MEET THE PERROTTI’S
Life is busy. We all know this. Somehow these two manage to juggle very demanding professions, two beautiful daughters, hunting and camping, a healthy lifestyle and time for one another at the gym.
Many want to know how this works. I asked Jamie to tell her story and enlighten us on how she and Joel keep it all connected.
If you want it bad enough, it can happen.
STRONG COUPLES…
M
Joel and I have always been active people. Sports in high school. Hit the gym off and on in college. During the early part of our marriage we stuck with the pattern of gym regularly the first part of the year but when hunting season and the holidays rolled around that became less of a priority. We were eating “healthy” around that time right? Cereal or granola bar for breakfast. Lean cuisine at lunch. Hamburger helper at night…seemed pretty good.
Then late 2011 we discovered crossfit. Joel started January 2012 and I started September of that year after we had our second daughter. Talk about life changing. Never had it been so important to go to the gym. Never had it been so much fun to workout together. We push each other. We hold each other accountable. One of the first things to do when we leave is text the other how many rounds we got in the WOD. When we become stronger as individuals we become stronger as husband and wife. Our common interests continue to bring us closer together. Camping, hunting, cooking, sports, and yes even working out are things we can do by ourselves but are so much better together.
And we had never stepped in a gym that offered as much encouragement from a dietary standpoint. We like to eat chips. We like to drink beer. We like gravy and chocolate chip cookies. We are still trying to find some balance. But with the help of Paleo and Whole 30 we have come a long way from lean cuisines.
I am the first to admit that we still struggle with restraint. I am known to say “I don’t diet on vacation”. But after Joel gained 9# on a recent 5 day road trip I may have to rethink that logic. (Disclaimer: He got all of that weight off in the week after we got back).
I feel like in the past 5 years we have grown considerably in our search for balance in our lives. As full time working parents it is a challenge to find time for God, kids, gym, meal prep….and I still haven’t cleaned my house. I think having our girls watch us live active lives and make responsible food choices (for the most part) is pretty high on our list. Having them see how our hard work and good decisions make our lives better make us happier and healthier sets them up for the same in adulthood.
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A must see video! https://youtu.be/SMSv45AFHos
MURPH
The crucial workout completed by many on Memorial Day. In remembrance and celebration of Michael Murphy and all of those who once fought, and those that continue to fight and serve us today. We thank you.
1 MILE RUN
100 pullups – 200 push-ups – 300 squats
1 MILE RUN
Breaking up the reps any way you’d like or grueling it out as written. That is all on you.
Many wear a weighted vest as well. Challenge yourself.
I prefer to do…
20 rounds of 5 pull ups – 10 push-ups – 15 squats
There is no easy in this. It is meant to be grueling and it is meant to make you appreciate. The strength, the courage, the fight, the dedication, the fearless, the strong, the blood, and the brotherhood of those men take this workout to whole new level.
The first mile you are settling in. You have a good pace and your mind is trying to wrap around what you are about to accomplish when you return to the rig. As your hands wrap around that bar for the first set of pullups, it begins to click that you are in this till the end. You drop to start pushups and the sweat pours from your face. The squats begin to tax your legs, but in no way could feel the pain that those men feel fighting for our freedom. Over and over again, you pull, you push, you squat… Puddles of your sweat all over the floor. The moment you finish that last squat of 300, BAM… you have that one mile run to complete. GO GET IT!!! Make this mile a reflection mile, what you have just accomplished and for whom. Be proud friends. First, you completed what many won’t even try. Second, One Nation Under God… Blessed.
Here are a few thoughts from some of my friends that have completed MURPH…
“I like that so many driven people get together to grind through this brutal workout. And if you think about doing it to honor Michael Murphy and everyone else that gave their lives, it pushes you harder and makes the work become meaningful.” William Albritton – Owner CrossFit Alexandria
“Begins with dread, then comes with grind, ends up as pride.” Chief Loren Lampert – APD
“The excitement of challenging yourself to do something that many wouldn’t think of.” Lt. Bruce Fairbanks – APD
“This workout is more of a mental fitness test. I find myself questioning why I do what I do during this WOD. But when I look around and see 50 other people doing the same thing and working through the reps one by one, I see something more amazing. It is a community working hard for one goal together.” Mark Fuselier – Coach
“Just work hard. Fun probably not possible.” Rob Antoon – Antoon Enterprises
“It’s a WOD that took me 4 Memorial Days to conquer on my own. Now that I have conquered a full RX Murph, I will continue to be motivated and challenged by it! Every year I will be pushed to perform the work more efficiently and earn a better time.” Amanda Petrus – Teacher
“3, 2, 1… GO and you’re off on the first mile. In about an hour it’ll be over and you can go back to your weekend of fun and sun with family and friends. Those men and women serving our country don’t stop after an hour. They don’t get to take a break if they rip their hands, so you keep pushing and you try to push thru in their honor.” Jamie Perrotti – Physician’s Assistant – Griffin Family Medicine
“This is a WOD where I experience a battle between heart and mind. My mind is telling me “this is hard, I hurt, I’m pregnant” etc.… But my heart says, “this is the least I can do, push through, honor the sacrifices of others.” The goal is to be all heart about it at the end.” Jennifer Thorpe – Teacher
“SACRIFICE” – Garrett Corley, Head Trainer Louisiana Athletic Club
“Participating in MURPH makes you channel something outside of yourself and your ordinary training. You’ve wondered what you have gotten yourself into. It doesn’t take long to realize you are honoring our service men and women and especially Lt. Michael Murphy.” Roger Harrington
“When joining CFA I had absolutely NO intention of doing Murph! Then, four days before my inner self said there is no way you are missing this! Murph is both terrifying and exhilarating but results in nothing but pride!” Leanne Broussard-Attorney
STRONG MIND STRONG BODY – STRONG WORKOUT
Mitzi
