Your name: Vernleigh Morris
What drove you to join CrossFit Jozi East?:
I started CrossFit because of my boyfriend, Johan (Beukman) who has been doing training at CFJ East for a long time, and decided to take me to a bring a buddy class on a Thursday to try it out and see if I would like it and I kinda just got hooked!
How long have you been a member for?
A year in June.
Who inspires you?
I draw inspiration from a lot of different people but in terms of Crossfit when I began my biggest inspiration when I took up Crossfit was Aileen. Watching her compete and her determination, I wanted that. I wanted to be strong and as dedicated as her when I started. I would compare my class scores to hers as she was in the morning class and I was the night class to see where I was matching up. To have people around that are better than you inspires you to train harder to be better and stronger. I am not where I would like to be there but the progress is there and also thanks to Tersha whose always rooting for me and shouting for me during workouts, she gives me that little push and motivation I need when the work out gets tough.
What are you doing when you aren’t at the gym?
Studying, I am finishing my studies in Law.
Tell us one interesting thing that people might not know about you?
I am fantastic dancer and was a South African Champ Freestyle dancer until I stopped when I was 19 years old.
What was your favorite childhood T.V Programme?
I have a few but If I had to narrow it down to top three , I would say Ed, Edd and Eddy, the Powerpuff girls and Samurai Jack.
If you had to have a super power what would it be and why?
Super power? It would be to fly. Cliché I know but I think airplane tickets are stupid expensive.
What would your perfect workout be?
I enjoy workouts that have multiple stations. I like the variety of movement.
What has been your most memorable class or session at CFJ East?
My most memorable class was the first time I cried during a WOD. I had just started CF and we were pumping out push presses after working out hard in the first component and at that stage, the barbell was the heaviest thing I’ve ever held in my life. I was weak and my arms just wouldn’t do the work but I kept fighting through the burn and it hurt, flip it hurt. My mind was broken, my arms were broken and I couldn’t help but put the barbell down walk away and start sobbing . But what made it the most memorable was that the class all came to me after and gave me the biggest hugs and high fives , like I had just smashed the workout ( which I obviously didn’t). it was a moment like this where I could truly say that our box isn’t just a box that people come to, get their work out over and done with then you need to leave, we are a community and a family. we support each and every person no matter where you are on your CrossFit journey.
What might we find in your fridge at home?
My mom likes to bake so there is almost always a cake, tart or something sweet to nibble on in the fridge.
What Is The Coolest Thing That You Have Achieved At CFJ East?
The coolest thing I’ve achieved is a PB deadlift of 80kgs and pulls ups.
What Changes In Your Health Have You Noticed Since Starting?
Overall I am so much fitter and my body shape has changed significantly. Developing muscles that I didn’t even know I had. Also, My traps are HUGE!
List Some Of Your Big Goals.
My CF goals are to just get better at everything. I want to be able to do it all because a good CF athlete needs to be able to do every moment and do it well. From the small things like double unders, good squats and strict push-ups to the big things like hand stand push-ups and muscle ups. But alas Rome was not built in a day 🙂
