To: Greg MO!

Yes this is a picture of myself, but Greg MO is right behind me. He had my back during the 2009 CrossFit Games and I would not have performed as well as I did without him. His intensity will never be outdone by anyone and you have no idea how much he motivates you, especially during a team wod!

I would just like to say how much I will miss him personally, not as a client but as a friend. He has always been someone to compete with and look up to. During a workout he may look intimidating but outside of this box he is a fun, nice, caring, father, and great friend. I had a blast not only competing with him in the 2009 Games but working out along side of him on the days leading up to it.

I still look forward to the times I get to coach him in the mornings and also workout with him. It has not been too much lately but when I get the chance its always fun.

I have two stories that I will never forget about Greg MO! Both are from the 2009 Crossfit Games! Which if thats the only games I go to, I couldn't be happier that I did it with the group of people that were there. I will never forget Zachr, addi, reba, and Greg Mo!

1st - The first workout was 30 reps of Wall balls, Cal row, box jumps, KB swings, push press, and DL. I was the first one to go on the DL and well I will be honest I was almost on empty before I even got there. If you were there you could see I was doing everything I possibly could to get those Deadlifts down. "Classic Greg MO" I set down the DL to rest the first time (of many) and Greg was right behind me and slapped me in the ass and said "LETS GOOOOO"! You all know that line! Even tho I was way past empty his intensity just forced me to keep going. With someone like that always motivating you, you never want to let them down. Thanks Greg!

2nd - The final workout was 3rm OH Squat and 3 attempts at max pull ups. This was a wod I was not apart of. We knew we were close to being out of the running for top 5 but if we put something up big then maybe we would have a chance. Well all I remember is Greg going up for his last set for 3RM and we made eye contact and we both pretty much agreed you got to get it. It was something that team events can only bring out a togetherness between teammates that doesn't need to be spoken. That 2009 team had that and it was great to be apart of it!

We had a blast working together. If I could do it all over again it would not even be an option, you all were great and one of the top times of my life.

Anyways Greg Mo, you are someone that everyone looks for on the board at 6am and tries to get close. Because you are the one who sets the bar for the day. People ask "hey what did Greg Mo do today"? Trust me I am one of those people as well. If I can get close to your numbers its a good day. Remember where your home is, and always know our door is open!

Thank you Greg MO I learned a lot from you and good luck with your journeys ahead.

Yes I am back again!

Judgment Free Zone?

I don't think I really need to comment on this one because I believe everyone is on the same page. In a place like Planet fitness you have all sorts of people doing all sorts of different things.
-The runnner: He/she will be judging the person who is weightlifting.
-The weightlifter: He/she will be judging the runner.
-The roamer: He/she will be judging the weightlifter when they are running and then judging the runners when they are weightlifting.

In a place like that everyone is doing what he/she thinks is best for their fitness, so of course they are going to judge someone who is doing something different. And yes there are people who do not judge, I don't want to be a total negative Nancy here.

In a place like CFO we all believe in "true" fitness. That is hard work and "understanding" why we do the things we do. You come here and understand why we do short intense workouts, work on strength and widen your athletic ability. It makes you a well rounded person. People who go into Planet Fitness don't understand what you all do. That is why you all are above and beyond the average american. There will always be outlets to the lazy people out there, but like the quote says "You want anything good in this life you are going to have to work hard to get it". This is why you see people in here work hard at every other aspect of their life. Compared to people who sit on a machine or ride a bike for their workout.

Just think about it. You work your ass off when you come to the gym, you probably do the same at all aspects of life. You drive yourself to be a winner. People who have time to workout and waste it by sitting on a bike and watching TV either don't have the knowledge of what they can do in the gym or they are lazy. I get that from a lot of people, they just don't know their options. Just think about what you were doing before you came to CFO. Were you one of these people? I know I was, back and bi's one day, chest and tri's the next. Neglecting my legs and running because well to be honest it was hard work. Now I understand like all of you what I need to be doing.

So to sum up my (I don't think I really need to comment on this one) comment. I feel people need to be educated and really understand what are the best routes to improve their fitness. If people would truly open their minds and stop taking the easy way out Planet Fitness would still be a judgement free zone but would allow any type of lifting to be done to improve someones health because everyone would understand the benefit behind it.

Sometimes I get off track but hopefully it make sense. Please comment and let me know what you think. Please really think about it next time you decide to judge someone who isn't doing CrossFit. DO they know there are other options, do they understand why they are doing the things they are doing? Please use the knowledge you get in here to help people out there, if you don't totally understand please ask we love it when you have questions!