CrossFit Uncovers a Conflict of Interest in Big Soda

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“The way you do anything is the way you do everything.” — Tom Waits

CrossFit Uncovers Potential Big Soda Conflict of Interest

What happened?

Yesterday, CrossFit announced that it uncovered that both the National Institute of Health (NIH) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) failed to disclose the sources and amounts of donations they received, which they are legally required to do.  

What’s the problem?

Both foundations are legally required to report the sources and amounts of donations they receive annually. But, turns out, they haven’t been, and CrossFit Inc. discovered this as part of their ongoing effort to get Big Soda out of the health and science industry.  

CrossFit uncovered this evidence as part of their ongoing investigation into Big Soda’s influence on the health sciences industry. According to Russ Greene, CrossFit’s Director of Government Relations, “Under [Greg Glassman’s] leadership, we’ve tracked the soda industry’s donations and use of proxy groups. We looked over the CDC Foundation’s and FNIH’s disclosures and found they weren’t even close to following the law.”

So what happens now?

CrossFit shared the evidence with the House Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services and they weren’t happy. They sent both federally-established foundations a directive to comply with the law. 

Chalk another one up for CrossFit.

At War Over Sparkling Water

The story.

Whole Foods has gone through quite the makeover since it was bought by Amazon just over a year ago. We’ve been keeping our noses to the ground on all the changes — and recently they declared war with La Croix (okay, maybe war is a tad dramatic, but you get the idea).

Their spin.

Shortly after the Amazon-Whole Foods merger, they introduced their private labeled brand of sparkling water. It made its debut in five different flavors: lemon, lime, orange, “pure”, and of course, grapefruit — the flavor that La Croix made standard.

Whole Foods is currently offering insane discounts on their version. Prime members can get a 12 pack BOGO deal of the 365 Everyday Value brand for $3.99 at Whole Foods in San Fran. That’s 24 cans for four bucks compared to $5.99 for a 12 pack of La Croix.

Consumers win.

While we may not be seeing 365 Everyday Value brand seltzer gracing our social media feeds this summer (let’s be honest, the cans just aren’t IG-worthy), we think it’s safe to say the millennial obsession with sparkling water is creating quite the buzz in the industry.

Coffee Break Conversations

What to tell your training partner when she says she needs to mix things up a bit and that’s why she can’t keep training with you…

It’s not me, it’s you. Turns out, the idea that your body plateaus after six to eight weeks of training might be a myth. While neural adaptations, that’s the part where your body learns to move, may become the norm after eight weeks, structural adaptaions will continue. So need to split up, just change up the weight or the volume and keep going. 

Things To…

WATCH: My Body Reached Total Failure

Sean Sweeney tells the story behind the worst workout he’s ever done. Surprisingly deceptive, it involves a 300 pound sand bag and some strolls in the gym.

WATCH THIS.

HEAR: Ben Smith and the Big 1-0

Ben Smith joins The Barbell Life podcast and talks CrossFit, how he’s seen the industry change, and how he feels about his tenth trip to the Games. 

TUNE IN. 

KNOW: LaCroix Before Boys

It wasn’t until a few years ago that sparkling water became the latest millenial craze. But why? Why not just keep drinking flat tap water like barbarians?Are they even really french? And someone please tell us how to pronounce the name!

NOW YOU KNOW. 

EAT: Raspberry Crumble Bars

Made with coconut sugar and almond flour, these gluten free raspberry crumble bars scream summer. Easy to make, and perfect for using up your extra raspberries, have them for breakfast or an afternoon snack.

SAVE US SOME.

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• 22 STRAIGHT HOURS OF CROSSFIT — CrossFit 309 in Peoria Heights, IL wanted to raise awareness about veteran suicide so they invited their athletes to complete 22 hours of WODs over the weekend. And all 22 of those workouts were Hero WODs.
• MILLTOWN THROWDOWN — CrossFit Haywood in Waynesville, NC hosted 40 teams for the third-annual Milltown Throwdown on Saturday. Some of the proceeds will go to Haywood County Schools.

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

Jared Enderton hits a 302 pound snatch • The CrossFit Kids program kicked off yesterday at Land Warrior CrossFit in Suffield, CT • Kristi Eramo practices a clean complex barefoot • Legendary 49er Jerry Rice is now doing CrossFit • Ben Bergeron brings CrossFit Tilt to Bose.

…and we hope you’re all just as excited for Madison as these two kids. 

True General Physical Preparedness-– At 62 years of age, Diane Tortora is still going strong. In her age group, she finished 4th in Connecticut and 20th in the North East Region. But, Diane’s drive and dedication has a far higher purpose. Once she leaves Tolland CrossFit, she uses that fitness to care for her adult disabled son.

Training Her Grandmas –– Twice a week for 30 minutes a day Jessie Orrino of Smelter City CrossFit trains her 81-year-old grandmother Midge Marcotte and 85-year-old grandmother Joan Moodry. Orrino wants the two to “just live functionally. That’s what I want for them and to do
that as long as they can. So I kind of weaseled them in here and it’s been fun.”

Forty Years Old and a 100 Pound Transformation — Kristin Lucia tried a lot of things before she found CrossFit. Triathlons, personal training, running, and biking. But ten she found CrossFit Adaptation and made some huge changes. Two years later she is down 100 pounds. “I believe that any exercise program you enjoy is what you should continue
to do. If you enjoy it, you’ll continue to go, and it won’t feel like you’re forcing yourself to exercise. CrossFit Adaptation was not only my gym, but it also was a support system. Everyone in there helped me through my journey, pushing me along day by day.”

“Take Time to Understand the Why” by Shane Trotter, Breaking Muscle

Self-awareness is defined by Psychologist Daniel Goleman as “knowing one’s internal states, preference, resources, and intuitions.” Self-awareness is the ability to know the emotions tugging at us and yet not be controlled by them—it is the ability to honestly analyze our strengths and weaknesses so that we can pragmatically direct future actions. It then becomes an honest evaluation of our conduct in relation to our values and expectations. Self-esteem is closer to ego, while self-awareness depends upon honesty and humility.



Clearly, this is far more desirable than simplistic notions of making sure everyone “feels good about themselves.” But how is it instilled? Self-awareness is fostered in growth-oriented climates that focus on effort and process over outcomes.

Competence, authenticity, and connection; real competence and real self-esteem will not be the result of superficial participation trophies, but rather struggle, failure, persistence, and growth. Only through real challenge with real feedback can we have any notion of who really are and the strength to be that person. When we have attained a competency and a true sense of self we have real ability to contribute to something bigger than ourselves, endearing real connection.

6/29: Bare Knuckles Weightlifting Meet (Broomfield, CO)

6/29 – 6/30: The Grinder Games III (Tall City, TX)

6/30: Summer Stampede (Bethlehem, PA)

6/30: Battle of the Ballpark (Seattle, WA)

6/30: Battle Between Boxes: Will Lift for Food (Des Moines, IA)

6/30: Jill’s Warrior WOD (Suffield, CT)

6/30: Keefe Fundraiser (Salem, NH)

7/1: Strong As A Bear VI (San Rafael, CA)

7/4: 4th of July Throwdown Team Competition (Cullman, AL)

7/6: Garage Games Firebreather 5k (John’s Creek, GA)

7/6 -7/8: The UG Games (Collingswood, ON)

7/6 – 7/8: The Garage Games Jr. Champion’s Invitational 2018 (Roswell, GA)

7/6 – 7/8: Garage Games Junior Champions Invitational (Roswell, GA)

7/7: CrossFit Elgin Beach Brawl 2018 (Port Stanley, ON)

7/7: Capitol Takeover 2018 (Springfield, IL)

7/7: 2nd Annual Liberty Dash (Johnston, PA)

7/7 – 7/8: Railyard Riot (Lincoln, NE)

7/7: Barbellas (Anaheim, CA) 

7/13 – 7/15: Beach Throwdown 2018 (Schevening, Netherlands)

7/14: Mischief Revolution: Battle of the Brewery (Chicago, IL)

7/14: Mountain Town Summer Throwdown (Breckenridge, CO) 

7/14: Espirit De Corps 2018 (Vancouver, WA)

7/14: Belmar Beat Down (Belmar, NJ)

7/14: Atomic Throwdown (Kennewick, WA)

7/14: Fitness for Faith (Livingston, TN) 

7/14: Sweat Angel Showdown (Indianapolis, IN) 

7/14: Barmageddon (Oklahoma City, OK)

7/14: Red, White, and Blue Showcase (Kearney, NE)

7/14: CrossFit for Hope 2018 (Peoria, IL)

7/14: Team SuperFit Charlotte (Charlotte, NC)

7/14 – 7/15: 2018 Freshcoast Games (Muskegon, MI)

7/15: The Buckeye Games (Akron, OH)

7/15 – 7/16: Lubbock Summer Games (Lubbock, TX)

7/21: Second Annual Summer Showdown (Nicholasville, KY)

7/21: Swole Wars II (Burleson, TX)

7/21: Sacred Pines Invitational (Ladson, SC)

7/21: Battle at the BallPark (Peoria, IL) 

7/21 – 7/22: The Rubicon (Centerton, AR)

7/28: Garage Girls Hard Core Fit (Watkinsville, GA) 

7/28: Garage Girls CrossFit HardCore (Boca Raton, FL) 

7/28: AZ FitCom Competition (Phoenix, AZ)

7/28: Summer Knights Showdown (Springfield, IL)

7/28 – 7/29: CF Summer Circus (Des Moines, IA)

7/29: Summer Sizzle (Wadsworth, OH) 

7/30: Legends of Lebo (Pittsburgh, PA)