APRIL: JENNIFER (PENDY) PENDERGRASS

2015 - 2017

We kick off April with a very special edition of our Athlete of the Month series. This month, we honor and lift up "Pendy" as both a CrossFitter and pretty incredible human.

This birthday girl (40 this month!) is from Tyler, has been CrossFitting since 2014. She's got a life-changing story you'll want to sit down for.

Your life was very different 3 years ago. So, let's time-travel a bit. 

If we could go back and talk to me in 2014, she'd tell ya' that Never, never, never ... in a million years ... would I attempt, much less SURVIVE any workout. Forget CrossFit.

So ... how & why did you start CrossFit?

My lovely friend Jamie Hancock! I had seen her a few days before and she was looking so good. I made the 'mistake' of asking what she was doing to lose weight.

When she told me CROSSFIT, I didn't have to think before saying, "I would die if I ever tried that!" But she showed up at my house later, with a command: "Let's go"! 

And you went! Were you scared?​

Of course I was! So scared. CrossFit is very intimidating to someone who is out-of-shape. (What isn't?)  ​

You always have in the back of your mind: Are they going to stare at me? What are they going to say?

So, take us back to your first WOD... what was it, and how did it feel?

It was a Saturday morning community WOD. I came to WATCH, y'all. Make no mistake. It took courage enough to pull up at the box and see all those FIT folks.
I found a corner to settle into. And that's where I was gonna stay, believe me.

Everyone welcomed me, introduced themselves. Just like they do every day. Every one was glad I was there - which is a WHOLE lot more than I can say for my previous attempts at joining gyms.

Still, I kept thinking, What in the world have I gotten myself into?

But then, Stone (another member) walked over to me and said, "Hey, come work out with us!"  

It was a RUNNING WOD. But I got up, and I ran.  Pretty sure I wanted to keep running ... y'know, home!!!

What about starting CrossFit was hardest?

Changing my expectations. I had always thought it would happen so QUICKLY.

Every "diet" I ever started, I gave up on after a week. In my head it was like, But I'm working ... Why am I not seeing results? Why isn't the scale moving?

So, yeah, after a month of CrossFit, I really didn't see a change, and I was getting disappointed and very discouraged. 

I would ask other CrossFitters, WHY?

With open loving arms, they'd give me a pat on the back and say, Don't give up. I promise you will start noticing a difference.

So with that, I had hope, a reason to keep with it, and people to support me.

And even when the scale wasn't moving, I felt SO much better after the workouts.

So, what finally convinced you?

I can't lie. I really wanted to start seeing a physical change. I gave it more time, and I stuck with it. But when I changed my eating completely during one of our Nutritional Challenges, I saw HUGE weight loss.
 
What sort of changes have you seen in your body, health, and fitness since starting CrossFit (before/after)?  

Weight loss, muscles in places I didn't know I had them, more endurance, energy and have learned it feels so much better to eat clean!!

So, what would you say to people just getting started or thinking about it?
​
There's no question that the hardest part of anything new is just getting started.
It takes a lot of courage to overcome your insecurities and take that first step and joining.  

I get that. But, we've got to be brave. We've got to take that first step. For the part of us that wants it so badly. For the future us that's going to thank us for it.

The best athletes aren't born the best. They didn't just wake up and become the best. We all start somewhere. And this box, this family, is one of the best places to do that.

Let go of the quick fix. I did this all 100% on my own with the CFT coaches. No diet pills or any weight loss supplements. I had already been down that 'quick fix' road - it doesn't go anywhere.

DO NOT GIVE UP. It takes time to see changes, but I promise, it is so worth it!

Favorite WOD?

Anything with squats.
​

​Least Favorite WOD?

​Anything with snatches.

There are days for everyone when you just don’t want to work out. How do you handle those?
​
I make myself get up and go. If I don't, I don't feel right anymore.

Please share with us your favorite CrossFit / CFT moments.
​​
PR's and getting a movement for the first time. It still sometimes feels like it takes forever to achieve!! Love everyone I have met at CFT. I have made many friends and it feels like family! FNL is a month every year I will always remember!!

What are your hobbies, interests and/or talents outside of CrossFit?
​
Enjoying my husband and my kids and all they are involved in. They're all pretty awesome and make me grateful I'm related to them.

What do you love most about your body?​
My legs? Are you even getting these pictures?! Dang, I have muscles and definition that looks good!!

What is your superpower?
​
Dedication! Duh... did you read this?