Interview With a Jordan Cross Fit Star
Tell us when and how you came to love CrossFit
After concluding my swimming career in 2011 with the national swimming team in Jordan, I found myself searching for a new sport to get into. This is when a friend of mine told me about CrossFit and introduced me to it and a few workouts. I immediately fell in love with the sport.
What does your usual day look like?
I wake up every day at 6:00 a.m. and my first workout begins at 7:30 a.m. After this, I make my way to the gym for a workout session between 10:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. From there, my second training session begins between 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. My day comes to an end with me giving CrossFit classes from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.
How old are you and what do you do?
I am 24 years old and I run my very own Cross Fit box.
What is your advice for those starting CrossFit for the very first time?
Make sure you find yourself a good instructor and be patient with yourself both physically and mentally, especially when it comes down to learning new moves. Always make sure you get help when you need it to avoid any injuries.
What advice do you have for aspiring athletes looking to follow in your footsteps?
Be consistent and patient because if you want to be a good Cross Fit athlete you need to be willing to work hard and make a lot of sacrifices along the way to become disciplined and successful Cross Fitter and athlete.
What has been a major lifestyle change you made to be where you are today?
From a very young age, sports has always been a huge part of my life. Both unintentionally and willingly, I’ve always dedicated my life to sports while all the while diverting myself away from activities like video games and social events that make me a less promising athlete.
When did the regionals take place?
The regionals took place in Madrid-Spain in June
What was the experience like at the Regional CrossFit games and what was your score?
It was a whole new level for me as I found myself participating with some of the top 40 CrossFit athletes in the region. My overall score was 27.
What was your favorite moment at the Regionals?
My most favorite and unforgettable moment has to be when I got first place at my heat in one of my workouts.
What are your future plans and goals now that the regionals are over?
My biggest goal right now is to qualify to the regionals next year and be in the Top 10.
Will your trainings change?
My overall trainings will not change but I will definitely work much harder this year.
What does your preparation for the games look like?
I make sure I train about 3-5 hours daily.
Where can people follow you on social media?
You can follow me on my Instagram account @aminattallah93
How many days a week do you train and how many hours do you usually spend training?
I work out 6-days a week and I usually train approximately 3-5 hours on those days.
How do you keep yourself focused and calm during competitions?
There is no secret here, expect for the fact that it comes from experience. I’ve been competing in extremely challenging competitions for the past 5 years.
What is the CrossFit community like in Jordan?
It’s getting bigger with a lot of new athletes popping up and looking to improve in every possible way. Once you start CrossFit, you become very passionate about the sport.
As with any physical activity, nutrition follows. What type of food regimen do you follow that helps with your training and preparation for your upcoming competitions?
Nutrition is a very important part in sports. Nothing is as perfect as it seems though as last year my nutrition was not exactly what you might call top notch. This year however, I’ve made a lot of changes where I consistently make sure to eat clean and incorporate healthy food and vegetables in my diet. Most importantly, I make sure to avoid unnecessary sugars.
