2019 Third Fittest Woman Jamie (Greene) Simmonds PH145

“I love competing and testing.  You know what you were like the last time you competed, or the last time you did this sort of training block… and I just like building on trying to get better.  So there’s that. I also like… I know growing up what my parents and my sisters put into me to try to help me build something like that, so it’s not just for me, I’m doing it for them. And also when I compete at different places they come see me. So I don't get to see my Mom, Dad, my sister Becky much, so they always travel over to the Games, or they’ve come to Madrid a few times and the motivation to train, to get them to watch me to compete is motivation in itself.”
- Jamie Simmonds

Jamie Simmonds, formerly Jamie Greene, made a huge splash in the CrossFit arena when, as a relatively unknown athlete, when won the 2016 CrossFit Open.

Since then, she's gone on to compete at the CrossFit Games four times, and stood atop the podium twice: first as a member Team CrossFit Yas in 2016, and most recently, as an individual at the 2019 CrossFit Games.

Perhaps even more remarkably, Jamie didn’t even start CrossFit until 2013.  Her background as a gymnast and rugby player helped propel her from a novice athlete to a force to be reckoned with.

Jamie’s journey to becoming the third Fittest Woman hasn’t always been easy: along the way she’s been challenged by a ruptured Achilles tendon, a team disqualification, and a dislocated shoulder, but her commitment to constantly improving herself has shaped her into a formidable competitor.

Jamie is a native of New Zealand, but since 2014 has lived in Abu Dhabi where she coaches and trains at CrossFit Yas.  She and I recently caught up to chat about her experience at the 2019 CrossFit Games, what her 2020 training season has looked like so far, and how she stays motivated and committed to her training in the face of challenges.

 

 

In this episode we discuss:

• What the COVID-19 pandemic experience has been like in Abu Dhabi
• Jamie’s childhood in New Zealand
• How her Mom introduced her to CrossFit
• Jamie’s experience with rupturing her Achilles’ tendon
• Her move to Abu Dhabi, and what prompted her to become a CrossFit competitor
• Jamie’s training environment at CrossFit Yas
• Why Jamie believes she excelled at CrossFit so quickly
• The transition from team to individual competition
• What Jamie does to train her mindset
• Her approach to the 2020 CrossFit Games season
• How she met her husband, Elliott
• What Jamie does to stay motivated in the gym
• The inspiration for her Feel Better Friday tips
• How she’s grown as a person, athlete, and coach while at CrossFit Yas
• Jamie’s plans for the future
• Jamie’s approach to nutrition, and why she likes fasting
• What her training looks like while self-isolating
• Three things Jamie does on a regular basis that have the biggest positive impact on her health
• One thing she thinks could have a big impact on her health, but she has a hard time implementing
• What a healthy life looks like to Jamie

 

 

You can follow Jamie on Instagram

Links:

• Jamie Greene joins Tia-Clair Toomey on the Podium at the 2019 CrossFit Games
• Cleveland Clinc Abu Dhabi
• Layaqa at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi
• Coach Andy Edwards
• Dubai Fitness Challenge

Related episodes:

Ep 104 Physical Therapist & CrossFit Games Athlete Amanda Barnhart

Ep 130 - Kristi O'Connell on Training for Joy and Balance

If you like this episode, please subscribe to Pursuing Health on iTunes and give it a rating. I’d love to hear your feedback in the comments below and on social media using the hashtag #PursuingHealth. I look forward to bringing you future episodes with inspiring individuals and ideas about health every other Tuesday.

Disclaimer: This podcast is for general information only, and does not provide medical advice. We recommend that you seek assistance from your personal physician for any health conditions or concerns.

 

This post was originally published on May 25, 2020.