The CrossFit Open has been in existence since 2011. In many ways, it is a holiday of sorts, a marker of time and of health. Ask a CrossFitter to name a random Open workout and they can tell you where they were, who they did it with, and the emotions tied to the effort itself. Some still remember Coach Nikki failing and falling in wall walks when they first showed up in 2021. Since then we have a vast majority of our members doing wall walks with precision and class.
Each year we put our work capacity to the test. Each year we reflect on what we could have prioritized just a little more. And each year we are given the opportunity to showcase the truth: we did the work, we are capable, and our friends are there to bear witness to it all.
This year, several athletes truly rose to the occasion and embodied the spirit of the Open. A combination of choosing to be in the arena and being fully present in the moment.
Eva is brand new! Not a week in to being here. She spends time leading her classroom and then comes to the gym in her full outfit and ready to roll and she did two thirds of the open with less than one month of crossfit experience. If Eva can do the Open, what exactly are the rest of us complaining about?
Phil has spent over a decade as a pillar of the strength in the classes he attends mostly that 5:30 am class or when he puts Brian Ponti to the accountability in the afternoon. His example is the vision of lifelong fitness: caring enough to show up, putting in the work, and continuing to test himself at his spicy self with all of us.
In Lean In, Sheryl Sandberg challenges readers with the question:
“What would I do if I weren’t afraid? What if I am afraid and I do it anyway”
Without diving too deeply into the details, Zenn has been navigating a difficult season of life. Where did she go for refuge? To the place where her friends are. Where the work is even when the cold plunge is out. A safe space filled with thrusters, burpees, smiles, and laughter.
Many people claim they work out for their physique. Zenn showed us she works out for her mental health. That is the sign of someone who has found their why. Not just a workout of the day — but a lifestyle of movement. Zen, you leaned in.
Ryan Daniel represents another powerful anchor in our DCF story, the young one who simply does the work and continues to climb. When we first met Ryan, it was as a young teen wanting to try something new with his Dad Bob. Ryan and Bob and Eva walked into Destination CrossFit as athletes and never looked back. Since then, he has become an adult, graduated high school and college, and started his career. His Open performance has mirrored his personal growth, shown in his worldwide ranking percentile:1
One percent away from Quarterfinals. But Ryan has tenacity. He will get it next year. Just like he got his muscle ups this year and gutted out a ring muscle up with the deepest dip in the 26.2 workout!
And finally, Janice and John. It would be a missed opportunity not to point out something that often goes unnoticed. The partnership of two people showing up together daily and challenging each other. This year they both signed up and dug deep and were judged every morning at 5:30am. Hitting deeper squats than ever. Throwing those wall balls high. Hitting standards and working on those pull ups even smiling whenever there was a no rep. It was amazing to see their growth in one year.
Here classmates become friends. Struggle becomes connection. Effort becomes memory.
The magic of Destination CrossFit is built on friends, connection, and the courage to show up. Zenn showed us that this work is for your mental health, and Eva proved that you can start with less than a month of experience and still lean in.
Are you ready to lean in?
Schedule your free “No Sweat Intro” and start your fitness journey with Destination CrossFit in Walla Walla today!
