For the 2016 CrossFit Games season, me and five other athletes came together under the leadership of coach Justin Cotler to make it Regionals, the Games, and (ultimately, hopefully) one of the fitness world’s biggest podiums come late July. Our squad – myself, Christian Harris, David Charbonneau, Amy Dracup, Andrea Ager, and Becca Day – share a common goal and train together on a daily basis. So far, so good; we’re headed to Regionals, and in less than two months, we’ll have the chance to show the world what we’ve been building toward in Carson.
I wanted to give the world some insight into that preparation, and indeed, how Team CrossFit Dynamix came to be in the first place. In the coming weeks, I’ll be going in depth on the training, coaching, and bonds that we’ve built as a team leading up to the 2016 CrossFit Games season. But before then, get to know my teammates through the interviews below — especially the side you might not see on social media.
Amy Dracup
1. What’s the first thing that struck you as different when training for a team (as opposed to individual)?
The support system. We are all used to training on our own, having a group of people to lift me up on off days is amazing.
2. What were your weaknesses coming into this season? How are you addressing those?
Wallballs and Rowing are definitely two things I am working on. Being a shorter athlete makes those movements are more challenging for me.
3. Who’s another athlete you look up to, and why (can’t be one of your teammates)?
Matt Swift, the Masters champ from Australia. He’s an incredible ambassador of the sport. His accomplishments speak for themselves, and he is an incredible person.
4. What movements do you hope to see at Regionals? Will we see anything new?
I hope to see handstand push-ups or muscle-ups. These two movements are strengths of mine and the team. I don’t think we will see anything new, maybe a new format of workout.
5. What’s something about you people might not get from following you on social media?
That I love French bulldogs and being outdoors for adventures.
Becca Day
1. What’s the first thing that struck you as different when training for team?
There is a lot of humor and knowledge. It is always fun and am constantly learning new things from my teammates.
A photo posted by Becca Day (@beastitlikebecca) on
2. What were your weaknesses coming into this season? How are you addressing those?
High volume gymnastics and aerobic conditioning. I am attacking these daily in training and making sure that they are constantly improving.
3. Who’s another athlete you look up to?
Dana Linn Bailey because she is one of the most attractive female athletes in my eyes. She defies society’s definition of beautiful.
4. What movements do you hope to see at Regionals? Will we see anything new?
I don’t think we will see anything new. I hope to see heavier skill workouts in sprint formats.
5. What’s something about you people might not get from following you on social media?
People think I am really intimidating from my social media. But I am the complete opposite. I also am really handy and can put together anything.
Andrea Ager
1. What’s the first thing that struck you as different when training for a team (as opposed to individual)?
Finding and celebrating the differences in each one of us. Discovering the things we need to work on, the things we need to practice, and the way we each deal with adversity. Whether it’s going through an injury, tweaking a muscle, being sick, or going through unexpected lows that are inevitable, but rarely acknowledged. I have seen strength and perseverance through personal adjustments in each one of my teammates. I have been in awe, both at the sweetest moments where we’re at our ideal performances, and when we are fighting through last reps that would have been impossible without each other.
2. What were your weaknesses coming into this season? How are you addressing those?
Bar Muscle-Ups and Strict HSPU are two gymnastics weaknesses of mine. They are two things that I should be better at, but have never developed the proper muscle memory for my body type to be efficient. I have been doing these relentlessly, and without the coaching of Justin and my gymnasty teammates, I don’t know if I ever would have seen the progress I wanted.
3. Who’s another athlete you look up to, and why (can’t be one of your teammates)?
I look up to Marion Jones, she’s a multi gold medalist Track & Field athlete I read a lot about growing up. I also look up to Tony Dungy, NFL coach, and Tim Tebow. Their stories and the wiseness of their feats encourage me to strengthen my mental game and define my purpose.
If we’re talking about CrossFit athletes, they are two of my friends. Julie Foucher, an old training partner of mine, and Annie Thorisdottir, a friend and old teammate. They both are at the top of the game and legendary at this point, but neither are satisfied. They move well, chip away at training in expertise and don’t sweat the small stuff. They are aggressive and confident on the competition floor, and carry themselves respectfully.
4. What movements do you hope to see at Regionals? Will we see anything new?
I would say the movements I’d love to see would be a max OHS, a max set of muscle ups for each person, or ideally, a ton of medium load barbell cycling. That’s my favorite!
5. What’s something about you people might not get from following you on social media?
Well, I let almost everything out on social media!
However, the most important message to me is where my strength comes from. I have a burning desire for mentoring and encouraging people to grow in their faith. Hearing my teammates tell their personal stories and experiences has been an unexpected blessing and true highlight. I have an “all or nothing” personality, and I’m sold out to these people, this team, our big dreams and the fact that we can be glorify God in the process. Amen!
David Charbonneau
1. You’ve gone team a few times before. What sticks out about this time?
It felt good to not be alone. It’s really easy to get in your own head, and doubt yourself, when you’re on an island by yourself. But, with the right teammates around, anything seems possibly. And trust me, I have the right teammates.
2. What were your weaknesses coming into this season?
Oh man, thereare quite a few. Big ones that come to mind are Swimming, Running, Box Jumps, and Pistols. I have been attacking these things. I throw box jumps and pistols in EMOMs all the time. [Justin] Cotler has us running 2-3 times a week. And Andrea [Ager] has been teaching me how to swim on a weekly basis. I’m still not great at any of these things, but I definitely feel the progress. I don’t want to be the weak link anywhere.
3. Who’s another athlete you look up to?
This is a tough one. I look up to any athlete that dedicates their life to their craft. It’s amazing to see what hard work can do. I am in awe of things that athletes can accomplish these days. Coming from a background in MMA, I always looked up to Georges St. Pierre. This is a guy who trained his ass off to eliminate weaknesses. His entire life was dedicated to making himself essentially unbeatable. And, in his prime, he was.
4. What do you want to see at Regionals?
I would love to see some really heavy Dumbbell Squat Snatches, and I think we might see them.
5. What’s something about you people might not get from following you on social media?
I love food. Most of my newsfeed is food. Huge fan of burgers. And pizza. Really everything. I love discovering new spots on my cheat days. I even have a California burger tour planned for the week following the Games.
Christian Harris
1. What’s the first thing that struck you as different when training for a team?
One of the first team practices we had, it involved working out with synchronization. To be able to succeed in a work out like that, you have to be very selfless. You can’t put the bar down when you want to, and you can’t stop when you want to. It made me realize how much communication will play a huge role in the success of going team.
2. What were your weaknesses coming into this season? How are you addressing those?
Handstand push-ups, burpees & running are my biggest weaknesses. We’ve been doing a lot of on the minute work sneaking in volume with these movement as well as monostructural sessions 2-3x week.
3. Who’s another athlete you look up to, and why (can’t be one of your teammates)?
I’ve always looked up to Derek Jeter. The guy works hard, stays humble, and carries himself like well on and off the playing field.
4. What movements do you hope to see at Regionals? Will we see anything new?
I’d love to see legless rope climbs, box jumps, pistols, maybe a heavy lift.
5. What’s something about you people might not get from following you on social media?
I have an small obsession with the Food Network show Chopped.
Don’t we all.