[I know there are a few P360 people that work for VAVi, so if you’re reading this, hook me up with something for plugging you ;) ].

How has P360 affected your life?

The biggest impact has been in my diet. I started nutrition coaching with Lenny at the beginning of the year and it has really opened my eyes to what I was putting in my body. This new understanding helps me make more informed decisions about what I eat. That doesn’t mean I always eat clean, but at least I know how “dirty” it really is, haha.

What are your favorite, and least favorite exercises?

I’m going to be lame for a second and say I don’t have any least favorite exercises. I really do believe each and every exercise that is programmed has a specific purpose that will help me become more athletic, so I like doing it all even though it might be hell to get through.

I do perk up when I get to do movements I’ve had a lot of experience in, such as the back squat or deadlift. And the most frustrating movements are those I’ve had zero experience in prior to joining P360, like the front squat or Olympic lifts. I can’t help but chuckle knowing there is a 300# disparity between my back and front squat or that I might only be able to snatch with just a barbell. But it’s both humbling and a good reminder that everyone starts somewhere and that improvement is a process.

What is the hardest thing you have done, physically, in the gym?

I’ve started to dip my toes into the timed challenges, but even circuits that test your muscle endurance have been some of the hardest things I have done. It’s an interesting feeling when your mind is telling your body to do something, but the body is just having trouble doing it. These are the limits that make me want to continue to train so I can improve and push through.

What is your most proud achievement at P360?

Hitting a 475# deadlift PR and a 435# back squat PR, with the former helping me catapult straight into barbell club level 3. I was able to do this early in my P360 career, but all that really means is I have had years of experience doing these lifts. It’s interesting looking back because those years of lifting were done on my own, as in I didn’t even go to a gym. I was just lucky enough to have a squat rack, plates, and a barbell in my garage at the time. I lifted in a bubble, no leaderboards or other people to compare myself to. There was no magical number I was trying to reach for. I just wanted to get stronger and five pound improvements in my 5×5 working sets each workout were enough for me. I have never tried a one-rep max until getting to P360, so those PRs are my proudest achievements so far because they are the validation that you become strong by making small improvements consistently over time.

What is a hidden talent of yours?

I wouldn’t call it a talent, but I recently ran 10 half marathons over the span of two years. It’s not something I bring up often in a conversation because when someone hears this, they may tell me, “Wow, you must love to run!” But the fact is I don’t like to run and I almost hate it. I wish I could tell you I was running after a girl and this is a love story, but there was no good reason for torturing myself by constantly training for a race. The only thing I have to show for it is a decent foundation of cardio that I can use at the gym or on the sports field.

What is an embarrassing fact most people don’t know about?

One fact that may surprise people is for all the love I have for playing sports, I actually don’t care too much about watching sports. Going to live events are fun, but watching it on TV is kind of boring to me. You may not blame me because my hometown San Diego professional teams haven’t been great or just straight up left town, but I think I would rather play sports than watch it.

If money was no concern, what would be your dream job?

Besides playing sports all day? I would actually love to teach. I don’t have a particular subject or type of students in mind, but it is immensely rewarding to help someone understand something they never had before and get them inspired.

What is the biggest overall improvement you’ve made, since joining P360?

At the time of this writing, I have dropped 27 pounds of weight so far. And the hope is I’ve retained most, if not all, of my strength!

What is the most valuable piece of coaching you’ve received?

All of the coaches have been great and have been able to offer even the smallest tidbits or cues that unlock a new way of thinking about a movement. But beyond technique, I have heard Will talk about checking your ego at the door. I wish I heard this earlier. My P360 trial class just so happened to be a back squat day. Awesome, I thought to myself. I’m good at back squats, so let me show Coach Julianne how good I am. Except I haven’t lifted in at least half a year at the time. I went too heavy, too soon, and I pulled a groin muscle in my first P360 class. I still loved the gym and signed up right away, but I woke up the next day having trouble getting out of bed and I couldn’t work out for two weeks. Not an efficient use of time or money.

I have to remind myself that fitness is a lifelong journey and different people will be in different places on their journey. Competitiveness is a great motivator, but the best person to compare yourself to is yesterday’s you. And maybe the way you outlast everyone else is by continuously improving yourself when others can’t.

Which public figure or celebrity would you put in the dunk tank?

Jennifer Lawrence… and once she falls in the tank, I would jump in with her.

What’s your favorite place to eat in San Diego?

Take me to your favorite hole-in-the-wall taco shop and I will be a happy camper.

What famous person (alive or not) would you most like to have a drink with and what would you buy them?

Once J-Law and I are done splashing around in the dunk tank, I offer to take her to dinner. She accepts. I tell her to get whatever she wants to drink and we keep the drinks flowing. The night is filled with hilarious hi-jinks in the typical Jennifer Lawrence fashion, and we live happily every after. A great story to tell our kids of how I met their mother, don’t you think?

If you had one movie on a deserted island what would it be?

Did you guess it would be a Jennifer Lawrence movie? Hunger Games? Silver Linings Playbook? Nice try, but no. I would take Inception. I loved the story and the musical score. If you want to discuss whether or not the top fell over at the end of the movie, come find me!

What’s a funny story from your childhood?

My cousins and I would go trick-or-treating every Halloween, and in this particular year, Power Rangers were all the rage. Four of us in my group alone were dressed up as the Red Ranger from head to toe. You can imagine how many more kids outside our group were dressed the same way. It would be a shame if one of us got lost… I’m just thankful it wasn’t me. We must have visited five houses before we realized my group was missing one Mighty Morphin’ Power Ranger. It’s funny now because we eventually found my cousin, but I can imagine how frantic my aunt was trying to wade through a sea of Red Rangers who may or may not be her son.

What’s your favorite naughty food?

I have a huge sweet tooth that does not discriminate. However, ever since I’ve started my diet change journey, I have managed to stay away from one thing… Oh California burrito, how I have missed you. You are the perfect combination of meat and potatoes. You are heaven in a flour tortilla with your carne asada, fries, cheese, and sour cream. I will return to you one day… [If you are wondering where the guacamole is, please stop right there. I love guacamole everywhere else except my Cali burrito!]

If you could travel to any point in the past, where would you go?

I would travel so far back in time that I end up in the future where space travel is possible. Outer space totally fascinates me. Earth is already a huge place to explore, but to know that our planet is only a tiny speck in the universe, you can’t help but wonder what else is out there.

What’s your favorite thing about training at P360?

Everything. I have every confidence the programming is helping me become a better athlete. The coaches are always encouraging, motivating, and knowledgeable. The community is welcoming and gives you the feeling that even though the workout may be hell, we’re all in it together.

What is your biggest goal moving into 2017?

As you might guess, continuously making small improvements at everything I do at the gym is how I plan on becoming more. But the current goal is to continue to drop weight. One, it will help my box jump, which I’m dying to improve as a person on the shorter side that likes to play sports. And two, besides becoming stronger, losing weight is another way to climb up the leaderboard in pound-for-pound strength.

Jackie Hade

Jackie has been a member for over 2 years, and steadily making progressions through working extremely hard in all areas. We’ve seen lots of speed and endurance from her through these years, and recently there’s been some major strength #gainz as well. Jackie recently hit 8 pull ups, a 285# Deadlift, and a 125# split jerk sliding into Club Forged with over 10 points. It’s been a blast for the coaches to see Jackie thrive and push herself as one of the most well rounded athletes in the gym, and we are stoked to congratulate her and get to know her better!