2010 “Push-up Woman of the Year”: Darlene Price

Today we’re taking a break from the weekly challenges, to bring you a fantastic video that Sleeves created for CrossFit Austin.  As most of you know Darlene Price was honored as the “2010 Push-up Woman of the Year” at this at this past year’s Christmas party. This video is her story, and a  testament to the character, toughness, and enthusiasm she brings to the gym every day.  We’re proud that she calls CrossFit Austin home, and we’re equally proud to share her incredible story with each and everyone of you. Enjoy!

Weekly Challenge #4: Outstanding Push-up Man Picture

This week’s challenge is inspired by Jerry’s fantastic photo posted to Facebook above. This weeks challenge is pretty straight forward, send in the best Push-up man picture and you receive a $20 Lululemon Gift Certificate!

Here are a few ideas for winning this challenge:
Great Photography
Celebrity Push-up Man
Great backdrop
Creativity (see above)
Creativity
Creativity!

This challenge will end and be judged as our facial hair and southern do contest at the end of the challenge (March 12th).  So you’ve got some time to hound b-list Austin celebrities and travel the world rocking the push-up man! Please send all pictures to info@crossfitaustin.com.

Mark Sisson’s Primal Accelerated Success Seminar (PASS) is coming to CrossFit Austin!

Last few days to register! Register HERE

Description:

The Primal Accelerated Success Seminar (PASS) is an entertaining and interactive 7-hour course that will immerse you into Mark Sisson’s wildly popular Primal lifestyle movement and best-selling book, The Primal Blueprint. By the end of your PASS experience, you’ll have a clear understanding of the key Primal Blueprint concepts, and develop a specific plan of action to “get Primal” over the ensuing 30 days and beyond. The course material stands alone for those who are relatively unacquainted with Primal living, but reading the book in advance will enhance your seminar experience.

Location: CrossFit Austin, 8708 South Congress, Suite A180, Austin, TX 78745, (806) 679-7519

Date: Saturday, June 25, 2011

Time: 9am-4pm (Registration begins at 8:15am.)

Discounts: PASS fee is $149. Register here. Discounts for couples registering together ($20 off) and groups of 10+. Email for details.

Attendee Information: Special needs will be accommodated as best possible, email for details. Event day registration may be possible, email to inquire. Advanced certifications for fitness professionals will be offered later in 2011, with the pre-requisite of completing the PASS.

Important: Please bring ID to registration to verify ticket purchase. No ticket needed for entry. Upon registration you will receive your Participant Registration Kit.

Participant Registration Kit:

1. Success Binder: 140-page notebook with weekly action items and journal exercises to help focus your Primal goals over the ensuing 30 days.

2. How to Forage in the Modern World – Convenient 60-page guidebook with lists and strategies to shop and cook primally.

3. $20 Gift Certificate for Primal Blueprint products

Presenter:

Mark Sisson (bio): The founder of the Primal Blueprint movement and publisher of MarksDailyApple.com will conduct a limited number of PASS events for larger groups.

PASS Agenda:

Morning Session: Primal Blueprint Key Concepts. Detailed scientific explanation and practical discussion of the how’s and why’s of Primal living, and how they contrast sharply with Conventional Wisdom about diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits. Understanding the key concepts will help you build a solid foundation for your transition to a Primal lifestyle. Advanced Primal enthusiasts will appreciate how the discussion picks up where the book left off!

Break: A ten-minute morning break will be provided with beverages and snacks available.

Q&A: The delivery of the presentation material will be balanced with audience engagement at regular intervals. We want to make sure you “own” each of these concepts and have a complete understanding of how they apply to your health and fitness goals.

Lunch: Enjoy 45-minute of free time, and the opportunity to complete your first assignment of eating a Primal lunch!

Afternoon: Primal Accelerated Success Action Plan. Armed with the knowledge presented in the morning, you’ll develop a step-by-step action plan to transition to a Primal-lifestyle over the next 30 days. You’ll learn how to clean out your fridge and pantry and surround yourself with Primal foods. You’ll commit to a 14-day test period of Primal eating and evaluate the impact on your energy level, appetite, immune function, body composition, and overall sense of health and well being. You’ll learn how to restructure your workouts away from a chronic approach to model the Primal Blueprint Fitness principles. You’ll engage in a hands-on demonstration/fitness evaluation involving the Five Essential Movements – a simple, safe, total-body workout program for all fitness levels. You’ll develop a customized plan to optimize your sun exposure, sleep habits, and play time, and more!

Break: A ten-minute afternoon break will be provided with beverages and snacks available.

Small Group Discussion: Leverage the presentation material with additional brainstorming and insights from your new Primal buddies. Time to crystallize your goals and put pen to paper with specific commitments and To-Do List items.

February Athlete of the Month: Mike Kelly

State your Name and/or Nickname please.

Michael Patrick Kelly, better known as “Mike”

Occupation?

Mission Control Consultant for the Seton Family of Hospitals (actual title – hard to believe). Although our office aspires to send people to the moon, we’re the internal business consultants for the 9 hospitals in our system.

Words to live by?

“Take the time to warm up, cool down and stretch… you’re body will thank you.” – don’t know who said this, but it’s so true.

What is your fitness background?

Swimming and water polo in high school and then got lazy in college. Wasn’t active again until I found CrossFit.

How long have you been CrossFitting?

Started with my friends at CrossFit San Antonio back in the summer of 2007, so a little over 3 1/2 years.

What’s your favorite part of CrossFit?

It’s definitely the community. It’s a second family with it’s own unique language, culture and values. I’ve been to many different boxes while on business trips and felt the same sense of community all over the country. CrossFit Austin has amazing coaches and clients – a combination that keeps me coming back for more!

What are your training goals?

I’ve wanted to do a muscle up for a long time… that would be awesome. A walking handstand would also make my day.

Favorite sport or activity?

Besides CrossFit, it depends on the season. In the summer, I enjoy swimming with my kids at the Landa Park aquatic complex in our new hometown of New Braunfels. In the winter, running in half and full marathons has been my activity of choice.

Recent adventure you’re planning?

New Zealand – I’ve wanted to go explore both islands and take a real vacation ever since I got out of college. Still a dream, but hopefully in the works in the next year or two.

Tell us something we don’t know about you?

I watch almost any show on TV about Alaska – and there are many.

Longhorns or Aggies?

Not really a football guy, but would probably pick Longhorns.

So all of our 5:30 AMers are well aware of your powerful beard that gives you ridiculous pull-up numbers, and super human hip mobility.What other accomplishments would you attribute to the power beard?

Beards are the secret behind waking up to workout at 5:30 AM, RX-ing on all WODs and deadlifting small cars on the weekends. Honestly, I have to admit that growing the beard has been awesome. It saves time on shaving, keeps my face warm and gives me the undeserved appearance of being wise beyond my years. My advice is grow facial hair and live the life you’ve always dreamed of!

Leave the fine folks of CrossFit Austin with some parting words?

I’d like to thank Wes sticking out his neck by offering the 5:30 AM class and Tristy for faithfully waking up to coach us and keep it fun in the morning. It was hard to believe anyone would actually show up in the beginning, but it’s happening! 5:30 AM and 6:30 AM classes rock!

COA Weekly Challenge #3 and CFA Gear Update!

Yo DJ, Its Yo DJ!

We’re right the thick of a mustache mania, and words can’t describe the delicious chili we consumed this Saturday (except for Cody’s eloquent words), so its on to the next challenge. This time your vieing for your very own OlyAthlete T-shirt.  It time to step into the DJ booth for all your fellow CrossFit Austinites. You have this week to turn in a CD/Playlist that will be put on repeat for a full day of classes next week.  The masses will vote for who has the smoothest taste in tunes, and the t-shirt trophy will be yours!

New CFA Track Jackets on the way!

We are placing another order for CFA Track jackets next week.  Please list what size you’d like in the comments, and we will make sure to include it in the order.  Thanks!

Chad Vaughn’s Training Invitational

***New and improved with immediate video feedback AND video review during discussion segment!****

WHO: Open to anyone who has attended a small group, mini clinic, 1-Day seminar, or a 4 week class with Chad.

What: An elite weightlifting training environment that will include a 2 hour training session followed by 1 hour of video review of at least 1 snatch and 1 clean&jerk from each attendant, WITH recommended movements/program for each different athlete’s needs, AND round table discussion(depending on time) on training philosophy/methods, questions, snacks, etc. There will be technical pointers/critique throughout from Chad and staff. Chad will be included in the 8 total training spots along with potentially one other staff member, plus 2-3 other coaches to ensure more than sufficient attention. We will have a 1-day program available that will take us all through the snatch and then the clean & jerk at the same time, followed by an exercise specific to each attendant, if time. The price will be $125 per athlete for the day OR $95 for those currently enrolled in one of Chad’s 4 week classes.

When: Saturday, February 12th at 11:00am

Where: CrossFit Austin, 8708 South Congress Suite A 180, Austin, TX 78745

Why: “This was all motivated by many productive and successful training sessions that included questions, critiques, and observations from all involved. I have come to notice that the athletes that start as my students, and evolve into actual training partners benefit much more and much quicker than someone I simply just coach. Since I am coaching and training at the same time, the combination of words and first hand execution seems to be very powerful. As a bonus, I have started to feel like I not only coach better when I am lifting, but, lift better when I am coaching! So, it has become a vision of mine to open up this opportunity to more people and then expand on it. I want to create an environment that is filled with athletes that I have taught and trained with, and who have become skilled in teaching the methods that I use (not to mention bringing in other elite weightlifters when available!). This will further benefit anyone who wants to join us for a workout in a positive, electric environment! I very much look forward to throwing some weight around with anyone interested!”

-Chad Vaughn

*For additional information or pricing, contact Chad Vaughn @ vaughn_chad@hotmail.com



COA Weekly Challenge #2: Paleo Chili Cookoff

Hopefully everyone is keeping it Awesome in the good circle! Our next weekly challenge is a Paleo Chili cook off for two $10 gifts certificates to Cabo Bobs (that’s  a $20 value for those of you not so mathematically inclined).  We will hold a secret ballot taste test contest after Saturdays 10 AM workout at 11:15 PM.  Anyone who would like to be tasters/voters are welcome to come out (or stick around).  For all you chili chefs out there see below for the rules:

1. No Beans
2. No added sugar
3. No Grains or grain products
4. No Milk products (specifically sour cream, or cheese.)  Real butter, and/or eggs are acceptable.
5. You must bring a recipe with your Chili to verify ingredients, and also to share with your fellow Awesomites!

Again the prize is basically a $20 gift certificate to the Cabo Bobs, and knowing you’re the greatest Chili chef in Travis county. For those of you unfamiliar with Cabo Bobs, they are located 500 E. Ben White.  Their menu includes many paleo friendly salad and bowl options, and they are currently working with Tristy to create a specific Paleo option/menu!

Find more info at their website here:

http://www.cabobobs.com/

CrossFit Games Training

Next Monday we will begin a training schedule for those of you that would like to compete in this year’s CrossFit Games Sectional Competition.  The sectionals by rules are required if you would like to compete on the CrossFit Austin Affiliate Team during the regional event. If you are interested in competing or being on the team please email me.  I will let you know what the plan is! Also if anyone is interested in supporting the eventual team, and competitors without competing please email me too, and I’ll let you know how you can help!

The Circle of Awesomeness Southern Do and Manly Mustache Contest!

Our first bonus prize contest is all about lookin good! The contest begins this week, and will end on the final Saturday (March 12th) of challenge.

For the Gentleman you have just under two months to do your best Tom Selleck impersonations. Although the mustache is the most revered of the facial hair arts,  beards, goatees, handlebars, fu manchus, or any other type of face fur will be accepted. The males in this contest will be judged on manliness and creativity.

For the ladies you also have  just under two month to devise, and construct the most epic southern do ever seen in South Austin.  The judging will take place on Saturday March 12th, and just like the gentleman you will be judged on creativity, and extravagance. Something that would make Dolly Parton proud!

Prizes: CFA Track Jacket, CFA T-Shirt of your choice, and a foam roller!

Austin Gorilla Run: Gorillas Gathering at CFA!!

Next Wednesday from 5-7:30 PM get ready to be welcomed to the Jungle!  The Gorillas from Austin Gorilla Run are going to be joining CFA for some good times, and Gorilla CrossFitting! Come out to get a 10% discount off our your Gorilla Run entry fee, and 10% off any CrossFit Austin intro class!

For more info on the Gorilla Run check  out there website HERE.

For direction to CrossFit Austin and more info click HERE.