Competitive Exercising Ridiculousness

Our Bag of Coins

The 2014 Reebok CrossFit Open is now closed.  Thank goodness!  Personally, I'm not sure I could have taken another week of hearing "formulas" or "exercising tips" from all the CrossFit guru's (which apparently all of a sudden is everyone participating in the "open").  I'm not sure which was more taxing, 14.5 or the strategizing you hear from everyone going into each workout......  I'm only kinda kidding.  But here's the greatest advice you'll ever hear in approaching your competition HUHWODS(1st time using that one).  Rest Less, Go Faster!  BOOM!  Magical, I know.....  I mean, it's good to have a plan, but as Tyson said, "everyone has a plan till they get punched in the mouff."....... And typically that punch comes in the 1st minute of every Open workout.

In all seriousness, I am glad the "Open" is over.  In my opinion, it was one of the best overall tests CrossFit HQ has put out.

We were blessed at Southern Moon to have everyone competing come out each weekend and cheer each other on.  I think that's part of what makes the open so great.  You see individuals go deeper for others, and push further than what they thought their limits may be.  By signing up, you're committing yourself to an unique vulnerability.  You could be exposed.  (Circa 14.3 for me. Yikes!)...  Through that "vulnerable" state, improvement happens.  You'll typically find out something new about yourself. It's kinda cool.

Celebratory Dessert

However, there are some drawbacks creeping about within the Open and "Competitive Exercise" as a whole.  I think the "Games" can sometimes be detrimental towards CrossFit.  We suddenly lose our respected capability and judge each other solely on performance.  It's like nobody cares anymore about your health/wellness, and it's all about your number of reps.  There needs to be more of a spotlight on health......  and what's even more so ridiculous is when people get mad.  You're 1 (of many) reason(s) people don't like CrossFit, and you're taking it too seriously.  You're probably not that good, and that's okay. It's exercise folks.  Regardless of how you did during the Open, I bet your heart rate increased some, you perspired, you're strength improved, ect. (those are good things!)  And unless your whole life, heart, and soul are involved (which would be sad), then why be upset about your performance?

Let's just take a step back and try not to take for granted your fitness.  Take a hike! Literally!  and keep in mind that there are many folks out there that would love to be in your health/wellness state,
so take advantage and forget about your burpeeing performances.

But seriously bro, what was your score on 14.5?lol    

The Motives

Santa Series

Recently, we've had people asking about doing more "cardio", or if they should be supplementing CrossFit w longer lengthened mono-structural movements........  Should I be jogging???

I think we need to first define some terms being used in this situation....  I'm confused on where the term "cardio" comes about.  Cardio I think would mean cardiovascular exercise.  So exercise where you use your heart, veins, and arteries???  No, I know.... When talking "cardio" people are meaning treadmill/elliptical for 30 minutes, etc.  So really it's aerobic, oxidative exercise.  Too many times people confuse and compare energy system training w caloric expenditure.  Like, "how many miles am I gonna have to jog if I eat a Snickers"?  Huhhhwhat?

Really the question of concern would be, "what are your motives''?  Why are you exercising?  It's always good to step back and remind yourself why you started, or why you are still training.....  and there's no right or wrong answer to that.  It's just very important to know why you do what you do.... because there will always be an outlet.  There will always be a reason 'why you can't make it' or 'won't do it'. Soreness. Hunger. Sleep. Lack of coffee. Soreness etc..  But if an individual has a goal, and has truly prioritized to reach their goal, there is no reason achievement should be unattainable.  (and it's the prioritizing part that's going to make the difference).  What lifts should I be doing?  What program should I be following?  What should I be eating?......  Jogging?

Thad and I doing 100

To me, when an individual has goals, or lives for something or someone it should be evident in every aspect of their life.  Show some passion in other avenues.  That's a pretty bold statement for an exerciser...... but it just gets to where you see this rotten form of hypocrisy when you hear people talk about how "serious" they are about something, and there's no evidence whatsoever anywhere in their life. It's kinda like "church".... and I do it all the time.  I have a goal of reading something or going somewhere, and it never happens.  Then I need to step back and question whether it's really a goal, and what's the leading motive.

Obviously I have "CrossFit" goals, but I also have deeper, spiritual/business/social goals that would outweigh (while also keep me motivated) those other goals.  Dave and I (and any future employees) have a foundation in our business that will always keep Christ first and foremost in everything we do as a business and coaches.  That should be crystal clear to anyone walking into our doors....and that's what will drive us to continually show genuine enthusiasm for Southern Moon CrossFit.

There is, and should be a deeper meaning to what you're doing.  Whether it's a burpee, hire, sale, or sealing the deal w a new merging business, find something w substance that will keep you going....  After all, you are just laying down, then getting back up.

But to whether you should be jogging?
Just get really good at performing a squat.    

And we're back!



Don't! Drop that dunt-da-nun!



It has been far too long since I last wrote. Lots has happened! Some great times w fam and friends, some huge PRs, and some dropped barbells that turned out to be pretty costly.



In the beginning of September my family went on our annual beach vacation. We all had a great time away and were blessed w some quality beach weather (God is good)....., which lead to some quality relaxation/beach creepin time. hey hey!lol...... I also had the chance to stop back by CrossFit Ocean Isle Beach....Karen (the owner/head coach) served as a great source of insight and advice for me prior to starting Southern Moon. It was great catching up w her and seeing how things down there had progressed in the past year. In CrossFit (and many other things) there's no "one way/best way/correct way" of running things. Every gym is different, and not every gym is the same. Wait what.lol. I think the success of any gym is depicted in its' athletes. Do they enjoy being there? Is the atmosphere nurturing and energizing? Is it fun?  

The benefits of a smile, community, laughter, and encouragement can greatly outweigh any clean progression or butterfly pull-up demo...... The key is to supply them both!

Training has been going well lately. Integrity's Revenge in Charleston is coming up and should prove to be a doozy of a time. It just depends now on the workouts. I don't do as many competitions throughout the year as I'd like. I definitely believe it's beneficial to compete. You grow vastly through the experience, and it can expose many of your weaknesses and show where you may need to input more training......I think it's going to be a great test, and help me see what improvements and deficiencies I've made since West Palm Beach.... You just have to be wary of which competitions you sign up for. You don't want to be rolling on a foam roller for the next week. It also helps to be in an enjoyable atmosphere like Charleston..... Rainy, wet conditions w angry, nazi-like judges are not ideal.

PRs since last entry:

Snatch @265

Soby's Sunday brunch 2x

Fran 2:25

Egg/banana pancakes AMRAP10

DT: 5:51

Money lost for dropping barbells $600