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Good morning from sunny Southern California and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is fueled by Paleoethics, the Official Sports Nutrition Sponsor of the CrossFit Games. Today is your last chance to get 20% off your favorite Paleoethics regular sized supplements with code “CHALKUP.”
One of our absolute favorites is the Recovery Matrix. Serve it warm like a glass of tea before bed and let their protein heal and rebuild your muscles while you sleep.
QUOTE OF THE DAY
“The God who gave you life has a right to expect a return on his investment.” — Alex Pineda
THE JIM CHAMBERS SAGA CONTINUES
WHO?
Jim Chambers became Internet famous over the weekend when he posted a sign outside his Atlanta based weightlifting gym that read: “Rules: Do whatever the F*** you want, correctly, except CrossFit cultism. No F*****G Cops.”
Yeah that didn’t go over well with basically everyone. All the news media outlets have been focusing on the cops angle, which honestly is the bigger story, but being a publication about CrossFit we wanted to find out why the CrossFit hate.
TELL ME MORE.
Thanks to a reader, who set us on the track, we were able to do some Internet sleuthing.
Jim Chambers owned two CrossFit affiliates, through at different times. We decided to omit both affiliates’ name to shield them from getting dragged into this ridiculous story, but we did talk to both owners and here’s what we’ve pieced together.
Back in 2009, he had an ownership stake in an affiliate up in rural New York. In 2012, Chambers decided to move his family out to Atlanta, GA which is when he bought out an Atlanta affiliate. “I was thrilled to find a CrossFit facility in Atlanta where I could expand my fitness business,” Chambers told an Atlanta newspaper at the time.
Himself a CFL1 holder, Chambers used the extra space to host certification seminars, according to the current Atlanta affiliate owner. In fact, he used to actively post on the CrossFit.com message board on topics ranging from injury, certifications and technique tips. Just before the story blew up, the East Atlanta Barbell Club, which Chambers owns, listed his CFL1 in his bio. It’s since been removed, but luckily, there’s Google.
WHAT DOES CHAMBERS HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ALL THIS?
We wanted to know, so we asked.
In 2009 “I engaged in [CrossFit] at a small affiliate in NY before coming to Atlanta. It was a super casual fun place, no branding…Then Reebok happened and the wave hit. And yeah, it went from being kind [of] punk rock fitness to strip mall heaven.”
When pressed specifically about the sign, Chambers appeared not to have as big an issue with the sport as the sign makes it seem.
“Honestly, it was partially just trolling people. We put a lot of signs up over the months; all of them indicated the cop policy, but made different cracks about one thing or another,” Chambers told us. “I don’t have a passionate hatred, I just think it’s a little silly, a bit of a pyramid scheme, and overly commodified.”
They also don’t have a no metcon policy, even Rich Froning is welcome to come workout. But he made it very clear, “the cop thing is real.”
CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX
Tasia Percevecz turned 2-7. Happy birthday Brooke Ence. Rogue Fitness is now selling dumbbell bumper plates and we’re just going to say right now if you use these in the 2018 Open on your barbell, Dave Castro will nullify your score. Kara Webb has been hanging out in Cancun, Mexico. You can enter to win a Truform runner and help support the International Functional Fitness Federation at the same time. Camille Leblanc-Bazinet is prepping for shoulder surgery by doing some banded accessory work.
Brooke Wells on never giving up…“Never stop fighting. On Friday, I was in 31st place. I had three events (IN A ROW) that were a complete disaster for me. That was absolutely devastating. But instead of accepting a spot in the bottom ten, I left everything I had out on the competition floor and worked my way up to 14th. 14th place in the WORLD, that’s something to be proud of, right?!”
A STORY WORTH WATCHING...Master’s athlete Kelli Powell Dean — who took 3rd in Masters 55-59 — lost her husband right before the 2015 Games. Her husband was the one who introduced her to CrossFit back in 2010 and she’s been qualifying for the Games ever since 2012.
THINGS TO…
WATCH: Brooke Ence Goes Wilderness
Not really solo hiking the PCT wilderness, more like cabin in a mountain town sort of thing, but either way Brooke and Co. decide to ditch the beach for the fresh and cool mountain air of Big Bear Lake, CA.
MOUNTAIN TIME.
HEAR: Graham Holmberg, A Legacy
Graham Holmberg is one of the few remaining legacy athletes from the first days of CrossFit. He joins a special Beyond the Barbell episode in Madison, WI, sharing the changes he’s seen in competitive CrossFit over the years.
TUNE IN.
EAT: Dill and Garlic Baked Salmon
We could literally live off salmon, but sometimes you want to change the flavor up a bit without adding tons of dressings or sugar. PaleOMG has got you covered with this no-worries oven baked salmon.
OVEN ON 350.
CHALK UP AFFILIATES
STORY SERIES: How has CrossFit helped you achieve a goal?
“After collegiate sports, there isn’t a lot for women. Several years after graduating, I started triathlons. My goal was to eventually do an Ironman in 140.6. After being introduced to CrossFit by some military friends in 2008, I fell in love with it. My husband and I created our own home gym. When we both signed up to do Ironman NYC in 2012, we made the commitment to train using (then) CrossFit Endurance. In August 2012, we both completed the Ironman NYC and reached our goal!” — Carlene Kuczma, CrossFit 845 in Hopewell Junction, NY