Dirt in your skirt blog

Dirt in Your Skirt Ambassador – Janice Ferguson

Posted on February 27, 2013 by Margaret Schlachter

We received over 50 applications and narrowed it down to a team of eight amazing women. It was incredibly challenging and every applicant men and women would have been a great representation for Dirt in Your Skirt. Today we welcome our final Dirt in Your Skirt Ambassador, Janice Ferguson.

Janice Ferguson

146_p

Age: 36

Height: 5’5″

Hometown: Biloxi, MS

Sports of Choice: Obstacle Course Racing, CrossFit and Road Running

Website: Bandit CrossFit

About Janice in her own words: “I’m a busy mom, wife, athlete and CrossFit gym owner. Welcome to my crazy life! Five years ago, I gave up my career as a meeting and conference coordinator to be a teacher. Last year, I took a leap of faith, with my family’s support, and left teaching middle school science to pursue my dream of teaching my community how much fun it can be to live a fit and healthy lifestyle by opening a CrossFit gym. I often can’t decide if I’m an obstacle racer with a CrossFit addiction or a CrossFitter with an obstacle racing addiction. I love both sports so much! They were both made just for me, it seems. Being an athlete isn’t new to me. I was a state champion runner in high school and a state record holder in the 1600 meter way back when. Now, I run road races, compete in CrossFit, and also in mud and obstacle racing. Last year, I was so proud of achieving my goal of qualifying for the CrossFit Games Regionals, and for having a podium finish in a Spartan Race. My favorite part of what I do is the friendships I have made with people all across the country with the same passion for fitness and fun!”

VolkslaufJanice began her obstacle racing career in 2009 when she tried out a local race. She said she knew instantly that it was something special. Janice made a name for herself in 2012 podiuming three out of four obstacle races she competed in last year. Janice is not only an obstacle course racer but also an elite CrossFit athlete. She has been a competitive CrossFitter for years in 2012 she was the top ranked female in Mississippi, competing at the Regionals level as an individual during the 2012 CrossFit Open. She is going back to the Open this year to make another try at Regionals.

Rewind DeadliftJanice may look like a “total girl” on the outside as she describes herself but is tough as nails. She is a world-champion wild hog catcher, and has the belt buckle to prove it. One of her friends referred to her recently as a “backwoods barbell barbie” and tells people to not judge a book by it’s cover. Janice is not only a badass on the trails and in the gym she is also a devoted wife and mother.

This year Janice will be tackling the CrossFit Open and hopefully SouthCentral Regionals, as well as Spartan Races in Texas, Utah, Pennsylvania, Mid Atlantic, Vermont, Mississippi, and Texas again. Mixed in she will be competing in other CrossFit competitions. We are really excited to have Janice on our team and look forward to cheering her on at the Open and Regionals!

150_pic