A Wall Street transplant, Jared Stein traded his desk job for the barbell and dove headfirst into the New York City fitness scene. After falling in love with CrossFit, the athlete-turned-entrepreneur opened the doors to the Brooklyn-based Willy B CrossFit in 2015. As coach, co-owner, and athlete, Jared brings unmatched intensity to his own workouts and a tough-love attitude to his clientele. With six Willy B affiliates currently operating in New York, Jared is setting his sights on expanding his brand throughout the northeast, bringing his trademark style of coaching and training to the masses.
Jared Stein
Jared's Gear
Q:
Why do you prioritize fitness in your life?
A:
I saw first hand what happens to your body and mind when you don’t have the fitness for longevity. Unfortunately, my grandparents struggled with their weight and chronic disease. I believe it’s because they didn’t take the steps needed to ensure that their latter years were of quality. I want my latter years to be as much fun as my formative years.
Q:
What’s the one workout you always dread? Look forward to? Why?
A:
Fran (21-15-9 thrusters and pull ups). Mostly because it’s so damn fast (I should be able to complete it in under 3 mins) and it hurts soooo bad. I think if you ask most CrossFit athletes, the workouts that hurt the most are the workouts that are short, light, and fast.
"Practice until you get it right and then continue to practice until you can’t get it wrong."
Q:
With any new modality you get into, how do you approach it in order to master it?
A:
Practice until you get it right and then continue to practice until you can’t get it wrong. I’m a “learn by doing” type of athlete. Skills in the gym take me thousands of reps to get right and then another ten thousand before I know it’s in my tool box.
Q:
Do you have a favorite failure? How has that set you up for later success?
A:
I’ve been fired from almost every job I’ve had. I’m a terrible employee, but that forced me into entrepreneurship -- knowing that success was my only option. I’d say it’s worked well to date.
Q:
When you feel unfocused or get off-track, what do you do to re-align?
A:
I take a break from ALL my vices for 30 days. It helps me reset my body. Usually by day five I feel clear and I can regain some of the good daily rhythms at the gym and in the “office."
Q:
What keeps you motivated?
A:
I know this may be a weird thing to say, but I really just like working out and playing around in the gym with my friends. Getting to “do fitness” with my business partner and our WillyB family is just a good time. It’s my happy place.
