Everyone has the right

I don’t think the guy who wrote the post below was pro-CrossFit at first, not like some of us anyway. But read what Curtis writes  from the viewpoint of someone who was taught much by participating in one days worth of CrossFit competition.

The following is authored by: Curtis Stein

My name is Curtis Stein, educated, employed, well traveled, CrossFitter. I began in April 2012, after I received an invitation by a trusted friend to join her. I found it difficult, taxing, and at times beyond comprehension. My trainer (Chastity Sloan) asked me to accomplish things I found so difficult that I thought my heart would pound directly out of my chest.

Something kept bringing me back, the feeling of accomplishment, the accountability that is built during a workout with my workout partner, the steadfast encouragement from my trainer….but mostly the feeling that remains after the workout itself.  Since April, I have lost 10% body fat and have found that I am in better shape at age 41 than what I was at 18.  

Chastity asked me to judge at a competition in honor of breast cancer. “Back to the Ranch” was held on Sept. 15, 2012.  This was my first time judging and I didn’t know what to expect. I can travel abroad and search and discover new and unexplored regions which most would find uncomfortable, however, upon arrival at the competition, I felt like a foreigner in a distant land-intimidated. I viewed the competitors as perfect, strong, chiseled, confident. I began to question myself, my abilities, my place and role in this environment. I felt like a freshman at a new school sitting at his own table.

When the competitions began I had the opportunity to judge one main event with several different teams.  One of the teams I judged was a team by the name of “Average Joe.”  They turned out to be much more than average. The team’s foundation was not based upon winning the competition itself, it was based upon participation and having the right to be in a competitive setting.  

As each rep was counted and each round was complete, something became very clear to me, the “Average Joe” was not only proving something to themselves…they were proving something to me.  If the “Average Joe” had a right to engage in the games of the day, I had just as much of a right to help judge and be a part of the schedule for the day.

Then it occurred to me…despite percentage of body fat, body image, size, gender and age….everyone has the right to sit at a populated table.  Despite how fast, agile, controlled and competitive each of us may be, are we all not an “Average Joe?”  In fact, I find that the most impact CrossFit has provided me is the opportunity to meet people that consider him/herself to be “average,” when in fact they are not “average,” but extremely above “average.”  

For anyone who is traveling this journey, keep in mind that you are more than what spins around you in this world.  The accomplishment that comes from facing the impossible, regardless of your skill level, is worth more than your reps in gold.  This is what I have learned from the “Average Joe.” The fierce power that exploded on the field throughout the “Average Joe” team…has led me to believe that I can accomplish anything and become anything, as long as my heart is committed to the task that is set before me.  Therefore, my deduction is simple….if the benefit of being an “Average Joe” means to possess all of these qualities that I have so specifically described, then I chose to sit at the table for the “Average Joe.” 

Strength:

Back Squat
1×6@80%
1×4@85%
1×3@90%
1×2@95%
1×1@101%

For Score:

12-Wall-ball
9-Hang Power Clean 95/135
6-Handstand push-ups
AMRAP 9 Minutes

Auxiliary:

Tabata-Sprint

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