Real Committment: The CrossFit Games
Another month has come and gone, my friends. The beginning of August brings the biggest event for our fitness community each year - The CrossFit Games. While it’s exciting and albeit, a little mind blowing to watch these elite athletes move and lift across the three days of competition, without fail, there is always a story of the heart that comes to the surface.
Meet Rebecca Fuselier. This was Rebecca’s first time competing in the Women’s Division of the Games. In previous years, she competed as a teenager. This year, she finished 30th overall. She met the time cap on three events over the weekend, and was challenged by heavy weight both on a barbell and in the form of sandbags, so much so that for the shoulder to overhead workout, she accumulated a total of 3 reps. That’s right, crew - THREE. And yet, when people look back on the highlights of this Games weekend and season, Rebecca’s name will be on the list of athletes we speak about. Why? Because of this moment below.
This picture is from Women’s Event 5, The Capitol. This event ended with a 150 lb. Husafell Carry that took athletes up the steps of the Captiol building towards the finish line. As Rebecca made her way down State Street, she was the last athlete working. It was clear that every time she grabbed her bag, she was giving maximum effort to make progress forward. As she reached the steps of the Capitol, the CrossFit community of spectators, coaches, and loved ones rallied behind her to give her the final push she needed to make it up the steps and across the finish line. This elite athlete finished last, and needed encouragement to get the work done.
I share Rebecca’s story with you, because it is all of our stories. Is the heaviest weight impressive? Sure. Is the fastest time on the leaderboard something you’re striving for? That’s awesome! But at the end of the day, the spirit of CrossFit, and the real reason we all do it, is because of the effort we put in to doing hard things well. Progress is progress, no matter if you’re an elite athlete, or someone who has just joined our gym.
So, family - I challenge you to do two things. First, embrace the weakness. Rebecca never walked away from that sandbag. You have a chance every day to work on something you might not be great at. I write often about workouts that I don’t finish or I get capped out on. But it’s worth it because I did something harder and made progress. I’m not asking you to do this every single day, but I am asking you to step out of your comfort zone and forget the scoreboard for a minute.
Second, BE the community we tell people we are. Every day, whether you realize or not, an athlete next to you is giving their maximum effort in that moment, just like Rebecca did during Event 5. If you finish before athletes, fight the urge to clean up and stay consumed in your own space, and lend encouragement to the other athletes still working. They are trying their best, just like you did! Encouragement is powerful, being seen and validated in the work you’re doing can literally change lives. Be a part of that change, instead of walking away from the goodness you might see on the workout floor.
Below, you’ll find all of our athletes you made the Committed Club for the month of July, attending at least 14 classes. Big claps for this crew! Progress is a wonderful thing, but only if you have the consistency to let it grow :)
SJ Desai
Corbin and Jillian Cullen
Victoria Morris
Carey Mantici
Mike Oreskovich
Kristen Edwards
Erin Ketzner
Cathy Craven
Hailey Hughto
Arturo Velazquez
Brandon Bell
Steven Lebischak
Heather Swyka
Shenese Owner
Johnathan South
Brian and Ashley Dekker
Kraig Riley
Seth Bryan
Chase Luff
Margorie Michele
Coach Omar
Nino and Tiara Delisi
Steph Miller
Seth Garibaldi
Brooke Simpson
Steve Lepter
Stephanie Adams
Brynn McKenry
Vivana Colon
Chris Solda
Katie Lopa
Coach Kady
Sarah and Kendal Gray
Faith Hughto
Lenny Aguilar
Troy Gondela
Danielle Rodgers
Sandy Romano
Danny Shatley
Laura Morris
Ryan and Jaclyn Mahle
Jessica Mahoney
Flor Ramirez
Clara Newswanger
Bernie Doherty
Tarik Rahme
Coach Melissa
Pradeep Nallabothula
Justyna Niezgoda
Jackie Mills
Coach Victoria
Morgan and Megan McRay
Coach Owen
Krirk Pongsema
Beth Ward
Courtney Spence
Ashley Blair
Joe Haes
Joanna Pasia
Brooke McClelland
Chris Townsend
Coach Brian
Let’s end our summer on a high note. Work hard, cheer for one another, and be bigger than yourself. See you at the gym! :)
Big Hugs,
Coach Kady