Jennifer LaBaw ’04
Working at Norcal Strength and Conditioning in Chico, Calif., in the fall of 2010, Jennifer LaBaw ’04 was encouraged by fellow coaches to try a local strength competition. For six months, LaBaw trained daily, working well beyond what she thought she was capable of, making it to second place at regionals and earning a spot at the international Reebok Crossfit Games.
“My competitive edge from Cornell Rams women soccer came rearing its head that day,” she says, ultimately leading this elite athlete to capture sixth place in the international competition of the Reebok CrossFit Games.
And her signature color workout gear? Purple, of course.
LaBaw fell in love with the campus and life at Cornell as a high school junior visiting big brother Luke LaBaw ’02. Knowing that One Course At A Time was going to be a great way to learn, LaBaw also had extra incentive to join life on the Hilltop. “Mike and Steve Robertson were the soccer coaches at that time, and also played a big role in getting me to say ‘yes’ to Cornell to be able to come play for them and pursue my athletic career beyond high school,” she says.
Originally an education major, LaBaw spent her junior year at an elementary school doing her practicum. “It was a 3rd grade PE class during their gymnastics unit. In one week I think I aged 10 years,” she recalls. “That week made me realize that I am not cut out for ‘teaching’ 30 kids at a time.” She changed her major to Fitness and Wellness as an emphasis rather than teaching. “I still get to teach everyday at my job, but I get to teach people who want to learn and are doing it for themselves,” she says.
She cites Ellen Whale as a great inspiration and mentor. “Ellen was my go-to-gal when I attended Cornell. She was always so optimistic and so willing to help,” she says. “As a professor in my department and my advisor I got to know Ellen pretty well and am grateful for her encouragement to pursue a career/life in the health and wellness field.”
LaBaw has struggled with epilepsy for much of her life. Now under control, she hopes to embrace her newfound success as an elite athlete to start a charity/organization for kids who also suffer from the disorder. “I want to highlight kids who are excelling in academics and athletics despite what others tell them they can or can’t do,” she says. “Epilepsy affects people differently, but like everything else in life, we have to decide how we are going to deal with it. I chose to control it rather than it controlling me!”
The edge that LaBaw finds in her athletic endeavors is immersed in her own views on success. “I never would have been able to make it through The Games without support. We are not made to charge life on our own without any help,” she says. “Everyone needs to have a support group—family friends, coworkers. Have fun, and always challenge yourself. If we live day to day in our little bubble of comfort, we will never accomplish anything. Try something new. Do what you don’t think you can!”
Reminiscing about her years in Mount Vernon, LaBaw says living in the dorms all four years helped build a sense of community. As for students on the Hilltop today, she encourages them to “wake up each day and know that you’re going to make the most of it. Things will get in your way, no doubt! But you have to know that no matter what, things happen for a reason and there is always a way to make yourself happy. My favorite saying, which I try to live by, is ‘One Moment, One Chance, Always.’”
Web extra – Watch the interview/training video
