“There are years that ask questions and years that answer.”- Zora Neale Hurston
GOOD
Girls Gone Rx Steps In to Fill Void Left by Barbells for Boobs
When Lindsey Marcelli heard about Barbells for Boobs’ sudden dissolution last month, she felt responsible to step up and fill the void.
As the founder of both Girls Gone Rx—an events company that has been raising money for breast cancer since 2012—and the charity Compete for a Cure, Marcelli immediately put herself out there to the women currently feeling abandoned by Barbells for Boobs.
Things are still fresh, so Marcelli still isn’t exactly sure how things will unfold, but the first order of business is to attend a Town Hall this Thursday hosted by the former Barbells for Boobs, Resources After Diagnosis (RAD) athletes to determine how they can work together.
Marcelli is open to all kinds of possibilities, she explained, including bringing on former Barbells for Boobs coaches or offering online workouts, should those be things RAD athletes are interested in.
“We just need to figure out what they would want, what they envision it to look like, and how to make it happen,” Marcelli said.
Remind me: On January 22, Barbells for Boobs—a charity that has raised more than $20 million to provide resources, education, coaching and support for fitness-enthusiast women affected by breast cancer since 2009—hosted a Town Hall and announced they are closing their doors.
The exact reasons for their dissolution are still unclear, as the only insight the charity’s founder Zion Hanson gave was: “The past few years have been challenging for everyone, and like many nonprofits, we found ourselves challenged repeatedly.”
Needless to say, the women in the former RAD program were left shocked, heartbroken and lost. “In about 10 minutes, they took away everything that all of us have relied on…We lost our community…with no answers and no plan for moving forward. Just, ‘We’re done,’” said RAD athlete Erin Michael.
In case you missed it: Former Morning Chalk Up broadcast superstar Lauren Kalil spoke to new CrossFit CEO Don Faul about the future of CrossFit and where he hopes to take the sport and the methodology.
Athlete update: Laura Horvath, who looks primed to challenge for the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games crown, has signed with R.A.D.
Another athlete update: CrossFit Games teen champion RJ Mestre has inked a deal with Tia-Clair Toomey and Shane Orr’s PRVN.
In case you didn’t know already: Yet another study has linked ultra-processed foods with an increased risk of both cancer and death.
PROFILE
MEMBER EXCLUSIVE
Rodeo Queen and CrossFit Games Semifinals Athlete Tayler Patterson Helping Farmers
Tayler Patterson describes her upbringing on a cattle ranch in the small town of Walden, CO. as being “the ultimate playground.”
“A typical day always started with my dad waking me and my two brothers up earlier than we wanted and feeding cows,” said 28-year-old Patterson, now a high-level CrossFit athlete who finished 13th at last year’s Syndicate Crown Semifinal (then Tayler Sykes).
“The rest of the day was always different. Sometimes it was doctoring calves all day or helping my dad irrigate, or often times it was me just working on young horses and getting miles on them, and during the summer it usually included a long day spent on a tractor with no AC or music during haying season and then scampering off to town for basketball practice,” said the former college basketball player.
OK, so Patterson’s “ultimate playground” isn’t what other children would have considered fun, but she is forever grateful for the work ethic her upbringing gave her, she said.
Recapping Don Faul Talking CrossFit’s Future on Jason Khalipa’s Podcast
Nearly six months into his role as CrossFit CEO, Don Faul sat down with Jason Khalipa on his podcast Effort Over Everything to discuss plans for the company moving forward, lessons learned since his tenure began, and more.
Faul, who was an avid CrossFitter but didn’t have his L1 before assuming his leadership role in August, said that humility has been important to keep at the top of his mind. He admits that while he always tries his hardest, there are always other people by his side that can provide more knowledge. Also, humility has become a core value for the CrossFit HQ team, which Faul says is something they need to lead with.
Faul: “(We) lead with humility, integrity, and principle. People and partners need to be confident in the brand they’re working with.”
Starting his first week as CEO at the CrossFit Games, Faul has been on a “listening tour” during which he’s gotten to hear from members of the community about what values and actions are important to them. After compiling this data, HQ has come up with a list of four deliverables they’re actively working towards.
Driving Growth to Affiliates
Faul has spoken before about his goal of changing the misconceptions people view CrossFit with that can push people away from local gyms. First, Faul wants to change the idea that CrossFit is dangerous. Also, he plans to help make the sport work alongside affiliates, whereas it can sometimes turn potential athletes away because “CrossFit is only for the elite.”
“I think about how we have a ton of people out there that (. . . )that could benefit from what we have to offer but think that CrossFit is dangerous or intimidating and it’s only for elite athletes, and (they) need to get in shape first,” Faul said. “When I think about our ability to attract those audiences and keep them, we have to make sure that the CrossFit brand is one that they want to associate with.”
Despite challenges going forward, Faul says that the potential for growth the company has is extremely invigorating. With an estimated two or three million participants now, Faul hopes to reach 30 million by 2030.
Faul: “The biggest takeaway for me is the richness of the opportunity, the richness of the impact – I didn’t anticipate how incredible that was.”
Wondering what to get your man for Valentine’s Day? We are making your life easier this year with some must-have men’s fitness products to show him just how much you care, and/or subtly improve his workout wardrobe.
Editor’s note: Some of these deals are exclusive to Morning Chalk Up. Order fast while supplies last to ensure delivery beforeValentine’s Day.
It’s the season of love, and what better way to show her that you care than getting her some of the best fitness products? We made you a nice little cheat sheet of all the things she’s secretly wanting (and not so secretly hinting at if she sends you this guide).
Editor’s note: Some of these deals are exclusive to Morning Chalk Up. Order fast while supplies last to ensure delivery beforeValentine’s Day.
The Nutritional Coaching Institute's Macros Applied eBook for FREE
If you're a binge eater, a yo-yo dieter, an athlete, a coach, or a cookie fanatic who actually wants to crush 2023, you probably have tried tracking macros. And you probably aren't seeing success. Get the FREE Macros Applied eBook to help you find out what's really holding you back from your goals.
Getting up the rope is hard to practice… without being halfway up the rope. Try this rope climb exercise to ensure you don’t skip the days you see it in the metcon.
Ready to learn helpful information about yourself and your training? Whoop helps you monitor your recovery, sleep, training and health and gives recommendations to become a more efficient and healthy human. And don’t worry, for new members we’re hooking you up with a free Whoop 4.0 and a month of membership on us!
Ready to lift heavy on international chest day? Then use this helpful tip from Invictus San Diego to ensure you are positioned correctly on your bench.
Harriet Roberts from Mahi Movement in Tanawha, QLD tried a new way to get her inverted shoulder burn on.
CrossFit Invictus athlete Jorge Fernandez takes his beltless back squat for a go with this heavy single of 435 pounds/197.3kg.
😳 Weightlifter Kuo Hsing-chun from Taiwan works her way up to a 110 pound/50kg Sots press. #humbled
🙌 Congratulations to Masters athlete Dave Rempel, who suffered a stroke at the 2022 CrossFit Games, on competing in the 2023 Peace Region CrossFit Championship in Grand Prairie, AB this past weekend.
Rempel and his partner Simon Spenner took 4th place in the Mens Rx division.
This email may contain affiliate links. We make a small commision off of purchases made via our affiliate links to help support this newsletter. If you no longer wish to receive the Morning Chalk Up newsletter, unsubscribe here.
