Remembering Mike Fournier

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ByCrossFitAugust 27, 2020
Found in:200827,200828

On Wednesday, Aug. 19, Mike Fournier, 52, died tragically in a helicopter crash while fighting the Hills Fire near Coalinga, California. Fournier was the only person aboard the Bell UH-1H aircraft, which crashed during a water-dropping mission. The cause of the crash is unknown at this time.

A former pilot for a news station in San Diego, Fournier later flew for SoCal Edison and more recently began contracting with Cal Fire to fight the wildfires in California.

Fournier was a CrossFit Level 2 Trainer. He began coaching at Cyn Gym CrossFit in 2011. In his biography on the Cyn Gym website, Fournier writes:

In my lifetime I have raced bikes, participated in team sports, competed in Marathons, Triathlons, and I am a two time Ironman Finisher. I have coached High School Football for ten years; I love to rock climb, snow ski, and wakeboard. Looking back the list is long, but CrossFit and becoming a CrossFit instructor has been not only life changing, but is by far some of the most challenging and gratifying athletic accomplishments in my life. I am so fortunate not only to meet new people but have the opportunity to help them change their lives.

Fournier’s friend Brandon Karmann writes, “Mike touched so many lives and truly embodied the CrossFit mantra and values. Many people have joined CrossFit because of Mike.”

Joseph Collins, one of the athletes Fournier coached, writes, “He was quick with a smile, [fist] bump, and encouraging word. His giant, sweaty bear hugs at the end of every workout were the best. You could feel how much he loved life and people in each and every one of his hugs. He was by far the nicest and kindest person I have ever met.”

Fournier had competed in the CrossFit Open every year since 2012. His skills in the Sport of Fitness earned him a ticket to the Masters Men 45-49 competition at the CrossFit Games in 2013. There, Fournier had five top-10 event placements, one event win, and a third-place podium finish.

Fournier is survived by his wife, LeAnne, and two daughters, Riley, 16, and Mikena, 20. His family enjoyed cheering for him from the sidelines at the CrossFit Games and can be seen celebrating with him following his win in the Pullgatory event in 2013.

Pullgatory will now be renamed Fournier in his honor.

Fournier
For time:

50 shoulder-to-overheads
50-ft. arm-over-arm sled pull
40 burpees
50-ft. arm-over-arm sled pull
30 sumo deadlift high pulls
50-ft. arm-over-arm sled pull

♀ 75-lb. STO, 55-lb. SDHP
♂ 115-lb. STO, 85-lb. SDHP
For the sled pull, use a load that is challenging but doesn’t require extended rest periods

If you’d like to support his family during this difficult time, please visit their GoFundMe site.

Fournier at the 2013 CrossFit Games

Fournier winning Pullgatory

Nancy event

Nancy event

Deadlift Box Jump event

Final event

Finishing the last event

Comments on Remembering Mike Fournier

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Steven Thunander
August 28th, 2020 at 3:07 am
Commented on: Remembering Mike Fournier

Globo Scale: For the arm over arm sled pulls sub 35 inverted ring rows or 35 towel rows per set. For the towel rows use a low bar and throw the towel over it, then do an inverted row. Another option would be heavy alternating dumbbell bent over rows (50 per round, 35/50lb dbs/, or 1/1.5 pood KBs) For the Shoulder to Overhead sub 35/50lb db's. For the SDHP sub 20/35lb dbs. Bodyweight sub 35 inverted rows (whatever bar you can find, or table rows if you have a sturdy table) or 20 strict pullups for each set of sled pulls, 1 to 1 supermans and glute bridges for SDHP, and half the number of S to OH in handstand pushups or 1.5/1 hand release pushups.


Never forget our brave firefighters!

(edited)
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Cynthia Truax
August 28th, 2020 at 2:26 am
Commented on: Remembering Mike Fournier

This is beyond awesome! I am overwhelmed with pride for Mike. He was truly a GREAT man... honest, pure, humble and loving! He helped me everyday in one way or another. From fixing jumpropes at the gym to helping me not give up when we were ordered to close because of the pandemic. I miss him with all my heart and soul but I can still feel him by my side helping me to get through this... RIP MIKEY ❤️

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Adam Gendron
August 28th, 2020 at 12:50 am
Commented on: Remembering Mike Fournier

YES! I am so happy right now! Good job CF! Mike deserves this! He was a monument of a man!

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Cynthia Truax
August 28th, 2020 at 2:27 am

So true Adam ❤️

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