CFK Featured Athlete: Jen Saeckl

Age: 27

Occupation: Attorney

Date Started CFK:  July 30, 2016

In general, what is your athletic background?  Growing up I figure skated and swam.  Through college and law school I did triathlons and was a bit of a gym rat.  I always stay involved in athletic activities but I am not naturally athletic at all.

How did you learn about CrossFit Kalamazoo? I was looking for something new to supplement my routine and wanted to give CrossFit a try.

How has CrossFit Kalamazoo changed your life, lifestyle, and level of fitness? I now look forward to working out as a fun, productive hobby that has helped not only improve my fitness but also conquer fears I didn’t know I had (like being upside down or jumping onto a box…)

List short/long term goals you would like to accomplish through CrossFit Kalamazoo: Still working on that elusive pull-up

What do you like most about CrossFit Kalamazoo? It’s a fun, structured part of my week—I love having an hour where I can clear my head and forget about day-to-day stressors with a group of supportive people.

What is your favorite CrossFit movement? Back squats

What is your least favorite CrossFit movement? Wallballs, burpees, snatches….

What are you currently doing to try to improve your diet? Eat less garbage, more plants.

Favorite movie: Charlie Chaplin’s “The Circus”

Favorite and/or current book: Michael Ondaatje’s “In the Skin of a Lion”

Favorite music genre/artist: That’s pretty hard to pin down, but it tends toward indie folk. My Spotify library is pretty eclectic, though.

Achievements you’d like to highlight within your life:  I’m most proud of my education at the University of Toronto and NYU Law, and the corresponding career path that took me from Toronto to Kenya to Northern Canada to NYC and then landed me in Kalamazoo.  I am so happy to have found a fulfilling legal career here.

List a few things we don’t know about you:  As a kid, I entered my family in a draw to win a trip to Jamaica and we actually won.  Then, while we were there, I entered us in another draw to win a trip back, and we won that one too.  I haven’t had an ounce of luck since then.

The most fun job I ever had was working as a tour guide on a bus tour from Toronto to Niagara Falls.  I got to write a lot of corny jokes, met a lot of wacky people, and earned free wine!  Plus, I got paid to go on every attraction in the area, including helicopter rides over the Falls.

In 10 words or less, what does CF mean to you?  Getting a little bit better at life every day!