Identify Your Why

Bloomberg looks into the war being waged over your feet by Nike and Reebok. Meanwhile, Sara Sigmundsdottir reminds us that the Nike Metcon 3s are due out January 6. Maddy Curley had eye surgery and she’s recovery nicely. Andrew Kong hit a 315 pound bear complex for two reps. Nick Paladino, who’s only now 18-years-old, deadlifts 585 pounds. Katrin Davidsdottir does double-unders while broad jumping. Brooke Wells just bought a new car.

Mat Fraser and Sara Singmundsdottir win the Dubai Fitness Championships. Ben Smtih and Sam Briggs took second; Annie Thorisdottir and Alex Anderson took third. A look at the packed Dubai Mall Ice Rink where the final events where hosted. You can watch the complete archives of the 15 event, 4 day throwdown online. No ladder, no problem. Chris Spealler demonstrates how to hang another rope from the rafters even when you forgot your ladder at home.

Meet Nick Santonastasso, the 20-year-old whose only limb is an arm with one finger. But that doesn’t stop Nick from living out his fitness dreams.

 “The More Things Change” by Elisabeth Akinwale 

“There’s this insidious thing that won’t seem to go away, and it is the incessant chatter about athletic women’s bodies – is it ok for women to have muscles? Is strong really better than skinny? I don’t know if men are the main perpetrators or if it’s mostly us doing this to each other (let’s blame the men, that’s more fun). Either way, it’s apparent that certain forces are less than enthusiastic about the fairer sex being yoked. Don’t be scared, everything is going to be ok, even if us gals get barbells in our hands.

“A woman who contacted me after some of her loved ones reacted negatively to changes in her body after 5 months of CrossFit. Basically, they felt that her new muscle definition looked ‘manly.’ My comment to her was essentially, if you have conviction about what you are doing, you must hold onto that as your shield against the naysayers. You are responsible for your body. You are responsible for your own health and happiness.”

“Identify Your Why — Chris Spealler,” by Faith Rx’d

“Why do you train, compete, workout, try to live a healthy lifestyle, etc? The list can go on and on, but I often find people jumping into things head first without first identifying why they are TRULY doing it. Our true reasoning can be positive or negative influencers in our lives. Is it genuinely out of health reasons, or for the love of fitness? Or is it for others approval, or our own self worth?

“If you find yourself stagnating in your fitness, go back to your ‘why.’  It changes over time. This is normal, but rarely do people take the time to reevaluate why they are doing it. My reasons for training have changed tremendously over the past 2 years. It has not been an easy road identifying why I am training now, setting new goals, and finding the positive reasons for doing it.”

Laura Peters of CrossFit Staunton in Staunton, VA opens up about her fitness transformation: “I come from a long line of curvy women, but we are strong. Doing CrossFit has made me realize what my body is made of. I have an athletic build — I’m short and stocky. This build allows me to lift heavy and be strong. It’s empowering. It’s also shown me that no matter what you look like, you can do a lot more than you think you can.

NEPA CrossFit in Wilkes-Barre, PA raised $4,000 for Big Brothers, Big Sisters of the Bridge during their 3rd Annual Holiday Havoc.

CrossFit Waco held a “Share the Love” benefit with the Brazos Education Foundation to raise money to donate toward a school scholarship in the name of Kenneth Love, a CrossFit Waco member who was killed in an altercation in Little Rock, Arkansas, on Oct. 23.