“If you wait until you’re ready, you’ll be dead. And, as a life strategy, I don’t really recommend it.”- Menna van Praag
ATHLETE FEATURES | CROSSFIT GAMES | LIFESTYLE
My Postpartum Fall: Speaking Up
Editor’s Note: This original piece is one in a series of two athlete letters to be published in May — Mental Health Awareness Month — to bring more awareness to the topic of mental health and the real-life struggles athletes of all shapes and sizes go through, often unseen, as they’re coming in and out of their gyms each day. It’s our hope that by sharing intimate stories like these, coaches and affiliate owners will be inspired to reach out to their own gym communities to support others.
After I had Freyja, I had my highest high and my lowest low.
After the adrenaline had disappeared and the uncontrollable emotional rollercoaster had settled, my world seemed less colorful than usual whenever Freyja wasn’t in my arms.
Yes, happy, smiley, bubbly, energetic, always in love with life Annie, suffering from postpartum depression.
I didn’t want to go outside. I didn’t want to eat. I couldn’t sleep.
As I looked in the mirror, I didn’t recognize what I saw.
Maybe some of you know what I’m talking about here.
This is your chance to earn extra cash and get the auto-promotion to “boss” of your own business. Start your nutrition coaching journey with WAG’s nutrition coach certification and learn how to get paid helping people transform their lives.
Three-day spectator passes for the Granite Games are available now. The event will take place June 4-6 at Viking Lakes, home to the Minnesota Vikings Headquarters and Training Facility in Eagan, MN. Accommodations are now available at the Omni Viking Lakes Hotel.
GIVEAWAY: InsideTracker is currently running a “Rich Froning’s Favorite Things” giveaway. Enter your name and email for a chance to win prizes from OneWheel, WHOOP, Mayhem Athlete, AIRWAAV, Rogue, Froning Farms and more.
Ben Smith joined Robbie Vogler on the Big Red Express podcast to talk about squatting heavy, virtual competitions and more.
Smith on pre-competition butterflies: “I feel like when you stop getting them, you should stop competing because you’re not taking it as seriously as you used to….but once you hit 3-2-1-go, everything feels normal because you’re very well-prepared…”
The Madrid CrossFit Championship, C.R. Edition, announced its 2021 prize purse would total $75,000: $10,000 of which will be awarded to first place individual elites and $12,000 to elite teams.
Emily Rolfe, who placed 19th in the 2021 Quarterfinals, released her signature roast from Grumpy Groundz, called “Ruck Roast.” It’s a limited Guatemalan medium roast and it’s available now.
CROSSFIT GAMES
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
The History of Rookies at the CrossFit Games, And Why This Year Might Have the Fewest Ever
In evaluating the various Semifinal fields, and trying to narrow down which athletes are most likely to contend for qualifying spots at the Games, we could not help but wonder if there will be fewer rookies (first-time Games qualifiers) in Madison than in years past.
Setting the Stage: For the purposes of this article we will go back ten years, and starting with the 2011 CrossFit Games, try to answer the question of whether there will be fewer rookies competing at the Games this year than in any year since?
Pandemic Gym Closure Doesn’t Stop Terence Man from Becoming the Fittest he has Ever Been
After being a CrossFit athlete since 2014, Terence Man decided last year, just before the pandemic hit, to dial in his diet and see just how fit he could get.
A year later, the 37-year-old who “doubled down to focus on my fitness,” lost 20 pounds, acquired new skills like strict ring and bar muscle-ups, and qualified to and competed in the CrossFit Quarterfinals.
He also qualified for the Age Group Online Qualifier in the Men’s 35-39-year-old division, but chose not to compete.
One big thing: Man managed to achieve all this living in a city where gyms have been closed since last March, and a country that is currently experiencing a third wave of COVID-19.
Man is a member of Breaker Strength in North York, Ontario, and has been relying on Zoom classes and working on his weaknesses at the home gym he has slowly built over the last 14 months
It's Gym Appreciation week, and O2 is helping you show your gratitude. Upload a short video message thanking your gym and you'll enter them into a draw to win an Ultimate Gym Upgrade from Hyperice, Yeti, and Assault Fitness.
Ever get to dinner and you're so hungry that the last thing on your mind is your diet and nutrition? Take the guesswork out of mealtime with this free meal prepping guide from the team at Healthy Steps Nutrition and stay on track with all your goals.
Mastering the push press is the best way for CrossFitters to be strong and confident in an overhead position for thrusters, jerks, snatches, handstand push-ups, and a whole host of core exercises. Watch Drew from MisFit Athletics break down the movement and give some tips on the finer points.
It's grilling season again and time for the scent of freshly grilled steaks, burgers, and drumsticks to fill your nostrils. To ensure you're fully stocked for summer, ButcherBox is adding two New York strip steaks, six burgers, and five pounds of drumsticks to your first box for free.
Loaded with shrimp, smoked sausage, fresh veggies, butter, and Cajun spices, these foil pouches pack a big kick of flavor. You can easily bake these in the oven or throw a pack on the grill if you're cooking out this summer.
Chalk Up Highlights is our section dedicated to celebrating our community’s wins in the gym. Follow @ChalkUpHighlights and submit your highlight to tips@morningchalkup.com to be featured.
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