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The annual CrossFit Open is when the KCI Community comes together to celebrate our fitness and challenge ourselves to push just a little harder. We get to "suffer" together and encourage each other through challenging workouts.
Every week for 3 weeks, we have members submit stories of "Spirit of the Open" - members who display extraordinary support, encouragement, grit, and dedication to their own fitness and the KCI community.
Below are the testimonies; written by KCI members, about other members.
As you read, I hope you're filled with a sense of gratitude, honor, awe, and feel inspired to be surrounded by so many high-caliber people!
Week 1
Erika has been practicing muscle ups all month and today she not only got one, but three of them! It was awesome to see all of her work pay off today!
Erika came to the morning class just to cheer on everyone. She knew she was going to compete later in the evening but she came and cheered us on and helped count. Plus she has been working on her muscle ups and she got it!! She didn’t quit on it, she got it!!
Erin encourages others during workouts. She always has a smile and a positive attitude. She consistently pushes me to do more than I think I can do. Erin demonstrates that anything is possible, even with a painful Achillies tendon. She doesn't take no for an answer and always demands more.
Patrick was in a heat all on his own. This can be tough to help keep you going with no one else around besides the judge. Patrick kept pushing through and kept a great pace! Keep pushing!
(Andy) He just gets after it and makes no big deal out of it to anyone
(Jessica & Jernigan) They landed from the flight reset and came to participate in the final Friday night heat!
(Chris J.) I don’t even know Chris, but he’s only been a member at KCI for 2 weeks. Signing up for the Open, not knowing what to expect, and showing up at Friday night lights after a long workday takes a ton of grit! I can’t wait to see what he’s capable of accomplishing!
Erin not only crushed this workout, she also was cheering for everyone DURING the workout. She also cheered Judy on, who was on her own clock, immediately after the workout instead of laying down. Always motivating!
Erika showed up on Friday morning to cheer her classmates on, and while she was there she got her first muscle up! Then she came back for FNL and completed the workout. She has been very disciplined with working towards her MU during class and was able to achieve it after a very short amount of time.
(Adam) Did the workout twice and improved his score
Adam completed the workout a second time and improved my 26 reps!!
(Brad) I’m nominating Brad because he had a bloody nose, but stayed around to watch and cheer me on Friday night.
(Adam) He recognized he wen out too hot on Friday night so redid the workout on Sunday and increased scores. He also texted me becuase he knew I was under the weather and told me to not stress about it!
Adam decided to try the workout again and beat his original score. Crazy because I’d never try that one again
(Judy) No matter how hesitant she is, she comes out swinging! I am impressed weekly by her effort and attention to others. Also loved that hubby, Kent, came to cheer her on Friday morning!
Erika exemplifies all the best qualities of a CrossFitter and constantly goes above and beyond to get better and support her fellow community members.
(Judy) She just has both Gratitude and Grit
(Erika) 1st muscle up on the first day of the open!!
(Chris J) New athlete. Adaptive athlete. Trying the open for the first time.
Angel set a personal PR by choosing to go RX in this workout, specifically with it being her first time to use the 14# wall ball in a WOD. She showed grit and stamina throughout. As I was counting her reps, I also observed her overcoming a fear around the box jumps. She hesitated a few times, and even acknowledged aloud once that she was fearful of clearing the box, but stayed mentally tough throughout, responding well to encouragement. Angel's attitude and effort are #KCItough. Proud to call her friend and fellow CrossFit'er!
Week 2
(Judy) I nominate Judy for spirit of the open. Judy participates in every theme, does not very workout, and cheers everyone on to finish. I am always so impressed by how hard she works, how consistent she is, and what a good attitude she has. The gym wouldn’t be the same without her.
(Judy) Fit the criteria for the theme in my opinion
Bobby has so much spirit and always has so much energy! He has a lot of natural talent and is able to adapt to different movement and different workouts with ease. Keep pushing Bobby, we see you trying hard and tackling these workouts!
(Susie) She's all in..... On everything
(Angel) Completed all 20 pull ups!!! Got her first pull ups a couple of weeks ago
Amanda got her first 20 pull ups and I’m so proud of her!
Judy always shows up with a smile on her face and encouraging others. Her 70s themed outfit was fantastic this week!
Christine is always hyping everyone up in the gym as they are doing the workouts. She was my judge for this workout and was so encouraging. She really helped me adjust my chest to bar strategy and I had my most successful chest to bar pull ups in a workout. Also getting to the ring muscle ups. She coached me through my attempts and it was so encouraging even not getting one. So grateful for the encouragement to push a little more and try new skills!
(Amanda) Unlocked her first pull up a couple weeks ago and did 20 in the Open!! And, she gave it all she had at the finish of the workout!!
Amanda just recently got her first pull up, and completed all 20 reps in the workout. She put in time after class to work toward this skill and it paid off!
Chris always gives his best. His costume for week 2 was superb. He is an inspiration to me. I admire his perseverance.
(Jordyn) I really respect her dedication to fitness and positive attitude pre and postpartum.
(Steven) It has been years since Steven has signed up for the official open or then interested in training ring muscle ups. This year he has done both and ranked really well so far both nationally and internationally.Proud wife moment.
(Amanda) Dedication to getting those pull ups! Yaaas!
(Angel) Another example of someone dedicated to, and finally getting pull ups!
(Susie) Her outfit was on point.
Bobby was so upset when I no-repped him on the lunges Friday night, but he learned from what happened and came back Sunday to crush the workout! Even though he didn't get any muscle ups, he never stopped trying until the clock beeped.
Susie is friendly and welcoming. She is encouraging and makes working out more fun. She gives her everything to the workout. Her costume Friday was awesome!
Erika shows what perseverance is truly about. She worked so hard to get her first muscle up! That was awesome to watch her try again and again until she got what she wanted.
(Amanda) First pull ups this week and did all 20!!!!
Kevin had only ever done one pull up a day until this workout, and I challenged him to complete all 20, one at a time, and he did it!
Week 3
Adam has transitioned from member to coach in the most seamless way. Adam is able to connect, assess and offer strategic queues in such a way that builds confidence while maintaining progress. Adam is able to adapt based on the athlete and can read them in a way that pushes them within their own limits. I always appreciate adams feedback and welcome it! Keep doing great things, Adam! KCI is lucky to have you!
(Erin) In the theme and very supportive of participants, cheering everyone on.
(Kasey) She never gave up, was so supportive of everyone in her heat and after stayed and cheered on everyone
Chris did the workout on Friday and it was pretty incredible watching him do burpees with one leg. It was inspiring to see him put forth the effort that he did.
(Judy) She did all the workouts and she showed up to all the events in the weekly theme to support the members!! Great job Judy!!
Alana is genuinely interested in others. She is welcoming, helpful and likes to see others succeed. It is fun to talk with her and workout with her.
Adam is very patient when he coaches. He wants others to learn new skills or improve current skills safely. I really appreciate when he encourages me to do hard things.
(Jeff F. and Jeff D.) On Friday both Jeffs stayed for an hour after their own workout at 4:15pm and helped judge and support the 5:15pm class including clean up.
Kea is always working so hard during the workout and crushing it. She’s also always cheering on the other athletes around her. She also already started encouraging me to take the next step and look at doing quarterfinal workouts together if we meet the cut and having someone acknowledge the work I’ve done during these workouts and wanting to see me to more is something I really value and it adds some extra motivation even going into class everyday.
(Alana) Week after week Alana has been pushing herself and it has been inspiring to watch her progress.
Kasey and Alana have bonded during the 5:15am and they both showed up at 7:30 on Saturday morning to do the workout RX. It's great to see two strong moms encouraging and challenging each other!
Brian has consistently completed the open and Quarter Finals (when offered by CrossFit) for the past 10 years. He is on of 7? individuals from the gym that actually competed in the worldwide CrossFit Open. He monitors the board, repeats workouts to place higher and is the only individual in the entire gym that continually progresses to the next round of the "Games".
Jacob volunteered to cook sausage and pancakes on Saturday, and that was awesome!
