Jayma Iacoangelo

Favorite WOD:  Anything with echo bike, gymnastics, or running

Least Favorite WOD:  Anything with rowing

Tell us about your sports & fitness background: 

I have been in the CrossFit world since I was really little because my mom was huge into CrossFit and would always have me working out or doing CrossFit challenges she saw on the internet. I also started CrossFit kids as soon as I was able to and loved every second of it. During covid, my family worked out all the time in our home gym. Once I was too old for CrossFit kids, I started training with a group of girls in my basement gym. My mom was our trainer and we would work out a few times a week. I always trained and did CrossFit workouts, so then once I was old enough to start real classes at CFKSQ, I did. Eventually, I started signing up for CrossFit Competitions; and have since loved being able to compete. I love to work really hard to be the best I can be, and I love competing and challenging myself.

 I played soccer when I was little for maybe a year and absolutely hated it. 

I started playing basketball in kindergarten for a team in New Jersey, and fell in love with it. Once I moved to Pennsylvania I continued to play basketball. I was starting on the middle school team for both 7th and 8th grade, and now I am the starting varsity point guard and captain for the high school team. I did travel ball for years, but once I had my ankle injury, I stopped playing travel to focus more on CrossFit. Playing for my high school allows me the time to also compete in Crossfit and balance both things I love the most. 

I started playing softball in third grade. I played softball for 6 years and was a 1st and 2nd baseman. I loved the time I played, but eventually realized that I was happiest on the basketball court and in a gym – moving faster pace and more aggressively . 

Additionally, I started playing flag football in 9th grade and it’s really awesome! love how active and fun football is. I’ve also realized how much CrossFit has helped me with strength, agility, throwing hard, running fast and having some ups in my jumping!!

How did you first get exposed to CrossFit? Take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel? 

I got exposed to CrossFit by my mom. She always did it, and coached it and took me and showed me a lot about it. The first workout I have ever done - I honestly don’t remember; I’ve been doing CrossFit for so long, but I know there was a barbell and burpees. I LOVE BOTH. That first workout I instantly knew that this was my thing, and I constantly wanted to workout. That first WOD felt amazing and such good work, and I felt motivated ever since.

What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health and fitness since starting CF (before/after)? 

CrossFit has definitely made me more confident in myself. I feel stronger, and I feel like my body is muscular and more in control. I feel healthy, active, and strong both mentally and physically . Things seem to come way easier now and I am more willing to push out of comfort zone.

What sort of changes in your life have you experienced out of taking on something like CrossFit that were totally unexpected?  

I never expected to love working out as much as I do and making it an important lifestyle for me. I’m in the process of looking at colleges and I am always checking to see if there is a CrossFit nearby. I never expected the relationships that have come from CrossFit. The community is so fun, and supportive.  I also just feel strong, and good in my own body, and feel like I can lift and do everything. CFKSQ has been the place I go whether I need it to clear my head and be my therapy or want to have fun and be with all the other athletes. It’s been my second home.

Please share with us any favorite CrossFit / CFKSQ moments: 

There has never been a one favorite moment for me. I always have great memories and moments when I hit a PR or get a movement I have been working long and hard to get. Or seeing someone in the gym accomplish something they have been working on. 

Any advice for people just getting started?

Live it up. Go and do the hard things because after you will feel unstoppable. Even if it gets frustrating, keep working, because it will get better and always be worth it!

If you fail, congratulations! You’re doing way more than other people are. 

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit? 

One fun thing about me is I love surfing! I’ve been surfing in the summers since 2nd grade, and all of my friends from the beach and cousins go out at any time of day to do it.  The ocean is my happy place, and I love living in OCNJ during the summers. I am obsessed with watching sports. I love it so much and could sit there all day watching sports. One weird thing is I am really good at swimming. At the lifeguard tests for beach lifeguarding I had to do a 500m open ocean swim and placed 10th out of 50+ and didn’t train or practice once!