learned to do at CFR.

How did you find CFR? Why do you train?

I have been a CFR member for two years now. My husband, Luke, has been a member for three years. So I knew of CFR because of Luke. Luke had been begging me to try CFR for the entire first year he was a member. I was very nervous to even try it so I kept telling him no. For his birthday, he told me that all he wanted was for me to come to a Saturday class and complete a partner WOD with him. I could not say no to the birthday boy so I went with him, and I have been hooked ever since. I train because it helps me feel mentally and physically strong.

What is your favorite moment so far at CFR?

This is such a hard question. There are so many moments that I have participated in and/or witnessed at CFR that I have loved. I do really enjoy any event or WOD that brings all of our members together. Since I am a year round teacher I do get to go to different classes during the year, which has allowed me to build relationships with people who go to only morning classes or people who go to only afternoon/evening classes. Big gym events or WODs where everyone workouts together feels like a reunion for me. It is so fun to see your people at one time enjoying each other. 

However, if I had to narrow it down to just one moment it would be when I competed with Emily in our in-house competition. It was my first competition ever and it was so awesome to be her partner!

What is your daily motivation to workout?

My daily motivation to workout is to be healthy for my family. Working out makes me a better person. I also really have enjoyed being able to bring my kids to the gym so that they can see how important staying active is to leading a healthy life. My girls love coming to the gym. They feel a part of the CFR family and that is one of my most favorite things about our community. 

Favorite and least favorite movements?

My favorite weightlifting movement is a power clean.  My least favorite movement is overhead squats. I really do not like them. It takes a lot of self-control to not skip the gym on the days they are programmed. 

What’s one thing you would tell a new CrossFitter?

Just try it! I was super nervous to try CrossFit….it literally took me an entire year to agree to just do one class. Everyone has their strengths and weaknesses, but the best part is that no one is perfect and everyone at CFR really just wants you to be your most healthy self.

I would also tell them that everything can be scaled. I love a good scaled WOD!

One song that gets you amped up during a WOD?

Anything from the early 2000s. It takes me right back to my high school days! 

Tell us something about yourself that we don’t already know.

I am really terrified of birds and ticks. Birds just seem untrustworthy and ticks are just gross.

SPOTLIGHT ATHLETE: Stefanie Troop

This month we’d like to highlight Stefanie Troop as our August Spotlight athlete! Stefanie and her husband Tom have
been members of our CFR community for several years now and we’ve had the privilege to watch Stefanie grow as an athlete. She is extremely consistent and hard working. Stefanie listens to her coaches and her body to make sure she is always working out safely and with good form. She’s incredibly friendly, thoughtful, and fun to have in any class! We are proud to have Stefanie as a friend and apart of our CFR community!

Age: 40  

Occupation:  Training Specialist for Advance Auto Parts

Proudest accomplishment at CrossFit Rolesville?  

When I did my first pull up and handstand push up.

How did you find CFR? Why do you train?  

Tom joined first after we moved to Rolesville and after seeing how much he enjoyed it, I decided to give it a shot.  I train to be healthy, strong, and its fun.

What is your favorite moment so far at CFR?  

When we won the Tacky Christmas Sweater party!

What is your daily motivation to workout? 

To stay healthy and strong for my girls and its a great stress release.

Favorite and least favorite movements? 

Love any kind of shoulder press and T2Bs. Will not hesitate to skip class if there are overhead squats.

What’s one thing you would tell a new CrossFitter?

Stick with it, progress does not happen overnight.  Not only do you start to live a healthier lifestyle but the friends you make and the community you become part of at CFR is not one you would find working out at normal gyms or on your own. These relationships keep you coming back and keep you continuously pushing yourself.  

One song that gets you amped up during a WOD?  

Just about anything 90s hip hop.  #teammegansplaylist

Tell us something about yourself that we don’t already know.  

It Stefanie with an F.