"The Seven"
Seven rounds for time of:
7 Handstand push-ups
135 pound Thruster, 7 reps
7 Knees to elbows
245 pound Deadlift, 7 reps
7 Burpees
7 Kettlebell swings, 2 pood
7 Pull-ups
Today is Catalyst's 7th birthday. On October 30, 2005, we incorporated Catalyst Fitness Training, Inc., and opened up in a series of tiny rooms above a party store. Our floors had carpets; our walls had wallpaper (which we painted green, of course.) You probably know the story from there.
Our style of training is hard. We ask a LOT of our members: focus. Sweat. Return. In a culture where the bar is consistently lowered, it's truly remarkable how many DO return, again and again, give their best, and smile about it. Our goal is to give back more than we're given, and we keep a growing stack of "Thank You" cards in my office.
One thing none of us could have predicted, though, is the altruistic force that is the Catalyst Family. Several times every year, we spring some random-appearing fundraiser, or cause, or mission, on the Family. At first, we'd have you bring your bikes to the mall in the middle of winter. Then we had you stay up all night, doing these ridiculous new CrossFit workouts every two hours. There have been dozens of others since. My personal favourite was last year's plea, answered, from CAS for gifts to be given to kids in our City. I get emotional about our gym community on a regular basis, but The Gift was overwhelming. We're doing it again this year, and the eagerness to help – far beyond willingness – is already astounding. Do you KNOW how special you are?
Last night, Allison told me that there are 100 kids who need foster homes in the Sault. The CAS is desparate. It's an impossible mission – how can they possibly find NEW foster homes for a HUNDRED kids in dire situations? Robin and I can't take the hundred kids (though I'm crazy enough to try,) but we're going to try and take one. As Whit's dad once told me, "Sometimes it IS enough to give one kid that one month that makes a difference." If you can, too, email Allison and she'll put you in touch with a recruiter. Many families around the Park have done it, and can give you good advice, I'm sure.
Want to help with the Catalyst Gift project this year? Click here to sign up on facebook.
Thanks, everyone.