Road to Regionals - TWL Athlete Interview James Newbury

Road to Regionals – TWL Athlete Interview James Newbury

May 9, 2015

Written by admin in Interview,

18 min read

Road to Regionals – TWL Athlete Interview James Newbury

A seasoned CrossFit Regional’s competitor with three visits beforehand, James Newbury is one of Australia’s shining stars. However, at 24 years of age, he’s had a rough season in the lead up to the Open, and now Regionals, with a torn patella tendon, broken wrist and more, does he have what it takes this year?

You finished 18th (in Aus), in this year’s Open. What was your approach to the Open this year?

The lead up to this season hasn’t been perfect. I felt it, with a torn patella tendon, broken wrist, stiff back and a lot of business growth. I approached the open with the expectation to make it back to regionals and show what I can really do there. That’s where is counts for me.

As a seasoned Regionals competitor, are you focused on the leader board during Open or focused on Regionals preparation?

After two trips to regionals I was confident in my ability in The Open to always make it back. I knew if I pushed myself that it would keep me in the top 10 no matter what. I took this Open a little more strategically to ensure I had no flare up to my niggly injuries, I was happy with 18th.

What does it mean to you to get Regionals this year? (Given you’ve made it to regionals three times before – does it give you an edge?)

I believe I am more confined in my own ability to hang in the top pack. I have confidence in my training and programming, and the ability I can muster when push comes to shove. I will lay it all on the line with year to earn my trip to Carson.

You’re a household name in Australian CrossFit, tell us something we don’t know about you – how do you mentally prepare for a CrossFit comp? Do you have any specific warmup routines for comps?

I love to prepare for a competition by floating more regularly than normal. Floating, if you don’t know, is lying in a pool of water 30cm deep with 400kg of Epsom salt diluted around you to keep you buoyant. This lets me visualise and physically and mentally recovery properly. I like to be as relaxed as possible.

You have been working closely with Raw Strength & Conditioning this year. How has your preparation for Regionals this year been different to previous years?

I have had over a full year of Raw Strength & Conditioning under my belt and although some injuries have changed my preparation I feel super ready for what’s to come. There is no better in the business than Raw to get people physically prepared for any task.

We often see some crazy workouts programmed for you by RAW, often designed to break you. Do you like the challenge or enjoy the pain?

I freakin’ love the challenge and the pain. During the workouts they hurt, but give you such satisfaction once complete. I did a workout with Rob D at his house and I can safely say I think it was the worst ever exercise induced pain. I remember lying between efforts thinking this can’t be real! Haha! He knows how to mentally push you.

What is going to be the biggest challenge at Regionals for you?

The biggest challenge will be stay focused when things don’t go my way. I know I can do it but there always that little voice inside your head. I have learnt how to overcome that voice in each passing year.

Earlier this year, you had a taste of international competition, competing in the OC Throwdown where you placed 11th and Wodapalooza. What is the biggest takeaway from competing in these competitions for you?

I had such a ball competing on this level. At Wodapaloza I ended up placing 3rd and 1st in a couple workouts so it was realisation that I can be up there with some of the big names in international CrossFit.

Every successful person has a morning routine, what does your morning routine look like?

Every morning I wake up roll over and kiss my beautiful partner Kayla Banfield. I then stagger to the kitchen and make our coconut oil infused Rebel Coffee.

You own CrossFit Mode, tell us about the challenges of juggling running a business, coaching and training?

It’s a massive task giving your all to you friends and members whilst maintaining a relationship, running a gym, sports recovery centre, being a full time athlete etc. Luckily I have a great team of willing people that hold the values I view as essential to as essential to them also.

How does your day-to-day programming/ training vary to preparing for Open, Regionals?

I normally train 2-3 hours per day but leading into regionals we focus more so on the sharp intense workouts and making sure warm up and cool down is spot on for what we need. We need to maximise recovery across the board to ensure every workout is perfect!