CrossFit Invictus on the True Wins of CrossFit

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“The same boiling water that softens the potato hardens the egg. It’s about what you’re made of, not the circumstances.” — Unknown

When Cerebral Palsy Can’t Slow You Down.

How do you get inspired?

This time of the year, we’re all on cloud nine from watching The CrossFit Games. Maybe you even watched Mat Fraser’s most recent Road to the Games right before trying to PR your clean and jerk to get you pumped up (…just us?). OK, moving on.

Well we want to share another super inspiring athlete.

Meet Tiffany Eickhoff .

A total badass. You might recognize her from the video CrossFit recently shared on Facebook. She’s an adaptive athlete with cerebral palsy and she is absolutely killing it.

Tiffany started CrossFit back in December when she was at her heaviest and fed up. She couldn’t get herself up off the floor. So she started working out 2-3 days a week at CrossFit 314 in St. Louis, MO and has been inspiring those around her since.

What a boss.

Tiffany doesn’t use her disability as a crutch; her attitude treats it more like a dis-ABILITY. She pulls sleds, does wall balls, and gets fit just like the rest of us. She considers herself an athlete just like everyone else and she strives daily to inspire those around her. (Which she totally does, seeing as she’s also a motivational speaker.)

One PR she really wants to hit? To be able to walk without her cane every day. We see you, Tiffany, and we’re rooting for you.

Things To…

WATCH: Rich Froning on His Diet 

Rich Froning along with team CrossFit Mayhem Freedom just won the CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup. No stranger to the podium, Froning shares how changing his nutrition was a game changer this year. 

CHECK IT OUT. 

EAT: Carrot Cake Banana Bread with Cinnamon Cream Cheese Frosting

A cross between moist carrot cake and banana bread, this recipe is topped with a cream cheese frosting. And, since it’s made with almond milk and applesauce, you can have your healthier cake and eat it too.

UM, YES. 

DO: Register for Wodapalooza

The Wodapalooza Online Challenge & Qualifier is upon us! Register now as an individual or a team. Workouts are released on Wednesdays at 8 PM ET with scores due on Mondays at 8 PM ET.

A GOOD TIME.

BUY: 2018 CrossFit Games Gear 

Reebok wants you to have the same gear that made the Games athletes great. At 40% off, you might want to consider it. And, there’s a sweet Nano 8 and Lifter combo for only $225. Use code “GAMES” at checkout. 

GET YOUR OWN. 

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• FIT AND FUN FOR LUNGS — On July 21, CrossFit Fireborne in Rockville, MD held the #JAIMESTRONG campaign to raise funds for the Lungevity Foundation and ALK Positive Outreach. They raised a total of $1,141 that day. True to their word, the coaches did 86 burpees each, one for every $10 donated. You can still donate here.
• WEIGHTLIFTING CLINIC THIS WEEKEND — This Saturday, Spanish champion weightlifter Alberto Fernandez will be at CrossFit No Boundaries to put on an Olympic weightlifting clinic. The event is from 10-1 PM PT and is $40. 
• CROSSFIT KIDS CAMP FUNDRAISER — CrossFit Iron Fury in Beckley, WV is hosting a CrossFit Kids Camp each day this week from 10 a.m. to noon. For ages 4 and up the cost is $10 per day. All funds raised go to 18-year-old Madison Todd to cover travel expenses to compete at the Granite Games.
• ICE-T IS A FAN OF NO B.S. — RXBAR, known for their “No B.S.” ingredients list, has a new face in their commercials; Ice-T. 

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES (a highlight reel around social media of CrossFit pros and average joes)

Congratulations to Bob Harper (yes that Bob Harper) on his 30 pound transformation • Saquon Barkley, running back for the New York Giants, hits a 405 pound clean • Erik Jacobs gets a 50 unbroken double-under PR • Ashley Horner is training for 50 Ironmans in 50 days • Dave Castro is already planning the 2019 CrossFit Games • Stefi Cohen back squats 400 pounds for four. 

…and this is each of us trying to get coach’s attention.

CrossFit Invictus on the Real Lessons — CrossFit Invictus, who was the first affiliate to qualify an individual male, individual female, and team at the same CrossFit Games, wrapped up their 2018 season well. They had two teams in the top 10, with Invictus X taking 2nd, two Individual Females in Top 10, and three Masters Athletes in Top five. But it’s not just the medals they’re after. “The leaderboard doesn’t tell the full story of the lessons learned or the character developed by our athletes over the course of the season. It’s a snapshot that shows a mixture of athletic ability, work ethic and composure. The true wins aren’t always
represented by rankings, but rather are often personal and shared by only a few. Those stories aren’t easily summarized or recapped, but if you’ve ever coached or trained as an athlete, you know the pride taken from a job well done. To say that we’re proud of all of our athletes who took the floor last week would be a major understatement. Congratulations to all of the athletes — we are blessed to have the opportunity to teach and learn from some of the most incredible athletes in this sport, and we’re deeply appreciative.”

CrossFit Saved His Life — Five years ago Al Sagapolutele never thought he’d exercise the ways he does now. He had just been released from the hospital after having a heart attack. “I had three stents from that medical emergency,” Sagapolutele said. At 485 pounds, the 44-year-old tried CrossFit. Two years after discovering CrossFit, Sagapolutele is down 235 pounds and off all prescription drugs. 

“CrossFit Games: Day Five Recap” by Brent Fikowski

In a split second, I remember the ruling that in a points tie, the individual who has the highest event ranks throughout the weekend will win the tie break. I remember I had not won any events and that Lukas Hogberg had one the Two Stroke Pull in the morning. I smiled and was at peace. I looked over at Vellner and we briefly discussed this. Hogberg, however, you could tell was still unsure of what the ruling would be. 

Dave Castro then said, “the one athlete in the tie is Lukas Hogberg,” Hogberg then started cheering and celebrating as though he had won. In the chaos and the volume of the stadium I suppose he was a little confused. Castro said “No Lukas, no. We haven’t announced the winner yet, you’re only tied.” He laughed, apologized many times and went down onto the floor next to Castro. Castro then called me down. I said to Castro “I already know I lost the tie break,” he smiled and said “yes, but they don’t” referring to the crowd. I said “oh, good call” so I continued to put on a face as though I was awaiting the decision to make the moment a little more memorable for the crowd but also for Lukas.

Castro did a similar style announcement that you may see at a prize fight as the two athletes stood on either side of him. He announced that Lukas Hogberg was the champion.

Lukas was overjoyed and I apaulded him for it. One of the reasons I try to approach these moments with some humble maturity is I have been in situations where I’ve won things I’m very proud of and when athletes below me have been extremely bitter about their performance it can be hard to truly celebrate. It’s not fair for me to put that kind of burden on Hogberg who clearly worked very hard after not qualifying for last years’ Games. To not only qualify this year, but find a way to put himself on a podium; I was happy for him as you could see the joy was very real.

8/11: Red Raider Backyard Brawl (Coatesville, PA)

8/11: 2018 Rimrock Ruckus (Billings, MT)

8/11: Survival Games 2018 (Wooster, OH)

8/11: The Warhorse Games (Kansas City, KS)

8/11: War of the Roses (Pasadena, CA) 

8/11: War on Wall Street (Orlando, FL) 

8/18: Bladium CrossFit Fossil Games (Denver, CO) 

​8/18: The Revolution: Articles of Confederation (San Antonio, TX)

8/18: Summer Slam Royal Rumble (Oakdale, CA)

8/18: CrossFit Krypton’s Compete for a Cure (Chesapeake, VA)

8/18: CrossFit Endure Granite Games Throwdown (Windsor, CO)

8/18: MKT CrossFit Granite Games Throwdown (Columbia, MO)

8/18: Rocky Mountain Throwdown (Fort Collins, CO) 

8/18: Crossfit Krypton’s Compete for a Cure (Chesapeake, VA)

​8/18: Mayhem on the Mountain (Pelham, AL)

8/18: Crossfit Charlevoix Granite Games Throwdown (Charlevoix, MI) 

8/18: Battle in the Boro (Washington, NJ)

8/18: Troy CrossFit Granite Games Throwdown (San Diego, CA)

8/18: Babes & Bros ( Grand Rapids, MI)  

8/18: ​CrossFit Shatter 2018 Summer Slam (Albany, NY) 

8/18: CFBD Summer Showdown 2018 (East Longmeadow, MA)

8/19: Battle on Broadway (Garnder, MA) 

8/25: Iron Belle and Femme Royale Women’s Competition (Austin, TX) 

8/25: CrossFit Sua Sponte Summer Slam (Raleigh, NC) 

8/25: AMRAP For Autism (Waxhaw, NC)

​8/25: CrossFit Decathlon (Indianapolis, IN) 

8/25: Best of the West Summer Event (Bend, OR)

8/25: 2018 Firewall Frenzy (Holliston, MA)

8/25: The Hero Games 2018 (Farmington, AR)

8/25: 2018 Rivertown Throwdown (Cape Girardeau, MO)

8/25: CFK Masters Mayhem (Kilgore, TX) 8/25 – 26: Battlegrounds Nevada (Reno, NV)

8/25 – 8/26: Battle at the Barn (Ft. Worth, TX) 

​8/31: Greece with VoyEdge RX

9/1: Tampa Bay Games (Tampa, FL)

9/1: Battle At The Base 3 (Oklahoma City, OK)

​9/8: Midwest Fall Classic (Tulsa, OK)

​9/8: The Sugar Skull Showdown (Agawam, MA)

9/8: I Can CrossFit Competition (Georgetown, TX)

9/8: Global Aftermath 2018 (online)

9/8: The Catalyst Games (Bastrop, TX) 

9/8: BoxLife Games (Bunnell, FL)

9/8: Booties in Action (Wilsonville, OR)

9/8: 2018 Battle of the Bluegrass (Louisville, KY) 

9/8: Haiti Partner WOD (Allen, TX) 

9/8 – 9: The Vermonster Team Challenge (Berlin, VT)

9/15: Warrior Affiliate League Three Amigos (Pomona,CA)

9/15: State Line Throwdown (McHenry, IL) 

​9/16: 5th Annual North East Masters Classic (Plainville, MA)