08/17/2026
At 29 years young 😉, Jo-Ann Berg is bringing plenty of energy and determination to the LIFE Class! Retired after a career as an Actuarial Analyst with the Florida Department of Insurance, Jo-Ann later took a completely different path, starting, owning, and operating Sharky’s Restaurant. Originally from Yonkers, New York, Jo-Ann moved to Vero Beach when she was in sixth grade and has called the Treasure Coast home ever since.
Her journey into CrossFit was encouraged by her husband, Paul, who had been attending the 6:00 a.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Friday classes for years. Eventually, his enthusiasm convinced Jo-Ann to give it a try. She especially enjoys stretching movements, and she is currently working on improving her burpees.
CrossFit has had a tremendous impact on Jo-Ann’s overall health and quality of life. When she first started, she couldn’t get down on the ground to play with her grandchildren. Now, she can—and that may be one of her biggest accomplishments of all. One of her proudest CrossFit moments was simply being able to complete a WOD within the allotted time.
What Jo-Ann loves most about the LIFE Class is the people. “I love how welcoming the LIFE Class friends have been to me,” she says. “We have a tight group and have fun social events.” That sense of friendship and community is also what motivates her to keep showing up. She knows how good she feels after a workout, and she looks forward to seeing all of her CrossFit friends.
If Jo-Ann could create her own WOD, it would include a bike, sit-ups, squats, and running. And when it comes to refueling after a workout, her favorite meal is an açaí bowl with berries and peanut butter.
Outside the gym, Jo-Ann has quite an adventure story to tell. She once drove a boat from Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, crossing the Great Lakes, traveling down the Hudson River, and continuing along the East Coast all the way to Florida. Clearly, Jo-Ann knows a thing or two about setting a course and seeing it through—and that same determination is showing up in her CrossFit journey!
