“The secret of success is to do the common thing uncommonly well.”- John D. Rockefeller Jr.
PROFILE
How Teen Marissa Nichols’ Games Experience Provides Confidence in 2023
This summer at the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games, the 40 best CrossFit teenagers in the world will take the stage to fight for their own Fittest On Earth titles. Out of the ten in the 14-15 girls’ division, only one is a returning Games qualifier, putting her far ahead of her rookie competitors: Marissa Nichols.
This year, where her goal is to have a gold medal around her neck after the last day of competition, has been a long time coming for Nichols. She started CrossFit at eight-years-old, doing the CrossFit Kids classes when she could while balancing basketball and softball practice. When the pandemic hit, though, practices and games were canceled and Nichols turned her attention full-time to getting fitter. Since then, the Games have always been on her mind.
Last year, as one of the youngest in her field, she ended her rookie season in ninth place overall. While she says that it was an amazing experience and she had a blast competing, her inexperience definitely showed.
“Last year I [was]…kind of a nobody, and all the highlights and the lights were on the big dogs,” Nichols said. “So it was definitely intimidating at first, it was like (being) a deer in headlights.”
However, now as a seasoned competitor, Nichols knows that she has her feet under her and says that the process of getting ready for the Games has been like second nature this year. After bouncing around a few training programs to find what fit her, she’s settled as a Mayhem athlete and says that her confidence has skyrocketed going into the summer.
“I’m really grateful that I’m confident in my abilities but not so confident that I don’t get upset when something doesn’t go my way or I have a bad event,” Nichols said.
“Being able to move past that, just being proud of myself and knowing that in the end I’m not ‘Marissa a CrossFit Games athlete’ but more importantly ‘Marissa a child of God and the people I interact with.’”
Spending so much time in the gym nowadays preparing for the upcoming competition, Nichols admits that it can be hard sometimes. She says that it can feel like the gap between Semifinals and the Games can stretch out and feel like endless days of “hammering your body” every day to fine tune. But at the end of it, she knows it’ll be worth it.
“On the competition floor and celebrating, it’s so hype and I love it so much. That’s definitely what keeps me going,” Nichols said in regards to her iconic finish line screams.
Despite the highs of competition, Nichols says she’s had to have a focused effort on keeping herself happy over the last season. In an era where lots of her peers and idols are open about burnout, she knows that making time to just be a kid is super important to the longevity of her career, as she wants to compete in the sport long after her teen division stint is up.
“Just making sure that I’m having fun competing and enjoying it (is important) which I think is something a lot of people brush off,” Nichols said. “They’re just so focused on competing and winning, but finding that balance and competing and having fun in the gym and with your community is something that’s really important.”
Nichols is prepared as ever and eager to get out on the Games competition floor in less than a month. But whether she walks away with a first place finish or not, she knows that her career will extend far beyond the 2023 CrossFit Games.
“I qualified for my first Games last year which was just super crazy and a dream come true. Now I can be in this for a while and I know that I’m capable of more.”
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SPEED READS
PFAA Survey Results: Following Semifinals, the Professional Fitness Athletes’ Association conducted a survey to understand the athlete experience and compiled a list of conditions for the upcoming 2023 CrossFit games. Learn more.
⛷️ 🚣♀️ 🚴 New Rogue Challenge: The Enduro Challenge started last week and will run through July 24. The challenge is for time: 2000 meters on the ski erg, into 2000-meter row, into 4000 meters on the bike erg. Register now.
🚨 🚨Giveaway Alert: Enter now to win a ticket to the 2023 CrossFit Games and a prize pack from Games qualifier, Dallin Pepper and Stagger. The prize pack includes Grip Right tape, a 2POOD Performance belt, an AIRWAAV and more!
ICYMI: Who to watch in the 2023 CrossFit Games Teen Division.
CROSSFIT GAMES
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
The Triple-3 and Four Other Events We Want To Make a Comeback
The 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games kick off for individual athletes on August 3. Adrian Bozman has not provided any details about the events that will test the athletes, but we hope that Triple-3 will somehow make a return.
One big thing: There have been more than 100 events programmed for the CrossFit Games dating back to that first season in 2007. From traditional CrossFit to gymnastics, single modality races, grunt work and strong man style tests, Games events have run the gamut.
There haven’t been many repeated events at the CrossFit Games. Margaux Alvarez told Morning Chalk Up in 2022 that repeats were rare due to Dave Castro wanting to constantly push the athletes. Keeping events fresh aided in this pursuit.
But let’s push logic to the side for a moment and have some fun.
Five Outdoor Activities to Enjoy in Madison During the CrossFit Games
Madison, WI, is one of the best cities for outdoor activities – part of the reason The CrossFit Games have made their home there for five, going on six years. Whatever your outdoor activity of choice, Madison has all the options – here are some of the best!
Take a hike
There are tons of hiking options both in Madison and just out of town, ready to be explored. With an average temperature of around 80 degrees in August, the weather is perfect for exploring the region.
The UW-Madison Arboretum has a scenic route that loops around Lake Wingra through Vilas Park, and there are several walking trails along the shore of Lake Mendota.
If you want to explore further outside the city, there is Devil’s Lake State Park, Sugar River State Trail, and Glacial Drumlin State Trail.
Want to ride your bicycle? With over 200 miles of biking trails, Madison has many great places to cruise!
The Lake Monona Loop is a 12-mile loop around Lake Monona. On the ride, you will see Olbrich Gardens, Monona Terrace, and Olin Park. You can also stop at Yahara Place Park or BB Clarke Beach.
If you want a longer ride, check out the Badger State Cycling Trail, which could take you all the way to Illinois if you want!
If you’re riding in the city proper, check out State Street, in the heart of downtown— no cars allowed!
If you don’t have your own set of wheels, there are plenty of places around the city where you can rent one.
Madison is brimming with choices for the golf enthusiasts out there.
University Ridge: opened in 1991 and is the home to the UW-Madison golf teams. This scenic course offers something for every level of player and has fantastic views.
City Courses: there are four amazing public golf courses for visitors and residents; Glenway, Monona, Odana Hills, and Yahara Hills.
And more: The city also boasts resort courses as well as several disc golf courses.
Enjoy the Water
If exploring the city via the water is more your speed, you are in luck. Madison is home to five incredibly beautiful lakes where you can fish, boat, swim, or sail.
Lake Mendota is one of the larger lakes, and it has multiple beaches and parks, and in total, Madison has 12 beaches where you can enjoy swimming.
If you want to rent a boat, check out the Capitol Boat Club! They offer memberships, non-member pontoon and speed boat rentals, and captained charters.
This “birthplace of ecological restoration” works to educate the public and involve the community in conservation and related research. There are over 1,200 acres to explore, as well as multiple native plant gardens and over 20 miles of walking trails. Plus, admission is free!
THINGS TO...
...TRY
This Invictus Masters Workout
Give this workout a go from the team at Invictus. Games prep is in full swing for Masters athletes, and you can jump in on the fun!
The inov-8 outlet sale is live, and you can get some of their best-selling products like the F-LITE G 300 and the FASTLIFT POWER G 380s for up to 70% off! Don't miss out on this limited time sale.
Instead of worrying about your hand care AFTER you rip, why don’t you prevent ripping in the first place? That’s what CALICURE is here for. Their tools are here for you to use for gentle sanding of your calluses on a regular basis so you can avoid skipping workouts because you have torn up hands. Use code “MCU” for 10% off your order!
Italian weightlifter Celine Delia uses a unique frog leg stance to warm up to a heavy snatch. Have you tried it?
Congratulations to team Caffeine and Chaos—the Morning Chalk Up’s own Kelly Sekulovski and her partner Chelsea Bedard—for taking on the Sacred Pine Invitational this past weekend in Summerville, SC.
Adam Klinkshared a throwback video from 2020, when he ran a sub 5:00 mile and lifted a 500-pound/226.7kg back squat in the same day.
🏋️ This little guy has his snatch form down, even the hook grip!
Project Fit is a not-for-profit affiliate in Soweto, South Africa hosting a fundraiser workout today in honor of Mandela Day. The fundraiser is an in-house competition comprising of one workout in teams of two.
From the organization: “Mandela day is an annual global celebration to honour the life and legacy of Nelson Mandela. It is a day to call to action for individuals and communities to make a positive impact in their own communities.”
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