Lifestyle

This past year, two-time Games competitor - Jeremy Thiel squeezed a great interview out of Chris Spealler and Matt Chan during their preparation for the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games. The interviews were done at 2010's USA-W CrossFit Open. We learned a great deal about Spealler and Chan's raw motivations for success inside and outside of CrossFit. The question is, with SICFIT interviewing some of the world's top CrossFit athletes, what will you learn next? Jeremy Thiel is the Athlete Whisperer. 

Interviews were filmed for the CrossFit Journal. Stay tuned for updates. 

Who would have imagined that the Games would have progressed to this point? In Aromas, would you have ever imagined an open ocean swim? The scene from the first brutal event - "The Beach WOD" at the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games. Photography by Ricky Magana. 

One of the biggest stories of the week may not have anything to do with any particular athlete. Rather, it is the seemingly obvious collision course between two sporting events. One is older and a bit more established, the other might as well be sitting on a rocket. 

In a recent conversation with top CrossFit executives, I marveled at the trajectory of the CrossFit sport. In my three years on the scene, the sport has gone from a path of humble niche recognition to the type of marketing initiatives seen by the best in sports. The approach has been more professional than UFC's rise to prominence between 2000-2010. CrossFit athletes are quickly gaining the same performance opportunities, earning initiatives, and sponsorship potential that the more traditional action sports received after 10-15 years in business. People tend to forget that Matt Hoffman first generated interest in BMX in the mid-80's. The sport didn't receive it's proverbial "shot in the arm" for at least 10 years and it didn't receive "legitimate sport" notoriety for nearly another decade. 

CrossFit has always been unique because the viewership is web savvy. While the fifth X-Games boasted nearly 300,000 in attendance, the CrossFit Games live online viewership will likely reach 10x that number. People that question the CrossFit Games' marketability only have to point to Reebok's early involvement in the sport and its community. One word - unprecedented. 

But it goes farther, this weekend. The two events are in the same little town called Los Angeles on the same weekend - at that. While CrossFit will be vying for relevance against a much more established counterpart, the stage has been set for a playful toil between the two. Especially as many of the sponsors that flocked toward the X-Games will finally realize that perhaps there is another niche - a generally affluent, consumer driven one - to which they should market their products. 

In an ironic symbolism of sorts, the "unofficial Official" Red Bull X-Games kick off party will be held at Los Angeles' famed Exchange LA night club on Thursday, July 28. The CrossFit Games' "unnoficial but so Official" SICFIT after party will be held at the same exact location, just three days later on Sunday, July 31. Who wants to beat around the bush, these days? 

SICFIT wants the sporting community to know that one of the world's most marketable sports will likely be seen for the first time - this weekend. And no one is shying away from the elephant in the room. While entirely playful, the competition between the two events will be noticeable. With CrossFit projects like the Sports Series, alive and well, the two sporting communities will find a lot of common ground and mutual respect in the future. The likelihood that the two communities' will attract cross-over appeal is an unspoken expectation from SICFIT and other action sports junkies in the CrossFit comunity. But back to the competition!

The X-Games may make the most noise. But on Monday morning, we have a feeling that more people are going to wake up talking about the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games. They'll talk about its week of amazing events, the level of athleticism of its feature athletes, the mach speed of its growth, and the deafening noise that a five year old sport made during the weekend of one of ESPN's most marketed sports. Games on. 

By Web Smith | Co-Owner, SICFIT

*SICFIT is a proud Platinum vendor at the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games

Click on the album cover for download. "Bonkers" by Reebok Classic's creative director and platinum producer, Swizz Beatz.

We know that there are DJ's out there. Here's how this game goes: (1) each participant lists a three song play list with links via Youtube or a file sharing service (2) The SICFIT crew will pick their top ten favorite play lists and on the night of July 31, 2011 the winner will be announced on this site (3) The lucky CrossFit athlete will win every SICFIT shirt in stock (male or female) and a one year Premium subscription to Spotify. DJ away! 

*Each participant must be logged-in to SICFIT via SICFIT account or Facebook Log-In

Carl Paoli, of Gymnastics WOD fame, is known for training freestyle athletes. These athletes range in interests that span everything between dance (B-Boys) and snowboarding. With CrossFit becoming a more mainstream and influential means of training, how do you foresee it influencing these other disciplines? Do you expect athletes of X-Games caliber to come out and say that they've gotten better by training the way we do - any time soon? 

The Vegas Edition. Jessica Holland is a graduate of The University of Texas, she is a CrossFitter, and personal trainer in Las Vegas, Nevada. Not only does she have a knack for forging elite fitness, she is also may be one of the most well-connected people that we know. Most recently, she was called upon by Nivea to promote their 100th year in the business.  The social media guru and Las Vegas night life maven always knows where the party is; she always has her pulse on the most exclusive parties in LV. Check out Jess Holland's "Vegas Edition" Mixtape by clicking below and downloading the songs of your choice! 



Want to keep up with #TeamDangerous by following them all on Twitter? Check out this list: Click Here. They have nearly 40,000 followers (collectively) for a reason, they will surely keep you entertained. And swing by the SICFIT are at the 2011 Reebok CrossFit Games to introduce yourself to Jess Holland and the team. 

Are you going to the CrossFit Games to spectate and support your favorite athletes? If you are, how far are you traveling to get there? Leave your story below and win a Games Bound edition SICFIT tee from us!

#TEAMDANGEROUS

1. "Sorry for Party Rocking" by LMFAO
2. "August 9th Dreams" by Ace Hood
3. "Still a Survivor" by Akon 
4. "YMCMB MMG" by Cory Gunz
5. "Gangsta of Love" by Yelawolf and Cyhi Da Prince
6. "We Don't Get Down Like Ya'll" by T.I. 
7. "Stadium" Cyhi Da Prince and B.O.B. 
8. "Cali Dreamin'" by Kid Ink 
9. "Summer Madness" by Common 
10. "Summertime" by Asher Roth
11. "Bulletproof" by Cyhi Da Prince [HOUSE REMIX]

Practice hard. Focus on mobility and speed because the dance floor at "The After Glow" may just be too much to handle. 

The CrossFit Games are three weeks away and our team is getting set to rock it: before, during, and after The Games. The SICFIT team will be pushing 20 or so, to include: Co-Owners Jeremy Thiel and Web Smith, Diego Centeno, Elliot Schrock, Ben Flores, Lindsey Spurck, Aaron Arehart, just to name a few. Also on board to represent the lifestyle brand are seven CrossFitters that we call "Team Dangerous". The group is a selection of highly successful women who train CrossFit, coach CrossFit, and believe in what we are doing with SICFIT. They will be there at the CrossFit Games, throughout the weekend. 

The Team Dangerous Photo Album

We are a special group. We are all different but the one thing that we have in common is that we are a hard working team. Our goal is to be everywhere at once so that doesn't really present the opportunity to exploit a week long vacation or even a day's absence from our favorite social media platforms. CrossFit has no time zone and neither does SICFIT. We're always moving forward.

Our mission is to amplify the sport. Truly, by any means necessary. So sure, that may leave our definition vague but it leaves our purpose firm and our resolve strong. We have a saying, "SICFIT will continue until everyone knows our sport." And that is what you will see from us over the coming years. 

Come see us at the booth at the Home Depot Center. And if you feel you have the energy and the dedication to join us, here at SICFIT, leave us a message below. 

Details: 
1. Describe your appreciation for the CrossFit Games and the CrossFit community 
2. Describe your talents and passion.
3. Describe your commitment