Throwback Coach Spotlight: Jenna Arndt
Behind every successful field day is one of our fantastic coaches that brings the spirit of play to life. This post is the start of our Coach Spotlight series, highlighting the individuals who make the magic happen for our clients.
Meet Jenna! She is one of our most active coaches for NYC Field Days but there’s a lot more to Jenna beyond the games we play. Prior to joining the Throwback team, Jenna got her bachelors from Southwestern University and a Law degree from Syracuse. She originally moved out to NYC after law school and practiced litigation as a corporate lawyer for two years. During that time, she fell in love with indoor cycling and group fitness and made her remember that she had originally started college with a vision of being a basketball coach, so she decided to go full circle back to the coaching dream. Since then, Jenna has taught cycling, strength and HIIT classes at boutique studios and gyms all over New York City and has become a certified run coach. Currently, Jenna is a Senior Coach at Throwback and the Head Trainer and VP of Fitness Programming at Swerve Fitness.
What is your favorite part of coaching Throwback events?
I love that all of the games have a touch of nostalgia. Watching people’s faces light up when they recognize certain elements or themes of a game is so much fun – Pong Feud, Bird’s Nest, Egg & Spoon Relay, and Capture the Flag all immediately come to mind. Plus, Throwback field days are structured in a way that there is always something for everyone. I like seeing each teammate excel and lead in different parts of the event.
What is your favorite field day game?
Bird’s Nest! I love that it is a wild twist on rock-paper-scissors – fast-paced, somewhat chaotic, and the perfect mix of team strategy and fun! Watching the competition heat up as we progress through rounds is one of my favorite parts of the game!
What was your favorite game growing up?
Growing up, I loved playing “Kick the Can” with the other neighborhood kids or at slumber parties. A combination of capture the flag and hide and seek, we would hide all over the block. I remember how thrilling it was to try to move from one hiding place to the next and feeling heroic when I was able to rescue my teammates from “jail.”
What’s your favorite way to recharge?
I love to recharge with sweat and endorphins. You can usually catch me out on a long run, bike ride, or training for some type of race. When I’m slowing down, I’m hanging at Central Park playing frisbee with my mini australian shepherd, Roxie, or sitting outside at a favorite coffee shop or brewery with a good book or the NYT crossword puzzle.