Dwayne Jones

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I was born and raised in Charlottesville Virginia. I am a survivor of childhood cancer (Stage 4 Hodgkins Lymphoma) and I learned to live by the quote "Impossible is Nothing". I attended Albemarle High School (A-TOWN!) where I was a 3 season athlete. I was the kicker for football, ran indoor track (4x200m relay, 300m, 4x400m relay), and played soccer.  I attended Lynchburg College where I met my amazing wife, Casey Sweet, who is currently a Dermatology Nurse Practitioner at the University of Virginia (I'm her hype man so go see her for all your skin care needs!!). Outside or work I enjoy watching college football, traveling to different parts of the United States to hike and experience the different weather. I have also began traveling outside of the country to experience different cultures! 

Currently I am a Police Officer at the Albemarle County Police Department. I have been serving as a police officer since 2014. I started at the University of Virginia Police Department transferred to Harrisonburg City Police Department for about 6 years and am now currently employed with ACPD. The career path I chose brings a lot of stress upon the body and Anazao is the best way to decompress! 

When it comes to my fitness background I failed when I left for College. I didn't hold myself accountable and Anazao has changed that and reminded me how much better you feel being healthy!!! 

What are your current goals and why do you CrossFit?

My current goal is to just continue to improve my fitness level and movements. I would like to continue my routine of 4-5x a week at Anazao and continue to achieve a greater me. Everyday I come into the gym I strive to do better than the day I did before. 

Another goal I strive for is to compete in the SuperFit games!

What are your favorite movements? How about your least favorite? Why?

Favorite movements - The rower, anything that deals with the box, and double unders!  With the help from multiple coaches I have become efficient in these movements.

My least favorite movements -  Anything that deals with putting heavy weight over my head. I have the biggest fear it's just going to crash down on me. I used to skip snatches on a weekly basis until I realized I am able to do the movement but still DISLIKE them! 

What do you think is special about CrossFit Anazao?

Crossfit Anazao is not only a gym it's a family. I have never been someone who enjoyed going to the gym or even had the self motivation to make it to a gym. I had a friend that attended Anazao and always attempted to get me to go but I was nervous because Crossfit is something I saw on TV where people were jacked and doing movements I have never even heard of. 

One day I decided to take the leap out of my comfort zone and do a free session with Ben Lancaster. Ben welcomed me with open arms and told me Anazao was not a place where people are judged on their fitness levels. He told me he had athletes at his gym with a wide range of experience and abilities. Since that day I have felt welcomed and felt as if I was working out with my family. Anazao has made me not only a better person but a better athlete. I never thought I would be a person looking for competitions to compete in but Anazao has changed me for the better! The coaches are amazing and always push me to achieve things I never thought Id achieve!

Is there anything else you want to say?

I just recently moved from Waynesboro to Crozet Virginia. I only had one stipulation when it came to moving. The only way I agreed to leave Waynesboro was that I still had to be within driving distance to Anazao because they are family and family ALWAYS STICKS TOGETHER!! 

A note from one of our coaches…

Dwayne has been so much fun to work with. Over the years he has gone from being quiet and reserved to being such a vocal leader and role model, especially at our 9am classes. Always willing to take coaching, he does what we ask and in result of that, his strength has improved tremendously to match his already dialed in cardio engine! He is one of the first ones to cheer on his fellow athletes in class and you can certainly count on him to give you a fist bump as soon as we finsh. We are lucky to have him as part of our gym family!