Our Queen is the lovely, Monica Londono! Monica has been with us for three years! She went from student life to a professional and has kept CJP a constant. Monica placed 2nd in this year’s Throwdown Intermediate division. We couldn’t be more grateful for the many ways she has trusted us. Thank you for always being the best version of you. CJP wouldn’t be the same without you!
CONGRATULATIONS Monica!
Learn more about Monica below:
What brought you to East Boston?
After trying different places I was looking for a more convenient location near where I currently live.
What drew you to CrossFit?
I had a friend who talked me into it. She used to talk to me about the great things CrossFit has to offer. It took me a year before I made the decision to join a box.
What was your expectation on your first day at CJP? How has your perception changed since that day?
Honestly, I was thinking it was going to be like the other CrossFit boxes I had been to before CJP. I thought I wasn’t going to last and that my first class was going to be a try out. I was surprised by how much commitment and effort the coaches put into each of us to make us better, a month try out turned out to be 3 years of continuous work. What started as a couple days a week turned out to be a life time commitment.
What keeps you coming back to CJP?
I like the sense of community and the effort the coaches put into planning the workouts, showing us that they really care. Also, it represents a challenge for me.
Biggest improvements/struggles with CrossFit?
I’m mentally and physically stronger than before. CrossFit was able to uplift me, it gives me more energy and stronger motivation. At first I struggled with everything. I thought I wouldn’t be able to keep up but when I first met Javy he told me, “Don’t worry we will get you there” and little by little I’ve been improving. Something I still struggle with is rowing and self-confidence. Rowing it is not a struggle but a challenge. It is something I haven’t been able to love just yet. As for self-confidence, sometimes I don’t trust myself on certain workouts and I mentally struggle, but at the end of the day I realize that I am able to do it, and that I should challenge myself and get out of my comfort zone to succeed at it.
What are some of the changes you have experienced in your physical appearance, strength and/or body composition? How have you used this outside of the gym?
I’m physically stronger than before, I notice this at work. Sometimes we receive donations and I have to carry heavy stuff, which years ago I couldn’t have. Now surprisingly I’m totally able to do it. As for my physical appearance, I look younger than I really am, and my theory is that it’s thanks to CrossFit lol.
If you could create your own WOD, what movements would you use?
For my own WOD I would do a combination of wallballs, power cleans, squats and running.
Meat head nickname (with explanation)?
Mona (which means blonde). When I was little my hair used to be light honey brown, all my family calls me by that instead of my name.
If you were to encourage someone on the fence of joining the CJP community, what would you say?
Just do it, tomorrow you will wish you started today. It is one of the best investments you can make in yourself.
Get ready for the “Monica” workout!
Honestly, I was thinking it was going to be like the other CrossFit boxes I had been to before CJP. I thought I wasn’t going to last and that my first class was going to be a try out. I was surprised by how much commitment and effort the coaches put into each of us to make us better, a month try out turned out to be 3 years of continuous work. What started as a couple days a week turned out to be a life time commitment.
I was brought to CrossFit because of the functionality it provides for every challenge life versus just bodybuilding or power lifting. CrossFit forces you to break through mental barriers and past what you thought you physical or mental limit was.
We have something at CJP that I see and appreciate at every CrossFit gym I’ve ever vistied: a community of capable, caring judges and athletes of all shapes and sizes united under one goal of helping each other to get as fit as possible. That was my expectation when I showed up here on Day One (June 2015), and that perception hasn’t changed at all in the four years since.
