How to complement your lifting lady

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is powered by GymBuildr, working alongside 500+ affiliates worldwide to better the lives of people in their communities. Discover how these gyms have signed up 20+ members in two weeks.

We’re going to apologize in advanced for a shorter and slightly less up-to-date edition than usual. We’re currently sitting on a plane somewhere over the Pacific without precious wifi so we had to write this a tad beforehand. 

“Don’t ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive, and go do it. Because, what the world needs are people who have come alive.” — Howard Thurman

YOU’RE NOT GOING TO LOSE YOUR KIDS

The Story.

Nebraskan children are removed from their homes and placed into foster care at more than twice the national average.

That’s where an organization like Miriam’s Hope is stepping in.

Who are they?

Miriam’s Hope is a local Nebraska non-profit that takes families who are at a high-risk of losing their kids to foster care and houses them in their apartments for a 12-18 month program which includes drug and alcohol counseling, marriage and parenting counseling and other family support.

That’s some commitment.

Sure is, and it takes a lot to get that done, which is why two miles down the road, about 30 athletes gathered at CrossFit Ground Up to throw around some barbells and raise more than $1000 for Miriam’s Hope.  Maybe soon they’ll be able to bring some families closer together through fitness too.

COFFEE BREAK CONVERSATIONS

What to tell your friend who’s thinking of dating a CrossFit girl…

Girls who lift a lot, love a lot. That should probably be on a t-shirt somewhere. AskMen.com has a crush on Brooke Wells, which is why they asked her for some advice on how to date muscular women (their words, not ours); we prefer girls who lift a lot because muscular physique or not, the mindset is the same. Pay attention guys, Brooke shares a few tips for ya, like how to complement your lifting lady: “I think the best compliments have to do with my hard work. Noticing my dedication and discipline is the best compliment you can give me.”

What to tell your friend who wants to learn how to cook paleo…

You should go to school for that. Not like night classes per se, but Paleo University is an online paleo cooking school complete with recipes, video demonstrations and food libraries. Each week members receive five seasonally based recipes, a printable shopping list, and step-by-step video instructions for prepping the ingredients and cooking the meals. Now you no longer have an excuse for being out of recipes.

THINGS TO…

DO: Grab Your Tickets to Wodapalooza

Before you know it, the first of the year fitness festival in Miami will be kicking off. Many of the big names from the CrossFit Games will be down competing and if you grab a ticket now, you can save up to 25%.

BETTER TO PLAN AHEAD.

EAT: Pan Thai Coconut Yellow Curry Chicken and Rice

Incredibly flavorful yellow curry chicken and rice made in one pot with plenty of veggies and delicious flavors from coconut milk, ginger, garlic and turmeric. Great for meal prep.

GET COOKIN.

BUY: Rise & Grind with Morning Chalk Up Gear

You have until Friday to pickup one of our new tanks, tees and coffee mugs before the pre-order ends. It’s a limited run so don’t wait. 

ADD TO CART. 

Today’s edition of the Morning Chalk Up is powered by

CHALK UP AFFILIATES

How has CrossFit helped you achieve a goal?

“CrossFit revitalized my mobility and staved off surgery. Aging, a car wreck, and bad knees caught up with me until I couldn’t move like I wanted to. And there I was stuck in the same old gym routine for over a decade, until Sheri Jackson lured me into CrossFit Okefenokee with promises of rowing machines! Stephen Jackson taught me weightlifting and worked diligently with my knee mobility. I’ve been hooked ever since. There isn’t a day when I don’t wish CrossFit had been around in my 20’s and 30’s.” — Karen Hankala, CrossFit Okefenokee in Waycross, GA

Share Your Story.

“How CrossFit Taught One Marine to be a Civilian” by Maureen Quirk, Reebok

Long-time CrossFit fans will remember Pat Burke from his six Reebok CrossFit Games appearances. Perhaps not as well-known, however, is that Burke never had any intention to compete. 

In 2008 – his first year at the Games – his girlfriend, who has since become his wife, wanted to visit a friend who lived near Aromas. While there, Burke decided to stop by what he thought was “a little fitness competition.” In 2009, he had no plans to register for Regionals until another gym owner convinced him it could be good marketing for his own gym and paid for his entrance.

Burke went on place eighth at the Games that year. He continued to qualify through 2014. But making it to the Games was never Burke’s goal. His goal was to bring a sense of normalcy and routine back to his life after leaving a career in the military. He credits CrossFit with providing that.

11/8: WOD for Warriors (Nationwide)

11/11: Rush Club 012 (Phoenix, AZ)

11/11: Beach Assault (Gulf Shores CrossFit, Gulf Shores, AL)

11/11: Emerald Coast Honor Games (Destin, FL)

11/11: Battle for the Badges (UnCharted CrossFit, St. Charles, MO)

11/18: New WODs On The Block (Various Locations in US)

11/18: Downtown Throwdown (Prattville, AL)

11/30: CrossFit Liftoff (Online)

12/1 – 3: Atlas Games (Montreal, Canada)

12/2 – 3: Rogue Winter Classic (Cleveland, OH)

12/2: Anthem CrossFit’s Reindeer Games (Pensacola, FL)

12/2: Vekter Games IV (CrossFit ReVamped, Columbia, MD)

12/9 – 10: WOD GODZ 2017 (Shreveport, LA)

1/27/18: Winter Chiller (Fairmont, WV)