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Work Hard Play Hard

Good morning and welcome to the Morning Chalk Up. Today’s edition was chalked up while recovering from what felt like climbing a million stairs through the snow.

Everyone came off the mountain safely. Ultimately, the conditions got so bad though that we couldn’t summit but it was an amazing experience. P.S. A LOT has happened since we turned our phone off so let’s catch up. 

Quote of the day poster featuring Carly Fuhrer. Thanks for the inspiration!

How did your CrossFit Affiliate get its name? We’d love to feature your story in an upcoming edition.

QUOTE OF THE DAY

Signal loud and clear with your body that you love being right where you are. Physically radiate fun, fight, passion, and poise, no matter what the circumstances.” — James E. Loehr

CHALK UP IN 2 MINUTES

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE YOU HIT THE BOX

Regionals…What no barbells?

Here are all the Regionals events (so far)…we’ll get more into that in tomorrow’s edition. Dave Castro released the first two Team events, mostly.

This is how Dave Castro filmed all those whiteboard Regionals videos. CrossFit HQ is hiring a motion graphics designer. Maddy Curley’s director debut film “Chalk It Up” was just released on Netflix internationally. Becca Voigt got in a car accident but she’s OK. From sitting in the stands at the 2014 Regionals to qualifying for the second time this year, Casey Campbell shares the evolution in her training and fitness to today. CrossFit Omaha is expanding the box outside. While training for Regionals, Tia Wright is also preparing for USA Weightlifting Nationals this weekend. Congratulations to Julie Foucher who celebrated her anniversary. Lauren Fisher graduates from San Diego State University this week. Dani Horan had to get creative to make a 106 pound kettlebell. Happy Birthday Katrin Davidsdottir.

Can you out lift Mia Akerlund in one round of unbroken DT at the heaviest weight possible?

Transformation Thursday…Kelsey Kiel, five years after starting CrossFit.

WHAT TO TELL YOUR FRIEND WHO NEEDS SOME MOTIVATION BEFORE SUMMER SEASON…

Wodapalooza has all the motivation that you need. Their 8-week transformation challenge offers athletes the chance to win up to $5000 cash, a Reebok shoe shopping spree, a year’s supply of Progenex and basically everything else any athlete could want. Even if you don’t win the top prize, you’re going to look that much better at the beach.

THINGS TO…

WATCH: Lindsey Valenzuela’s Comeback Tour

Four-time CrossFit Games athlete Lindsey Valenzuela took 2016 off so she could give birth to her son. After gaining about 85 pounds during her pregnancy, Lindsey battled back to qualify for California Regionals once again.
COMEBACK TOUR.

HEAR: Overcoming a Life-Changing Injury

On this episode of Pursuing Health, Julie Foucher talks with Lindy Barber about how she overcame a major back injury in 2011, to her early CrossFit Games days and how she ended up at CrossFit Mayhem training with Rich Froning.
LISTEN IN.

EAT: 100% Whole Wheat Pizza Dough

Love pizza but prefer a little healthier crust? Ambitious Kitchen shares their step-by-step recipe for making your own pizza crust. Now it’s just time to add the toppings.
PIZZA PIZZA.

BUY: Last Minute Gifts for Mom

Thrive Market has 25% off + free shipping on hundreds of healthy foods, beauty, bath and health items for the fitness mom.
START SHOPPING.

CHALK UP AFFILIATES

WHAT TO TELL YOUR FRIEND WHO’S THINKING OF TEARING DOWN THAT OLD SHED…

Introducing the Barn. After working in the hay fields till late in the evening, Kenny Dyess and his farm crew were having trouble making it to the gym on time. So he did the most logical thing and converted his barn into a gym and they offer free WODs to anyone who wants to join.
12th State CrossFit in Raleigh, NC is sending three individual female athletes to Regionals: Whitney Gelin, Meagan Reardon and Kaitlin Issacs.

VIDEO: CrossFit 204’s Legends program, fitness for seniors.

CHALK UP READS

“Work Hard, Play Hard: The Making of Brent Fikowski” by Brittney Saline, CrossFit Games

“Salt Bae” looks different this time. This guy’s blond and muscled, and instead of salting a steak with flair, he’s delicately dusting about 240 lb. of weight with a pinch of white chalk. The Instagram video, however, is not the tomfoolery of your average CrossFit clown. This take on “Salt Bae” comes courtesy of Brent Fikowski, who took fourth at the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games after winning four events in his rookie year. It was viewed more than 845,000 times and received more than 17,000 likes.

The parody is just one example among many spoofs, bits of trash talk and acts of general buffoonery gracing the 26-year-old’s profile.

“I like to have fun,” Fikowski said of his social media antics. It’s not that he’s not serious about the Sport of Fitness. But making room for a bit of levity, Fikowski said, is one of a few specific measures he takes to get ready to compete at the highest level. “I think that keeping my training throughout the year enjoyable and keeping it light helps me perform,” he said. “I try not to take myself too seriously. At the end of the day I’m gonna be in the gym for X amount of hours. I might as well enjoy it.

“Athleisure: Here to Stay” by Gameplan A

Athleisure is more than just a fad. For me, it is about the way fit and motivated people want to show and present themselves. Athleisure is not just a fashion trend, but a lifestyle. It is about feeling both comfortable and well-dressed at the same time. It is designed for people who like to take care of themselves, eat healthy and exercise, but also take an interest in fashion.

So what’s wrong with athleisure at work? I think the next generation will care less about ties, leather shoes and pressed white shirts. But the outfit should still be cool, fancy and fashionable.

I don’t think we need uniforms anymore, at least not at work. The new style is already popular in start-ups and among the young, wild generation and brands like adidas are recognizing this. They are creating one-of-a-kind athleisure wear like the cool items in the adidas Originals or Stella McCartney lines.

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