wow. finally a woman we can appreciate.

Wow...look at that picture!

The epitome of strength.

Perfect in so many ways! I so agree with the comment she makes regarding appreciating the journey rather than the outcome.

Thanks, Eva. Can't wait to meet you one day.

Eva T is my 8 year-old son and his ski teams' hero!!!

Eva,
Whoa been hitting the zone hard. Tip of the hat to you my friend lookin good!

I get to train with her in 3 weeks. Yippee!

Oh man, this is gonna be a good one. You are too much Coach. Don't ever change a thing!

And one more thing:

EVA benchmark WOD now COACH!!!1

Please, she deserves it so bad!

I agree with the article's bottom line and I love the interview with Eva. I always like it when I can gain some insight into what elite level athletes are thinking just before the start of a competition. I believe that tis type of mindset helps in all sorts of every day tasks and tests. Thanks Eva, Nicole and Coach.

Have Fun, Train Hard,

Billy

looking great Eva!

Help from the ladies please...

I have been crossfitting now for about 45 days. I have found that I have increased in strength, endurance and weight. By weight, I mean, my weight. I have gained about 5 pounds in 45 days and I have not decreased my size at all. I'm a little afraid at this point that I am going in the wrong direction and its effecting me negatively. It is causing me to rethink crossfit, which I really enjoy. Have any other women seen this in themselves as they began to crossfit seriously?

Lysa

Eva - You look great! Nice interview. Always a class act. Look forward to seeing you again soon. (Oly Cert in Longwood?)

I agree it's the journey. Who would want to ever end this stuff? Crossfit women, Eva or a newbie, just rock!

Good interview, i like the insite from an elite skier/athalete, seems to ring true with Bodie and his venture to be on his own and train his way.

I coach J2 J3 J4 skiers (youth) and we use a lot of the CF training, the core strength building is undeniable

Would like to hear more from Eva - any insite into coaching youth.

That's definitely a phenomenal interview. I just discovered Eva's blog today, it is quite good.

Ya'll are having way too much fun! Is that allowed in Crossfit?
Great interview! I miss ya'll. Get your asses to Texas already!

Lysa,
Your the same size as Speal and he's elite.

You mentioned you've increased in strength and endurance, that is something you should be proud of. Remember, muscle weighs more than fat.
I've been CrossFitting for over 1 year and am stronger and more fit than i've ever been. I am also the leanest i've been, but it's not about that for me. Focus on performance and having fun first, the esthetics and everything else will follow.
Happy CrossFitting.

fantastic interview! love learning more about our CF heroes. Eva T. and Nicole, you both look amazing. two strong, smart and respectable women; love it! Keep on keepin' on!

Hey all,

I was just wondering, why doesn't the crossfit regimen include any (core) rotational exercises? Rotational power seems to be so crucial in any punching, swinging, or throwing movement that crossfit would have to include it in its definition of functional fitness and at least throw in a rotational exercise here or there. Does crossfit philosophy place rotational exercises under sports-specific training? Thanks for your help.

Is it fair to say that Eva has replaced Clapton as God

Lysa -

Think about what you just said: "I have gained about 5 pounds in 45 days and I have not decreased my size at all." Have you increased your size at all? Muscle is more dense than fat, and the same mass will occupy less volume.

More importantly - much more importantly - how do you feel? You said you have increased strength and endurance. How does that feel? Do you have more energy? How does it feel to be alive, and functional, more than ever before in your life?

Screw the d@#$! scale. The weights we associate with female "attractiveness" are based on a functionally incapable body. Nicole is about 5'1" and claims 115# for bodyweight OHS. Think about that - a 5'1" model is generally about 90# or so. Which body would you rather have - the model's, who can barely survive without a day in the city where everything is premade and nothing goes wrong, or Nicole's - over 25% heavier - and which can unleash some nastiness on whatever life tries to knock her down with (probably stuffs it back in life's face, with interest).

It's your call - but I define me by what works for me, not what other folks think I ought to be. Hasn't been easy getting there - but it's absolutely worth it to me.

Same thing goes for the guys, BTW. Y'all listening? ;-)

Eva is CrossFit personified. Great vid. So when does Eva get a WOD named for her?

Great example(s) of the WHOLE package!
mind
body
and
personality

I think I have just seen an incarnation of a Greek Goddess. Is she for real? Incredible.

Eva T is THE original. She needs more play.

Ahh... the rewards of clean eating.

Eva, you are as good an argument as I have seen.

I really, REALLY must look into this Zone thing.

Would just one "not-yet-celestial" being hit me with the skinny on this.

I know where to find the info...I just mean, will someone throw me a quantifiable testimonial... someone who slapped their own genetics right in the mouth...

FMLS

Oh, and how is this for hybrid pain.

18FEB08

5k but split into this monster.

800m run, f/b 50 situps, f/b 1RM front squat

repeat for six intervals.
continue increasing weight for 1RM (until fail)
decrease reps of sit-ups by ten each round (Annie style)

I PR'd on FS by 65 lbs!
I don't think these #s would have happened just "watch-watching"

Anyway... Zone, real? and how consistent must I be?

90%?, 80, 70???

Wow what an amazing woman!!! Thank you for representing us woman in a positive light!! I will smile before my next WOD thanks for the advice.

Dont worry what the scale says...if you feel better then you are doing a good job. Also look into your diet. You are probably getting stronger but if your diet doesnt change your are not going to see as many aesthetic results as it seems you may be looking for. Get on those veggies, follow the zone, drink the kool aid. This stuff works just stick with it and have fun.

Lysa-
Annlee gave some great advise and I strongly agree. While you think you have not changed, I'll bet you have. I get stuck on thinking about the weight/body image a lot (oh, there have been some tears). Then I get in the gym and get some PR's, do some funky metcon workout, or practice my favorite handstand push ups, and in the end its all about feeling good.
And, if it makes you feel any better, I gained a few lbs when I first started as well. After about 6 months, suddenly wt dropped off (about 12 lbs over the summer) and my strenth was increasing (so I knew it was not muscle I was losing). But I'm with Annlee- forget the scale. Go on how you feel.

A much needed rest day!

Nice interview.

Lysa - annlee's post is great. The scale shouldn't be your self-esteem meter. You're stronger, faster and more fit, doesn't that feel good?

And if you're still concerned about your weight, it's all about what you put in your mouth. Read up on the Zone diet, it's a good starting point whether you're looking to gain, maintain or lose weight.

Lysa #11

Let me preface this by saying i go back and forth from feeling similar to how you are feeling and to what i am going to say now. I started CF almost 2 years ago, I was 10-15lbs lighter (depending on the day) and had about 2% less bodyfat on me. i was also about 2 jeans/pant sizes smaller. I started crossfitting (cherry picked the WOD's, only doing metcons/never did strength) and leaned out even more. over the past year (once i really started doing the posted WOD's) i've noticed that i have added weight and gone up a few sizes. Like you I go back and forth, but what I keep coming back to is looking at videos such as today, seeing women like Eva T, Nicole, and Annie and I say 'damn i want to look like THAT!' Try to remember what OPT mommy said, muscle weighs more then fat. if you are seeing strength gains you are probably building muscle which is a good thing! keep up the hard work and try not to worry about any initial weight gain. are you on the zone?

Great interview. A definite highlight of my life was meeting Eva, and working under her at a cert. I think I will (finally) have to buy her calendar, and hide it from my wife: She was sick of hearing about Eva in the days, weeks, (months), after the cert. I can't imagine why ;)

AL

P.S Link for her calendar: [url] http://www.aasgaardco.com/store/store.php?crn=208&rn=313&action=show_detail [/url]

I do hope you meant "speech," not "speach."

Great picture/pose. Inspiring to all athletes.

Lysa,

45 days and already seeing improvement- isn't it awesome? Obviously, we all think CrossFit is worth doing and enjoyable, and I'm assuming you're not convinced by Cosmo that you need to be thin. I didn't see a change in weight or size until I changed my intake (diet). I go Paleo/Zone about 80% of the time. After changing my eating habits, I saw change in my body comps, but more interestingly, I felt different. I spread the word on Paleo almost as much as I do on CrossFit. Not sure what your intake is like, but I just thought I would throw this out there. Keep up the good work!

Good interview with Eva- thanks for posting it, Coach

Testosterone injections???

um...no.
CrossFit.
Just F-ing a lot of CrossFit.

I don't know they all make me smile.

Coach, you know what you're doing, don't you?

Great video of some powerhouses!

Check out the pic of nadia's back along with Eva's from last month. She's no joke-she is full of muscle! :)

A couple of quick easy questions (I hope). What does GHD stand for? As in GHD sit-up? And where can I find Eva T's travel workout that I read someone talk about a week or two ago? I will be away from a gym for about 10 days and would like to continue the great progress I have made since I started drinking the kool-aide. And since I am here - someone above mentioned Eva's blog - where is that?

To Lysa, I have been doing cross-fit for about 45 days and I have a LOT of weight to lose and for the first 30 days I gained - talk about frustration - BUT one day the weight started coming off and am down 15 big ones, I have about 30-40 more to go. AND my CF total - I did it on day 3 of CF and again about a month later - increased 110# in that time! I am so drinking the kool-aide!

Keep up the good work!

Interesting difference between the comments posted today and those posted last rest day, no?

Anyone else notice?

Wow, rest day so soon.

5k = 28:17

Doubled up on front squats and Annie tonight

Front Squats 1st
225, 235,255,275,295,305,315,325,330,330
"Annie" after: 9:01 (double unders are getting better, not near Speal level).

Eva T looks awsome!

Layta,
pb

amlivinthedream -

GHD = Glute-Ham Developer, aka masochism central. There are a few demos on the Exercises & Demos page.

The Exercises forum of the message boards has several threads about Eva's bodyweight workouts. George Mounce compiled them - just do a search. If that fails, I made a copy of many and have added my own. Email me at aahines - at - tx.rr.com for a copy.

For Eva's blog, Google on her name - Eva Twardokens.

Eva T. is straight up amazing. And Nicole, what a interviewer. thanks all

Eva is cool. Met her a few times, doubt she would remember me, but she is a sweet heart, turn fire-breather in a heart beat. You can see her reaction speed, in her eyes. Like she has several levels of focus that us mortals don't have.

Yup, she should have a workout named after her. Perhaps we should just nickname her 'Grace' instead.

Glad you are around Eva.

Eva (and Nicole),

I just wanted to say to you thanks for being who you are, and for being as tough as you are.

We are blessed, truly, with some world class women whose mental toughness puts that of many of us men in doubt.

I respect the heck out of you, and am working to bring up my daughters to be half as unreconcilable to failure as you.

With respect to the political piece, if at some point we Americans feel the need to exercise prior restraint--self censorship-because of Islamic bloviations about the necessity of embracing their version of Political Correctness, then shame on us.

If they want us to believe they are worth a good God damn, then they need to publicly repudiate the mass murder through suicide bomb of Israeli and other civilians.

They need to affirm that the indiscrimate murder of non-combatants is wrong and beyond the pale of their political remedies for their supposed problems. Certainly, that it is beyond what is authorized by the Koran.

Failing that, they get told to sit on a long pole and rotate slowly.

We are either a liberal culture expecting tolerance, or worn out hacks waiting for our decimation by cultural systems without our manifest and manifold infirmities of ideology and purpose.

#20 - sorry Eric - Eva T may be the Godess of Crossfit, but Clapton is still / always will be "God".

Wow! Man is she beautiful. Looks like I have a new computer background.

Eva, you look amazing!

Wow. That's all I can say.

Did you know Candice Michelle is coming back to WWE?

Oh, and Eva's the bomb, but we all knew that.

Don't hate me, but I don't think Eva is the epitome of what a women should look like. I am all for strong women (ala Nicole or Annie), however, Eva is very masculine. She has male pectoral development. I am not knocking her or her development (genetics make us what we are), I am wondering why so many feel compeled to call her the ideal (athlete maybe, but not women). And this is coming from a women if you were wondering... Thanks for letting me ramble...

Wow.

Thanks Eva, I'll be smiling to myself for the rest of the day.

Does Eva T. only perform WOD or does she supplement it with other lifts as well?

John

Annlee, thanks! I found everything!

Eva-T is amazing! Great interview! She is the woman!

#42

Couldn't agree more. Eva T defines what it is about!

Ah, religion misused by power hungry cretins in their quest to dominate and subjugate their fellow man. The pity of it is that there are so many willing followers of these false leaders and prophets.

Mandated censorship I have no use for. For all of the rights we have, I don't feel that there is any right to not be offended. Additionally, laws against a thing, do not change peoples' feelings about that thing, they only bring a legal dimension to the problem. It's kind of like painting over rust--things look better but there's still a problem under the surface.

Self censorship is a voluntary matter of social lubrication. I self censor all the time when I don't tell people how stupid they are for doing/not doing what they're doing/not doing. I'm an ER nurse, so keep in mind that I see a LOT of stupid and do a LOT of self censorship. To me, it makes things go more smoothly when you treat people respectfully, even when you have NO respect for them. It also gets you fired less in my line of work.

I submit that if your skin is so thin that you can take no insult to what you believe most deeply in without feeling the need to murder the offendor, you have deeper problems and your beliefs can't fix them.

Eva T. is a class act and an inspiration to all of us crossfitter men and women, Eva you look awesome keep up the great work

Great clip :)

#11 Lysa - don't look at it as gaining weight. Look at it as shifting your body composition around. Muscle weighs more than fat & after 6 weeks of CF, you're deffinitely starting to replace some of that fat with muscle. Keep after it. Some of the ladies have give you some great commentary, but you can hear it from a guy as well that it should be all about how you feel.

Eva - great interview. Please shoot me an email if you're ever over in Reno so we can go make some turns while we still have some snow.

Question to throw out: Anyone have advice on doing muscle-ups on the PU handles that are in cable crossovers at your typical Globo gym?

How AMAZING is it that Nicole seems to be doing most (if not all) of that interview resting in that deep squat position? Impressive!

EVA - Will you be in the upcoming olympics?

#52

Just look at those abs. Now thats hot. That's why I find the way she looks appealing,among other things. I disagree with you about her pectoral development. Her entire physique is very feminine. Toned is beautiful in my mind.

Really appreciated the insight into an amazing athlete and person so thanks CF.

How is it that such a class act hasnt been snapped up yet? Beats me.

Happy Crossfitting all.

#52 - everyone has their own "epitome" of what a woman should look like. So yours isn't Eva... no big deal... but she sure is the epitome for lots and lots of people on this site. I know I'll never look like her because I have different genetics but I can sure admire her strength, not just in how she looks, but how she kicks some ass in the gym. I have had the privilege to train with Eva at CFSC and one thing I have heard her say, and I completely admire, is "Everybody has a different body." Everybody has a different body. You have yours. Eva has hers. If you don't like it, don't strive for it, but let the people praise their goddess. Praise is a good thing and shouldn't be considered suspect.

To alter a quote from Buckley:
"“Liberals (Muslims) claim to want to give a hearing to other views, but then are shocked and offended to discover that there are other views.”

In8girl #40

Contrary to popular belief, that is not Eva in the picture with Nadia posted on 01/18/08.
That is Patty from Crossfit Old Bethpage on Long Island.
Not to take anything away from Eva but Patty deserves her props too!

Yo Eva!!
Looking as hot as always!
Robb

Met Eva this weekend as one of the Crossfit coaches for the Seattle barbell event at Crossfit in Redmond. She is as lovely in real life as we see in this interview; Clearly fit but also, soft spoken, tough, gentle and smart lady. Her coaching was clear, direct and on target. She seemed well balanced and this interview shows it. Congratulations to Crossfit for having her represent you.

I agree with the concerns of the article and in regard to "It is not cultures, religions or political systems that enjoy rights. Human beings enjoy rights, and certain principles like the ones embedded in the U.N. Declaration of Human Rights are universal.", also consider Guantanamo Bay.

Guantanamo Bay considered... conclusion: those that are there have given up their rights

I've been trying the WODs for about a year now with some mods here and there. I'm still having some trouble with front squat and the overhead squat. Overhead squats are worst - as I start moving downwards the bar begins to move forward.
Front squat - same thing - my back cannot stay straight throughout the movement. To start I'm workign with very low weights in order to try to force myself into the correct position but that isn't enough. I'm wondering if trying this in a Smith Machine may help me. Or should I be working on some specific stretching? Any suggestions would be great! Thanks.

Normally when I see the interview videos, I pass. They are often pretty bad, but this one was decent. Well done, Nicole and crew. Infidel6 also did a good interview with Eva a little ways back. Come to think of it, Robb Wolf's interview was good as well.

I dug the article, too. Normally the rest day articles and discussions are pretty unappealing, but this one hit the nail nicely on the head. It is worthwhile noting that it wasn't long ago that the Catholic Church was torturing and burning people at the stake for heresy. The most recent auto de fe took place in Mexico in the mid 1800s, I believe. So, intolerance for other religious views and the murderous will to back it up is not unique to Islam. Having highly concentrated and easily available explosives is a new development. What would have once been only religious stupidity can now easily become a slaughter.

The Koran and the Hadith exhort their followers to violence in no uncertain terms, as does the Bible. The Koran wins in this regard, however. Sam Harris in The End of Faith has about 3 full pages of Koran quotes. One of my favorites is below:

"Slay them wherever you find them. Drive them out of the places from which they drove you. Idolatry is worse than carnage... [I]f they attack yo put them to the sword. Thus shall the unbelievers be rewarded: but if they desist, God is forgiving and merciful. Fight against them until idolatry is no more and God's religion reigns supreme. But if they desist, fight none except the evildoers." (2:190-93)

Religion often drives people to do awful things in the name of faith. Islam, and those who emphasize the most radical portions of it, have honed this to a fine edge. I agree with the article. We should not live in a world where we cannot freely and vigorously criticize religion. Perhaps we can one day dispense with the supernatural all together.

EVA T. THATS OUR GIRL.
Thanks for everything and our gym.
ZIP

Eva, I commend you for your diligent hard work, strength, beauty and leadership. Well done. Thank you. You have set the bar at astral elevation, and nobody comes close.

And, that was one heck of a picture. What a Goddess. What an athlete.

I like the way the up and coming events were recently organized. Looks much better and is easier to follow.

Wow, thank you OPT Mommy, Anniee, In8girl, MaxG, Nadia Shatila, Leslie AP, amlivinthedream, and Travis, thank you everyone who answered my question.

I will take your comments and run with them. I appreciate your enthusiasm for crossfit, I share that enthusiasm.

OPT Mommy, I will focus on performance, by the way, you are married to an animal :>)

Anniee, you're right, I feel great and thank you for the d@#* scale comment :>)

In8girl, thank you for the honesty, and I do love it when people look at you funny at the gym when you do handstand push ups and metcon workouts :>)

MaxG, thanks for the advice and my whole family is pretty much following (has been following) the zone diet, I make sure of that :>)

Nadia Shatila, it took a lot from your post as I think that we may be two peas in a pod. It's a tough hurdle to get over, thanks for the kind words.

Leslie AP, Peleo, I have not read up on it but it sounds like eat what your body was made to eat. I'll read more and mabee give it a try, thank you.

amlivinthedream, wow!, 110#, that's 22lbs less than my entire body weight, keep up the good work. I would love to see results like that in 45 days :>)

Travis, thanks, that what my guy says. He echos everyone's comments about throwing out the scale and going for ability gains. Its just hard for a girl to do sometimes...

Thanks again for all of the comments, I love this community.

Happy Crossfitting,

Lysa

#41: 1. Glute-ham developer.
2. Skievat.blogspot.com

re: Eva's physique.
1. I believe I heard in another interview that she has been Crossfitting for 11 years, which is probably as long or longer than like, anyone on the planet.
2. She clearly has superior genetics, drive, and discipline.
3. Any woman would be insulted to be described as masculine. Somehow insinuating that her physique is the product of steroid use is equally insulting, especially given what we know the combination of Crossfit, diet, genetics, and drive is capable of producing.

All I'm sayin'.

Obviously I'm the only one that is completed offend by the picture of the day. If its not a video its a picture. Another woman in her bra! CF is definately headed into dangerous waters.

I would be completely embarassed if I told someone to check out CF and they're first impression was a picture of a woman in nothing but a bra. The interview was OK but it is quite clear that the reason Eva T didn't win a olympic metal is because she does not have the genetics for it. Sorry Eva, some of use are born athletic and some are not.

I hope those in charge of posting pictures would carefully rethink what they post. I love crossfit but seeing a woman in a bra has made me seriouly doubt if CF is for me.

:)

#79 Jay. Time to change your 12 inch green monitor Jay...it must be a little fuzzy or you don't keep up with Olymipic skiing or spent much time around strong women. She is a world class woman and athlete...watch the interview before you make comments....leaves no doubt about her class, humility and femininity. She is loved by this community and has earned every bit of the respect she has received above....and though you don't know it yet....yours as well.

Cool interview - thanks to both Eva and Nicole! It's very interesting to hear about the mental approach that someone as accomplished as Eva takes to a workout and competition. It's also nice to see that ladies like Eva and Nicole are just that - ladies! They are beautiful, feminine AND strong. More videos like this please - from the guys and the girls out there!

Great interview, inspiring, respectful, makes me want to quit being a whimpy start-stop-start-stop-star, sta, sta, start... guy. Why don't I just shoot myself and get it over with?
This is something great to be a part of. I'd like to find my balls tomarrow finally, commit, and be the athlete I know I can be.
It dosn't have anything to do with can I get to the gym. It has to do with, just like Eva T mentioned, do I love myself? I need to commit because it is the right thing to do. Because I respect and love myself.

From the article:

". . . the justifications for censorship and self-censorship are similar in different parts of the world: Religious feelings and taboos need to be treated with a kind of sensibility and respect that other feelings and ideas cannot command."

When we defend the right of others to be irrational, we defend their right to act irrationally towards us.

Hey, Mark Go,

Way to tell #79 Jay the way it is. Sorry that you can't tell the diffenece Jay.

Taco

Judging from the comments from the last two rest days:

It seems there is a direct correlation between the cup size of a bra and the offense one takes from seeing that bra. Interesting.

Sounds like the CrossFit gods listened. Eva, you're a stud.

There are no better athletic role models than crossfit role models and Eva T. is the best of the best. Great interview. Eva you are as soft spoken and gracious as you are beautiful. I love your strength and grace and humor. Congratulations on your olympic lift national championship. You epitomize champion in every way.

That's Brian Nesmith doing pistols in the background at the beginning of the interview. He was the trainer at DCF at my very first wod: Helen. I thought I was going to die, but instead, I'm hooked for life.

#88 Hi Jay. BTW 1: Your kidding yourself...you do care about what we think....it is why you keep reading and why you are reading now....you'll keep coming back to see how this community is responding your post. You can't help it. You long for resect, even if it means an cyber-spar. BTW 2: you made NO comment. You asked a question. BTW 3: The respect treadmill always keeps hamster running for more.

#19 Jamie B

Yeah we train core. Its a 3 on 1 off schedule. So today is the one day off, then we will train core for the next three days. Unless of coarse the wod is a 5k or 10k run.

Joro -- that's a very surface way of looking at it. To me the difference has nothing at all to do with "cup size" - it's about the fact that Eva is a veteran athlete and a veteran CrossFitter and she has a lot of advice and experience she can share. The comments in regards to her interview reflect the respect she has earned from her experience and her ability to communicate it to others.

#19, jamie b. I don't consider myself an expert, but I'd think that core stabilization of rotational movement isn't something that comes just from strengthening muscles. Rather, it comes from practicing good form, which allows the muscles to work together more efficiently. I don't care how strong you are, nothing kills power worse than crappy form. Additionally, I have tried weight-bearing rotational exercises in the past, and I do not like them, Sam-I-Am. They don't feel natural, and if done incorrectly, they're a great way to put your chiropractor's kids through college. The weightlifting aspect of Crossfit, in my experience, is focused on strengthening the muscles used in the natural movements of the body and in real-life activities outside the gym (sports, manual labor, combat, etc.). If you're looking for more rotational power in a specific application, practice your fundamentals. Again, it isn't about mere strength; it's about developing good form and muscle memory to apply your strength efficiently. Again, I'm no expert, but I hope this helps.

I have to second what Mark'go said about the wonderful Eva T. Not only is she an inspirational world-class athelete, but also an excellent teacher. By coincidence I met her for the first time today, while taking her class at Santa Cruz Central. Like Annie and Nicole, she simply has it all: intelligence, beauty, grace, joie de vivre, with a ferocious WOD-killing-instinct lurking just under the surface. Thanks for the expert advice Eva!

#1

Why can't all women be appreciated?

Just a quick comment to all the people comparing this rest day to last. I don't think anyone had a problem with "the bra", i think it goes deeper then that. The difference is with the way the women carry themselves.

There is a big difference between the two videos. Right after Allison talks about the embaressment of her boobs bouncing and the class talking about it, she re-enacts it to the camara for us all to see again. Now for me, awesome i liked it, but i'm not niave enough to not understand why it might bother others. Now i'm not hating on Allison , i just think she's a big girl and can handle the critisism because she brings it on herself.

Not the bra controversy again! Eva T looks great, as did Allison NYC. Personal choice who you'd want to wake up with, but for me the pictures were just fine.

Eva is Wonderful. Just as sweet as she is beautiful and strong. I could talk about her and watch her all day. If I had abs like that I'd never wear a shirt!

Annies little baby is the cutest little girl ever! Oh my gosh. Too cute for words.

Jeremy: Great job on the front squats yesterday. You always make me proud you monster.

Just got home from training with a fighter boy friend. He got his first muscle up! It was pretty easy for him since he's so dang strong. BTW he did it shirtless and in board shorts. I almost passed out. We're going to work on multiples as soon as he has them hung from his ceiling. They were hanging from his squat rack and he almost hit his head a few times. He's going to do his first official CrossFit workout when I get back from Vegas if it's the last thing I do!

I got one too! Thank goodness.

One more time ... Eva you rock! <3

Jamie

Sorry , i re-read your post. I was skimming and read the begining of yours and end of someone else's. You have a good point about rotation especially for mma fighters , wrestlers or boxers.

I'm just tired of all the, " i love crossfit but do we ever train calves?"

So sorry mate , good question and i hope for an answer from a coach or if were lucky maybe even an athlete like Eva.

I personally use a bunch of rotational throws with a heavy and light medicine ball with a partner. I do this both on solid ground and on a balancing ball(?) because lots of times , if you train, you are not fully balanced when being taken down. I hope this helps if u were looking for ideas, but your right regular crossfit doesn't seem to address this.

Eva is not just a great athlete, but she is such a candid and sincere person as well. It's nice to see that warm personality behind that intense game face we watch during the workouts. By the way, Annie's baby has a mean pose. Wish I could flex like that!

By Jay #79

> is that a dude or a girl?

Very intelligent question.

Also from Jay #88

> as for what the community thinks of her, i
> don't really care. i was just making a
> comment.

No, you were trying to be an ass. How about you ask Coach to post a picture of you on the website and we can make similarly well-considered questions?

#101 Stephen,
Must be nice to have the luxury of hiding in cyberspace. You are welcome in SC any time, to prove yourself.

WOW!! Eva T looks great!!

So a pic of Eva in a bra garners positive comments, while Allison gets negative ones? Interesting...

Amazing Eva!

#107 Normal (?) bloke

Whoa there! No need to stoop to personal insults. I bet as Eva's training, how she appeals to you wont be uppermost in her mind.

Send a picture of yourself - Maybe "Good face, flabby body ....."

#109 Gay ...sorry Gary

I bet it *is* what she's thinking about.

Put yourself in the public eye, and take the rough with the smooth. If you don't want people to comment that you look like a man ...then don't.

Picture of me? I have a bad face *and* a flabby body ...that's why I'm so bitter and mean.

F: 35/5'7/132
2nd WOD

Today I did Annie, 50-40-30-20-10 DU/SU.

20:38

Haven't skipped in ages so took a long time to finish the DU. The first 50 took me about 9 mins, lots of single bounces inbetween!
My last 10 was a straight 10 tho with no breaks, so glad about that:)
Sit-ups were unanchored.

I think Eva's body looks how I would expect any athelete of her calibre to look like. Strong and sculpted. Proper order.

#110 Normal (?) Bloke

Or even "Busted face Bruised body" if Eva gets hold of you.

Surely even a fool who can't spell could give respect to the amount of work Eva has done to get into shape. It may not be your fantasy, but that doesn't make it wrong.

Take a long hard look in the mirror and see if you're gods gift .....

I have to admit, before I got into a "fitness lifestyle", Eva would not be my ideal woman. However, knowing the discipline, determination, and metal toughness it takes to create a body like hers makes Eva a very appealing woman.

To commemorate Eva T - here's my WOD based on her heavy workout :)

6 rounds of
5 sandbag cleans + 5 ring pullups

30 ring dips
45 gas canister swing

go girl!

Opinions on attractiveness are always going to be varied due to their subjectivity. Whatever your view on Eva in that respect may be (I'm ignoring for now how shallow and narrow-minded an approach this is) we should all have enough respect for her to keep us from making personal attacks. That's just demeaning, to both the speaker and the recipient. Really, who cares if she's female or not? There are plenty of photos on here of shirtless guys who don't get this level of controversy.

Bottom line - Eva has attained and surpassed the heights that many of us Crossfitters are ceaselessly aiming for. She rocks, so show some respect.

Are great, the picture and interview.

Eva’s body is a consequence of her hard determination and crossfit training.

Muscle weighs more than fat? Is that pound for pound?

This may seem nit picky, but it has always driven me nuts. A pound of fat weighs exactly as much as a pound of muscle.

Annlee #21 got it right "Muscle is more dense than fat, and the same mass will occupy less volume." Well said.

This is a great site. I have been into this wod thing for a couple weeks now and am glad I'm back doing this kinda wo. I've refered many to this as well. Thanks
And thanks for the early wod post. Nice to wo at 5 am on the east coast.

Eva! Eva! Eva!

I'm speechless kinda like staring at Half Dome.

HEY COACH... it would be nice if people could post pictures in the comments section. 'Cause I got to assume that the critics have some banging rigs they want to show us.

For those of you that are being critical... are you the same goof ballz who when staring at the Grand Canyon can not shut the fook up about your trip to the Eiffel Tower or the giant hole you and your dad dug the backyard back in 1987?

Just shut your trap and stare. Let your tongue fall outta your mouth..ignore your REACTIONS and just observe. Let Eva over take you. Let the truth of the object enter you instead of coming up with some kaka-mainy (sp) 50 cent reaction.

If you don't like what you see, bang on your head like you would a coke machine that just took 50 cents from you. 'Cause your broken.

Well, I was going to take this rest day...

However, perhaps I'll undertake a journey of my own today, thru the "Deck of Cards" (go to the Navy Seal WOD for this one)

Thanks Eva for your inspiration.

Hi guys, still inside my first week of discovering Crossfit. The community feel of these posts is really impressive. This seems an exceptionally ignorant question, but who is Eva T in relation to the whole concept? She seems to be held in pretty high regard by a lot of people who have posted, I noticed she also has her own calendar too!
I realise she's a very impressive athlete, but just wanted to know if theres another reason she has such a following?

First of all, for those of you that say that Eva has the body of a man:

If you put a man's face on that body, I would say that that person looked feminine. Certainly you may find that sort of feminie looking man at your local "Fuzzy Bananna", and if that is what you are into, then that is your perogative, no judgement there at all. But why would you start insulting someone, a WOMAN, who has worked extremely hard and been extremely successful in athleticism, for no reason at all? That bothers me. If Eva is not the type of woman that you would "go for", well then you are in luck, cause this is CROSSFIT.COM, not match.com. I understand this is a free and open site, and all can state what they wish, but insulting someone because you are insecure with yourself and the only way to feel less uncomfortable with YOU is to project your distaste (for yourself) onto someone else and insult HER. HER, gentlemen (and ladies), HER! Sorry, I was blessed with a decent set of parents that raised me better than to insult a woman for the simple sake of it. Are you flippin serious? Maybe you should spend less time sitting at your desk, at your computer, drinking your irish coffee and eating your boston creme donut, and a little more time learning the how and why of Crossfit, and what CF is all about. I am not talking about what this comment section is all about, but what Crossfit is all about.

Great interveiw! Good to see more crossfit superstars being interviewed! Keep up the hard work!

~J~

myspace.com/justintriquet

(another example of hardwork and dedication to CF training)

Another 2 cents:
I love women...all shapes and sizes
Big, small, tall, short, black, brown, yellow, white...you get the drift.

AllisonNYC is hot, Eva T is hot.
Annie, Nadia, Nicole...ALL smoking hot.

Hot more so because they project confidence, they are proud of themselves and what they have achieved/are achieving.

We should be celebrating these women instead of picking/debating on what we think is the 'ideal body/look' blah blah blah silliness...

Eva, you stunning, gorgeous, strong Alpha Femme.

I work hard, eat right, live clean, go to bed on time, and give CrossFit every ounce of effort I have. In a year and a half, I've come a long, long way. You were the first CrossFit woman, and every step I've taken followed in your couragous footsteps. Thank you.

It takes a SuperHero Alpha Male to measure up to you. Nothing less than a racked & stacked, world famous Olympic athlete himself is a worthy escort for you. Some sensitive lil' espresso sipping fellers be threatened by your obvious superiority. Poor saplings. The acute awareness of their own shortcomings, weakness and testosterone poverty compels them to quickly self-identify as the Betas that they are.

To them I say: shut your mouth, eat the Zone, CrossFit as RX'd, and some day around 2010, when you start to look and perform like Greg Amundson, you may begin to consider the possibility of raising your head, looking The Eva straight in the eye, and enjoy the confidence of a man who's so undeniably strong and hotT that he's manly enough to ask Eva T out. Only an Alpha Male can smile at her and think he stands a chance. Until the lucky day that you mature into an Oak Tree, take your vitamins, be truthful with yourself, pray for more muscle mass, and try not to post inane words that show us all what a total "kitty" you are.

I just switched my screen saver to this photo, and can't wait to get to the gym today. 3,2,1 Go!

I agree J roCk. I came here this morning knowing it was rest day. I open it up and there is Eva! OMG! She is soooo beautiful! Then I start to read the comments. How can people be so rude? The way I was raised, if you don't have something nice to say, keep your mouth shut. Maybe that doesn't apply anymore. Personally, I think Eva is amazing. I'd love to meet her in person. Comments made by some people on days like to day remind me of those celebrity bash boards where it is VERY easy to be so negative and hateful when you are anonymous, sitting there behind your computer monitor.
As a female who is chesticularly challenged, hee hee, and have always been told that I look like a guy, I find people who say things like that to be the epitome of an A$$h0le. And yes, I'd say that to your face.

Lookin awesome, Eva! Always a pleasure.
Matt
CrossFit Champions

Eva, you are stunning!!! Hope to meet you again at the CrossFit Games this summer!

I find the exploration of different definitions of femininity, attractiveness, and physical ideals fairly interesting. I consider the exploration of viewers' visceral reactions to Eva's presence more interesting. Why is it important for some to assign a neat judgment to a picture or a whole person? Why do some seek to define a narrow or single physical ideal for themselves or for an entire sex? When do these reactions facilitate or limit?

I have long been inspired by Eva's physique and approach, but have yet to determine if, given the opportunity (like in parallel CrossFit universes), I would want to be her or date her. I doubt answers will be forthcoming. Now it's off to the gym. 3...2...smile...1...go.

Excellent article; I agree wholeheartedly with the ideals of democracy and the freedom of self-expression, including the expression of ideas that could be offensive to other people. I think that it is appropriate to recall that this country was founded on blasphemy and rebellion of sorts. The United States declared independence from a monarchy and such monarchies were thought to be set in place by God himself and under his authority, as insinuated by the apostle Paul in the Bible (quote needed here- I think it's in Corinthians.) and commonly believed at the time. One could die for such blasphemy and defiance of authority and many brave colonists did in the American Revolution, what in my opinion was the most wonderful and triumphant rebellion and blasphemy of the human spirit in history, second only to the development of the scientific method in the time period from Copernicus to Newton.

But while I am taking Coach's bait, and entering the precarious realm of controversy and public discussions of ideas that people hold dear and can be offended by, I would like to ask and address a deeper question in regards to WHY some people take it upon themselves to feel not just impelled but even obligated by duty, honor, patriotism, faith, to impose their thoughts, will and opinion on others. There have been whole books written on this subject so I'm going to just throw out the framework of the theory so as to enable some debate within the community.

The theory has to do with the science of memetics.

"Memetics is a neo-Darwinian approach to evolutionary models of cultural information transfer based on the concept of the meme. Started from a metaphor used in popular writings of Richard Dawkins, it has later turned into an approach in the study of self-replicating units of culture. It has been proposed that just as memes are analogous to genes, memetics is analogous to genetics." -Wikipedia

Basically a meme is an idea, or defined more precisely,

"meme (plural memes)-
Any unit of cultural information, such as a practice or idea, that is transmitted verbally or by repeated action from one mind to another. Examples include thoughts, ideas, theories, practices, habits, songs, dances and moods and terms such as race, culture, and ethnicity.
A self-propagating unit of cultural evolution having a resemblance to the gene (the unit of genetics)."

Another definition from our friends at wikipedia:
"Meme-complex – (sometimes abbreviated memeplex) is a collection or grouping of memes that have evolved into a mutually supportive or symbiotic relationship.[citation needed] Simply put, a meme-complex is a set of ideas that reinforce each other. Meme-complexes are roughly analogous to the symbiotic collection of individual genes that make up the genetic codes of biological organisms. An example of a memeplex would be a religion."

These definitions imply, by indicating that memes are self-propagating and resemble genes, that they "try" or at least some of the "fitter" memes have a tendency to reproduce and spread more than others. Here's an example, let's say that I write a song. It's a sincere and beautifully heartfelt song, (at least to me) and I cherish it dearly. I've just created a meme-complex (memeplex for short). But I'm not a very good musician, and I've never played the song to anyone else. The memeplex only exists in my head, and if I get hit by a car and die, the memeplex (my song) dies with me. Likewise, being just a mediocre musician, let's assume that I abandon my musical aspirations or give up my songwriting hobby. The memplex could also be forgotten and forever lost. But instead, let's entertain the idea that one day, I decide to play the song to my girlfriend. Since she has a good memory and is a musician herself, now the memplex resides in two people and has a better chance for survival. My girlfriend, being a better musician than myself, polishes up the song, tweaks the notes and lyrics and makes them catchier, and writes down the notes and makes a recording. Now this bit of culture exists independently of us and if we both get killed in a car accident, someone might actually find the recording or music sheet to the song and the memeplex might exist regardless if we die. But let's say that my girlfriend plays the song at a bar and a producer likes it and records it at a professional studio and plays it on the radio. The new version is even better and catchier, is recorded in an album that is a one hit wonder and goes platinum and is aired on the internet all over the world. Now the memeplex has spread all over and has grown to occupy memory space in not a couple, but millions of meme-hosts singing along with their radios all over the place. Now it would take a nuclear war, a large comet, or perhaps hundreds of years of history and cultural evolution to pass by for the memeplex to pass from existence, instead of our aforementioned theoretical car accident, and even then a future archeologist might figure out how to extract the song from an ancient hard drive. This is a good example of an average memeplex competing as it were for pervasiveness. Some songs make it, some don't. It depends on how "virulent" they are and on their luck and initial conditions. A song could have been the sweetest, catchiest song the world had ever known, but it could have been written in Pompey, near Mt. Vesuvius, shortly before a powerful volcanic eruption, or maybe in a south pacific island in a dialogue only spoken by a few hundred people shortly before a Maori tribe comes over to slaughter all the men and take the women and children into servitude. Bad luck, sh*t happens. Or it can be written by Kurt Cobin (sp?) and recorded in one of Nirvana's multi-platinum albums in the age of radio, rock concerts, MTV, and internet piracy. Bingo. Memeplex semi-immortality.

The reason that this is pertinent to the featured article is obviously because religions are huge meme-complexes. There are many tools for these infinitely influential memeplexes to spread. A most obvious one is a Holy Text; (which can be thought of as a self-contained memeplex itself within the larger religion supermemeplex.) A necessary underlying idea for a Holy Text to be effective as a meme-transfer agent is for the memeplex itself to claim that its origin is from God, (Rudyard Kippling’s “How the First Letter Was Written” and “How the Alphabet was Made” from his “Just So Stories” are vastly superior in creativity, literary quality and prose than the story of the Tower of Babel in Chapter 11 of the book of Genesis, nevertheless, there are not as many sermons about Taffimai Metallumai [ http://www.boop.org/jan/justso/letter.htm ] as there are regarding how the peoples of the world were confused by Yahweh to speak in different languages and scattered throughout the earth. [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tower_of_Babel ]. The notable effective virulent (virulence: ability for a meme to transfer itself to other meme-carriers.) memeplex that espouses doubt as an underlying assumption is the scientific method, and other scientific method based models. Democracies and CrossFit might be good examples of such meme-plexes, because they are largely open source and refined by trial and error, nevertheless, these have their own problems with faith assumptions, due to the underlying nature of human psychology.
Throughout world history, there have been literally hundreds of thousands of religion-meme-plexes that have developed, evolved, moved to prominence, subsided, and passed on into oblivion. Some have even been reincarnated in history books through archeological digs. But there are a few that are the Fittest of the Fit and have been most effective at spreading to other meme-carriers. These are the most tenacious, the most comforting, most charismatic, moving, motivating, best proselytizing of the hundreds of thousands that have come and gone. Among other prominent "super-memeplexes" are two reigning champions, Christianity and Islam. There are so many tools and tricks in their methods for spreading to other meme-carriers that they have themselves pushed hundreds if not thousands of other religions out of existence or at least prominence. Naturally, these two super-heavyweights are constantly at odds with each other in their battle for memecarriers. The casualties of this warfare are seas of human blood throughout history since the inception of both religions. (Of course, Christianity holds the lead in terms of total metric tons of human bloodshed, mainly because it got approximately a 600 year head start on Islam, which is catching up quickly, in my opinion.) I wouldn't say that as a whole Christianity has been much more merciful or less bloody than Islam. It has become less violent in recent centuries mainly due to a marriage of philosophy and democratic thought originating from the ancient Athenians and culminating in the development of the scientific method in the last few hundred years; (which is obviously also a memeplex that is based on completely different assumptions than faith-based religions.) The conquest and proselytizing of native American peoples including North, South, and Central America, the colonization of the Philippines, the constant religious European wars throughout history are largely due to Christianity's powerful ability to galvanize to violence when it cannot spread through other means; as if we even needed to mention the crusades, which George Bush so foolishly mentioned in a speech before the invasion of Iraq. Tom C., comment #75 mentions this idea. Also, inside of the religious memeplexes themselves, different mutations arise into factions that battle internally among each other. (Catholics/Protestants, Shiites/Sunnis, CrossFit Purists/Reformists- see Jan 14, 2008 affiliate blog.)
This is not to say that religions are completely destructive or that they have no redeeming value. You can inspire people into living with higher moral standards than they would otherwise with more introspective lives. Nevertheless, there are grounds in many religions to impose your will over other people and this is explicitly stated in their religious texts, especially those of Islam and Christianity. So when someone is caught in an extremely tight grasp by the memeplex, they are willing to impose their will on others who don’t belong to the same memeplex through violence, and even sacrifice their own lives if necessary in process of serving their “God.” This is a very frightening and disturbing idea, and it can also be found extremely offensive by not just Muslims, but also by Christians whom I suspect comprise the majority of the CrossFit community. I was raised in a Christian fundamentalist household myself, and I thought that I was called to be an apostle by The Lord. Once, when I was walking home from school a couple of stoners asked me if I wanted to share their joint. They were just being social like stoners often are. I self-righteously replied “Get behind me, Satan!” and walked away. I was 13 years old. Now perhaps my parents might have been proud of me if they had known how I resisted an offer to try drugs, but looking back at the incident, I feel disgust at who I was because of the self-righteous ignorance and intolerance that I had for other people’s culture. Now I don’t endorse smoking dope, mainly because I think one should have respect for the law, nevertheless, I think my own attitude was a bigger problem than anything the stoners were doing. I used to memorize scripture and pray for hours at a time, inculcating bible verses into my head with a strong willed obsession unsurpassed by the zealotry any CrossFitter has for fitness, but perhaps only almost as strong as the conviction Islamic fundamentalists have to further and protect their belief system, however vile their methodology. I have to admit, that back then I was a memoid, not for Islam, but for Christianity.
Memeoid – is a neologism for people who have been taken over by a meme to the extent that their own survival becomes inconsequential. Examples include kamikazes, suicide bombers and cult members who commit mass suicide. The term was apparently coined by H. Keith Henson in "Memes, L5 and the Religion of the Space Colonies," L5 News, 1985 pp. 5-8, [10] and referenced in the expanded second edition of Richard Dawkins' book The Selfish Gene (p. 330).

-Wikipedia. Look up Memetics.
I am now very tired, as I have been up all night writing this paper and wondering if Coach is going to call me a liberal, lol. This is why I’m afraid of rest days, but I’ve actually wanted to really get into this type of discussion. I am very curious as to the opinions of Bingo and Hari regarding this topic. There is more I wanted to write, and if anyone replies to this post I intend to write more when I wake up.

Wonderful interview, one of the best. So much comes through in just a few minutes. Strength with kindess; honesty with conviction; and humor with vulnerability.

For whatever reason, today it all touches my heart and I think Eva T. is amazing.

aloha

Great video!

The lunatic saying "man's body" is a troll. Don't feed the trolls, they go away.

I appreciate Eva's perspective on the journey, and on how to focus and do your best without it having to be deadly serious.

They were especially inspiring words for me because I'm suddenly facing significant physical limitations because of spinal cord compression and myeolopathy, which is causing me increasing motor weakness.

I had a couple of weeks of feeling terribly mournful about what I can't do now, but I'm working on my mindset to be grateful for what I *can* do, and still take satisfaction from doing what I can to the absolute best of my ability.

It sometimes kills me to have to stop doing something because I'm getting increased symptoms or because my legs go absolutely numb and useless. (I discovered that running jostles my cord somehow, and before I know it, both legs are fast asleep. I even fell down trying to walk it off, like when you sit cross-legged too long and you stand up on pins and needles legs and they give out.)

So Eva's thoughts on doing her best with a smile really struck home. I will make it a priority to smile when I work out. It's so hard----I'm a competitive enough athlete to want to kick butt, but just getting through a workout with light weights and maintaining form is kicking MY butt right now.

I will smile, Eva. Thank you for sharing that.

Susie

In addition to my last post.

I think Eva is not only pleasing to the eye, but to the imagination as well! In my opinion she, and so many of the CF women, are the women of today, and they all kick some serious, hardcore, kick your a$$ in the gym, (I can't even imagine what they would do to you at night...), beauties! And I for one, am grateful that it is no longer 1940, and that women of today are strong, smart, tough and at the same time feminine, aluring and $exy....making the woman of today BEAUTIFUL in everyway!

eva,

i agree with your words about wanting more control over your training. Though you were on a "team", your sport was very individual, and the training aspect (in my opinion) definitely should have included your input.

Now I'm sure our S&C guys over there in Colorado (right?) are mucho talented, but I wouldn't feel comfortable programming at that level without knowledge of your strengths and weaknesses, and a strong understanding of your character. It's the character that drives performance.

Herb Brooks, the great coach of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey team that beat the Soviets, was a big "character" guy, and he was able to push certain guys in certain ways to get them to perform at their best - and beyond.

I don't know if they even let you have any input, but as a former pro athlete, I can empathize with the disappointment with not completing your ultimate mission.

About piece of mind, I think Henry David Thoreau said it best:

"Most men live lives of quiet desperation, and go to the grave with the song still in them."

Cheers!

#75 TomC

I agreed with most of your comment, except when you wrote that Christianity exhorts its followers to violence. You might be able to make the claim with the Old Testament, but the New Testament is innocent of the charges you level against it. It only once tells us to take up our sword... but in the context of defense. Aside from that, the NT resoundingly tells us to take whatever beatdown comes our way and consider ourselves blessed. The only similarity between Islam and Christianity is the concept of monotheism.

Brad

43/M/75"/200

5 rounds for time of:

10 pull ups
10 dive bomber pushups
10 burpees
10 squats
100 meter sprint

19:49

Radical Islam and their "tolerance and peace" suck as bad as my time on the above workout. They are only tolerant and peaceful of those that espouse their views (or are contrary to Christians and Jews). Look at all the countries that have hard core human rights violations and you can probably find Islam in the middle of it.

#128 Amanonymus,

Violence is not a tenet of Christianity, the Crusades were a response to Muslim aggression, and atheism is the leader in bloodshed amongst all ideologies (see Russia and China alone).

Christianity has spread through the blood and sacrifice of those martyred to spread the truth of Jesus Christ.

m\43

worked the following sets on a smith machine. not exactly what the workout intended.

light jump rope warmup with stretching.

1. empty bar X 10
2. 95 X 5
3. 135 X 3
4. 185 X 3
5,6,7,8 195 X 1
9,10,11,12,13,14 X 185 X 1

I visit CrossFit everyday to obtain knowledge and inspiration, not to oggle the women in the videos, or pass judgement on their looks.

Thanks Eva, Nicole and Annie for providing that inspiration.

#135

Easy there, Flanders.

Partially inspired by #135...

No religion, Islam included, glorifies violence in itself. It is the people who twist its tenets to suit themselves that should be blamed. Grouping all Muslims as violent or anything else is a disservice. Some of the excesses of the Crusades were horrendous and reprehensible, no matter what their origins, but it is the perpetrators we would wish to blame, not Christianity as an ideal.

Why do anything less for Islam? By all means wipe those who commit atrocities (such as the recent bombing involving Down's sufferers) off the face of the Earth. But the trend seems to be toward blaming all who hold an Islamic faith, and it doesn't take a genius to see where that line of thought will lead us.

P.S. Similarly, you can hardly blame atheism for the past horrors of Russia and China. I wonder, if Stalin had been a Muslim (odd thought, but bear with me) where would we be now? Would a global anti-Islam war have erupted? Nobody blames atheism because we understand it (and because we don't want to blame ourselves for anything). It's very easy to blanket-blame that which we don't understand.

Anybody else notice this:

Main page - Anonymity allowed. Internet tough-guy/moron factor: Very high

Message boards - Real identity required to post. Internet tough-guy/moron factor: Nonexistent.

Coincidence? I think not.

The reason that both Eva T and AllisonNYC were defended by the majority within the CF community is that they both allow it to "all hang out": they are genuine. Eva T is literally twice Allison's age, so perhaps her maturity is more pronounced, but I also suspect that Allison is much more mature than most others her own age. I wish I had her dedication at when I was her age. I thought I did, but I know now that I was going through the motions.

Both are strong, beautiful women. The people that don't see that have their own reasons. I don't need to spell them out. They only need to look into the mirror (literal and figurative).

Allan

Comment #124 - Posted by: Spider Chick

Spider Chick = Awesome

I hope my girl grows up to be as strong as you and the other ladies of the mainpage.

That is all.

David
CF Chattanooga

Did yesterday's workout this morning.

165 x 1,1,f,1,f, 155x 1,1,1,1,1

I actually enjoyed reading this article. Most of the rest day articles are way too far right wing for me. This one I completely agree with.

I agree with you, ilramnation. There needs to be a distinct difference made between "Christianity", the religion, and "trusting only in Jesus Christ's shed blood for my salvation", the relationship.

Finally, the rest day video we've all been asking for. A lot of admiration is given to Eva because of what she can do, not what she looks like. After all, the typical crossfit gym doesn't have mirrors.

If you are afraid of looking like Eva, don't be because you won't. She is an olympian, has trained crossfit for over 10 years and puts more dedication (intensity) into each workout than most people can imagine

#139 Jonathan,

Islam doesn't glorify violence? "Islam" means "surrender." It's tenet is convert, die, or pay the tax. It grew by one conquest after another. Muhammed (or whichever way you want to spell it) had political opponents assassinated, and once he had the advantage against the Jewish populace in his area, he attacked them mercilessly. One of its protocols as spelled out in the Koran is lying until you have the power to exert your will.

#100 Ray,

Thanks, sorry if my post was unclear to anyone else, I was referring to spinal twisting type rotational movements. The whole crossfit regimen is just so meticulously thought out I'm sure there must be specific reasoning behind not including rotational movements in the WODs.

I'll have to agree with what a few have already said. The response to this photo has been a lot more positive than the last rest day's photo.

It seems that some people's opinion of what is "Feminine" has led them to deem the last rest day. Yet here is Eva, and she receives far less flak showing up in pretty revealing clothing. Maybe this rest day can put the last rest day into perspective. AllisonNYC was inspiring for her passion to strive to be better.
As for Eva, she has already reached a level that is so far ahead of almost all of the rest of us. She sets our expectations and goals at a higher level than we thought possible.

Good job, Eva. You're inspire me a give me great motivation to improve myself physically (I wanna be like you when I grow up).

And I really hope there are some sexist, jocky, egotistical, narrowminded, bodybuilder type guys out there that visit Crossfit.com today!

Good morning all, and happy rest day. Let me start by saying that I am nervous for a workout that is named for Eva-I can only imagine what coach will put together to name after her.

I've been doing some research online regarding the Zone/Paleo diets. Can anyone shed some light on this for me? I would like to go out and pick up one of the books, but I would like to hear from someone as to which one they prefer/which one may be better. I've always had a relatively healthy diet, but I have never actually planned meals and portions based on fat/carbs/protein/etc., so this is all new to me. Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Wow. That is one serious minded, gifted athlete. Very impressive, and inspirational.

Oh yeah, and another thing, I picked up a book on the Zone diet recently. I haven't gotten to read it yet, but from paging through, it looks like a lot of work. It is going to be a big change, and makes me take a hard look at what I thought was a "healthy diet". I have to do it though, I'm tired of feeling like I am shortchanging my crossfit results because of my current diet.

First off, I think it's a bikini top. Now why that should make a difference I don't know, but one is generally accepted as outer wear and the other is not. Another thing is it's all in the presentation.
That aside, she is a beautiful woman, and while I do not myself desire to have that type of feminine physique,(other than the abs, I wonder how you get just those ;)) I can say that I do desire to have that kind of drive that would get me to that state of physical fitness. I love Crossfit and what it has done for me over the past 10 months. Perhaps after 10 more years, I will look like that and be very glad that I do.

What the crap is with all the snide comments about Eva T? Sheesh already; you people don't have the decency and kindness to pay compliment to this woman's extreme hard work? And what is the need for the insults? I am sure Eva T's picture is not all about Hey, look at how hot I am. Are you freaking nuts? It's about showing what you can accomplish if you want something bad enough to TRY for it. God, grow up already and get off her freakin' back even though she could carry your sorry arses.

And no, not all women should strive to look like her. CrossFit is all about people working to achieve their personal goals; some have harder ones, like Eva. There is nothing wrong with either going all the way like her, with the consequence looking fabulously athletic, or simply wanting to feel better, with the consequence of looking and feeling better.

And Coach, thank you for the FREE forum, but anytime you want to make this subscription to keep clowns off the air, I will pay.

Maybe she should be 9 minutes ahead of the world.
It's quite possible that 8 minutes isn't enough to contain all that awesomeness.

kstar

Wow! I have three young daughters. I sure would be proud if they turn into the kind of woman Eva T represents. Strong, beautiful, confident, articulate, driven, kind, smart, caring. She's a truly impressive person.

After checking out the rest day photo and post last night I was ready to get here today and start posting like a madman. The truth is...no one cares what I think, hell, I barely care. I just wanted to say how much I love this stuff. A workout, a fight, a discussion, growing minds, growing bodies, who is sexy, who isn't, how hard should this be and what does WOD stand for? This is the greatest place to come for entertainment, enlightenment and inspiration. Thank you all for making my days zip by until I can finally get home to do a modified workout and still feel good myself for trying. Have fun and keep those posts coming. Oh and just for fodder, I think AllisonNYC should have another T-shirt. Sorry, I will go back to my POSE breathing cassette tapes.

Some "deep thoughts", a la Bingo (not Jack Handy) on us, CrossFit the Community in light of last two rest days.

First, disclaimer: I have met both AllisonNYC and Eva T. Both by coincidence - Allison (before she was famous here) ran up to me at Snoqualmie Falls in Washington state because I was wearing a CF Sweatshirt. I've met Eva T. training at Mike's Gym and at the Games. Second - both are beautiful women in their own right, in very different ways. Whomever they choose to spend their time with will be lucky, lucky men.

The Community (and a lead in to free speech and censorship) - I read last rest day's comments with some chagrin. A lot of people showed their a$$es. It's okay if you disliked the video of Allison; it's okay if you dislike the picture or aesthetic of Eva T. It's okay to express that opinion in a way that respects both of these women and athletes. What is NOT okay as a CrossFitter and member of this community is to personally insult either woman. Now, here comes someone to tell me to STFU as an arbiter or the moral voice of this community and I'm waiting for the Free Speech riff, too.

Let me deal with both this way - One, this site has nothing to do with the First Amendment. If you are too stupid to understand why, any further explanation will be wasted on you. (For the simply unkowing - please actually read Amendment I of the Constitution. It should become immediately clear.)
Two - free speech is a wonderful right, but we often speak in sweeping terms and broad platitudes without understanding its origins in this country or the philosophical underpinnings of it. It is a glorious thing, generally. It is also NOT a license to say ANYTHING, ANYWHERE, ANY-WHEN. See, e.g. Schenck v. U.S., (the cliched "fire in the crowded theater" opinion of Holmes); see also Abrams v. U.S. (the "marketplace of ideas" dissent by Holmes).

How does that put me on the article and the trolls coming here? Well, besides the huge differences between religious freedom/speech that the article implicates and the idiots who come here simply to insult, I'll say this: governmental censorship is abhorrent; being shouted down when you say something controversial is the price you accept to say something when you put a thought out into the "marketplace of ideas". I have as much right to say you are an idiot as you have to claim that your "crucifix in urine" is art. But vioolence to suppress distasteful speech is unacceptable. Prove the person is an idiot with the power and persuasion of your reasoning. The internet has given almost everyone a voice (for better and for worse - see below).

And to return to how my claim that we as a community ought to do better when speaking of our own. I'm not preaching censorship; I'm advocating treating our friends in fitness like we would want our family to be treated. I disagree with some of the things my family and friends do (heck, my daughters are why I have gray hair) - including sometimes the people here. But I do not respond to them (any of them) with personal insults and then say "well, I have a right to free speech". That would make me a jacka$$.

Those of you who claim to be Crossfitters and then come here to insult your brothers/sisters in fitness are showing us all that you are not worthy to be included in this community. Simply because you do the workouts does not make you a "Crossfitter" - it makes you a person who does CrossFit workouts. There's a distinct difference. Coach has said this at certs. You want to claim that makes it a cult, so be it - I say it makes us a community, one of many to which I (and we all) belong.

Eva T - looking great lady, as always. Congrats on the new facility to you and your partners. Hope your roomie worked out (and does the laundry).
Allison - keep at it. You've got great examples to strive for in the women here.

To all the Crossfitters out there - earn this and be worthy of it.

31/f/158/68"

eva t. is amazing. the more i learn about her, the more impressed i am. the woman and the athlete. thanks, eva!

w/u CFWUx2 (-dips, pullups sets of 7), Burgener warmupx3 (broom, 25#bar, oly bar), 2x8 deadlift 98#, 2x5 KTE (can you tell i was stalling?!)

crossfithel WOD from yesterday, "Purple People Eater"
21-15-9

BW Deadlift

Weighted Walking Lunges (35#M/20#W)
Goblet Squats (35#M/20#W)

as rx'd 12:06

feels good to write "as rx'd". my hams/gluts are a bit jello-ey right now. my shins are scraped up, so that is a good sign. i really like the burgener warmup and i also got 2 kipping pullups. starting to try to string them together! i want an as rx'd Helen for my 1 year CF anniversary!!

ck

#19 Jamie B
The word is carryover. A lot of the movements in the CrossFit arsenal will give you good rotational strength because it takes as much force NOT to rotate as to rotate. As to the rotational strength needed by fighters, etc. -they will get whatever sport specific skill they need in their sport specific training. CrossFit is GPP.

This article points out a very important thing: If we let the criminals (aka terrorists, and leaders of Fundamentalist Islam) decide our policies, they've won. And if they don't get their way in another manner, they know exactly what they have to do, just threaten to kill more people (or actually kill them), and we'll cave in.

So these European governments (and the pansies at the UN) who say "Oh, you're right, to get you to stop killing innocent people for speaking their mind about Islam, we'll punish those people and make sure they don't dare open their mouths... nevermind the fact that you are violating their rights by threatening to murder them..."

Is there any way we can petition Greg Amundson to appear on American Gladiators?

Susie,

I salute your determination to celebrate what you 'can' do. Bravo. I know a bit about that after 16 years of trying the more stupid alternatives (with an issue that is trivial by comparison to yours).

To me, the article points out the obvious - will the West 'defend itself' from those who would exploit the West's inbred vulnerabilities? I don't blame the Muslims who are pushing this speech control - everyone else uses the power of government to impose their will on others, why shouldn't they? Will the West, and of more particular conern the US, choose liberty? Do we really love freedom? We've spent the last 80 years nibbling away at liberty - I look for the day when we're no longer willing to trade our liberty for the empty promises offered by the "more government makes it better" crowd.

If so, we will do whatever is necessary to defend citizens who actualize their right to speack their truth; we will regain the ability to discern the difference in those who speak "evil" and those who deprive others of their rights by their actions and defend the former and confine the later.

I harbor no particular fear or resentment for Muslims, but if I could I would publish those "blasphemous" cartoons on every paper, every day until the idiots who can't take a joke cry 'uncle.' Bravo to those editors who have taken on that job. I vote that these men/women are freedom's warriors, just as I would like to be.

Eva, you are inspiring for your focus, passion and determination. I also appreciate your willingness to be publically vulnerable, human, and to share your sense of striving to be more and better. It sets a powerful example, and I thank you. I join the chorus of those who wish we had a WOD in your name - have you invented a WOD which we might use as a tribute to you?

And for the questioner above, yes, you are right, there's a huge difference in the tone of the comments from those posted last rest day. Fascinating.

Isn't there something remarkable about a gal like Allison, who apparently did not build her life around 'being fit,' who could probably use her other gifts to get what she wants, but who has chosen to enter the 'elite fitness' fray with such passion?

Amongst many satisfying events in my life this weekend, allow me to share two that are somewhat relevant to this board. First, I was able to meet with and visit Barry Cooper on his travels through Memphis, which I thoroughly enjoyed. Barry, thanks for making some time for a visit, I thoroughly enjoyed it and hope for more to follow.

Second, my wife J asked me to teach her to back squat. We did that yesterday. She's an athlete to begin with and has been enjoying Crossfit for many months, but has only recently warmed up to the idea of the 'slow lifts.' I have rarely seen anything more beautiful than her execution of the back squat; hopefully, I'll be able to do it that well one day.

And with apologies, the third thing I'll mention is I got my five year old daughter H to enjoy doing kettlebell swings this weekend too. I've been struggling with how to instruct her in movement, as her attention span and ability to decode my logical instruction is limited, but I figured out how to make a silly dance out of it and that clicked. Fun stuff.

Paul

#161 Meagles, I'll second that petition request! That would be completely cool.

#157 Dale_Saran; excellent post in defense of our CrossFit community. "Simply because you do the workouts does not make you a "Crossfitter" - it makes you a person who does CrossFit workouts. There's a distinct difference."

Wow, that hits the nail on the head. I don't understand the lack of courtesy towards someone who helped pioneer CrossFit, let alone trash a peer, but she's a freakin' coach! Talk about thankless.

#124 Spider-Chick KD, you're wonderful as usual. I still wan't a Nicole fan club; I'd buy the t-shirt. I am going to ask Mike if we can start one in Troy. Hey, did I mention Mike's dad comes in there? He's freakin' 74 and can do a l-plant on the parallete trainers for 2 minutes!

#161

They won't let Greg play.

He might embarass the other Gladiators.

sometimes pictures don't do someone justice. My girlfriend and I worked out with Eva last week and she looks amazing. There is no way anyone in their right mind would not think she had a very hot feminine body.

she is a great athlete and great teacher as well...keep it up!

#161 Meagles, I'll second that petition request! That would be completely cool.

#157 Dale_Saran; excellent post in defense of our CrossFit community. "Simply because you do the workouts does not make you a "Crossfitter" - it makes you a person who does CrossFit workouts. There's a distinct difference."

Wow, that hits the nail on the head. I don't understand the lack of courtesy towards someone who helped pioneer CrossFit, let alone trash a peer, but she's a freakin' coach! Talk about thankless.

#124 Spider-Chick KD, you're wonderful as usual. I still wan't a Nicole fan club; I'd buy the t-shirt. I am going to ask Mike if we can start one in Troy. Hey, did I mention Mike's dad comes in there? He's freakin' 74 and can do a l-plant on the parallete trainers for 2 minutes!

Now the next rest day will be the video of AllisonNYC interviewing EvaT. :-)

Wow, Eva. Phenomenal stuff.

Women like Eva challenge some common notions of femininity. She is super tough and can be aggressive (as evidenced in various workout videos). She is also muscular and extremely lean. Some people might consider those to be masculine characteristics. I tend to think of a lioness. Plus, most of the guys I know are not that tough, muscular, or lean. Thus, I propose a new term: CrossFeminine.

# 157 Dale_Saran

I agree with your sentiments about how Crossfitters should treat eachother. BUT...the truth is that rest days tend to get nasty. It's usually about politics, not Allison or Eva, but that is generally what happens. I have also seen a good portion of this nastiness doled out by our moderators. I agree with your comments and hope it is taken to heart. I sometimes feel like I am on a completely different site on rest days, not because of the subject matter, but because of the negativity and lack of support for one another that is usually so apparent on the site.

I'm surprised by the harsh comments
on the picture. A bit disheartening considering how positive this site is... At least its only a few and the positive responses are many.

Amanonymus, perhaps what you are missing is effectiveness. What you see here is an argument for the effective. The naturally effective.

With the aspect to the article, you have the naturally non-effective using fear and coercion allowed by the naturally effective to mold societal norms. This is pushed to the point that the naturally effective becomes watered down are ripe for plunder.

Though the Islamists are fascist in nature, their playbook is very much Marxist in nature. Constant espousal of victimhood, demands for special treatment, and a rationalization that their rules should be followed by all and our rules should not be followed by them. This is allowed because they play the offended and outraged card, which we as Westerners have learned to bow to and brought to us by our leftist friends.

However, just like the ones they stole their playbook from, the Islamist culture is largely ineffective without extreme violence, coercion, and 24/7 propaganda drummed up on state owned TV. Much like the leftists.

So this is not so much a look at differing points of view. It is actually a look at the natural effectiveness of a belief system. Fascism and Communism has already failed, we do not need to be tolerant of the religious version of the same failed collectivist mind-set.

M/22/6'1"/185

Painstorm 19:
With a 75# bar (instead of 70, I don't have 2.5's) complete as many rounds as possible in 40 minutes of:
5 Deadlift
5 Hang Power Clean
5 Front Squat
5 Push Press
5 Back Squat

32 Rounds. I thought I'd get around 40. "Samsonite, I was way off."

Post:
Bench Press bodyweight (185) 50x for time: 4:29. Should've realized how tired my shoulders would be

Now this is a woman who does crossfit! Great picture, and what an intelligent interview. Thank you Eva and Nicole for representing serious and intelligent crossfit women. You are both an inspiration to my daughter and myself.

right. so this is sort of what i was bringing up last rest day.

we resist people who would impose limits of free speech on us, yes. but we don'