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My kids see me taking fitness seriously

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. We’re just over here drinking a beer, watching our team slide down the worldwide leaderboard in the CrossFit Games Team Series.

Today’s edition is sponsored by Athex, the training tool athletes need to improve their fitness and connect with the community. On the go and have limited access to equipment? Use Athex’s workout generator to create personalized workouts with what you have available. It’s all free when you download the iOS app.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

“It’s not about what you are capable of, but what you’re willing to do” — Mike Tomlin, Pittsburgh Steelers head coach

VIVA LAS VEGAS.

JACKPOT.
Imagine for a second that you’re walking down the Las Vegas Strip, sipping a giant frozen margarita while watching the Bellagio water show do its thing, when all of a sudden you get a hankering for a WOD. Guess what? Today is your lucky day.

LIKE I’VE NEVER HEARD THAT BEFORE IN VEGAS.
But seriously though. Let us introduce you to The Strip CrossFit, parked just behind the Bellagio on Dean Martin Dr.

The Strip’s first affiliate doesn’t officially open up until October 1, but we hear its got the full Vegas treatment — think showers, lockers, AC, towel service, toiletries etc. Towel service? The fee to drop in is only $25 and considering that a venti black coffee at Starbucks in Sin City will run you about $5.50 that ain’t bad.

Now you literally have no excuses.

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX

ROUNDUP — LIFEAID wraps up their annual retreat and we were sad we didn’t get invited. CrossFit Vidor, which was almost completely underwater from Hurricane Harvey, is currently holding classes in the old Vidor High School gymnasiumHafthór Björnsson squats 715 pounds four times. Introducing for the very first time, Mr. and Mrs. Brent FikowskiCamille Leblanc-Bazinet can only work on these three movements with her shoulder for the next three weeks. There are a couple of spots left for Ava’s Blood Drive being held this Saturday at NC FitMathew Fraser gets gymnasty down in the Maldives.

NEW TO INSTAGRAM — Terminus EmpowerEmily Bridgers and Ben Benson’s new online programing for both competitive athletes and GPP program for affiliate owners.

WHAT TO TELL YOUR FRIEND WHO JUST MOVED TO HONG KONG…

Nǐ hǎo! Meet the Hill family, who moved to Hong Kong back in 2008. Tobey Hill was on a train one morning when she overheard some people talking about CrossFit — or more accurately, “this new class that was like circuit training, but wasn’t, had weights and was always different, and really good coaches.” She went to check it out and now the whole family’s kinda got the bug. One of the most important things she’s learned: “It’s a good example for my girls as well, in the sense that it’s OK to do these things and have muscles. You don’t have to be waiflike…I think that’s just one aspect of not being afraid of who you are and doing things that make you feel good.

WHAT TO TELL YOUR BESTIE WITH THE COLLEGE SCHOLARSHIP WHO LIFTS LIKE A TOTAL BADASS…

Fork in the road. Sometimes you have to pick a course, other times it just works out to do both. Meet Baylee Rayladvertising major, on the Drury golf team, oh and is also a member of CrossFit 417’s CrossFit Games Team that went to Madison back in August. Rayl discovered CrossFit after suffering a concussion in high school. She was sidelined from sports but not the gym, and we guess it stuck around. For her senior project, she organized a competition to raise money for Hurricane Harvey families and was able to write a $1,000 check to help out.

THINGS TO…

HEAR: Waking Up with Lupus
Imagine living a perfectly normal and healthy life, kicking butt and taking names. Then everything starts going downhill and you discover you have Lupus, an incurable disorder that will change your life forever. The Nasty Girls Podcast witnessed this first hand through a close friend and they bring her on the show to share her story.
DON’T WANNA MISS.

DO: Kettlebell Amanda
Just cause a benchmark WOD prescribes a barbell doesn’t mean you can’t sub it out with kettlebells or dumbbells and still get your butt totally kicked.
WE WARNED YOU.

EAT: Shrimp, Avocado Salad with Lime-Cilantro Vinaigrette
Lime and cilantro bring a zesty kick to this avocado-filled salad. With the light taste of shrimp combined with summer favorites like avocados, tomatoes and red onion, you can enjoy this salad as an appetizer or a light lunch.
WORK LUNCH. 

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