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Three Athletes Suspended

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition is powered by Red H Nutrition, a veteran owned and operated functional fitness nutrition company. With over 10 years experience in the CrossFit community, They are leading the supplement revolution with innovative functional fitness formulas that will help you hit a new PR in 30 days, guaranteed. Find out how.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY

“Some people will tell you to your face that it’s impossible, they are 100% right. It’s impossible for them.” — Unknown

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX

Download the official CrossFit Games mobile app for Android or iPhone.

Here’s the giant sign welcoming visitors to Madison for the CrossFit Games when they land at the airport. Rich Froning turned the big 3-0 this weekend. Kari Pearce joins the Paleoethics team. NC State’s Kentavius Street squats 700 pounds. These are maybe the hottest Nike Metcons we’ve ever seen. Happy 24th birthday to Tia-Clair Toomey. Annie Thorisdottir hits a 200 pound snatch. Neal Maddox didn’t have anywhere to workout in Wisconsin so he pulled his RV up next to a corn field and did a WOD. Jason and Ashley Khalipa celebrated their 8th wedding anniversary.

Two Teams and One Individual Athlete Suspended…From CrossFit HQ’s announcement, “Three athletes who submitted samples for drug testing at the 2017 CrossFit Games Regionals have tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs…Nick Thomas, a member of the CrossFit Marysville team…OJ Washington, a member of the Bear Republic CrossFit team…[and] Ryan Elrod, who finished fifth at the Atlantic Regional.” Both CrossFit Marysville and Bear Republic CrossFit are disqualified, as is Elrod. All three athletes are suspended for two years, ineligible to compete in any CrossFit-sanctioned event until July 7, 2019. No teams or individual athletes will replace them.

CrossFit General Manager Justin Bergh commenting on the suspensions…“The most common causes of a failed test are over-the-counter supplements and medications…regardless of the intent, we have a zero-tolerance policy for athletes who use banned substances.”

Meanwhile down in Florida at the 2017 Pan Ams…Alyssa Ritchey and Kathleen Winters are first two Americans to take home hardware. Ritchey snatched 77kg to take home silver and bronze overall.

WHAT TO TELL YOUR SPOUSE WHO ALWAYS NEEDS TO WOD ON THEIR VACA…

As the old saying goes, “if you can’t beat ’em, join ’em,” and while you’re doing that, book a trip to Tulum, Mexico where your significant other can sneak away to the Tulum Jungle Gym, a mostly wood-made outdoor gym on the beach. With the addition of a barbell and wooden bumper plates, you have pretty much everything you could need for a WOD.

THINGS TO…

WATCH: Making of a Champion, Part 14

What’s the difference between cowards and champions? Mat Fraser discusses in this episode of the multi-part documentary Making of a Champion.

HEAR: Champions are Built in the Mind First

If you’ve ever listened to Katrin Davidsdottir or Ben Bergeron talk about training, then you know the emphasis Ben places on mental training. Ben Bergeron joins the Brute Strength podcast to discuss his coaching philosophy, programming, and constant pursuit of excellence both in and outside of the gym.
TUNE IN.

DO: The CrossFit Games After Party

Grab a friend, a ticket, some PARTYAID and head to the CrossFit Games after party. If you’re in Madison, you definitely don’t want to miss this.

EAT: Grilled Sweet & Spicy Pineapple

We feel a little guilty for not sharing this amazing recipe with you on Friday so you could add this to your weekend BBQ menu, but such is life and now you have five full days to plan, prepare and execute.
IT’S GRILLIN TIME.

EDUCATE: Paleo or Not?

Anyone who’s been on a diet, especially paleo, has asked themselves at the same question a hundred times walking up the grocery store aisle, “is this paleo”? Well, Paleoethics has an app to take some of the guess work out of your next shopping trip.
TIME TO KNOW.

CHALK UP READS

“CrossFit Competitor Overcomes Drugs, Drinking” by USA Today

Travis Hanrahan became so excited competing in his first CrossFit competition “I forgot what I was supposed to be doing.” Like jumping rope. “I skipped it three times,” he said. “But it all worked out.”

To say Hanrahan, 31, hit a natural high Saturday afternoon at Thunderdome is accurate.

The Naples resident found the high a lot better feeling than the low of being homeless and dirty under the Fort Myers Bridge six years ago with a needle sticking in his arm. That’s where Hanrahan’s life had descended. He had gone from marijuana to alcohol to opiates to heroin.

“What the CBS Sports Deal Means for CrossFit Affiliates” by Two-Brain Business

Last year’s broadcast of the CrossFit Games on ESPN2 yielded an average of 336-361,000 live viewers. About 60% of those were age 18-49 (ESPN2’s target demographic–although that’s a pretty broad target.)

That’s about a fifth of the MLB Sunday night game. Pretty great for a niche sport like ours. Track and Field competitions, non-title boxing competitions and recap shows all ranked higher during the same week, but women’s tennis and arena football were both ranked lower. Replays of the Games boost those numbers even higher, while “mainstream” sports don’t usually enjoy the repeat viewership. This is interesting, because it suggests that we want to see the actual events unfold…not just catch the score. That’s great news for advertisers and a good sign for longevity.

While ESPN boasts about its “broad portfolio” and total live broadcast hours, CBS Sports should actually be a better media opportunity for CrossFit AFFILIATES.

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