2020
As we transition into a new decade, Rob and I have been doing the same reflecting that everyone else around the world seems to have been doing - thinking back about how we’ve changed in the past 10 years, all that we accomplished, all we failed to accomplish, and how we plan to take the lessons we’ve learned with us into the next decade.
As you can probably imagine, Arena Ready has defined the past decade for us. It’s been an honor to be part of so many firsts, to see you come in as newcomers a little intimidated, but hopeful, and watch you transform into confident athletes who know your way around the gym, know your limits, and know how to face both strength and weakness with wisdom and grace. You’ve humbled us, inspired us, tested us, and made us so much stronger. In the immortal words of Wicked:
“I've heard it said
That people come into our lives for a reason
Bringing something we must learn
And we are led
To those who help us most to grow
If we let them
And we help them in return
Well, I don't know if I believe that's true
But I know I'm who I am today
Because I knew you.”
Going into 2020, we still love CrossFit, and Arena Ready in particular. Our commitment to the pursuit of excellence, and to helping people to live happier, healthier lives hasn’t revealed a better methodology or mindset for helping people to achieve their best selves, both in and out of the gym. We’ve also cemented our philosophy that priorities must be prioritized, and there are certainly seasons for prioritizing fitness and seasons for just getting by a little healthier than you would have been otherwise. No matter the season, it’s so important to be intentional about your choices, recognize the inherent trade offs, and accept that it’s actually not possible to be in more than one place at a time. There is honor in striving for presence, and doing the best you can with the task in front of you, even though sometimes that means you’re missing out on something else you also value. That said, if you aren’t able to prioritize the things that are important to you, sometimes you have to consider reorganizing your life to make space for the thing you’re missing out on, whether that be professional development, health, community, family, or anything else you value.
Closing out this decade and heading into 2020 we’ve finally fully accepted that we need to make more space for things besides Arena Ready in our lives, and in order to do that we have to step back and give others the opportunity to carry the AR torch forward. We will always love Arena Ready, but to get cliche for a second, sometimes even if you love it you have to let it go. And, in the space we will leave open, we believe we finally have the perfect team in place. You already know and love our committed and wonderful staff of experienced coaches, plus you’ve likely met our wonderful recent addition Coach Alex, we’ve already announced Coach Katoa’s transition into the GM position, and as the final piece to the puzzle we’re excited to announce that Tony F has joined us as an Owner (adding a U.S. location to his gym portfolio already including three successful CrossFit gyms in Taiwan). We couldn’t be more grateful to or excited about the group leading us into the next decade.
We will continue to be owners, and we’ll still be around in person coaching and working out for awhile, although in the spirit of full disclosure we are planning a big move later this year (if you’d like more details you’re welcome to reach out to us). Even as we change our physical location, we plan to continue working closely together with the team on the ground to ensure the AR core values stay the same. The new team's goal is to make the AR experience even better, and we have faith that they’ll be successful. But, since we personally are nearing the end of this era, we wanted to take the opportunity to tell you how much we love you before the moment passes.
We’ve said it so many times throughout the years, but only because it’s true: thank you for giving us the honor of being part of your fitness journey. Thank you for trusting us, for believing in us, and for giving us the opportunity to follow this dream. You will always be part of our hearts, and again, back to Wicked:
“It well may be
That we will never meet again
In this lifetime [ok, maybe that’s a little dramatic…]
So let me say before we part
So much of me
Is made of what I learned from you
You'll be with me
Like a handprint on my heart
And now whatever way our stories end
I know you have re-written mine
By being my friend…
Because I knew you, I have been changed for good ❤️💙”
WOD For 01-04-20:
With a Partner For Time:
100 Calorie Row (FM Pairs = 90 Cal / FF Pairs = 80 Cal)
50 Power Snatches @ 135/95 lbs
150 Wall Balls @ 20/14 lbs to 10/9 ft
50 Power Snatches @ 135/95 lbs
100 Calorie Row (FM Pairs = 90 Cal / FF Pairs = 80 Cal)
One person working at a time, switch whenever you like.