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In a post unrelated to this picture, I'd like to briefly address some of the shenanigans that went on at Regionals this weekend and what lessons we can all learn as athletes and human beings from them. There were two distinct incidents that went down, incidents which each athlete handled very differently, and which will most  likely define them for some time to come.

The first was Andrea Ager's response to being disqualified due to her failure to complete her opening set of three overhead squats. Although initially devastated, Ager's emotional breakdown occurred in as private a setting as she could find, the athlete tent. Her anger and disappointment was directed in an appropriate direction. And even though CrossFit HQ issued a "mea culpa" and invited Ager back to compete, she did the right thing and withdrew. Not having ever been a big Ager Bomb fan, this decision moved her up quite a few notches. She knew that if she made it to the Games under controversial circumstances, her legacey woule be forever tainted. She probably gained far more in the long run by withdrawing.

The second incident was when Ryan Fisher, angry at his judge for issuing some questionable "no reps" told him, "I'm going to f***ing kill you." Forced to apologize to his judge in front of his peers and other judges, CrossFit HQ made the upbraidment public. In the video Fisher clearly is still trying to make excuses for his behavior. Many say it was wrong to embarrass Fisher publicly like that, but I don't agree. He is an adult who crossed the line in a big way. HQ didn't embarrass Fisher, Fisher embarrassed Fisher.

Which brings my to my point: What will your legacy as an athlete be? Whether it's CrossFit, soccer, Olympic Weightlifting, gymnastics...Would you rather be top three but be remembered as a jerk? Or would you prefer to be lower on the tier, but be remembered for your character or your integrity? I believe that even if you are an amazing athlete, your character, good or bad, will be what people recall. And if your character is bad, but your performance is amazing, people most likely will not remember your amazing performance, but your bad behaviour. And when you compete as part of a team or a club, or an organization, your behavior reflects on them too. You owe it to your peers and your community to behave well and do the right thing.
 

- Criss Jami

Remember, Driven: Anything is possible!

It's really hard to put into words what this weekend meant to me. It was the culmination of a lot of hard work and sacrifice, not only on my part, but on my family's part as well. It was hours of training, aching muscles, sore joints, sometimes tears, and many moments of self-doubt. It was so gratifying to have it all come together in a series of successful moments that spanned three days! I want to thank everyone who supported me both at the Del Mar Fairgrounds as well as from afar with text messages, emails, and facebook posts.Thank you for taking time out of your lives to encourage me! I couldn't have done this without our amazing Driven community behind me. Special thanks to Dusty for being my number one supporter and best friend, as well as to Mea who endured three LONG days watching her mamma chase her dreams. I hope one day she can look back and be proud! Also, thank you to Dr. Marc and Jackie who sacrificed their time to keep me moving. Finally, thanks to Brian Bechtel for all of the great pics that will forever capture this experience for me.

ONLY 1 PM CLASS TONIGHT!  5:30 PM.

NO CLASSES SAT OR SUN 5/18 & 5/19

We really appreciate your understanding with our having to cancel

a few classes this weekend.  Anneke has been training all year for this

weekend and the majority of our coaching staff will be down in Del Mar

to support her.  This leaves us short handed back at the box.  Anyone who

can come down and show support to my amazing wife this weekend would

be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for being such a great community! 

Thanks,

Dusty

Click the pic for a great video!

Deadlifts causing low back pain? Here are five reasons why that might be happening:

OLY IS CANCELLED TONIGHT!

"You are never really playing an opponent. You are playing yourself, your own highest standards, and when you reach your limits, that is real joy."

Arthure Ashe

Congratulations to Faye, Allyson, and Aimee for supporting Perris School District in their 5K fundraiser!

Also to Dusty for taking 6th in his second triathlon!

Debbie and Melissa (not pictured) had a blast at the ROC race in Del Mar!

Allowing me to sail upon my sea,
Though well within the headlands of your fears.
Before I was myself you made me, me

With dreams enough of what I was to be
And hopes that would be sculpted by the years,
Then bit by bit stepped back to set me free,

Relinquishing your powers gradually
To let me shape myself among my peers.
Before I was myself you made me, me,

And being good and wise, you gracefully
As dancers when the last sweet cadence nears
Bit by bit stepped back to set me free.

For love inspires learning naturally:
The mind assents to what the heart reveres.
And so it was through love you made me, me
By slowly stepping back to set me free.

Working out hard everyday but not seeing the "abs" you want?

Crunches and ab work are not the answer! Your DIET is!

Everyone has abs, especially if you're resistance training with lots of movements that involve using your midline, like front squatting, back squatting, deadlifts, Olympic lifts. But if you have a layer of fat sitting on top of your abs, it doesn't matter if you do crunches until the cows come home...you won't ever have "ripped abs."

In addition, traditional cruches that involve flexion of the spine shorten your anterior muscles, making an already tight, shortened chain from our everyday lives, even shorter and tighter, exacerbating the risk of low back pain and injury.

So, if you're not seeing the results you want, clean your diet up, especially keeping an eye on the sugar consumption. This includes fruit and alcohol!

Need help? Contact Lea at www.myprimalcravings.com!