The Work You Avoid Is the Work You Need

"The greatest danger in times of turbulence is not the turbulence—it is to act with yesterday’s logic." — Peter Drucker

There’s a strange paradox I’ve noticed in the gym (and in life): we’re surrounded by options to get better, yet we’re constantly tempted to focus on someone else’s work.

We chase the skill they’re working on.

We test the weights they PR’d.

We worry about the leaderboard, the warm-up pace, the rest times that other people choose.

But here’s the truth: none of that gets you where you’re going.

The fastest way to stall your progress is to train like someone else, chase someone else’s goals, or avoid the exact thing you know you need to lean into.

Know What You’re Building

Training isn't just about checking boxes—it’s about developing your personal foundation. The uncomfortable, often boring work that lays bricks where you’re weakest.

And ignoring that work? That’s like trying to build a second story while the foundation’s still sinking.

Last week I reminded our community what “Fran” really shows us—not just speed, but power output. Not just finish times, but what kind of capacity you're actually building. Your numbers. Your effort. Your progress.

It’s never been about doing more. It’s about doing what matters—for you.

Celebrate What’s Yours

Last week, we celebrated Marcos Tiderman qualifying for Semifinals—an incredible achievement that deserves all the recognition it’s getting. But I also want to acknowledge this: he’s one standard, not the standard. His story is powerful, but so is yours.

Every single person who walks into this gym is navigating their own set of goals, challenges, and breakthroughs. Maybe you hit your first push-up. Maybe you made it to class five days in a row. Maybe you finally held a hollow position without breaking. Maybe — like Hanna and Kevin Irwin — you welcomed the first CrossFit Fairfield baby to the world after a 30 hour labor!

Those moments matter.

Progress doesn’t have to look like a competition floor to be meaningful. Keep writing your story. We’re here for it.

That being said, this weekend is gonna be pretty focused on trying to get Marcos and myself to the CrossFit Games. The planned schedule for when we will attempt the different workouts is below:

• Thursday 6:45pm - Workout 5 (Heavy Isabel)

• Friday - 5:45pm - Workout 1 (Row/Shoulder to Overhead)

• Friday - 6:30pm - Workout 2 (Cleans/Bar Muscle up)

• Saturday - 10:00am - Workout 4 (Lunge/DB Snatch/Box Jump)

• Saturday - 2:00pm - Workout 3 (Gymnastics Chipper)

If you're interested in learning more about the workouts, the Semifinals, or anything CrossFit Games Season related you can always check out games.crossfit.com.

Play Your Game

Just because someone else is competing in the Semifinals or learning muscle-ups doesn’t mean that’s your next step. Just because someone is lifting heavy doesn’t mean your priority isn’t simply better movement or consistency. I've had a lot of conversations with many of you over the past several weeks trying to help you build YOUR game plans. If you have your own specific questions about what your game plan might be, I'm here.

What are you avoiding in training right now? What skill, position, capacity, or effort makes you uncomfortable? Start there. That’s your compass.

What Training Really Builds

Forget the Instagram highlight reels. Real training builds:

• Self-Awareness – Knowing what you need to work on and not hiding from it.

• Consistency – Doing the work on the days it doesn’t feel exciting.

• Ownership – Taking responsibility for the direction you're headed.

• Confidence – Earning it rep by rep, not just wishing for it.

• Resilience – Showing up when it’s hard, especially when no one’s watching.

Community Spotlight: Nat and Sam are Members of the Month!

Nat and Sam have both been members for over a year, and their consistency has been nothing short of inspiring. They’ve each shown incredible curiosity, a willingness to learn, and a deep commitment to stepping outside their comfort zones—and it’s paying off in a big way.

Natalie is a voice coach, teacher, and devoted daughter and sister whose CrossFit journey started thanks to a gentle nudge from her dad—an age group competitor himself—who knew she’d thrive in the community. From day one, Natalie brought an open mind to the gym, embracing challenges with a quiet grace and discipline, showing up even on open gym only days to work on developing herself. Her ongoing journey is a powerful example of what’s possible when you lead with intention.

Sam’s transformation is a masterclass in grit and growth. When he first joined, he couldn’t squat below parallel and front racking a barbell seemed completely out of reach. But through steady work, relentless consistency, and a serious commitment to simply showing up, Sam has completely redefined what he’s capable of. A true born-and-bred Alabaman, he proudly credits his supernatural pressing strength to being “bred in Bama”—and while that might be true, it’s his hard work that’s made the biggest difference. Sam has proven that persistence, patience, and showing up day after day is what real strength is built on.

Nat and Sam are both pillars of our community and we’re so grateful they choose to include us on their journey!

Get Better at What Matters

It’s not about doing more. It’s about doing what matters most.

If you want to grow—mentally, emotionally, even spiritually—you have to start by taking care of the one vessel that moves you through it all: your body. And you’ve got to train it in the way you need most.

Let others chase their thing. You stay locked in on yours.