As the dust settles on the 2014 CrossFit Games Camille Leblanc-Bazinet and Rich Froning are the fittest athletes in the world. After watching Rich’s four 1st place finishes Sunday with Matt Fraser nipping at his heals and Camille finally reaching the pinnacle of the sport of fitness I can’t help but feel inspired. If you have been following “Squat Therapy with Jason Ackerman” you no doubt heard the interviews with games athletes Greg Martino, James Hobart and Austin Malleolo. One thing that was constant with all of these athletes was their work ethic. Games athletes are laser focused when it comes to nutrition and fitness and seeing that many likeminded people gathered in one place can make anyone a believer. The evolution of CrossFit has made the games larger than life, a true spectacle. I would be lying if I said I didn’t want to get a pump in after watching Rich go unbroken on the OH Lunges during Midline March. Aside from wanting to increase our fitness, the games also remind us of other reasons we show up to the box every day. When Chris Spealler struggled with the 275# squat clean the community showed up. The roar of the crowd was deafening and willed him to a good lift. Whether you’re Rich Froning finishing up double grace at a blistering pace or Joe Shmoe doing your first set of burpees you are now a member of the tribe and you have the unwavering support of the greatest community in the world. The games inspires gains, in both fitness and in social interactions with others.
