The Bottom Line: Recent Episodes
Morning Chalk Up
The 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Open is just a few weeks away, and Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil caught up with Chase Ingraham and Tim Paulson to discuss their ideas on how to increase participation. Ingraham is a 10-year affiliate owner and the south center affiliate rep for CrossFit HQ, while Paulson is the co-owner of CrossFit Pallas in Ithaca, New York. They discussed what works, what doesn't, and why it's important for your coaching staff to participate in Friday Night Lights.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Click the link below to sign up for the Open:
https://auth.crossfit.com/?client_id=games_D9Mh3d&extra=%2Fregister%2Fopen%3Futm_source%3DSport-website%26utm_medium%3DSport-register_early_article_KL%26utm_campaign%3DSport-2023CFGO&redirect_uri=https%3A%2F%2Fgames.crossfit.com%2FcentralAuth&response_type=code
The off-season competitions these past several months have been packed full of fitness. For elite athletes, the Rogue Invitational included 10 events, the Dubai Fitness Challenge with eight, and most recently, TYR Wodapalooza with nine. While all three majors had similar volume, Rogue and Dubai spread the workouts over four days, whereas WZA, just two days.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chase Ingraham and CrossFit Games competitor Tim Paulson to discuss whether there were actually too many tests for a two-day competition, or if it was necessary for a more well-rounded test. The three looked at other competition formats, the pros and cons of each system and how taking away some fitness could be better for a spectator experience.
Use code "CHALKUP" to get $20 off:
butcherbox.com/morningchalkup
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2023/01/19/by-the-numbers-how-two-day-wodapalooza-gave-athletes-as-much-volume-as-four-days-in-2022/
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Volume within two-days
2:00 - Impact of doing indy and team
3:30 - Are athletes prepared for this volume
6:15- More events better test?
10:10 - Spectator experience
12:30 - Bottom Line
The 2023 CrossFit season is officially upon us, but we still have several questions about how certain stages will play out. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with sports analyst Mike Halpin and Games athlete Brent Fikowski to discuss what we do know, and what questions we still have.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
To watch Part 1, click the link below:
https://youtu.be/ezZGRRFMx7o
Show Breakdown
0:20 - Will North America get most of the spots?
2:30 - Brent reveals his training partner
5:30 - Impact to Oceania without Tia
9:25 - Oceania shift on the men's side?
12:30 - Does the Open matter
14:00 - The bottom line
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Emma Cary and Matt Tores on the TYR Wodapalooza podcast stage after Cary placed 3rd in the Elite Individual Division. As her first live competition since returning from a back injury, the three discussed the process of returning to the competition floor, how Cary is learning to take more risks in her strategy, and even the importance of finding a passion outside of CrossFit.
Honorable mention to Morning Chalk Up's Preslie Hirsch for subbing in mid-interview while Kalil had to excuse herself during an acid reflux attack.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Mat Fraser and Sammy Moniz to catch up at TYR Wodapalooza. With recently bringing on new athletes this season, the three discussed the dynamic of the group, what it's like to have a house full of people, and how their upcoming romantic getaway turned into a "family vacation."
Now that we've had a few weeks to digest what the season structure will look like, sports analyst Mike Halpin has laid out some key examples of how the new "strength of field" rule could impact spots at each semifinal.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Halpin and Games athlete Brent Fikowski to discuss some of the different scenarios that are raising questions, specifically, how important the Open could be with this new rule in place.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Show Breakdown
1:30 - Thoughts on the strength of field
2:50 - How the 2022 Games impacts the structure
9:30 - What part does the Open play in strength of field
12:36 - Looking into NA East and NA West Semifinals
Just days before the Christmas holiday, CrossFit CEO, Don Faul sent an e-mail to affiliates owners announcing that Gary Gaines, General Manager of Affiliates, is no longer with CrossFit HQ, making him the sixth CrossFit executive to change in 2022.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Make WODs Great Again creator and affiliate owner, John Wooley, and Senior Editor, Joe Genetin-Pilawa to discuss the changes in leadership, if this is normal for big companies, and what the future could hold under CEO Don Faul.
Use code "CHALKUP" to get Ground Beef for Life + $20 off:
butcherbox.com/morningchalkup
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/12/24/gary-gaines-general-manager-of-affiliates-becomes-sixth-crossfit-executive-to-leave-company-in-2022/
Tia and Shane gave everyone some exciting Christmas news last week as they announced their pregnancy! And that means there will be a new Fittnest Woman on Earth at the 2023 CrossFit Games. But -- Tia not competing this year will also impact stages in the season before we get to Madison, WI.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil spoke with sports analysts Dex Hopkins and Joey Adduci to discuss how Tia not competing in the 2023 season will impact the rest of the women's field, and they even gave their "way too early" predictions for the next championship title.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Show Breakdown:
0:30 - Initial thoughts on the announcement
2:40 - Is this actually "good" for the women's field
6:40 - Other women up for the title
7:50 - Impact to Oceania Semifinals
10:00 - Games moms who made comebacks
15:39 - Way too early predictions for the 2023 champion
21:45 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/12/24/tia-clair-toomey-announces-pregnancy-and-change-of-events-for-2023-games-season/
Merry Christmas ya'll! You can start planning your 2023 CrossFit season now that we have the full list of Semifinals Locations and an equipment list for the Open...and beyond! Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chase Ingraham and Dex Hopkins (before he leaves for baby duty) to break down where athletes will be headed for Semifinals and take a first look at the equipment list as they speculate which movements could show up.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
In this episode of the Bottom Line, Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil brings sports analysts Dex Hopkins and Joey Adduci on the show to debate which training method is superior: individualized programming or a training camp. The two go back and forth bringing up certain athletes that have fared well with one spectrum of the argument, and discuss which side of the coin they ultimately land on.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Show Breakdown:
0:45- Initial thoughts
3:30 - Is there a benefit to being alone
8:20 - Brent Fikowksi as an example
13:00 - Training around "character traits"
14:15 - The bottom line
TYR just announced they'll be selling limited edition athlete replica jerseys ahead of Wodapalooza. With the t-shirts selling at $40, TYR is giving $20 of that directly back to the athletes.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with sports analyst Dex Hopkins to discuss how TYR is leveling up when it comes to giving athletes more financial opportunities -- both in the percentage earned and who is included.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Link to get your hands on a replica jersey:
https://www.tyr.com/hdn-lp/tyr-wza-athletes
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - TYR giving athletes a bigger cut for jerseys
2:15 - Who gets to opt-in
4:30 - Looking at the past
8:43 - Giving athletes time to opt-in
11:24 - TYR in the space
13:00 - The bottom line
With numerous off-season competitions to choose from all around the globe, how does an athlete narrow down which one might help inch them closer to their overall goal? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil catches up with seven women and seven men to see what drives them to compete and if there's a common theme amongst the athletes.
Use code "CHALKUP" to get Ground Beef for Life + $20 off:
butcherbox.com/morningchalkup
The "unknown and unknowable" is part of our CrossFit roots, but has the sport outgrown the concept? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Training Think Tank coach, Adam Rogers, and Brute Strength coach, Matt Torres, to discuss ways that CrossFit can evolve from this potential sticking point and still challenge athletes in a way that moves the sport forward.
Use code "CHALKUP" to get Ribeyes for a Year + $20 off:
butcherbox.com/morningchalkup
Show Breakdown:
1:44 - Preparation leads to a better spectacle
4:00 - What should be released ahead of time
5:10 - Will unknown and unknowable go away
9:10 - The price of this format
14:00 - Is this just part of "fitness"
At the CrossFit Games and the Rogue Invitational, we saw a new test of strength: ladder style with an odd object. Historically, the sport has tested strength primarily with a barbell, and in a way that allows athletes to choose their own weights -- rather than having set weights to hit.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Training Think Tank coach, Adam Rogers, and Brute Strength coach, Matt Torres, to discuss which style better demonstrates an athlete's true ability when it comes to testing strength.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Show breakdown:
0:52 - Implementing odd objects
5:00 - Creating a better tie-break
8:50 - "Playing the game" choosing your own weights
13:17- Ladder style here to stay?
17:00 - Downside of ladders
19:40 - The bottom line
CrossFit has released the Games rulebook earlier than ever, and we're diving into what's new and what could impact athletes in the 2023 season. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and Joey Adduci to talk about how the change in the residency rule could shift where athletes compete in Semifinals, the introduction of the two-appeal rule, and which athletes might benefit from having best practices in place ahead of time.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Show Breakdown:
0:40 - Transparency from CrossFit
2:00 - Residency Changes
6:13 - Country representation
9:00 - Proactive approach
11:00 - Two appeal process
17:00 - Consistency with the season
19:45 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/11/16/2023-rulebook-review-region-selection-and-the-two-appeal-rule/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/11/15/breaking-the-2023-crossfit-games-rulebook-has-arrived-heres-what-you-need-to-know/
When looking at CrossFit Games champions like Justin Medeiros and Tia-Clair Toomey, their weaknesses are few and far between. Recently at the Rogue Invitational, even with a 19th placement in the strict handstand push-up event, Laura Horvath was still able to take home the title and stand on top of the Podium.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil chats with Dex Hopkins and Joey Adduci to discuss how big of a margin a champion can have with their weaknesses and how changing the standard of a movement like the handstand push-up impacts an athlete when trying to narrow that margin.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
0:55 - Margin for error with a weakness
3:15 - Looking at weaknesses in past champions
5:30 - Training when standards change
10:00 - "Field goal" of HSPU always changing
13:00 - The bottom line
A new ranking system for the CrossFit Games season was recently announced by HQ through the Hopper e-mail. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with sports experts Dex Hopkins and Mike Halpin
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Show Breakdown:
0:45 - Initial thoughts
3:45 - Athletes this system could affect
6:00 - Watching the system play out
10:30 - Comparing other professional sports
12:15 - Regional breakdown
16:30 - What came first, chicken or the egg
19:50 - Who benefits and who suffers
22:50 - Bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/11/10/crossfit-introduces-worldwide-ranking-system/
New details emerge from the European Championship, an off-season competition that has yet to pay its podium athletes, judges, and media. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Jason Croxon, the man behind Jason CF Media, to peel back the layers of how the competition is planning to pay its people for the event in 2022, through a competition in 2023...and how the athletes are apparently not supporting it.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code "CHALKUP"
Related Videos:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RKjPMsqQy9Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dDCo9-hLrgI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nvXMal53DRg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONxyUFMAIUU
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/10/04/european-championships-ends-with-large-amount-of-debt-organizers-unsure-they-will-be-able-to-pay/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/11/05/european-championships-update-support-a-2023-event-and-you-might-get-paid-for-2022/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/11/08/european-championships-update-the-show-will-go-on/
As off-season competitions continue to outsource training camps for their programming, it raises the question of whether there might be an unfair bias when it comes to athletes competing from the camp that's programming the event. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Training Think Tanks head coach Max El-Hag and Chase Ingraham to discuss their concerns when payouts get involved and some ideas as to who could program off-season events to even the playing field.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
0:43 - Potential conflict of interest
2:40 - How it can benefit training camps
5:00 - Standards to make it more “fair”
9:25 - Is it better to have multiple camps program
12:45 - Too many cooks in the kitchen?
15:20 - Unconscious bias to help your athletes
17:20 - Who should program events
18:30 - Utilizing Dave Castro?!
20:30 - Increase in participation
21:55 - Bottom Line
Training Think Tank original video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvpVkn97Owc
Watching the younger generation of CrossFit Games athletes grow up with the sport of CrossFit versus having an athletic background in other sports raises the question of which path will ultimately fair better at the Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Jason Khalipa and Jared Graybeal to discuss the topic and dive into different scenarios of how each track might play out.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Long-term outcome of only training CrossFit
2:40 - Comparing athletes based on background
5:30 - Rich Froning as an example
8:00 - Coaches implementing sports into training
10:30 - What elements should the Games include
16:00 - Creating consistency in the sport
17:05 - Jason planning an event at Castro's Ranch
Is it on the competition? Should the athletes assist? Who is going to help get sports fans in those seats at events? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Niki Brazier and sports agent Benji Hull to discuss solutions to increasing in-person viewership. Whether athletes should be contractually obligated to compete once they're on the roster or if CrossFit HQ should be assisting in marketing efforts, ideas were brought up on how changes can be made.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Competitions assisting athletes to compete
1:50 - Including spectators in events
3:24 - Should CrossFit HQ help
6:13 - Should athletes have a contractual obligation
10:14 - Other solutions
13:50 - Is having a Livestream a barrier
15:52 - The bottom line
With the change in decision to make all Semifinal workouts standardized this season, it raises the question of whether it will impact ticket sales and spectator turnout. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and Adrian Conway to discuss whether standardized programming will impact getting butts in seats and how it might ultimately affect the Crossfit Games season.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
0:40 - Initial thoughts
4:00 - Magic of the leaderboard
5:20 - Does programming impact spectators
9:50 - Standardized programming improving excitement
12:20 - The bottom line
CrossFit recently announced changes to the 2023 Games season structure, which included a few updates for the team division. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and Chase Ingraham to discuss how the return of Super Teams could potentially add more interest to the division...at least on paper.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - Dex experience on Super Team
2:57 - Chase saying it's better on paper
5:00 - Does this take away from affiliates
11:00 - Is this the right direction for Teams
14:20 - A future challenge to Mayhem
17:45 - The bottom line
Related Articles:https://morningchalkup.com/2022/10/17/return-of-the-super-teams-in-2023/
It might be one of the best ways to professionalize CrossFit, but no one is talking about it -- training camps paying athletes to be part of their team. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and Chase Ingraham to discuss which camps are paying their athletes, why it's not openly discussed, and the challenges a "new sport" like CrossFit faces when trying to make this more commonplace.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
0:45 - How does paying athletes change the tune
1:50 - Who pays athletes
5:30 - Why aren't all camps doing this
13:10 - Why aren't we talking about this
18:00 - Is there a downside
19:30 - The bottom line
Recently in the Hopper email from CrossFit, there was an article titled, The Judge's job. It read in part, "while judges are there to facilitate and create a fair competition, they ultimately share these responsibilities with the athlete. As stated in CrossFit Rulebook section 1.19, athletes are responsible for counting and completing all required reps."
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and Justin LoFranco to discuss whether athletes should be accountable for counting their own reps, the athlete/referee responsibilities in other sports, and who ultimately should be in charge for reps at each stage of the game.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - Dex can't fitness and count
3:00 - Should it be different at the Games
9:20 - Is counting part of the "fitness" test
12:30 - What does this say about rules
14:40 - Which side makes it more professional
18:40 - The bottom line
We may not have all the answers yet, but we have a first look at the changes for the 2023 CrossFit Games season structure. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and Brent Fikowski to break down the significant changes for the individual field, some questions it raises, and whether this is ultimately the right direction they want to see the sport headed.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
1:20 - Changes to the Open
3:00 - Going back to "Regionals" format
4:50 - Looking at North America East versus West
6:30 - Region based on citizenship
7:50 - Standardized programming
12:25 - Elimination of Last Chance Qualifier
18:00 - Extra spots at certain Semis?
25:20 - 6 days at the Games
30:40 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/10/11/breaking-crossfit-announces-new-season-structure-with-major-changes-dropping-three-semifinals-in-the-process/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/10/11/how-many-qualifying-spots-will-each-semifinal-receive/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/10/11/heres-what-you-need-to-know-about-the-new-crossfit-games-season-structure/
Within the last few years, we've seen more apparel brands jumping into the CrossFit Space. But with more players in the ecosystem, which brand sits on the throne? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Justin LoFranco and Matt O'Keefe, the chief executive officer of HWPO, to discuss the major brands in CrossFit and who ultimately is the top dog in the space.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Show Breakdown:
1:10 - Growth of brands in CrossFit
2:30 - Trends
4:30 - Shift with new title sponsor
6:00 - NOBULL and Reebok
10:26 - TYR sponsoring WZA
13:40 - R.A.D. entering the chat
15:50 - Another brand in the mix?
20:00 - The bottom line
For the third time in its history, the CrossFit Games are on the move. This time, to Birmingham, Alabama. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil caught up with Dex Hopkins and Brent Fikowski to discuss the details behind the new location, what athletes consider about each new site and some potential programming opportunities that might be in store.
Learn more at http://ucan.co/chalkup and save 20% on your first order with code CHALKUP
Show Breakdown:
0:41- the details
2:00 - venues that could be used
4:00 - athlete perspective
5:20 - the humidity of Birmingham
8:26 - training ahead of time
11:00 - programming opportunities
13:50 - changing locations
15:10 - population of the location
17:17 - pro or con?
20:20 - the bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/10/07/sweet-home-alabama-crossfit-games-to-birmingham-for-2024-27/
After confirming that athletes have yet to receive their prize money from two off-season competitions, CanWest and the European Championship, more athletes have come forward stating they too had not been paid from their respective Semifinals.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Justin LoFranco and Emily Beers to break down what's actually happening when it comes to athletes not receiving their payouts and whether those prize purses should be reliant on ticket sales.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/10/03/canwest-games-athletes-continue-to-await-prize-purse-payouts-twelve-weeks-out/
Show Breakdown:
1:15 - Why are their delays with CanWest
2:00 - Is this the same situation with Euro Championship
3:25 - Does history show a trend
5:10 - Mood from athletes and event organizers
6:45 - Semifinals also not paying
10:00 - Can we refer to the rulebook
11:15 - Should competitions rely on ticket sales for prize money
14:30 - How to increase ticket sales
16:45 - The bottom line
Many times when discussing the growth of CrossFit, we look to Golf to draw parallels. Both are primarily individual sports, and their fan base partakes in the sport, just to name a few similarities. But for those who've been paying attention to Golf recently, the battle between the PGA Tour and LIV has become quite fascinating, raising the question of whether CrossFit needs a competitor too.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Matt O'Keefe, the chief executive officer of HWPO, and Jared Graybeal, the general manager of Underdogs athletics, to break the question down further and really answer the question of whether this would create positive change or become detrimental to our sport.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Show Breakdown:
1:06 - Will CrossFit ever have a competitor
4:20 - Could one of the off-season majors be a competitor
10:00 - Following the money
11:30 - What would it take the athletes to switch
16:30 - Benefits to having a competitor
26:20 - The bottom line
With a goal in mind to grow the sport, a significant opportunity to do so is during the CrossFit Games broadcast. But is the current model conducive to grabbing the attention of non-CrossFitters -- or -- is it working against growing the sport? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil, Brian Friend, and Emily Beers discuss ways the Games broadcast can improve to build a fan base outside of CrossFit in hopes of continuing the push to legitimize the sport.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Show Breakdown:
1:10 - Thoughts from a non-CrossFitter
2:25 - Expanding elements in the broadcast
5:45 - Events to improve on the broadcast
7:15 - Is it a logistics barrier
8:30 - Integrity of the test versus growing the sport
12:40 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/08/29/fan-perspective-was-the-2022-nobull-crossfit-games-a-success/
The leaderboards are populated for the Dubai CrossFit Championship and TYR Wodapalooza after both online qualifiers took place simultaneously. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil and Brian Friend discuss which notable athletes we will most likely see compete, who didn't make the cut, and even some storylines we expect to follow once the competition's kick-off.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - When we'll see finalized leaderboards
1:40 - Similarities with both competitions
3:17 - Differences with WZA and Dubai
5:20 - Qualifiers versus invites
7:30 - Dubai, whose in and whose out
8:45 - Who missed the cut
10:00 - Thoughts on Chandler Smith
10:40 - Women field in Dubai
12:35 - Different structures for the field of play
13:30 - The bottom line
Now that the field is set for the Rogue Invitational with a roster of 20 men and 20 women, it's apparent that some notable names are missing. Those names include Tia-Clair Toomey, Mal O'Brien, Brooke Wells and Haley Adams. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Chase Ingraham to discuss whether the competition becomes more or less exciting without these top contenders in the mix.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - Will more or less people tune in
4:00 - What will the data from Rogue tell us
7:00 - Early predictions
8:46 - How could this be less interesting
10:14 - The Bottom Line
In the most recent edition of CrossFit's Hopper e-mail that discusses judging, along with off-season competitions underway -- we thought it was time to circle back to the conversation of standards. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Chase Ingraham to discuss which type of off-season competitions should be considered an opportunity to "practice" judging and some possible solutions to better streamline communication and standards across the board.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Show Breakdown:
1:05 - Are off-season competitions "practice" for judges
3:51 - CrossFit licensed events versus non-licensed events
7:00 - Who decides judging rules
9:30 - Daily athlete briefings
13:30 - Standards book
15:10 - Bottom Line
The Dubai CrossFit Championship and TYR Wodapalooza are two of the most notable off-season competitions and right now, their online qualifiers are taking place simultaneously. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil and Brian Friend discuss some of the notable athletes registered, how you can and can't follow along through the leaderboards and some ways to improve the online qualifying process in the future.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
***Editors Note: After recording, Brian Friend realized he misspoke about Valentina Rangel. She recently competed at the Madrid Championship where she placed 4th -- not in the Rogue online qualifier.
The goal of the Crossfit Games is to find the fittest man and woman on Earth, and in doing so, the competition involves a balanced test among several events. But what is the goal of off-season CrossFit competitions? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Chase Ingraham to discuss whether these competitions need a balanced test, what the goal of off-season competitions should be, and whether it needs to be a universal mission across the board.
Whoop Discount Link: https://join.whoop.com/MorningChalkUp
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - Should it be balanced
4:25 - One goal throughout
7:00 - Should competitions be upfront
9:24 - Communicating with athletes
14:40 - Bottom Line
After finishing third overall at the CrossFit Games, Ricky Garard feels more confident than ever that he's on the right track to climb to the top of the podium. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Garard to discuss the highs and lows of the Games, what it was like to be back and even how the energy from fans can play a huge part in mindset during the week of competition.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Video Breakdown:
1:00 - Vacationing with Pina Colada
5:00 - Emotions with the CrossFit Games
8:00 - What happened in the Echo Press Event
9:45 - Envisioning being back
14:00 - How the fans affect his headspace
15:45 - Atmosphere with the other athletes
18:13 - Chalked out his eyebrows
20:10 - Programming and Games volume
23:24 - Is the Games different now
24:24 - Off season competition plans
After Rogue published a finalized list of competitors on their website for the Invitational, there were some glaring holes in who wasn't on the list in the women's field. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss the top athletes who won't be there, what this means for the podium and how the competition between the men's and women's fields will be vastly different.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/09/15/is-the-2022-rogue-invitational-roster-finalized-breaking-down-whos-in-and-whos-not/
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Who is competing
2:55 - Why say no to biggest prize purse
5:20 - Who will be the women's champion
7:40 - Will Rogue backfill
9:12 - The bottom line
Whether you're a CrossFit Games athlete or someone with specific Open or Quarterfinal goals -- training during the off season is the time to dial in on some of those weaknesses. But prioritizing movements or even modalities can be tricky, especially when we're trying to have a healthy season.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chris Hinshaw, the founder of Aerobic Capacity and Strongman Rob Kearney, programmer of the STRONG track for HWPO, to break down how athletes can be working on both endurance and strength in the off season.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Show Breakdown:
2:40 - Which lifts take priority
4:30 - Differences based on weaknesses
5:40 - Focusing on strength and endurance
8:20 - Balancing the two modalities
11:20 - Progressing through the season
12:45 - How long can we stretch a strength cycle
14:00 - Not losing your gains
15:25 - The interference effect
17:30 - Hours training
19:10 - The bottom line
We took The Bottom Line on the road in Madrid, Spain! Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil caught up with Dylan Malitsky, the VP of Sports for Loud And Live to chat about the decision to change the competition format allowing athletes to compete in team and individual. Malitsky discusses how this will impact the future of Wodapalooza, what athletes are saying, and even gives us a sneak peek into the elite payouts.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/09/08/wodapalooza-makes-splash-with-format-change-we-did-some-soul-searching/
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Why the change in format
1:35 - A peak into programming
2:18 - Feedback from athletes
3:30 - How will this impact spectator turnout
4:30 - When will the programming release
5:25 - Whose coming
5:50 - The bottom line
Making his eighth appearance at the CrossFit Games, Pat Vellner had high hopes to inch back up the leaderboard. To his surprise, and many analysts and fans, he placed just outside of the podium finishing sixth overall. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Vellner to discuss how he's utilizing pliability to help his mobility in the off season, the difference in programming this year at the Games and why he thinks this system is good for the sport.
To learn more about Pliability and work on your mobility today, click the link:
https://pliability.app/mcu
Show Breakdown:
0:45 - Recovering from the Games
3:53 - Working with Pliability
7:50 - Where is Vellner sore
11:00 - Getting back into training
14:15 - Processing this years Games
20:40 - Changes to his training
23:50 - Celebrating wins
25:00 - How to warm-up in the back
28:10 - Rookies versus Veterans
34:00 - Vellner will be back next season
37:00 - Looking ahead to 2023
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/09/05/romwod-embarks-upon-new-era-with-pliability-rebrand/
With the close of the season, athletes are reevaluating not only their training but where they're training. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss the recent news of three notable athletes changing camps, if these moves were the right ones and what we can expect to see with other athletes making their own moves.
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Athletes moving to HWPO
4:00 - All three are former CompTrain athletes
5:14 - Is this good for Katrin's future
6:38 - Athletes on the move
8:54 - Gabi Migala also leaves
10:53 - The bottom line
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/08/27/crossfit-games-veteran-amanda-barnhart-leaves-comptrain-as-exodus-continues/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/09/06/gabriela-migala-parts-ways-with-the-progrms-john-singleton-this-is-just-a-natural-progression/
The Rogue Invitational online qualifier leaderboard has been finalized and we're taking a first look at which athletes will be heading to Austin, TX to prove their fitness. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss how they might stack up against the rest of the field, and answer the question of whether this is the best group of "Q" qualifiers yet.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Show Breakdown:
0:58 - Looking at the leaderboard
2:22 - Legacy athletes coming to Rogue
3:00 - Categorizing these athletes
4:42 - Who Brian is excited to see
6:00 - This years qualifiers stacked against previous qualifiers
8:00 - Will anyone finish top 5 or 10
8:20 - Is it the best group yet
9:00 - Bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/09/07/rogue-finalizes-rx-leaderboard-best-group-of-rogue-qualifiers-ever/
Most professional sports have an off season that lasts about six months. But for CrossFit? If we factor in the off season major competitions and the online qualification process, there's really only about a month of true downtime. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with head coach at Underdogs Athletics, Justin Cotler, Brian Friend and Joe Genetin-Pilawa to layout the whole season, discuss the challenges for athletes and look at possible solutions to reformat the off season.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Show Breakdown:
1:15 - Joe takes us through the history of previous off seasons
2:45 - Justin reminds us what Sanctionals was like for athletes
4:45 - Laying out the entire season
8:15 - Comparing CrossFit to golf
9:00 - How to get athletes paid
12:30 - Brians instagram suggestions
13:44 - Is making money or competing at the Games more important
16:00 - How do coaches help athletes decide
18:24 - Suggestion for the season
23:30 - Comparing the top athletes and their approach
26:00 - Zelos Games qualifiers
27:32 - More money making opportunities
31:30 - The bottom line
Related Video:
https://youtu.be/_wtBy_O9SDk
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/09/04/qualifying-for-the-off-season-majors-a-professional-athletes-dilemma/
As if winning the Upper Extremity division at the CrossFit Games two years running wasn't impressive enough, Casey Acree did so in a dominant fashion. Acree took first in all 8 events, placing 280 points ahead of the second-place finisher. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Acree and Alec Zirkenbach of the Adaptive Training Academy to recap the Games, discuss how the adaptive divisions have moved forward this year and how Reebok is playing a key component in pushing the divisions forward.
Check out the link below to get your pair of Reebok Nano X2s.
https://bit.ly/3OG340z
Show Breakdown:
1:30 - Acree training for the Games and coaching footballs
3:15 - Winning every single event
5:05 - Comparing 2021 to 2022 Games
7:22 - Improvements to adaptive divisions
12:00 - How to make the divisions more inclusive
14:20 - Season structure
16:00 - Adaptive Training Academy
18:45 - Acree's role with ATA
19:45 - Reebok Bonus Program with adaptive division
24:30 - Off-season competitions
25:45 - Reebok donates to ATA
27-30 - Future of adaptive divisions
29:30 - What would Acree like to see in the adaptive division
32:00 - Any hints to next year
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/21/competing-and-coaching-in-madison-casey-acree-pulling-double-duties/
Whether Tia-Clair Toomey retires now, in a year, or in 5, there inevitably will be an impact to the women's division and the sport once she hangs up her hat. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and James Hobart to discuss whether her dominance is better when she's in the sport competing or once she retires and the impact she'll have once she does retire.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Show Breakdown:
0:54 - Impact once Tia retires
4:21 - How does her dominance play into the non-CrossFit community
7:00 - Other athletes in the mix
9:45 - Is it good to have athletes "break the programming"
13:35 - Is the sport better now or once she retires
16:06 - The bottom line
It's the question many of us have been asking well before the CrossFit Games: is Tia-Clair Toomey retiring? We heard it on the CrossFit Games broadcast, we've heard Toomey herself allude to it, so what's it going to be? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dex Hopkins and James Hobart to dissect the topic and discuss what we really think will happen with Toomey going into the 2023 season.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Show Breakdown:
1:47 - Will Tia retire before the 2023 Games
4:45 - Is Tia doing team?!
6:20 - Hints alluding to her last Games
7:20 - Was this Games dominant enough for her
9:16 - Did she change her mind mid-Games
11:50 - Does Tia want to beat the programming
13:26 - Going out on her own terms
15:14 - Will she retire at an off-season competition
19:40 - The bottom line
Now that we've had a chance to take a step back and look at the entire CrossFit Games Season as a whole, is this a structure that moves the sport forward? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Chase Ingraham to discuss the length of the season, if quarterfinals and semifinals are necessary and some suggestions on how to drive the sport forward.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Show Breakdown:
1:37 - Should there be a true off-season for athletes
3:00 - Why don't athletes just do off-season competitions
4:00 - Has the season structure progressively gotten better
6:30 - Advancing from the open to quarters
11:08 - Reviewing the season with quarterfinals and semifinals
13:00 - Does Brian want to say goodbye to quarters
15:18 - Does this structure grow the sport professionally
17:36 - Brian and Chase's main suggestions for the season
18:46 - Can we have the fittest 40 men and women with a change in structure
21:18 - The bottom line
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/08/28/do-we-need-both-quarterfinals-and-semifinals/
2x CrossFit Games champ and veteran of the sport, Annie Thorisdottir, had a much different experience in Madison this year. Opting out of the individual division to make a run for the podium on Team CrossFit Reykjavík, the results were not was Thorisdottir and her team expected. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Thorisdottir to discuss some of the challenges the team faced, how Katrín Davíðsdóttir almost ended up on the team, and where her head is at heading into the 2023 season.
Check out the link below to get your pair of Reebok Nano X2s.
https://bit.ly/3OG340z
With the close of the CrossFit Games, the off-season is already well underway as athletes decide which events they plan to compete at. With that -- the return of online qualifiers...which brings us full circle to the topic of workout standards. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss some notable athletes that will not be at the Rogue Invitational, not due to lack of fitness, but from not reading the directions before performing certain workouts.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
CrossFit’s Global President, Jason Dunlop, is out after a little over a year, adding to a flurry of moves at the top for the embattled company’s leadership core. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Justin LoFranco to discuss the timing of this announcement, what it means for the leadership at CrossFit and what we hope to see moving forward.
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - where did this news come from
1:56 - strategy behind making this public now
2:54 - impact of stability of CrossFit
6:19 - are these just growing pains
9:12 - trading in CrossFit for Orangetheory
11:00 - the bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/08/26/breaking-jason-dunlop-resigns-from-crossfit-to-take-lead-role-with-orangetheory-fitness/
CrossFit Games athlete Amanda Barnhart announced on her social media that she'll be leaving CompTrain. Barnhart’s departure marks the fourth instance in the last three Games off-seasons that a high-profile athlete has left the New England-based training camp. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss what this decision means for CompTrain and what he thinks might be going on at the training camp.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - what are we seeing with athletes leaving CompTrain
2:53 - how the coaches staff plays a role in the equation
4:45 - impact on training environment to athletes
6:40 - why are high-level athletes leaving after 2-3 years
8:41 - so what is happening
9:53 - the bottom line
32 cameras, two drones, a camera in a car, and a camera in a boat. That's what it took to make The Capitol Event come to life on the CrossFit Games Livestream. And don't forget...that was just one event! Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with one of the masterminds at the forefront of the CrossFit Games broadcast, Mike Roth, to get an inside look at how the broadcast has evolved over the last 11 years, the interworkings of his team with the Games programming, and why certain decisions are made when it comes to which athletes get air time.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Completing his 9th CrossFit Games, Noah Ohlsen is a veteran that fans expect to see among the fittest. From his best ever finish in 2019 placing second on the podium, to his 12th place finish this year -- defining success has shifted for him over the years. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Ohlsen to discuss how the Games experience has changed for him each year, what it was like winning Spirit of the Games and he even teased ahead to his team for Wodapalooza 2023.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
It's been a big year for Saxon Panchik. He moved to Tenessee to train with the PRVN crew at the beginning of the season and followed that up by winning the Open and his Semifinal. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Saxon to recap his Games season, discuss some positive takeaways although he didn't place where he wanted on the leaderboard, and what his plans are for the 2023 season.
Check out the link below to get your pair of Reebok Nano X2s.
https://bit.ly/3OG340z
Chyna Cho has done it all. She's competed at the Games numerous times as an individual, stood on top of the podium with CrossFit Mayhem Freedom, been on the Games demo team and this year -- stood on the podium as a masters athlete. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil caught up with Cho to recap her season, discuss how the master's division could potentially improve and even teased a "hypothetical Super Team."
Check out the link below to get your pair of Reebok Nano X2s.
https://bit.ly/3OG340z
Two-time CrossFit Games athlete Jayson Hopper had a slow start in Madison. With a goal of top 10 and starting the week in the bottom half of the field, he had a lot of work in front of him to earn enough points to reach his goal. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Hopper to talk about how he ultimately surpassed his goal on the leaderboard, some of the highlights from the Games and even teased ahead to a team he's creating for Wodapalooza.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
She won the hearts of fans in Madison as she gritted through the Capitol event, Rebecca Fuselier. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with her to recap her rookie year at the CrossFit Games, discuss how the Capitol was a bitter-sweet moment and how this is just the beginning of her Games journey ahead.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
Rookie of the Year, Nick Matthew, can be spotted pretty quickly on the competition field. Yes -- by his really swift jump rope and gymnastics skills, but even more notable -- his crop tops. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Matthew to discuss his rookie year at the Games, how he got the nickname "crop top Nick" and even some exciting apparel you can expect to see coming soon...
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
After punching her ticket through the Last Chance Qualifier, Arielle Loewen placed 11th overall for her second CrossFit Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Loewen to discuss what it was like to have her first event win, go head to head in the final heat with some of the top dogs, and possible solutions to advance the right athletes to the CrossFit Games.
The U.S. Army’s Warrior Fitness:
https://www.goarmy.com/?iom=BHCQ-2747552_FMT_AP_2747552_USAREC_MEB_EVENT_LAP
As Games veteran Brent Fikowski wrapped up his 7th CrossFit Games, the outcome of finishing 16th was far from what he expected. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil catches up with Fikowski to discuss this year's placement, the changes in programming, his role in the PFAA during the Games and even one of his recent Instagram posts that gives us a peak behind the curtain to conversations among the men's field.
Check out the link below to get your pair of Reebok Nano X2s.
https://bit.ly/3OG340z
The CrossFit Games can be an emotional roller coaster -- for the athletes, spouses, coaches, and of course...managers. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil caught up with one of the most notable managers in the CrossFit Space, Snorri Baron, to discuss what it was like to have two of his athletes on the podium, some of the emotions he was feeling throughout the weekend and what we can expect from him and his athletes this next coming year.
Who will stand on the podium on the men's field at the Games? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chase Ingraham and Adrian Conway as they reveal their 1, 2 and 3 on the men's podium.
30% off plus free shipping for FITAID Energy with link:
fitaidenergy.com/mcu
Who will stand on the podium on the women's field at the Games? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Jamie Hagiya and Bella Martin as they reveal their 1, 2 and 3 on the women's podium.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
The Fittest Man in Australia, Jay Crouch, is packed and ready for Madison. He sits down with Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil to discuss what success for him at the Games looks like, the heavy lifts he does and doesn't want to see on Saturday and what trainings been like through each stage of competition.
Check out the link below to get your pair of Reebok Nano X2s.
https://bit.ly/3OG340z
Amanda Barnhart is headed to the CrossFit Games for her 5th consecutive year after coming off a 2nd place finish at Granite Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with her to discuss the ups and downs of Games prep, what she hopes to see in the programming and how training in her 30's has changed from her 20's.
Check out the link below to get your pair of Reebok Nano X2s.
https://bit.ly/3OG340z
Adrian Bozman has been a busy man lately. Programming the CrossFit Games, testing the Events, making sure his team is ready, and of course -- amping up the Games by making his rounds to the different podcasts and YouTube shows in the space.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil and Patrick Clark sit down with Boz to talk about some things that have yet to be answered and even get a few teasers into this year's programming, when we can expect to know more, and who might replace Demo Team athlete, Royce Dunne.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
0:41 - Boz arrives to Madison
1:51 - Making his rounds on all the media platforms
2:36 - What it will be like at the Games with his new position
3:43 - This years head judges
4:50 - Who Boz worked with to program the Games
6:22 - Where does feedback come for Games programming
7:30 - Demo teams influence on programming
9:10 - Who might replace demo team athlete, Royce Dunne
10:43 - The diversity with whose on the demo team
12:05 - Boz addressed judging at the Games
15:40 - Best part of programming the Games
17:26 - Most difficult part of programming the Games
19:09 - Planning for next year
20:00 - Teasers to the Games
22:20 - The bottom line
It's time to lay out the rest of the women's field in our podium predictions. Jamie Hagiya and Bella Martin are back to reveal who their 4-10 in the women's division are.
Save 25% on your first order of UCAN with code CHALKUP at link:
http://ucan.co/chalkup
Exactly one week before the CrossFit Games, CrossFit announced their 2022 season demo team, which included Australian athlete Royce Dunne. Just a day later -- Dunne took to social media and announced, "unfortunately, I will not be making my way to Madison to participate on the Demo team at this year's."
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Dunne to discuss how his vaccination status ultimately prevented him from traveling to the U.S., why last year he was able to travel to the U.S. without a vaccination and the ups and downs this season has brought.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Dunne's Instagram Post:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CgiTnSnPtfo/
Show Breakdown:
1:12 - Emotions of not qualifying to the Games
2:44 - The landscape of Oceania only having 3 Games spots
6:52 - CrossFit asks Dunne to be part of the Demo team
8:38 - Thoughts when he was asked to be on Demo team
10:28 - Why Dunne won't be on the Demo team
12:55 - How he made it to the Games last year
13:47 - Could CrossFit have helped get clearance
16:00 - Insight to the Demo team
18:20 - Diversity of the Demo team each year
19:32 - The bottom line
The Games are closing in and we're checking in on the most important storylines you should be following in the Masters divisions. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Patrick Clark and Chad Schroeder to get their take on what the biggest topics within the division are.
To learn more about cbdMD and save 20% on your next purchase, clink the link:
https://www.cbdmd.com/
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/26/2022-crossfit-games-preview-mens-masters-divisions/
The Games are 1 week away and we're checking in on the most important storylines you should be following in the Teen divisions. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Patrick Clark and Ava Kitzi to get their takes on who you should be watching in each category.
35% off of Beam:
shopbeam.com/MCU
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/25/2022-crossfit-games-preview-teen-divisions/
It's time to layout the rest of the men's field in our podium predictions. Chase Ingraham and Adrian Conway are back to reveal who their 4-10 in the men's division are.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
0:44 - Was beyond the podium easier than podium picks
2:00 - Where they placed Ricky Garard
4:40 - Ranking Jeff Adler
5:55 - Outliers on Chase's roster
7:18 - Adrian's outliers
9:35 - The bottom line
Who will be awarded most improved at the CrossFit Games? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sit's down with Tommy Marquez, Brian Friend and Patrick Clark as they all picked a different athlete who they think will earn the title.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
1:40 - What is the criteria for most improved
2:53 - Variables PC considered.
3:35 - Elements Tommy looked at
4:50 - Tommy's pick
6:27 - PC's pick
8:10 - Brian's pick
10:30 - Where are the men picks?
13:02 - Other names that stood out
14:12 - The bottom line
Every year, the CrossFit Games awards one rookie of the year based on which athlete places the highest overall. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Brian Friend, Tommy Marquez and Patrick Clark to discuss what they considered when revealing their rookie of the year picks.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - How Tommy came up with his pick
1:40 - PC looking at the strength of the field
2:00 - Brian's breakdown
2:45 - Brian's pick
4:41 - PC's pick
6:45 - Tommy's pick
8:50 - Any stolen picks
9:38 - Where's Roman Khrennikov?
11:27 - Other rookies in the mix
13:14 - The bottom line
Ever wonder how some of our analysts come up with their Games predictions? Tyler Watkins worked with our experts in the space to develop a formula to better help predict their ranking. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Watkins and Brian Friend to get a better understanding of how the formula they developed can even be used by your average CrossFit fan!
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show breakdown:
1:00 - Developing the system
1:30 - How the group of analysts worked together
2:30 - Different time domains to consider
5:00 - Modalities that play a part in predictions
7:16 - The actual formula broken down into basic terms
9:00 - Breaking down the overall rankings
10:00 - Why develop this
13:20 - Are we close to having CrossFit brackets to bet on
14:30 - The bottom line
It's not very common to see Games events repeated, although it has been done a handful of times. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with former CrossFit Games athletes Margaux Alvarez and Dan Bailey to discuss which past Games Events they'd like to see repeated and why they both actually prefer to have new programming once athletes get to the final stage of competition.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - Variables that went into choosing their repeats
2:00 - 2007 and 2013 Event
3:39 - 2015 Sprint Course
5:57 - Sandbag 2015
9:15 - 2011 Rope-Clean Event
10:42 - 2014 Triple 3
13:55 - Why repeats are so rare at the Games
16:52 - The bottom line
The CrossFit Games just announced what the 2022 Games will have in store when it comes to individual and team athletes being cut from the field. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss how cuts impact scoring and payouts -- but also -- how it could potentially help with programming integrity.
Pre-order the latest in footwear innovation at TYR:
https://www.tyr.com/
After NOBULL released a select group of Games athletes to have their names printed on replica jerseys, a few more athletes were awarded jerseys based on fan requests.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil and Patrick Clark catch up with Kara Saunders and Travis Mayer to discuss what it was like to have their jerseys added to the group, training leading up to the Games, and how Saunders plans to help out other Aussie athletes with the proceeds she receives from her jerseys.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
2:00 - Kara Saunders joins the chat
17:15 - Kalil and PC discuss the other athletes that were chosen
24:15 - Travis Mayer arrives with GOOD AUDIO after two tough goes at it
39:40 - Final thoughts on what the community has been saying
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/14/games-athletes-to-get-cut-of-nobull-jersey-sales/
What are power rankings? And how do we come up with them? These two questions come up as much as anything when we put these out. More or less, they're soft predictions -- but we'll dive into how we come up with them in the episode.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil and Brian Friend give their 1-40 composite power rankings that they chose shortly after the Last Chance Qualifier. They dive into specific athletes who were outliers among the group, both over-ranked and under-ranked. Pat Clark, Chad Schroeder, Chase Ingraham and Tommy Marquez also contributed to the article we have linked below.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
1:58 - Lauren ranking Lucy Campbell
3:15 - Brian discusses off-season competition relevance
3:52 - Brian brings up his Paige Semenza pick
5:00 - Challenges with breaking into top 10 and top 20
6:30 - Lauren discussing Thuri Helgadottir
7:30 - Emma Lawson ranked by Brian
9:14 - Amanda Barnhart's overall ranking
11:00 - Brooke Wells coming into the discussion
13:30 - Dani Speegle the biggest controversy
15:30 - The bottom line
What are power rankings? And how do we come up with them? These two questions come up as much as anything when we put these out. More or less, they're soft predictions -- but we'll dive into how we come up with them in the episode.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil, Brian Friend and Patrick Clark, give their 1-40 composite power rankings that they chose shortly after the Last Chance Qualifier. They dive into specific athletes who were outliers among the group, both over-ranked and under-ranked. Chad Schroeder, Chase Ingraham and Tommy Marquez also contributed to the article we have linked below.
New customers save 20% at Vuori with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Brian Friend hosting the show?!
2:15 - Variables PC looked at for his rankings
3:02 - How Lauren ranked her athletes
4:30 - Laurens ranking on Andre Houdet
5:35 - PC ranking Dallin Pepper
7:00 - Brian ranking Alexandre Caron
8:44 - Lauren ranking Willy Georges
9:37 - PC ranking Jonne Koski
11:26 - Brian ranking Jeff Adler
12:15 - Lauren ranking Jeff Adler so high
12:58 - PC also is high on Adler
13:25 - PC putting Saxon Panchik on the podium
13:55 - Brian looking at a repeat podium
15:44 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/18/crossfit-games-composite-power-rankings-2022-mens-division/
There's a group of rookies looking to kick down the door and breakthrough at the CrossFit Games, but how much of an impact does that have on the results when we specifically look at rookies versus veterans? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Adrian Conway and Jason Croxon to discuss some of the veterans that they think might make a run, how growing up with CrossFit factors into the discussion and even some potential barriers veteran athletes face that rookies don't.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
0:57 - Where do teen Games athletes fit into the conversation
2:48 - Is this a transition year on the Games field
4:30 - How does growing up with CrossFit impact results
7:20 - Which rookies are sneaking into the top 5 or 10
10:35 - Potential downsides to being a veteran over a rookie
13:30 - The bottom line
With another year of the Semifinal season under our belt, Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and James Hobart to discuss whether they think these are in fact, the fittest 40 men and women to throw down at the CrossFit Games. Is the goal to find the fittest 40? What is the ultimate goal? Does the goal move the sport in the right direction? These are all topics the group dives into.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
0:55 - Does the Games season funnel the correct people
2:13 - What the ultimate goal of the current season structure is
3:00 - Performance dictating Games spots
5:13 - Is this something we could see soon
6:47 - Did the programming through the season filter the correct people
7:33 - How would having standardized programming at Semifinals impact the sport
8:53 - Are these the fittest 40
12:35 - Adding more pressure to athletes in specific regions
13:18 - CrossFit's claim and goal of the Games
15:21 - The bottom line
There's a lot going on in south Florida in Naples at the Brute Strength Training Camp, and head coach Matt Torres is here to bring us all up to speed.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Torres to discuss the addition of Danielle Brandon to the group, if she plans to be full-time, how she's mixing with the group and what that will look like going forward. The two also discuss the recent news of Phil Toon testing positive for a banned substance, how Torres is using it as a learning opportunity for his other athletes and even teases ahead to some other faces we could see soon in Naples as well.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
After the news that NOBULL would give athletes with Games replica jerseys $20 per sale, questions were raised about whether the program was inclusive enough.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss which athletes were included and left off, some possible solutions to make the program more inclusive, and ultimately why NOBULL might have chosen to move forward with the program the way they did.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/14/video-nobull-paying-athletes-for-games-jersey-sales/
NOBULL announced that this year, athletes who have Games replica jerseys will receive $20 for each jersey sold -- something new that wasn't done last year. From our previous reporting, NOBULL said there wasn't enough time to make it happen for the 2021 Games from the time they became a sponsor, but it was their goal to pay the athletes for the 2022 Games.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Todd Meleney, Chief Marketing Officer for NOBULL, to discuss specifically how this will work, how much money they project athletes can make and how fans can help get more jerseys made to support their favorite athletes.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Show Breakdown:
0:57- How long this has been in the works
1:45 - How the payment works for athletes
2:42 - Projection for how much athletes can potentially make
4:40 - Jerseys will be available online after the Games
5:20 - Will all 40 athletes have jerseys
6:28 - Deciding who gets a jersey and who doesn't
7:40 - Jerseys for other divisions
8:51 - Working on the request form for fans
9:50 - Why do this
11:57 - Bottom Line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/01/26/athletes-speak-out-against-not-getting-paid-for-jersey-sales/
Reebok's Bonus Program at the Games is back, giving athletes more earning opportunities for winning events while wearing a select lineup of Reebok footwear. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Justin LoFranco and Brent Fikowski
Competing athletes must register and sign a participation agreement before an event takes place.
To register for the program:
https://www.reebok.com/us/signup/2a92b317-25f1-44bb-b4d1-0dc71ee2cf65
Show Breakdown:
0:50 - Huge earning potential for athletes
1:32 - Athletes from last year trying to get their hands on the shoes before events
2:45 - Adding professionalism to the sport
5:08 - How this can help offset travel expenses
8:24 - Will more brands come to the table
10:45 - What it was like behind the scenes for athletes
12:10 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/06/28/reeboks-bonus-program-back-for-2022-nobull-crossfit-games/
Atleast 13 athletes have tested positive for banned substances this season as more individual and team competitors pop hot. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Justin LoFranco to bring us up to speed on everything that's happening with drug testing at Semifinals.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
http://vuori.com/mcupod
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/10/crossfit-commit-okavango-draws-legitimacy-of-drug-testing-protocols-into-question-on-the-back-of-failed-drug-test-at-fict/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/11/breaking-phil-toon-announces-granite-games-drug-test-failure/
Is it possible? Who has a shot? Do the athletes on the women's field have to wait for Toomey to retire before we see another at the top of the podium? These are questions Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil dives into with James Townsend and Greg Lanctot. They discuss some ways that athletes on the women's field could potentially take town Toomey or at least begin to close the gap between first and second place.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
0:52 - How the women's field needs to go round for round with Toomey
1:55 - Is this the year the field gets closer to Toomey
3:50 - How Toomey's experience sets her so far ahead
6:18 - What can the other athletes do to close the gap
7:05 - Does Toomey need to retire for us to see someone else win
8:02 - Townsends take on which athletes could challenge Toomey
8:55 - Lanctots picks for who can take on Toomey
11:15 - How many titles can Toomey win
11:32 - The bottom line
After Nycolas Joyal took to social media to admit he “knowingly used banned substances for precisely two weeks,” questions were raised. Morning Chalk Up’s Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Tommy Marquez to discuss what this means for the sport and how it directly impacts the mens field, specifically with backfills.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
https://vuoriclothing.com/pages/pod_mcu
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/06/breaking-canadian-nycolas-joyal-said-he-knowingly-used-banned-substances-for-precisely-two-weeks/
When we look at professionalizing the sport, a big topic for conversation is how can athletes get paid more so they can be full-time athletes. But -- at the current state, many athletes do still have part or even full-time jobs on top of trying to be a Games athlete.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with CrossFit Games coach Michele Letendre and CrossFit Games agent Cooper Marsh to discuss whether Games athletes truly need to be 100% athletes in order to be a top-level competitor.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
0:52 - Impact of transitioning from part-time to full-time athlete
1:36 - Fee Saghafi still working part-time
2:10 - Michele Letendre's experience working as a part-time athlete
3:50 - How does the stress from work affect training
5:18 - Pat Vellner is the exception for being able to work and compete
8:01 - What do we consider "full-time athlete"
9:30 - What is it about Vellner that allows him to work and podium at the Games
11:13 - The bottom line
After the announcement that Danielle Brandon and Underdogs Athletics will no longer be working together, Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sit down with Brian Friend and Dex Hopkins to discuss how this might impact her performance at the CrossFit Games.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
https://vuoriclothing.com/pages/pod_mcu
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/07/06/breaking-danielle-brandon-and-underdogs-athletics-parts-ways/
For four straight years, Roman Khrennikov sat back and watched other athletes compete at the CrossFit Games. Like those athletes, he earned his place to compete but couldn't make it to the states due to visa struggles.
Now that he'll finally compete on the big stage, will he break the top 10 or even top 5? Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chase Ingraham and Dex Hopkins to discuss why they both think his fitness is there, but other variables are going to be that deciding factor.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
0:57 - Do any of Romans previous wins give us a good indicator for how he'll perform at the Games
2:09 - How the Game's atmosphere could impact performance
5:50 - Roman finally making it to the states
7:30 - How does being a "rookie" affect him
9:15 - Outside factors being the determining factor
10:40 - Is he top 5
13:11 - Looking at last year's podiums: who swaps out?
14:08 - Depth of the men's field
16:50 - Does Roman shift the leaderboard
19:44 - The bottom line
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/06/05/roman-khrennikov-was-scary-good-at-the-far-east-throwdown-but-where-would-he-have-stacked-up-at-other-2022-semifinals/
The leaderboard is official and we have the full slate of athletes heading to Madison for the CrossFit Games. But with the second year of the same season format -- is the Last Chance Qualifier a good test to advance the final 4 athletes to the Games?
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Dex Hopkins to discuss the men's and women's fields and whether the LCQ found the last fittest of the 40.
New customers save 20% at Vouri with link:
vuori.com/thebottomline
Show Breakdown:
0:57 - Surprises from those qualified on the men's field
3:18 - Looking at the 2 female qualifiers
7:40 - The growth of the field of athletes
9:05 - Are these the best athletes from the LCQ field
10:54 - Style of LCQ to advance athletes
13:36 - The bottom line
The 2021 CrossFit Games was the first time in five years we saw someone other than Mat Fraser stand on the top of the podium on the men's field, Justin Medeiros. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with James Townsend and Greg Lanctot to discuss whether Medeiros will be able to hold that number 1 spot again or if another athlete will rise to the top.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
0:38 - Does Justin's consistency put him in a good place to win
2:34 - The battles across the men's field this year
3:36 - How knowing Medeiros only has 1 win thus far plays a role in the equation
5:47 - Is there an athlete who could be dominant
7:40 - Who could go toe-to-toe with Medeiros
9:30 - Whose gambling $1k on Medeiros to win the Games!!
11:10 - The bottom line
The newest CrossFit Games documentary is about to release about a month out from the 2022 CrossFit Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil and Brian Friend got a first look at the film and discuss their thoughts surrounding the title, storyline selection and characters that did and didn't make the cut.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
0:41 - Thoughts on the title "next gen"
2:22 - Dave Castro's role in the documentary
4:50 - The balance of veterans versus rookies
8:00 - Annie Thorisdottir's role in the film
9:42 - Takeaways from how Brooke Wells' injury was covered
11:10 - What athletes had storylines that were left out
14:40 - The bottom line
With many changes in leadership over the past two years and still no CEO in place, we're raising the question of whether CrossFit HQ has a long-term vision and if so, what that might be. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Justin LoFranco as he sets the scene of CrossFit's history of communicating its goals and where they currently stand based on what we currently know.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
1:20 - Is HQ waiting for an official CEO to deploy their vision publicly
3:18 - History of sharing CrossFit's vision
9:30 - Some indicators of what their vision could be
10:45 - Should there be a separate vision for sport and methodology
16:33 - The bottom line
Our sports analysts are back with their picks to head to the CrossFit Games from the Last Chance Qualifier -- but this time, they're doing it mock draft style.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend, Patrick Clark and Tommy Marquez to go over their draft picks, if anything changes now that the programming has been released and who they left off their lists.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/06/27/last-chance-qualifier-2022-mock-draft-womens-division/
The Last Chance Qualifier is about to kick off and CrossFit has released the final 4 tests to decide who will advance to the Games.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend and Patrick Clark to get their first takes on the programming and whether these are appropriate tests to advance the final pair of athletes to Madison this summer.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
1:00 - Workout 1
5:17 - Workout 2
8:40 - Workout 3
11:20 - Workout 4
13:30 - Most critical workout
15:30 - The bottom line
Our sports analysts are back with their picks to head to the CrossFit Games from the Last Chance Qualifier -- but this time, they're doing it mock draft style.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend, Patrick Clark and Tommy Marquez to go over their draft picks, if anything changes now that the programming has been released and who they left off their lists.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/06/26/last-chance-qualifier-2022-mock-draft-mens-division/
The Last Chance Qualifier is underway and both Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Sara Sigmundsdóttir are fighting for that final opportunity to return to the CrossFit Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chase Ingraham and Dex Hopkins to discuss which Dottir they think has a better shot at grabbing that final ticket to Madison.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
1:02 - Is Sara ready mentally and physically
4:33 - Is Katrin a more dangerous competitor right now
6:30 - Who comes out on top
7:23 - Do both of them qualify
9:16 - How the programming plays a huge part in the outcome
12:05 - The bottom line
CrossFit HQ has dropped a major piece of information about the 2022 NOBULL CrossFit Games through a permit application teasing an off-site event with a route going through the city of Madison. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Justin LoFranco to discuss some first takes on potential workouts based on the permit and their history pertaining to the Games.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Show Breakdown:
0:46 - What division could this event be for
1:33 - The application hasn't been approved yet
3:00 - What type of event could this be based on the route and distance
4:30 - How does the off-site event occurring on Friday play a role in programming
5:45 - The permit includes equipment at the site
7:00 - A closer look at one of the maps
9:00 - Justin dumpster diving
9:30 - Could a water event be included
11:30 - Is there a timeline of when this could get approved
13:30 - The bottom line
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/06/23/permit-drops-serious-hint-about-offsite-madison-event-at-2022-nobull-crossfit-games/
Earlier this week we took a look at the competition between Justin Medeiros and Patrick Vellner -- but the rest of the men's field at the Games is going to be nothing short of intense. We saw just a glimpse of the depth of the field at Semifinals -- but when you get all of these Games athletes together it's going to be anyone's fight.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Jacob Heppner and Adrian Conway to discuss how competitive the men's division is and how this is a good indicator of what it means for the future of the sport
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
0:52 - How have the Semifinals set us up to see a stacked men's field at the Games
2:10 - Young athletes are changing the sport
3:43 - Is this the most competitive men's field
7:34 - How do you predict who will do well at the Games
9:40 - The bottom line
Discussing whether anyone in the women's field can give Tia-Clair Toomey an actual run at the top podium spot, is pretty unlikely but -- that doesn't mean there won't be some fun battles and event wins from other athletes.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Chyna Cho and Jamie Hagiya to discuss whether Mal O'Brien is Tia's number one contender for that top spot and if not, who?
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
1:00 - Will Mal have a similar performance from the Semifinals at the Games
1:56 - Expectations for Mal in Madison
2:50 - Is Mal a threat to Tia or a podium contender
5:30 - How much of an advantage does Mal have with Fraser as her coach
6:24 - Who could give Tia a run at the Games
8:50 - The bottom lin
It's the battle we watched last year and it's the battle we hope to watch again this year -- Justin Medeiros versus Pat Vellner. When predicting who will finish ahead of who, what data can we look at? Last year's Games? The recent semifinals? Maybe none of the above and there's something else.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Jacob Heppner and Adrian Conway to discuss who they have winning the battle and how they came up with their pick.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
0:58 - Are semifinal placements a good predictor for Games performance
3:45 - Can we look at last year's Games performances to predict this year
8:50 - How winning can set you up for more success
11:15 - Adding Adler to the conversation
13:00 - The bottom line
Now that Semifinals are wrapped up -- Games athletes are dialing in their training to prepare for Madison. As you could imagine, training looks quite different when getting ready for a Semifinal versus the Games...but how much different does a Games athlete's endurance or engine work look like during this final push?
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with the engine expert himself, Chris Hinshaw, to discuss how which Semifinal you compete at factors into your training and why implementing running year-round to your training is so important.
Video Breakdown:
0:52 - Transitioning from Semifinal training to Games training
1:45 - The difference in your training based on when your Semifinal was
2:50 - How are these athletes preparing for potentially a marathon event
4:30 - Can you implement this training before Semifinals
6:35 - Do most Games athletes run year-round
7:47 - What's the sweet spot for engine training
11:09 - The advantage of being a veteran runner
Rich Froning has teased that this could potentially be his last year competing on a team at the CrossFit Games. Of course -- nothing with "retirement" in our sport is ever final, but it does raise questions as to where that leaves the team division when he does step away from the field.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chase Ingraham and Dex Hopkins to discuss how not just the team division changes but how the sport changes once Rich Froning retires.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
0:42 - What Dex thinks about Froning in the team division as a past competitor
3:12 - Is the team division more or less interesting without Froning
5:48 - What would his retirement mean for Mayhem Freedom
7:33 - Will they take someone from the men's individual field
10: 55 - Does a Mayhem team stay at the top of the podium
12:13 - What happens if the women of Mayhem Freedom retire
16:28 - The bottom line
After standing on top of the podium at the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge Semifinal -- all eyes were on Danielle Brandon, especially finishing strong with 3 straight event wins. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with two of her coaches from Underdogs Athletics, Justin Cotler and Kiefer Lammi to discuss her fitness journey over the last year.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
0:46 - Did her coaches think she'd win the MACC
1:45 - Video of Danielle from MACC
2:13 - Kiefers take on her training ahead of MACC
3:12 - What in her training led to a Semifinal win
5:23 - How has her training been impacted without her two main training partners
7:28 - Managing DB's emotions during competition
10:16 - How dangerous will DB be in Madison?
12:22 - The nail polish started with Kiefer NOT Justin!!
If anyone was holding on to hope that Mat Fraser would potentially come back and compete, I think it's clear that he is officially retired -- at least until he becomes a Master. But with the field that we're looking at right now on the men's side, are there athletes that could potentially do what Fraser did in the sense of winning and his dominance?
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Ben Bergeron and Jason Khalipa to discuss the topic and dive into what truly makes Fraser as dominant as he was in the sport, and what it will take to have another run like that in the future.
0:33 - Has Ben ever worked with someone like Fraser
1:17 - Can anyone on the men's field right now do what he did
1:40 - Defining the dominance specifically on the men's field
2:25 - What sets Fraser apart
5:08 - Who are some athletes that could have a dominant run
6:45 - At what point did Fraser become dominant
8:45 - The bottom line
Dave Castro is returning to CrossFit HQ five months after being fired from his position as General Manager of Sport -- but now -- he'll be working as the "key affiliate advisor"
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with former CrossFit Games athletes and long-time members of the community, James Hobart and Adrian Conway to discuss whether they saw this coming, how Castro's return will impact the sport and even where they see the future of CrossFit HQ going.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/06/08/breaking-dave-castro-returns-to-crossfit/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/06/09/andreozzi-castro-will-be-key-affiliate-advisor/
Last year she finished second at the Granite Games and this year, she bumped all the way to the top of the podium. Mal O'Brien punches another ticket to the CrossFit Games after an incredible performance across the board. While the goal wasn't specifically to win her Semifinal, the hard work she's been putting in with coach and five-time CrossFit Games Champ Mat Fraser, certainly paid off.
After Mal O'Brien won the Granite Games, we caught up with the five-time fittest man on Earth and coach, Mat Fraser, to recap her weekend. Fraser discussed how proud he is of her but also alluded to just how fit she is when he revealed that she hasn't gone full throttle...at least not yet.
Phil Toon had an incredible performance at the Granite Games and finally punched his ticket to the CrossFit Games. After working on many of his weaknesses this past year, he was able to close the cap through his consistency along with a home run first-place finish on the Minnesota Mash-Up.
Noah Ohlsen is the definition of climbing the leaderboard all weekend long. With a mix of high and low moments, he was able to punch his ticket to his 9th consecutive CrossFit Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil caught up with Ohlsen to recap the weekend.
The final day of competition was filled with emotions -- for the athletes and their coaches. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with PRVN coach, Shane Orr, to discuss the rollercoaster of competition as he watched his athletes Brooke Wells and Saxon Panchik qualify for the CrossFit Games.
Danielle Brandon was in a Games qualifying position all weekend long...but wanted to leave no doubt on the floor as she dominated the three final events taking first across the board.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with DB just moments after winning the MACC to recap her incredible weekend.
After veteran CrossFit Games athlete Scott Panchik had to withdraw from the Syndicate Crown Semifinal when he injured his knee during the rope climb event, CrossFit GM of Sport Justin Bergh released an official statement on the injury that Panchik says could have been prevented if the ropes were shorter.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with PFAA President Brent Fikowski to discuss how this could have potentially been prevented, why it's imperative to have specific rules and standards outlined, and how the PFAA is working to help.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/23/crossfit-responds-to-scott-panchik-injury-caused-by-rope-at-syndicate-crown/?foo=bar
https://games.crossfit.com/announcement/13575
Baylee Rayl is heading back to the CrossFit Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil catches up with her shortly after she punched her ticket to Madison.
You knew him as a teen, and now, you know him as an individual. Dallin Pepper is heading back to the CrossFit Games but for the first time in the men's individual division. Morning Chalk up's Lauren Kalil sat down with him just moments after punching his Games ticket.
Haley Adams had a show-stopping performance at the Syndicate Crown Semifinal, standing on top of the podium and securing her return to the CrossFit Games. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Adams to discuss her climb to the top of the leaderboard, the momentum this has given her leading up to the CrossFit Games and even her love for ice cream.
Video Breakdown:
1:00 - Plans after winning the Syndicate Crown
2:00 - Adams enjoying downtime watching the Kardashians
2:45 - Her journey to building strength
3:54 - Most proud event at Syndicate
4:27 - Having races with other athletes crossing the finish line
5:36 - Did she expect to win Syndicate
6:33 - Biggest highlight
7:42 - Rapid fire with Adams
10:24 - Adams and her famous Tik-Toks
12:02 - Training leading up to Madison
12:27 - Ultimate goal at the Games
Tia-Clair Toomey is arguably the most dominant athlete to ever enter the sport of CrossFit and with no plans of slowing down. This season, it's incredibly possible that we will see Toomey awarded her 6th title as Fittest Woman on Earth. But are there athletes in the field that can potentially take the title?
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with CEO Justin LoFranco and Armen Hammer to talk about how dominant Toomey is, and what we need to see from the rest of the Games field to potentially shift up the podium.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
1:06 - What does Toomey's Semifinal dominance say about her fitness
2:54 - Looking at the competition level against Toomey
4:03 - How a new Games programmer could play a part in podium results
5:42 - Is there something that could be programmed that Toomey can't do?
8:45 - Other athletes that could potentially take on Toomey
10:30 - Looking at the numbers
13:10 - Justin's hope for someone else to stand on top of the podium
14:00 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/22/tia-clair-toomey-jay-crouch-and-urban-energy-punch-tickets-to-games-with-torian-pro-titles/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/22/tia-clair-toomey-mayhem-freedom-and-crossfit-reykjavik-run-tables-at-semifinals/
Sara Sigmundsdottir is arguably one of the most well-liked and cheered for athletes in CrossFit. It's hard to find someone in the community that doesn't enjoy watching her on the competition floor. But after tearing her ACL at the beginning of her 2021 season, there have been several questions about if she's ready to compete, and if so, how competitive is she after her recovery.
After fighting for her life to punch a 2022 CrossFit Games ticket at the Lowlands Semifinal, Sigmundsdottir finished just one spot out of a qualifying position -- sending her to the Last Chance Qualifier.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Chance Ingraham and Meredith Root to discuss whether she has a true chance to make it back to the Games this season, whether she is past her prime, and what he fitness looks like relative to the rest of the women field.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
0:40 - Where is Sara's fitness right now
1:40 - Has Sara already reached her peak fitness
3:30 - How has working with Training Think Tank impacted her fitness
5:30 - Where Sara falls relative to the rest of the women's field
10:25 - Body competition in relation to being competitive in CrossFit
11:15 - Looking at nutrition and performance
13:08 - Will Sara win the Last Chance Qualifier
15:00 - The bottom line
You read that right...CrossFit Mayhem will send three teams to the CrossFit Games in Madison, WI this summer.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil caught up with Luke Parker from CrossFit Mayhem Independence just moments after standing on top of the podium at the Mid-Atlantic CrossFit Challenge.
For the first time in history, the Games will have twin brothers competing on the competition floor. After a long fight to qualify -- Spencer Panchik has sealed the deal and will be heading to Madison, WI. alongside his brother Saxon.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with him to recap all of his big weekend moments.
It was a race to the finish with only 1 point separating going to the CrossFit Games and Last Chance Qualifier -- but ultimately it was Rebecca Fuselier who will be packing her bags for Madison.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Fuselier to recap that final moment where she realized she was going back to the CrossFit Games...but this time as an individual athlete
CrossFit HQ ruled that Viktor Langsved, a member of CrossFit Nordic Original’s team, was in violation of Affiliate Cup Eligibility Requirements, and was disqualified from competing June 10 – 12 at the Strength in Depth Semifinal. HQ says they're confident in the evidence to disqualify Viktor from competing, but Viktor says he's confident in the material he provided CrossFit that should have allowed him to compete.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brian Friend to discuss what new information he's learned about the case, what this means for teams moving forward, and some advice on how athletes can prevent this from happening in the future.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
0:55 - What have we learned since publishing the article
3:32 - What does this mean for teams if HQ accepts an alternate
4:50 - How can teams be prepared
6:30 - What are the best practices moving forward
7:33 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/31/crossfit-rules-nordics-viktor-langsved-ineligible-allows-team-to-compete-with-alternate/
It's moving day. Day 2 is when we typically see some shifts in the leaderboard...at least for those who are just a few points apart.
For Tia-Clair Toomey, it was a day to assert her dominance but Kara Saunders was not going to let her do it without a fight. Some strategy was used during the barbell complex which ultimately worked in Toomey's favor.
Ricky Garard and Jay Crouch are the men to watch right now -- especially ending day 2 with both at 364 points. One more day of competition to go and anything can happen for which athlete takes home the Torian Pro title.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Bella Martin whose boots on the ground at the Torian Pro to talk about all of the major moments from the day and who you should have your eye on going into the final day of competition.
Day 1 is in the books for the Syndicate Crown in Knoxville, Tennessee -- and many of us are learning a new name on the women's side...Gabby McClelland as she is day 1's overall leaderboard after 2 events.
As for Justin Medeiros...he's doing Justin things, casually finishing in the top 5 for both events but holding that overall leader position.
Speaking of casually sitting in first, how about CrossFit Mayhem Freedom with a clean sweep? The foursome continues to assert their dominance and make it look like just a normal day of work in the barn.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Kiefer Lammi whose boots on the ground at the Syndicate Crown to talk about all of the major moments from the day and who you should have your eye on going into day 2.
Day 1 is in the books for the Lowlands Throwdown in the Netherlands -- and Laura Horvath had a strong start to the competition getting two, second-place finishes putting her in first to wrap up the day.
For the men's side, it's brothers Lazar and Luca Dukic that are leading the pack, but can they stay on top?
As for the teams, CrossFit Reykjavik with no surprise holding a strong lead...the question is, how dominant will they be this weekend?
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Patrick Clark whose boots on the ground at the Lowlands Throwdown to talk about all of the major moments from the day and who you should have your eye on going into day 2.
Day 1 is in the books for the Torian Pro in Australia -- and it's no surprise to see Tia-Clair Toomey leading the way on the women's side. In Event 1, Kara Saunders and Toomey were battling neck and neck but ultimately, Toomey took home the win and ended Day 1 at the top of the leaderboard.
For the men's side, the big story is what happened to Ricky Garard after Event 1?
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Bella Martin whose boots on the ground at Torian to talk about all of the major moments from the day and who you should have your eye on going into day 2.
And...they're off! CrossFit Mayhem Freedom is headed to the Syndicate Crown Semifinal and the team is looking stronger than ever. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Rich Froning and Andrea Nisler to talk about what makes this Mayhem team so powerful, if this could be both Froning and Nislers last year competing and they even play a bit of rapid-fire.
Video Breakdown:
1:03 - Being the first group to tackle Semifinals
2:30 - Mayhem Freedom is not "matchy-matchy"
3:40 - Looking forward to the workouts at Syndicate
4:40 - Is this Mayhem Freedoms strongest team to date
6:10 - Rapid fire questions with Rich and Andrea
8:50 - Can Haley Adams convince Mayhem Freedom to join Tik-Tok
10:06 - Can CrossFit Reykjavik give Mayhem Freedom a run for their money
10:50 - Should there be smack talk in CrossFit
12:10 - Is this the team to sweep the field
13:25 - Are there teams they have their eye on
14:30 - Thoughts on judging this season
17:05 - What's it like having in person judging
18:03 - Excitement for being back in person
18:45 - Is Rich and Andrea retiring if Mayhem Freedom wins the CrossFit Games?
Before each Semifinal, our sports analysts Tommy Marquez, Brian Friend and Patrick Clark will pick who they think will punch their ticket to the CrossFit Games from each respective Semifinal.
Each analyst will pick their Games ticket predictions for the men and women – with a wild card athlete – and then throughout the month of Semifinals, they will receive a point for every athlete they get correct and an additional point if they correctly predicted their placing.
Before each Semifinal, our sports analysts Tommy Marquez, Brian Friend and Patrick Clark will pick who they think will punch their ticket to the CrossFit Games from each respective Semifinal.
Each analyst will pick their Games ticket predictions for the men and women – with a wild card athlete – and then throughout the month of Semifinals, they will receive a point for every athlete they get correct and an additional point if they correctly predicted their placing.
The stage is set for week 1 of Semifinals now that we see the complete picture of programming and the order of events. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with sports analyst Brian Friend and CrossFit Crash Affiliate owner JR Howell to discuss if there's enough variability across the board, what's potentially missing from the programming and how this will affect the big picture when it comes to qualifying for the CrossFit Games.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/15/how-comparable-is-the-2022-crossfit-semifinals-programming-in-week-one/
Before each Semifinal, our sports analysts Tommy Marquez, Brian Friend and Patrick Clark will pick who they think will punch their ticket to the CrossFit Games from each respective Semifinal.
Each analyst will pick their Games ticket predictions for the men and women – with a wild card athlete – and then throughout the month of Semifinals, they will receive a point for every athlete they get correct and an additional point if they correctly predicted their placing.
It's the first in-person CrossFit sanctioned event that we will see Ricky Garard since 2017 -- The Torian Pro Semifinal. As he gears up to try and punch his ticket back to the CrossFit Games, Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil catches up with him to see what it's like being back on the leaderboard and how he's hoping to step food back on the CrossFit Games Floor
Video Breakdown:
0:22 - Getting ready for the Torian Pro
1:30 - Being back on a CrossFit leaderboard
2:30 - Working with coach Justin Cotler
3:40 - Plans to train in person again with the Underdogs Crew before the Games
4:50 - Thoughts on programming so far
5:50 - How his support system fires him up at competition
7:20 - Hobbies away from CrossFit
9:13 - Finding time to try different sports
10:58 - What it will be like if he punches a ticket to the Games again
12:15 - How does pressure affect Garard
13:12 - Looking forward to compete in-person against Justin Medeiros
13:41 - Ultimate goal
We're just about a week away from the kickoff to the 2022 Semifinals, and CrossFit has officially released the two workouts that athletes will be required to do at each Semi. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with sports analysts Brian Friend and Tommy Marquez to get their first takes on the programming.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/10/crossfits-two-semifinal-workouts-released/
It's been a topic that's circulating more frequently than in past seasons and for good reason. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sat down with Patrick Clark and Gretchen Kittelberger to discuss two Op-ed pieces they recently wrote, diving into some possible solutions to improve judging within CrossFit.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
1:35 - Why should the improvement start with the judges
3:24 - What are tangible goals that we should see from CrossFit HQ
4:45 - Implementing rules and standards
5:55 - Judges holding the standard as volunteers
7:00 - Getting feedback based on judging
8:30 - Making the judge's course similar to an L1 requirement
10:15 - How essential additional education is to the process
12:30 - Bringing the accountability back on the affiliates
13:44 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/27/opinion-be-better-judges-you-owe-that-to-the-athletes-and-community/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/02/opinion-asking-judges-to-be-better-isnt-enough/
It's been a busy year for Angelo DiCicco. Getting a full healthy year under his belt after returning to the sport from back issues, working full-time as a firefighter and joining the team Mayhem Independence. So far -- this year has been a success. DiCicco recently won the Occupational Quarterfinals as the fittest firefighter on Earth.
Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with DiCicco to discuss balancing full-time firefighting with CrossFit, how he ultimately decided to be on Mayhem Independence and even how the team was created in the first place.
Video Breakdown:
0:30 - Being crowned the fittest firefighter on earth during the Occupational Quarterfinals
2:15 - Balancing being a full-time firefighter and competitive CrossFitter
3:55 - The demand of his career with keeping his body healthy to train
5:40 - How does his CrossFit background make him a good firefighter
7:00 - Recovering after a back injury
9:20 - Decision to go team in the 2022 season
10:20 - Building Mayhem Independence
11:50 - Chemistry between the team
12:45 - Relationship with DiCicco and Rich Froning
13:56 - Preparing for MACC Semifinal
14:50 - Challenges with using the worm
15:45 - Point spread between the Independence and Freedom
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2021/04/21/dont-call-it-a-comeback-angelo-dicicco-qualifies-for-semifinals-three-years-after-degenerative-back-diagnosis/
Since the start of the 2022 CrossFit season, we've been seeing several instances where CrossFit has fallen short. From the early leak of the Open workout and individual quarterfinals workouts – to poor videos being validated – and even some discrepancy in movement standards. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Brute Strength head coach, Matt Torres and head coach and founder of The Progrm, John Singleton to discuss what they think can be done to gain trust back in CrossFit.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
1:11 - Singleton discusses how these problems have been going on for years
2:00 - Singleton brings up the mission to make this sport better
3:00 - Torres talks about how coaches have been working through these issues with their athletes
5:00 - What can coaches and managers do to implement change?
7:45 - Looking at possible solutions to make things fair and balanced
12:05 - The bottom line
After CrossFits media press conference, the topic was brought up how HQ wants to work to gain more trust from the community -- so -- we asked YOU how you think that bridge can be built. Our social media director, Katie Gannon, put a post on social media to get the communities feedback on how CrossFit can gain trust within the community. She sat down with Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil to read some of the most common suggestions and dive into possible solutions.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
1:00 - Why is now the time we should be raising these questions?
2:00 - How many people engaged with the post?
2:45 - What was the response like?
4:00 - What was the biggest thing people were looking for?
5:00 - The community is consistent with what they want
5:20 - People still want workout 3 corrected on the leaderboard
7:30 - Everything boils down to communication
8:20 - The bottom line
In a press conference on Thursday, May 5 -- CrossFit’s general manager of Sport Justin Bergh announced the CrossFit Games will extend their partnership with Madison, Wisconsin another year through 2023. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with Justin LoFranco to discuss what this means for the future of the Games, some changes the season could see in 2023 and 2024 and even speculate on some possible locations the Games could be stationed in the future.
Video Breakdown:
1:09 - Why staying in Madison is not surprising
2:00 - What about the other cities CrossFit was considering?
3:05 - Another change to the season format come 2023
4:45 - 2024 CrossFit Games could go international
7:30 - Justin wanting to see the Games move to Las Vegas
10:15 - Cities that potentially submitted bids to host the Games
11:45 - Adding excitement to the sport if HQ released cities that bid to host
15:20 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/05/05/crossfit-games-to-remain-in-madison-through-2023/
Okay...so Scott Panchik announces he's retiring. Fans are heartbroken because let's be honest -- who DOESN'T love watching Scott compete?! But we understand. He wants to get healthy, spend more time with his loving family, and he's dedicated a decade of his life to being competitive in CrossFit.
But since we saw him throwdown at Wodapalooza and is now slated to compete at Semifinals -- we keep asking the question, is he "really" retired?! Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with his younger brother Spencer Panchik and Chase Ingraham to discuss Scotts potential run for the Games, and what it means to be "retired" in sports.
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
0:55 - Whether Spencer really thought Scott was going to retire
2:29 - Is Scott the Brett Favre of CrossFit?
3:40 - The magic of Scott as a father at the 2021 CrossFit Games
4:40 - How fit Scott truly is
5:30 - Does Spencer want Scott to retire
7:22 - How will Scott's mindset shift if he makes it to the Games
9:30 - How to define retirement in the sport
11:15 - Having Scott as Spencers number one fan
12:12 - The bottom line
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2021/07/26/scott-panchik-on-the-cusp-of-cementing-his-crossfit-legacy/
https://morningchalkup.com/2021/08/13/a-decade-of-scott-panchik-a-look-back-at-one-of-the-greats/
https://morningchalkup.com/2021/10/04/games-athletes-talk-retirement-the-struggle-is-real/
When you look up the word "athletic," a definition pops up that defines it as "physically strong, fit, and active." For CrossFitters, that's literally all of us! In this episode of The Bottom Line, Jamie Hagiya and Chase Ingraham dive deeper when defining athletic ability. The two of them sit down with Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil to give their top men and women athletes that they define as the most athletic in the sport.
Some of their picks are probably who you'd expect...but others, are a blast from the past with some serious talent!
Whoop Discount Code: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Already a WHOOP user? Open your mobile app and click on community and enter “COMM-MCHALK” to join our team.
Video Breakdown:
1:08 - Jamie picks Tia-Clair Toomey
2:20 - Jamie picks Carolyne Prevost
4:45 - Chase tee's up his picks
6:14 - Chase picks Danielle Brandon
7:20 - Chase picks Val Voboril
7:30 - Jamie highlights a fun memory with Val
8:15 - Chase goes in-depth about his pick
9:30 - Jamie takes us back to her competitive days with Val
12:20 - Chase labeled Rich Froning as overall best athlete ever
13:06 - Chase picks Guilherme Malheiros
14:40 - Chase picks Cody Anderson
17:11 - Jamie picks Elijah EZ Muhammad
21:20 - Jamie picks Chandler Smith
24:30 - Chase reveals his honorable mentions
Sports analysts Brian Friend and Patrick Clark join Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil to give their first thoughts on the men's and women's seeding at each Semifinal. As we get closer to the competitions they will give a more in-depth analysis.
Whoop Discount Link: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Atlas Games: June 10-12, Complexe Sportif Claude Robillard — Montreal, Québec, Canada
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/13/individual-semifinal-seedings-big-picture-first-takes/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/13/five-lingering-thoughts-about-traveling-for-2022-semifinals/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/12/five-way-too-early-thoughts-about-semifinals/
https://games.crossfit.com/semifinals/overview
Sports analysts Brian Friend and Patrick Clark join Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil to give their first thoughts on the men's and women's seeding at each Semifinal. As we get closer to the competitions they will give a more in-depth analysis.
Whoop Discount Link: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF
Granite Games: June 3-5, Viking Lakes — Eagan, Minnesota, U.S.
Related Articles:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/13/individual-semifinal-seedings-big-picture-first-takes/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/13/five-lingering-thoughts-about-traveling-for-2022-semifinals/
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/12/five-way-too-early-thoughts-about-semifinals/
https://games.crossfit.com/semifinals/overview
The timeline for athletes who have to choose whether they'll register for a spot at an individual, age group or team Semifinal has raised concerns when it comes to the potential for backfilling. Morning Chalk Up's Lauren Kalil sits down with 14x CrossFit Games Athlete, Becca Voigt Miller and Brian Friend to lay out the timeline, and discuss the potential issues and how athletes are dealing with the process moving forward.
Video Breakdown:
1:00 - Potential issues with the timeline from Quarterfinals to Semifinal registration
3:30 - Concerns for athletes with the current timeline
4:55 - Process so far for Games athlete Becca Voigt Miller
7:25 - What happens if a big group of athletes competes in Age Group Semis?
10:25 - Deciding whether to go Indy or Age Group
11:26 - The bottom line
Related Article:
https://morningchalkup.com/2022/04/17/convoluted-quarterfinals-to-semifinals-path-complicates-potential-for-backfill-invitations/
Whoop Discount Link: https://bit.ly/3JULfIF