Upper East Side

Congrats to this month’s UES Athlete of the Month, Jason Lettiere. Jay is moving this month, and we’ll truly miss the kindness and dedication he brings to EVF.

Jay has been an integral part of our community for the last 2 years. I can always count on him to make the new members feel welcome and to stay and support until the very last person finishes. He’s shown incredible growth as an athlete in his time here because he truly listens.  He takes what you’ve said, uses it, and just keeps improving. He’s such a genuine person and a positive influence in class. We’ve been very lucky to have him, and he will be missed so much!

— Coach Jenna

How/when did you get involved in CrossFit? What has motivated you to stick with it?
I had been living across the street for nearly 6 months before I walked in and grabbed a flyer. I had been working grueling hours, lost motivation toward working out and was looking for something new/different to re-spark me both physically and mentally. It took me another 6 months to save up for the membership.

Every second faster, every additional rep, every extra pound lifted keeps driving you for more. But beyond the measurable achievements, coming down the stairs every day and getting to work out with friends is often the true motivation. Having played competitive ice hockey my whole life, I didn’t think I would be able to recreate the team atmosphere as an adult. Even though the workouts are individual, it is a team at EVF.

What do you enjoy most about being a member at EVF?
The environment and friendships are something unique to EVF. The coaches and members all love to be here, love to work hard, and are some of the kindest and friendliest people I have ever met. Whether it’s the 5:30 a.m. crew, Competition class, or weekend Open Gym I have met and worked out with some of the best people and for that I am always grateful.

Do you remember your first workout? Looking back how did it go?
First workout was Outdoor 360 with Coach Charlie. I threw up in the park after the first 15 minutes.

What were your goals when you first started? How have they changed?
Goal at the start was to be able to Rx every workout. Over the past year the focus has been more about working hard on increasing my strength lifts, gaining new skills (butterfly pull-ups, pistols, handstand walks), and attacking workouts with more planning versus guns blazing no matter what.

How have you grown in that time — health, body, mind, etc.?
I have gained a significant amount of strength, ripped a ton of pants, cleaned up my eating and have learned to be happy without a PR every week. Being hardworking and diligent in the box translates into every other facet of your life, and I would like to think that CrossFit has motivated me to be better outside the gym as well.

Favorite lift and WOD?
I enjoy longer, chipper-type workouts that include a bunch of bodyweight/gymnastic movements.

The snatch is my favorite lift. There are so many different pieces all requiring a ton of technical mastery. There is always room to improve.

Least favorite movement and workout?
I struggle with cycling through heavy deadlifts and so a workout like Linda or Diane is never my first choice.

What drives you through the door each day?
Being slightly better than yesterday and learning something new. In particular, Coach Quigley and Coach Jenna have both had a huge impact on my time at EVF.

Coach Q introduced me to CrossFit, taught me to “embrace the suck,” love the community, always give more than you take, be self-motivating, make the abs sizzle, and always focus on technique. Even after moving >6,000 miles away he has taught me to say hi to strangers, don’t waste a day, and always push my comfort zone.

Coach Jenna got me to love Olympic lifting, always go heavier than you want, hook grip everything, understand what a macro is, that ripping pants is a rite of passage, how to plan for a workout, to enjoy the little victories in life and the gym, and that donuts are the best cheat food.

Do you have any advice for new members?
Stick with the programming, scale as needed, don’t be intimidated, ask a ton of questions, be friendly, listen to the coaches, and enjoy all the improvements.

What do you hope to achieve in the coming year?
Ultimate goal is to just continue getting stronger and faster. Some specifics: 190# snatch, 275# clean, learn to handstand walk, 50 unbroken wall ball shots, 100 unbroken double unders … The list could go on and on.