Spartan athlete Jess Chou once served as the Taiwan Spartan Ambassador.
When talking about the shining star of Taiwan's Spartan obstacle races, Jess Chou, who once served as the Taiwan Spartan Ambassador, undoubtedly stands out. Beyond her outstanding performances in Taiwan's races—winning the elite women's titles in the Spartan Sprint, Super, and Beast categories—she has also excelled in international competitions such as Hawaii's 50K Ultra Trail Race, the Spartan World Championship, and the Spartan Asia-Pacific Championship. In addition to her athletic achievements, she is also a professional CrossFit coach and has dedicated herself to inspiring others with her motto: "Everyone has the potential to become stronger."
Jess Chou began participating in Spartan races in 2016.
Jess Chou's Spartan journey began in 2016 when she first started CrossFit training. She discovered that the combination of trail running, obstacle climbing, and weight carrying in Spartan races aligned perfectly with CrossFit's focus on cardiovascular endurance, explosive power, and muscular endurance. Seeing Spartan races as the perfect platform to test her CrossFit training results, she started participating in these competitions and was gradually captivated by the charm of Spartan racing.
At first, Jess wasn't particularly interested in running, but running is a significant part of Spartan races. To improve her performance, she began training with trail running and hiking, gradually challenging herself with 5K, 10K, 21K, and even 50K races. Reflecting on her first 5K Spartan race, she laughed, saying, "I wasn't much of a runner back then, so my first race felt incredibly tough. After that, I realized I had to train more for running."
Recalling her most memorable race, Jess shared, "During the Spartan World Championship abroad, the race started with heavy snow, and we had to jump into freezing water right away. I was deeply impressed by how North American competitors seemed unfazed by the cold." Jess revealed that she naturally tolerates discomfort well, and the challenges of Spartan races have further strengthened her mental resilience.
Spartan races often leave participants covered in mud.
In Spartan races, getting muddy is inevitable. When discussing her gear choices, Jess emphasized, "During these races, you're constantly getting wet and dry repeatedly. Quick-dry equipment is essential, but waterproofing isn't always the top priority. However, outdoor races often wear down gear like hydration packs and backpacks quickly. A good waterproof coating helps extend their lifespan and makes them easier to clean."
For waterproof spray, Jess recommends NewClean. She tested a backpack sprayed with NewClean by submerging it in water. Despite continuous exposure to water, the backpack's surface repelled droplets effectively. A light shake was enough to remove water beads, demonstrating how the spray can protect outdoor equipment and extend its lifespan.
Learn more about Jess Chou's recommendation: NewClean Waterproof Spray
After races or training sessions, muscle soreness is common. Jess usually relies on hydration, stretching, massage, and sleep for recovery. However, when soreness disrupts daily activities, she turns to supportive tools like muscle relief patches. She shared, "If your muscles are inflamed, stretching might not be suitable. Resting or doing light activities like swimming or walking could be better options."
The cooling sensation of BtNPN Nano Plant Patches is gentle and long-lasting, effectively relieving discomfort.
Recently, Jess injured her neck muscles while mountain biking and tried the BtNPN Nano Plant Patches for relief. She said, "I usually avoid applying gels or oils because I dislike the sticky feeling. However, the BtNPN patches are so convenient—just stick them on and feel the relief without any mess." Jess also mentioned, "The cooling sensation is gentle and lasts a long time, providing effective relief for muscle strains."
Jess Chou recommends BtNPN Nano Plant Patches.
Having had allergic reactions to other patches in the past, Jess was pleased with BtNPN's gentle formula. "My skin is sensitive, and traditional patches often leave me with redness or dryness. BtNPN patches don't cause these problems, and they also have a mild scent that isn't overwhelming," she shared.
Jess Chou continues to shine in Spartan races and doesn't see age as a limitation. "In these races, age isn't a barrier. If you stop training, it gets tough, but if you keep training, you can keep going as long as you love it." She encouraged others by saying, "Everyone starts exercising with different goals—whether it's fitness, endurance, or physique. Enjoy the journey and appreciate the strength your body gains along the way."
Jess Chou works as a CrossFit coach at WAYPOINT Gym.
Learn more about Jess Chou's fitness journey: Jess Chou on Instagram
Image credits: Provided by Jess Chou