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Good morning! This is Margaux Alvarez — winemaker and games athlete, and I’m Guest writing today’s Morning Chalk Up.

Today’s edition was chalked up while winding down from wrapping up our second wine harvest with a glass of our 2016 vintage — which you can grab for 15% off with code “GYB17”, just cause you read the Chalk Up.

I just left the CrossFit Summit in Dallas, TX and I couldn’t be more encouraged. How CrossFit affiliates are changing lives by battling chronic sedentary disease is nothing short of extraordinary. I believe in this so much that The Vine Yard CrossFit is creating a free daily program and video for those who are maybe too timid or scared to step into an affiliate, to explain our methodology and give them a workout of their own to try. So share this pagewith someone you know who might benefit but doesn’t feel ready to give the group class a go.

What’s next? Training for the 2018 Games is in full swing and there’s no slowing down.

— Margaux

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s not the load that breaks you down, it’s the way you carry it.” — Stefi Cohen

2 MILLION REPS FOR RESCUE

THE STORY.
More than 2 million children worldwide are affected by sex slavery. And there’s a CrossFit affiliate — CrossFit O.U.R. in Draper, UT — that exists just to raise money to help rescue these children. Literally 100% of membership dues goes to support this cause.

O.U.R. stands for Operation Underground Railroad. It’s ran by a former CIA guy who became a Special Agent in the Internet Crimes Against Children Task at Homeland Security. These guys literally rescue kids from slavery in some of the worst parts of the world and get them the emotional and physical recovery they need.

THAT’S PRETY AWESOME. HOW CAN I LEND A HAND?
On October 21st, more than 30 boxes across the U.S. are hosting “Fight for Their Freedom,” a Fight Gone Bad style WOD and fundraiser for Operation Underground Railroad. The WOD is free but donations are graciously accepted.

You can drop into one of the boxes participating or…AHEM coaches listen up…turn your Saturday morning class into a charitable cause.

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX

ROUNDUP — CrossFit Soul athlete Tommie Deprima snatches 195 poundsStefi Cohen front squats 297 pounds for three reps. Maddy Myers hits a 245 pound clean triple. Jessica Lucero hits a 374 pound back squat PR.

…and this looks very uncomfortable.

With your second cup of coffee…this CrossFit engagement video has been viewed more than 10 million times.

WHAT TO TELL YOUR FRIEND WHO’S COMING A LITTLE LATE TO THE CROSSFIT PARTY…

Age is just a number. Look at Yvette Fox who joined at 56-years-old in 2014. At 59 today, she’s almost always the oldest in the room. Yvette found that she was pretty good at CrossFit, but really good at powerlifting so she said “I’m going for it.” Three years into her career and she’s heading to Moscow at the end of October to compete in the World Powerlifting Congress World Championship. Oh yeah and she can deadlift 275 and bench press 110 pounds.

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN…

You get diagnosed with breast cancer for the third time, only to find out that it metastasized and spread all over? You keep moving forward. Angie Lutz has hiked the Grand Canyon rim to rim, visited Hawaii and learned to build furniture. She’s also engaged to be married. Last Sunday, she helped organize an obstacle course race as part of a fundraiser for The Red Devils, a nonprofit helping women in Maryland battling breast cancer. “Red Devil” is a nickname for a chemotherapy drug that’s commonly used in treating cancer. Angie calls Nevermore CrossFit in Baltimore, MD home.

THINGS TO…

WATCH: The Rogue Legends Series, Chapter 2
In this series introducing viewers to legendary forefathers of strength, you meet Louis Apollon, a French strongman and performer who was known for his great feats of strength.
THE LEGEND.

HEAR: Learning Through Lifting with the Luceros
What happens when a wife interviews her husband? Things don’t always go as planned. Power couple, literally, Christian and Jessica Lucero talk about their experience with the worlds of competitive weightlifting and competitive fitness and how it has helped them on this episode of Brute Strength Podcast.
THE LUCEROS.

EAT: Chicken Taco Bowls 
Swap out the tortillas for crunchy shredded lettuce and you’ve got a high-protein taco bowl to get you through your long work day. Plus it packs great on the go.
GET ME TACOS. 

CHALK UP AFFILIATES

BOX REVIEW — Destination CrossFit in Walla Walla, WA by PaleOMG…it’s a town so nice they decided to name it twice. “I’ve been to A LOT of CrossFit gyms and because of that, I usually set my hopes low. There are so many CrossFit gyms nowadays and if they are new, they often have a long ways to go. So I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with how amazing Destination CrossFit Walla Walla was. Not only is the space large and beautiful, but the coaching there is AWESOME. Five members of the Walla Walla community came together to start this CrossFit gym and it’s obvious that every single one of them and their coaches care deeply about their members and spreading the joy of fitness to the community around them. I know that sounds super cheesy, but you can just tell when people have had their own lives changed from physical activity and they want the same for others.”

24 Hours of Hero WODS…On Saturday at 1PM, Ben Bergeron gathered CrossFit New England athletes to kick off 24 straight Hero WODs to performed every hour on the hour. Two athletes actually did all 24 WODs, which is truly unbelievable. The event raised more than $4000 for the Navy SEAL Foundation.

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