Jules is a real workhorse in and outside of the gym. As a police officer, her schedule is never consistent, but she prioritizes her health, fitness, and family in impressive ways. Jules trains both at home and with us at the gym in the 5:30am or 6:30am class and the Saturday 8:30am class, getting 5-6 days of training in a week, hitting 2-a-days when she can. Read below to learn more about how Jules found CrossFit, what keeps her going, and what fuels her performance.

How many days a week do you train? 

6 days a week right now. I do workouts Monday Tuesday and Wednesday. Active recovery on Thursdays (either just a run or very light met con) then workouts Friday and Saturday.  Sunday is a complete rest day. 

How do you like to rest and recover?

Eating lots of food and hitting la Nordic spa with the girls. Sunday’s are complete rest days. In the summer, I like to disconnect at the cottage. Swim, boat, fish and SUP (stand-up paddleboard).

What do you eat on a typical day? What is your current approach to nutrition?

 I typically eat the same thing every day. I’m sure some would find that boring however I like it. 
I usually get up at 4:45 and eat a banana and then I do my workout. Post-workout I usually have either Kodiak cakes with fruit or oatmeal and egg whites topped with almond butter and some fruit and a protein shake. 
Mid-morning snack is usually a perfect bar and coffee.
Lunch is usually chicken rice and vegetables. 
I smash a Fitaid in the afternoon and some sort of snack.
Dinner is typically, like my lunch, rice with some sort of meat and vegetables.
Depending on my protein intake I’ll also have a protein shake before bed.
I’m not going to lie.... I eat a few gummies or a double stuff Oreo after supper sometimes.

How has pregnancy and motherhood affected your training? 

I have been very lucky. I’m a mom of a 4-year-old girl and a 2-year old-boy. I was much more cautious during my first pregnancy then my second. My second I hardly modified the workouts and tried most of them Rx. I listened to my body and still worked out 5 days a week. Post-pregnancy I was able to get back working out very soon after giving birth, and I attribute that to having a fit pregnancy. I think continuing to live a healthy active lifestyle is the best way to show my kids how to start and lead by example. You will sometimes see Jordyn come to the gym with me. Clearly my kids come first so in order to fit working out into my life I get up at 4:45 and get it in before my kids get up. 

What reasons did you have to train when you started CrossFit? Have those reasons changed? If so, how? 

When I first started CrossFit it was on a recommendation from a friend that was doing it. At the time, I was going to a “globo” gym. I thought I was fit. I went to a Saturday class with them at a CrossFit gym and had my ass handed to me. I was in the fetal position on the ground for a solid 10 minutes and then sat in the parking lot with my head on my steering wheel until the feeling that I was going to throw up subsided.  I initially started CrossFit to stay in shape. I enjoy pushing myself and getting stronger. I love to compete. Those reasons haven’t changed. However, after having kids, staying fit for them so I can do things with them and be healthy continues to be a huge influence.

What improvements have you made in the past 6 months that you are most proud of?

Well I wouldn’t necessarily say over the last 6 months, I would say over the last two years since having my youngest I’ve really focused on not only getting my strength back but getting stronger than ever before. I’ve also been working on my weakness of gymnastics a lot more. 

Do you currently have a main focus or goal(s) with your training? 

Right now, I’ve been enjoying competing. It gives me something to focus on, to remind me to put in the time and effort, to work on my weaknesses and not just focus on strengths.

What would you consider to be your greatest strength as an athlete? 

I would say my strength and my engine. I love lifting heavy and living in the pain cave during long workouts... hello darkness my old friend.

What is one thing that you do every day that you feel is essential in contributing to your success in the gym? 

Eating enough to support working out. This is essential.

If you could give yourself one piece of advice when you started CrossFit, what would it be? 

Be patient. Results don’t happen overnight. You have good workouts and bad workouts and you need to remember that when things aren’t going your way.

Do you have a favourite quotation or mantra related to training?

I just remind myself to finish. It doesn’t matter how fast or long.