May Member Spotlight: Jonathun Catapano

Tell us a little about yourself and what got you on the path to CrossFit…

Born and raised in Smithtown NY, moved to Fredericksburg VA as a teen where I finished high school. I went to college at JMU where I met my wife Holly and lived in VA until 2007. I worked as a commercial banker out of college and an opportunity to transfer to Charleston came up and jumped at the opportunity! Looking back, I couldn't imagine a better place to work and raise a family. I started my merchant services business here back in 2011 and currently raising our 3 kids Olivia (11) Hannah (8) and Joey (5).

Growing up I was always active and loved playing a variety of sports, including football, hockey, lacrosse and soccer. Staying active is such an important part of life these days having small kids that are into sports and also having a passion for snowboarding. The gym was always a part of life growing up and playing organized sports, but after college it was more of how much you could bench & curl… who cared about leg day. Let's focus on the glory muscles gym attitude.

It wasn't until I moved to South Carolina that I discovered CrossFit. I joined a local CF gym around 13 years ago and loved how different it was. After a year of working out, the culture started to change and it was just not a good fit anymore. It felt as if there was more focus on competing, then producing proper movements and preventing injury. After a couple injuries I swore CF off forever. I bounced around from gym to gym over the years and spent more time socializing than actually working out. A friend of mine Chris Hooly introduced me to CFJI when we moved from West Ashley to James Island and promised it would be nothing like my original experience and he was right. After the first couple intro classes with Kyle and getting into a 9am grove I have not looked back or even thought about going back to a traditional gym.

What keeps you coming back each day?

It has become part of my normal routine when I am in town. I can't think of a better way to get my day started. The workouts kick my butt, but gives me energy and a sense of accomplishment for the rest of the day

What is your favorite at-home exercise to do?

Usually ride the Peloton and work in some air squats and pushups during the rides to make them more interesting

If you had to do 100 reps of one movement (not running), what would it be?

Something on the easier end like an air squat

What are 1-2 of your goals for 2023? Have you accomplished any of these? Flexibility in the gym and lowering overall stress, I think i have come along way on both, but still have a ways to go

Favorite lift?

It used to be bench press, but after hurting my shoulder I am really starting to enjoy high bar back squats.

Least favorite Crossfit movement?

Overhead squats

Hometown?

Smithtown NY

Favorite Charleston Restaurant?

Oak

If you could do another job for just one day, what would it be?

Mountain patrol out west…Nothing better then being paid to Snowboard all day and help others

What would you most like to tell yourself at age 13?

Hang in there it's going to get much better and everything happens for a reason, you’ll see.

If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would you meet?

My grandfather…He died when I was young and all my family members talk about how much we are alike and it would be so interesting to just spend the day together to see.

One thing about me people would be surprised to know?

I am vehicle obsessed and am constantly taking them apart or building cars. I have a social media following that came from cars which was really strange for me at the time, but I have embraced it and all that comes with it. The experience had been rewarding when others come to you for help and have met so many great people along the way.

If the CFJI coaches came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare?

We would eat unhealthy food for sure! And Italian based dinner… Antipasto to start, Carbonara Gnocchi or Chicken Parmesan, garlic bread, caesar & caprese salads, roasted veggies, asparagus and finish it off some cannolis or cheesecake

Give us a “Question of the Day” to use in class.

What is something you feared as a child that you realize as an adult is completely ridiculous