“What would life be if we had no courage to attempt anything?”

— Vincent Van Gogh

Tim’s Deep Squats (Thoughts)

The CrossFit Games has its origin in early 2007 when CrossFit Director of Training, Dave Castro, invited CrossFit founder Greg Glassman to his family ranch in Aromas. Glassman suggested holding a “Woodstock of Fitness” at the ranch for the CrossFit community. In July 2007, the inaugural CrossFit Games, which had the feel of a backyard BBQ with a few sporting events thrown in, took place at the ranch. Around 70 athletes and 150 spectators turned up for the first Games. The first two years, participation was open to anyone who signed up and made it to Aromas.

Yours truly competed in the 2008 Games, finishing 85th out of 196. In 2009, I competed on CrossFit Silicon Valley’s team with our (now) Dr. Matt Smith from Everathlete. Here’s a brief video of me doing overhead squats at The Games in 2009.

Interest and participation in the event continued to grow, and in 2010, the qualification was adjusted to include multiple Sectionals, a series of events open to all athletes who wanted to qualify for one of the 17 Regionals.

In 2011, the open participation Sectionals were replaced by an online qualification called The CrossFit Open. In the first year, 26,000 athletes signed up to compete.

March, 2011. CrossFit Palo Alto had existed for approximately 18 months. I had been full-time with the gym for 9 months. CrossFit comes out with The Open. 6 workouts over 6 weeks. The best qualified to Regionals and then to The Games at The Home Depot Center in Carson, CA. A small group of us completed all the workouts. We even sent Maddie to the rain soaked Regionals at The Santa Clara Fairgrounds that year!

We barely knew what we were doing as a business. We kept showing up and learned along the way. The competition, camaraderie and challenge made us work on weaknesses and develop new skills along the way in order to prepare for the “Unknown and Unknowable” of CrossFit and life. CrossFit was barely 10 years old as a company and was trying to figure out how to find the “Fittest on Earth” through a multiple stage selection process. They kept showing up and learned along the way. We all continue to learn, grow and adapt along the way.

The Open has been described as the largest participatory sporting event in the world. Participation rose to 415,000 in 2018 at its peak and is looking to surpass that in 2024.

Why so much Open talk, Tim?

Trust. That’s what this is about. I’m asking you to trust me. Trust me that you are going to be so glad you competed in The Open. You already trust us with your strength, fitness, conditioning, safety, loved ones and your children. Trust me when I say that you will not regret doing The Open. Even if you can’t make all the workouts, sign up and do at least one. Then, next year you’ll want to do them all.

I spent close to four years preparing to qualify for The 2016 Games when I would be eligible for the 40-44 age group. I fell short by 6 spots. I learned. I got better. I made it in 2017 and 2018, ultimately finishing 7th and 8th in the 40-44 age group. I learned so much from the years of training and competing. But, I believe the best lessons were learned from the people of CrossFit Palo Alto. The support was incredible. Whether competing to be a Games athlete or to get your first pullup, the people here want to support you. And you should let them. Put yourself out there. Attempt something new and get signed up.

What’s Going On?

REBOOT: We’re going to run another 8 week CrossFit Teens class.

Tentative Dates: February 6 – March 28, 2024

Days/Time: Tuesdays/Thursdays at 4pm

Interested? email: [email protected]

Overheard in Class:

“You don’t get much spiritual advancement at Club Med.”

Influencing

Legacy: “James Kerr goes deep into the heart of the world’s most successful sporting team, the legendary All Blacks of New Zealand, to reveal 15 powerful and practical lessons for leadership and business.

Legacy is a unique, inspiring handbook for leaders in all fields, and asks: What are the secrets of success – sustained success? How do you achieve world-class standards, day after day, week after week, year after year? How do you handle pressure? How do you train to win at the highest level? What do you leave behind you after you’re gone?”

I listened to this book a few years ago. I’m listening again and taking physical notes. It’s that good. Trust me. 😉

Send me your influences. Music? Books? Movies? Series?