May Athlete of the Month- Front Liners

Medical Field "On the Front Lines"

This month we wanted to do something different and special. Spotlighting our own BCF athletes who are out serving our community and who are literally "Essential Workers" fighting the front lines during this Covid-19 Pandemic. We have some amazing athletes we are lucky enough to be friends with and are proud they are doing what they can to truly serve our community and surrounding community.

Jessi Cox, MD Emergency Physician

 What is your proudest CrossFit moment? 

Earning my MD L1. I learned so much about CrossFit, myself and the exceptional program we have at BCF where we really do live Coach Glassman’s quote: 

“The needs of Olympic athletes and our grandparents differ by degree, not kind.”

 By the way, Glassman is as much of an insane genius as you would think but he is the sincerest human being you can imagine.

What made you decide to go into the healthcare field?

 I was sitting in a humanities lecture my freshman year of undergrad at Reed College and the idea of becoming a doctor just came to me. That and the inspiration for my first tattoo. I took three years after undergrad to try and find anything else I could do but, in the end, medical school was the only option for me. I like to be in charge and be knowledgeable about what I am doing,
but also like being challenged and thinking outside the box to solve problems. I originally thought I wanted to be a trauma surgeon but when I shadowed one, I realized I loved everything until we left the ER hence my specialty is Emergency Medicine. One thing I think everyone should have is a primary care physician (PCP) because as I tell my patients, I am really good at emergencies but anything beyond that you need a PCP.

Rachel Barters

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

Open workout 14.5

Had only been doing CF for about 6-7 months and decided I could RX this workout. I knew I wouldn’t be fast (burpees🤦‍♀️) but I did it. My coaches were there cheering me on and I remember one of them saying “you have to finish! You got it. You are doing this the same as we did!”

What made you decide to go into the healthcare field?

I decided to become a nurse after having my first child. I was like wow! I liked these nurses and maybe that would be a cool job. After starting nursing school I wasn’t sure it was for me. It seemed kind of slow. I ended up stopping nursing school and taking an EMT class. I then worked as an EMT for 15 years during which time I also finished nursing school.

Kim Waible

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

Definitely my proudest CrossFit moment was during the CrossFit Open 20.4 and hitting the 135lb clean and jerk!!

What made you decide to go into the healthcare field?

I knew I wanted to be in the healthcare field when I was in high school... as my favorite subjects were math and science. So, I chose to go into nursing. I am completely fascinated by the complexity of the human body and why/how everything works and how disease processes affect the body. I love the everyday variety, challenges, learning, and of course, making a difference in people’s lives!!

Louisa Partain 

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

I have so many memorable moments, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Probably when Ally and Holden got their Level 1 certificates. Or the day I was able to do a real push up. When I got my first rope climb. Ugh! I can’t pick just one!

What made you decide to go into the First Responder field?

So I’ve been looking for pics of me in my uniform and I have one and only one that’s hanging on my wall. I can't find any other at this point. But I do have a pic of holden when he was in Jr High in my bunker gear. The pic is with a school mate Jessi Wren. Both she and Holden are in the fire service now. I started in the emergency services in 1991 and was the longest serving female in my depts history and the only female officer. It’s a long story about how I got into the service, but the reason I stayed was because I love serving my community. I'm also an EMS Chaplain and have my paramedic license. I served on the dept for 22 years and then went into Public Health for the last 10 years overseeing Washington County’s EMS system. I’m taking a short hiatus from EMS all together and will probably finish my graduate degree in Public Administration. I’d like to go back into public health - we’ll see what the good Lord has planned though.

Stella Scott

What is your proudest CrossFit Moment?

CrossFit with my newborn strapped to me

What made you decide to go into the First Responder Field?

I have always enjoyed helping people and EMS was a natural field for me once I found it. It started out with, "I should have some knowledge for disasters" to changing my degree and going into EMS. Volunteering in Fire was a natural fit for my community.

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

I have so many memorable moments, it’s hard to pick a favorite. Probably when Ally and Holden got their Level 1 certificates. Or the day I was able to do a real push up. When I got my first rope climb. Ugh! I can’t pick just one!

Stephanie Wahne

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

My proudest moment thus far in CrossFit was honestly committing to it! I was super hesitant, but I had this draw to the team inspired aspect of it.... so trying it was a big step, but commitment to the gym was HUGE!

What made you decide to go into the healthcare field?

When my two grandmas died my senior year of High School, a new desire started to burn in me and I knew I wanted to help people when they needed it the most. When my last grandma died, I went back to school again for surgery.

Claire Cannetti

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

Anytime I can beat Erik!

What made you decide to go into law enforcement?

I wanted to combine my love for helping people and be able to legally drive fast! Its the best of both worlds!

Erik Gump 

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

Crushing Sam in 17.4 and 18.4

What made you decide to go into law enforcement?

I lost a bet.

Lucy Plews 

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

I don't have a proudest moment at CrossFit, but I am proud of myself for coming back. I really didn't want to. I was super out of shape, felt out of place and was insecure about the idea of going back. As soon as I was back I knew that it was the best choice I could make! The coaching and training are great, but the people we have in this community are truly the best part. And I am grateful to get to work out with such a wonderful people within such a strong community.

What made you decide to become a firefighter?

I am not sure how I ended up deciding to pursue firefighting. I needed something more during my freshman year of college and ended up looking into Banks. I was honestly just doing it to do it when I  first started. I was sure I was going to PA school and just wanted hours for experience. But about two weeks into Academy, I realized that I may have been in over my head and completely out of my comfort zone, but it was something I hadn’t felt in a while. I was motivated! It's hard to pass up opportunities that motivate you to be better yourself and that drive you. After academy I still wasn’t 100% sure and was pretty sure that I had no place in the fire service, but within a couple weeks and after my first fire I was in love. It’s a privilege that I get to be a firefighter and EMT and I am grateful every day that I ended up stumbling upon this passion.

Holden Partain 

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

Getting my L1 and becoming a coach!

What made you decide to become a firefighter?

 What inspired me: both of my parents were in the fire service and they inspired me to do it too!

Mark Gregg

 circa 1988, less grey hair then!

What made you decide to become a firefighter?

My dad was a volunteer firefighter when I was growing up in Colorado, so I was hanging around the fire station since I was 6. I didn’t realize how much medical I would end up doing in today’s fire service but love the hands on time being able to provide care in the field. Between EMS and fire/rescue, a lot of excitement and no day is the same.

What is your proudest CrossFit moment?

The fact the whole family does it, including both kids after moving out of the house and we can all enjoy it together!