CrossFit Scottsdale » Ambassador Blogs

Scottsdale Networking Organization

Ashley — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 16:20:29 +0000

Get Ready to Network!

CrossFit Scottsdale Connections is a monthly networking event where fellow CrossFitters come together to enjoy lunch and learn about each other’s professions, to not only become a better supporter in the gym, but to help grow everyone’s business and network outside these walls. Your first month is FREE and Lunch is provided!

December’s meeting will be moved up one week due to the holidays and will be held on Tuesday, December 13, 2011 from Noon to 1:00pm. This meeting is hosted by Matt Blanton and will take place at Printing Solutions Office located at:

8281 E. Evans Road, #104, Scottsdale, AZ 85260.

Printing Solutions has been in business since early 2007 and is dedicated to achieving a reputation of excellence in the Phoenix area. Specializing in the common business products such as business cards, letterhead, catalogs, presentation folders, and envelopes, they also cater to the high impact marketing pieces such as postcards, tear cards, posters, stickers, and banners.

See you all on December 13th!

Scottsdale Business Networking Organization

Ashley — Wed, 09 Nov 2011 16:21:18 +0000

We all know what career networking involves; it is the developing and maintaining of contacts and personal connections with different people in your niche area who might be advantageous to you and your career. Networking has helped me to get every job I have ever had, in addition to helping my businesses obtain and retain clients. Can you say the same? What are you doing to help grow and promote your business? Come see what CrossFit Scottsdale Connections can do for you!

This month’s meeting will be hosted by Dr. Sonya Bladow on Tuesday, November 15th from Noon to1:00pm and will be held at Total Lifestyle Chiropractic.

Lunch will be provided so come prepared to eat and network!

Dr. Sonya’s focus is on women between 20 and 30 years of age, particularly before they become pregnant so she can have a positive influence on both Mom and Baby’s health. She has had extensive training in chiropractic technique and wellness, specifically as they relate to lifestyle choices in the biochemical, physical, and psychological realms. In addition, she has had many years of experience in personal training and nutritional consulting, giving her a unique perspective on health and wellness.

Keep in mind that networking is about being genuine and authentic, building trust and relationships, and seeing how you can help others.

See you all on November 15th!

“I want to dance at my daughter’s wedding”

Luke — Tue, 07 Jun 2011 04:42:40 +0000

I first joined CrossFit Scottsdale in order to become healthy and reverse my pre-diabetes. Most of you know that, and also know that did indeed get my insulin resistance under control primarily by WOD-ing 5 days a week. Now that I am a new daddy at almost 39 years old, I realize that beating diabetes is just the beginning. I have so much more to do to get healthy. The CrossFit definition of health is fitness across all ages. In other words, being healthy means that my Fran time at 39 years old would be about the same when I am 65 years old. Actually, I hope my Fran is better by the time I reach 65 because right now it’s not so good! The age of 65 is when most people consider retiring, spending their days traveling, golfing, or maybe needing some type of assisted living. When I turn 65, that could be around the time my newborn daughter would be ready to get married. Yikes! I got a late start on my family life, so that means I MUST stay fitter that other people my age in order to share in my daughter’s life milestones. I have to be fit enough and healthy enough to play with her in the park, to attend all her recitals or games, to be her hero at all times. I also want to be fit enough to scare the snot out of anyone daring enough to date her in her teenage years! And, most importantly, I want to be able to dance at my daughter’s wedding.

I’m going to be training harder than before. Sure, getting my Level 2 band was great and competing in Friday Night Lights was an awesome experience. Yeah, I would like to be able to do Fran rx’d or Murph with a vest. But most importantly, I have to train harder now because my family needs me more than ever, and because I will be there for my daughter for all her important life events. So this is an open invite to the CFS community: please help push me to reach my goals, and I’ll do the same for you!

- Don

CrossFit Scottsdale Connections- April Meeting

Ashley — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 17:24:45 +0000

As we progress through competition season, there are many ways to help get you prepared to perform with Elite Fitness outside of CrossFit Scottsdale as well. Mark DiSalvo with Arizona Orthopedic Physical Therapy can help bring the recourses you and your body need to get ready to dominate any WOD.

Mark not only relieves patients of their pain and helping them meet their personal goals, but he educates them along the way as well. He not only helps with any injured area, but the whole boy and how it moves. This approach allows Mark to focus on the cause of the pain or dysfunction and to quickly develop a strategy to improve the symptoms or limitations. Patients know they will spend quality one-on-one time with Mark and this individualized approach allows him to constantly monitor and change a patient’s program to meet their specific needs. His goal is for every patient to see a positive measurable change in their condition after each visit.

Come learn more about Mark DiSalvo and how he can change your game for CrossFit!

The meeting will take place at AZOPT’s office at 9364 E Raintree Dr. Scottsdale, AZ 85260

Tuesday, April 19^th, 2011 from Noon to 1:00pm.

If you are interested in joining, please RSVP to Ashley; Ashley@CrossFitScottsdale.com

Why the heck am I competing in Friday Night Lights?

Najla — Tue, 08 Mar 2011 12:27:16 +0000

People think that I am crazy for competing in Friday Night Lights, the 2011 CrossFit Games Sectionals being held at CrossFit Scottsdale. Well (to be honest) when I say “people” I mean my wife - but she thinks I am crazy just for doing CrossFit at all!

But seriously, I am not yet able to do all WODs as Rx’d. I am still missing a lot from my tool box, like muscle-ups, handstand push-ups, and rope climbs. And there is no way that I could ever expect to win, given the level of competition. So why bother?

The fact is, I have goals that I want to achieve in CrossFit. And the fastest way to raise my game is to compete with the best of the best. I watched the 2011 California Regionals last year, and just being there as a spectator fired me up to train harder. I can only imagine how much more energized I will be this year by competing this year.

I am grateful that Friday Night Lights is offering a Scaled division. Otherwise, I would have to watch from the sidelines again. But now I have an opportunity to be in the mix. First place, last place, or anywhere in between: it doesn’t matter. I know I will be taking myself to the next level. Game on!

- Don Wong

Check your EGO at the door.

Luke — Tue, 01 Mar 2011 04:02:44 +0000

Check your ego at the door because this is a true Throwdown of what a bona fide Crossfitter is made of. Have you ever completed three WODs in a day? How about one day of three WODs, followed by another day of two, one of them consisting of three different workouts within one WOD? If your answer is yes, then you’re probably laying horizontal, in a semi comatose state, close to what I’m doing at this very moment, consumed with an intense amount of pride and disbelief of what you have just completed. And if your answer is no, then you have not reached the level of competition that’s out there, waiting to challenge the next best Crossfitter.

It’s easy to train in the comfort of your own box, garage, gym or whatever you may call that comfy place you reside. But it’s not until you jump out of this cozy place of familiar faces and equipment, that you find what you are truly made of. This is where competition can truly measure the level at which you’re training. Competition brings about the unknown; unknown equipment, unknown movements, weights, thresholds and competitors.

This weekend Luke, Brandon and I traveled to El Paso to compete in the Southwest Fitness Throwdown. This was like no other competition I had ever participated in. I walked in confident and ready to compete and what I quickly realized was in fact, everything is “Bigger & Better in Texas.” The competition held WODs with bigger weights, better and stronger competition, and more difficult standards. It was the “unknown” of this competition, filled with its unfamiliar equipment, and contenders that shaped a very humbling and eye opening experience into what I’ve been training for accurately and where my weaknesses lie.

As Sections, Regionals and the Games rapidly approach, where are you with your training? Are you ready for what’s out there, the “Bigger and Better”? Are you training at your full potential? What I have gained from this weekend is that you always have to train knowing there is someone else out there training harder, heavier and more intensely than you, so HTFU, drink some whole milk and catch up.

Melissa “Mel” Einbinder

Watch more video of Southwest Fitness Throwdown on sicfit.com



“Boys to Men”
Luke — Wed, 23 Feb 2011 03:41:40 +0000
Today my good friend Allen-Michael Armstrong also known as “Jedi” turns 19 years old and before I give you the hero WOD I want to talk about the impact this particular “Jedi” has had on my life. You see last year a young boy wearing skinny jeans, ipod and hair covering half his face walks into my office. He tells me he has joined the Air Force and wants to get his @$$ kicked until he leaves for basic training and that he has no money to pay for it. I tell him to be here tomorrow morning at 0600. A year later this boy is now a man. We have taught him how to TRAIN for survival, what to EAT for strength and why we  FIGHT  for something more than ourselves. He was not our 1st and he wont be our last however he will be HARD to beat. The FORCE was always STRONG with this one. He is always on time, never missed a mission and always did more than what was asked. He impressed us so much we had to change the name of former “Jedi” to O.J (old jedi) because his SKILLS were unmatched with anyone we had seen before.
“Jedi” became the ultimate ambassador to CrossFit Scottsdale and he was getting pretty good too. He passed his Level I and was my protege for HELL WEEK only to FAIL  the level II test. Knowing “Jedi” I feel that this was a turning point for him and his training. He started to take it serious. It gave him drive and dedication to work on some holes he had in his armor. So he studied, practiced and honed in on the task, passing the Level II ahead of his class and was becoming proficient in all aspects of our program.
After 6 months of working for his membership we gave him ownership. “Jedi” had earned his right to do anything he wanted at CFS. So he asked if I would sponsor him at the CrossFit Level I coaching certification, so that he might be able to teach other Pararescue the TOOLS that may save his life one day.
As of yesterday we had no permanent dates on his departure… June….November…. 2012. The guessing is over we now have a deadline… May 17, 2011 my Boi Allen- Michael Armstrong will join the United States Air Force and will serve our country to protect our right to FREEDOM and we will celebrate in his honor by completing this WOD.

“Jedi”

100 Burpees

1 Mile Run

50 Burpees

800 Run

25 Burpees

400 Run



E.P
Luke — Thu, 13 Jan 2011 02:46:31 +0000



Happy 28th Birthday Coach Erica “E.P” “Eazy E” Picard.

Erica started her CrossFit career with us at the Edge 3 years ago and now she is one of the top female athletes in the state.

She also knows how to give a mean looking Mohawk.

This wods for you…
Warm

280 Row

28 Push ups

3x
Strong

Deadlift

5,5,5,5,5

+

28 strict sit ups in between rounds
WOD

50,40,30,20,10

Sumo Deadlift High Pull #75/45

Double Under



1.11.11
Najla — Tue, 11 Jan 2011 00:00:33 +0000
Happy 25th Birthday Ashley
25 Birthday Burpees

1 Mile Run
(3 rounds of)

11 Pull Ups

11 Thrusters (95/65)




Success Despite Injury
Coach Tiffany — Sun, 09 Jan 2011 17:20:45 +0000
 Athletes know that injury is a part of the game. The goal is always to prevent injury but sometimes it is unavoidable.  As crossfitters we have entered this athletic world and have started demanding more out of ourselves, more out of our bodies.  The pay-off is HUGE…RESULTS!  We feel better, look better and can do things we never thought we would be able to do.  We are fitter and prepared for the unknown, prepared for life. So what happens when we do get injured?  What can we do to speed recovery, to keep up our strength and conditioning? 
 Here is Bob’s story.  Bob has been with CrossFit Scottsdale since it’s beginning.  He has lost over 90lbs and become a force to be reckoned with in class.  Here is his journey through shoulder surgery….
To WOD or Not To WOD?????

As many of you know I suffered through an injured shoulder for many months. A little over 3 months ago I decided to have surgery to repair a torn Rotator Cuff and a torn Labrum…fun!!! I picked one of the top shoulder surgeons in Phoenix and was at ease with the surgery and recovery.  What I wasn’t at ease with was the expected time away from CrossFit Scottsdale.  I was told by my surgeon that the “normal” recovery time for my type of repair was 6-8 months!!!! But, as most of us CrossFit Scottsdale kool-aid-drinkers know, there is nothing “normal” about us that Crossfit! We are different, we are tougher than the “normal” person…
Three days after surgery coach Luke paid me a visit at my home.  He was just “checking” on me, but the visit meant a lot more to me.  Luke and all the coaches were truly concerned for me and my eventual recovery and return to CrossFit Scottsdale … I was almost in tears as I sat there with coach.  The realization that I would not be able to attend classes for quite some time had finally hit me. It was VERY hard to accept.
I decided to rehab as hard as I could.  Endure as much pain as I could at P.T. (and believe me I have endured a lot of pain at P.T.), with my #1 goal being a healthy return to CrossFit Scottsdale. My therapist and surgeon both thought I could
be back at CrossFit Scottsdale in 6-7 months. I decided that this time frame just wouldn’t work for me! At the insistence of the CrossFit Scottsdale coaches
I returned to class one time per week for 2 weeks, then 3 times per week the last few weeks. My return has meant the world to me!!My P.T. sessions are going much better, my sleeping has improved, and the pain in my repaired shoulder has improved. I am totally convinced it is because I am back with you all at CrossFit Scottsdale!!!!! I am way ahead of schedule in my recovery.  My therapist
says that I am one tough S.O.B. and can endure more pain than he has ever seen. I know it is because of CrossFit Scottsdale!!!
I would advise anyone that is injured to get into class, do a scaled WOD, be in the environment, sweat again, be sore!!! I could hardly walk after the first 2 WODs the coaches prepared for me and boy did it feel great!!! Just remember that all of us that Crossfit are a different breed. We are tougher than the average person. Use this
to your advantage if you are injured.  I know in my heart that it will speed up your recovery as it has mine!!! It is truly a joy to be back amongst all of you guys and I want to thank you all for your concern and support.
Your friend and fellow Crossfitter… Bob Hisle

The moral of the story… Do everything you can to prevent injury.  Mobility, stretching, proper FORM in all your movements, eat clean, take your fish oil and listen to your coaches.  Know the difference between sore and injured.  If something doesn’t feel right, listen to your body and see someone for help.  Let your coach know.  Unless you are in a full body cast we can modify and create a WOD that will allow you to continue your strength and conditioning & recover faster and continue to be on the CROSSFIT SCOTTSDALE TEAM.