October Athlete of the Month – Jeff Henson

Jeff has been a member of our CrossFit Eclipse community for a several months now, and his dedication, competitive spirit, and sense of humor have made him stand out to both coaches and fellow members. Whether he’s powering through his favorite WODs like Isabelle and Grace or blowing bubbles out of his mouth (yes, you read that right), Jeff brings a fun and inspiring energy to the gym. Outside of CrossFit, you can find him playing golf, watching sports, or indulging in some well-deserved banana bread and Swedish Fish after a hard workout.

We’re excited to spotlight Jeff this month and share more about his fitness journey, his love for a good barbell, and why he believes that showing up and staying consistent impacts all areas of life.

  1. Outside of CrossFit, what are some of your favorite hobbies, talents, or skills? I love playing golf, watching ridiculous unreal reality television, competing in nearly anything, and watching sports.  A stupid human trick I have is I can blow bubbles out of my mouth.  I know, it’s impressive.  
  2. How did you find CrossFit Eclipse, and what led you to join? I had been apart of a Crossfit gym for quite a while and just needed a reset to help jump start my next season of health and fitness.  I passed by the new Eclipse facility for a a couple months and wanted to check it out.  And then a friend invited me to join him for a class and the rest is history.  
  3. Is there a motto, phrase, or piece of advice you try to live by, either inside or outside the gym? Believe the best about others, always err on the side of grace, be kind, and one that fits for all areas of life: show up, shut up, and pay up.  
  4. What kind of music gets you pumped up during a WOD? Any favorite artists or genres? I like a little NF, Beastie Boys, Eminem, Linkin Park with a dash of Metallica and AC/DC 🙂 
  5. What’s your favorite WOD (Workout of the Day), and why? Isabelle (30 snatches at 135# for time) with Grace being a close second.  I love a moderately weighted barbell—haha.  
  6. When it’s time for a treat, what are your go-to cheat foods? Banana Bread, Mexican Food, and some Mike & Ike’s or Swedish Fish 🙂 
  7. What’s one thing you’ve accomplished at CrossFit Eclipse that you never thought you would? I’ve actually got better at running which I absolutely hate and my cardio capacity and muscle stamina has increased greatly and the best it’s ever been.  
  8. What keeps you motivated on your CrossFit journey, even on the tough days? For me, just knowing that the physical side of my life being healthy is critical to all parts of my life. So choosing to be consistent and pushing myself in the gym directly affects the mental, emotional, spiritual, and relational aspects of my life as well.  
  9. What changes or results have you noticed since joining CrossFit Eclipse? This may sound simple and strange, but my body has felt great since being at Eclipse even with the challenging programming that we experience.  And I believe the warm-ups, solid coaching, and cool downs have been the primary reason for that. 
  10. Do you have any special memories or moments at CFE that stand out to you? The Backyard Brawl—the tie breaker final with the Ski Erg…can’t say that I liked the outcome, but that was pretty epic after a day of competing with this community. 
  11. Have you experienced any life changes since starting CrossFit that you didn’t expect, either physically or mentally?
  12. If you could give one piece of advice to someone new at CrossFit Eclipse, what would it be? Run your own race.  Be consistent, set your own goals and chase them down without comparing your journey to someone else’s.  
  13. What are your current training goals or personal records (PRs) you’re aiming to hit?
  14. If you could design your own WOD and name it after yourself, what would it include? Let’s call it “Junebug” (my childhood nickname—haha) 21/15/9 for time of: Power Snatches at 145# / Toes 2 Bar / Push Jerks at !45#
  15. Cowboys or Sooners? (Feel free to explain your choice!) Sooners.  I think I’m just drawn to winning programs.  🙂 Honestly, I cheer for OSU and TU to do well too.  
  16. Is there anything else you’d like the community to know about you or your fitness journey?