What I've learnt from 5 time fittest man on Earth Mat Fraser!?

Today i'm headed into week 3 of a long arduous journey building towards my genetic potential, on this journey i've decided that i'm willing to give and take whatever is necessary to reach it. The goal you may ask? To make it theCrossFit games! An absolutely gruelling test of fitness lasting 3-5 days with a vast category of potential tests. Tests of course the athletes know nothing about until, at times, moments before taking the floor. To compete at this level one must be capable of physical feats far beyond that of the average human, even most athletes for that matter. Men competing in the games boast lifts in the conventional back squat, bench, and deadlift in the 400-600lbs respectively, for reps at that. All while being able to clean 350lbs, strict press 225, and snatch over 300. Don't forget the sub 6 minute mile runs, 50 unbroken pullups, and they can walk on their hands! Seems like a circus, but it's the forefront of physical fitness testing and it's the single personal goal i'm striving for.

As a steward of the sport going on 8 years now, watching the games annually, competing in several online competitions, and following athletes along their journeys, i've built a desire to push the envelope and devote my spare time to this somewhat unattainable level of fitness, with the hopes of one day stepping on to the CrossFit Games floor and put on a show. The path ahead however is long and oh so very difficult. A path i've been on with variable consistency for the past 3 years, but given my standing in the quarterfinals this year and a new gear added in my capacity I've been overcome by a wave of expectation to perform at a higher level. To do so has lead me to today's topic. What i've come to learn from 5 time CrossFit Games champion Mat Fraser.

A little back story to give you some context. When the CrossFit games started back in 2009 it was not very well known, the competition itself was held at a ranch in Aromas California and the workouts were pulled at random out of a pig roaster. Fast forward 3 years to 2011 and the stage is much bigger taking place in Madison Wisconsin where the legendary Rich Froning Jr. took the floor for the second year in hopes to comeback and win after his aching second place finish the year prior. The story plays as one would want, Froning goes on to win his first CrossFit Games and the 3 following, setting what could only be described as the toughest feat in fitness sport history, winning the games 4 times straight. Upon his retirement in 2014 Froning went on to compete as a member of Team Mayhem Freedom where he won another 5 titles. At the time of his retirement it was said that it would be a long long time till we once again see someone come close or repeat what Froning did. History however, was to be rewritten once again, not in 10 years time but in the year following. In Froning's final season as an individual and final games win a young man challenged him, an unknown Mat Fraser, the two battled all weekend. By the end of the weekend Froning reigned champion once more. With a chip on his shoulder and the champ gone Fraser came back the next year with a fire in his belly...only to fall short again to a legend in his own right Ben Smith. Realizing that pure talent and grit can't win it all Fraser went back to the drawing board and began honing into his rhythm, his goals, his motivators, and his weaknesses. He came back in 2016 and won the competition , not just by a few points but by the largest margin in games history. He then went on to repeat this same feat four more times. What had been thought to be impossible was rewritten in 2020 when Mat Fraser won his 5th CrossFit Games title and crowned fittest man in history. With likely another 4-5 years of wins in him Mat retired on top. With his retirement came a promise he kept close to his heart, all his programming and secrets to success. This leads us to the insight he has provided me. Upon release of the Hard Work Pays Off (HWPO - Mats modo) program I was quick to buy in and purchase the program. With it came zoom calls and meetings with Mat to better understand the programming and how to approach each session. At first glance many members of the programming felt it looked awfully reminiscent of a conventional bodybuilding/strength program. Excited for gruelling metcons and AMRAPs it left a lot of members questioning the intention of the program. 3 weeks in however, and not one nah sayer to be found. The program in a short 20 days has proven the importance of fundamentals, practicing the basics, and nailing the principle movements of fitness. What appeared as a simple program quickly became one of the most beneficial pieces of programming / personal development i've invested in.

An awfully long back story for me to just tell you that I enjoy a program I bought... but the idea behind it all is that the greatest to ever compete in the sport of fitness never spoke about what made him so good. We all knew he worked hard and kept his cards close to his chest, but that was it. Getting to take part in his programming, it's exciting to see how important the basics are to someone who seemingly had no need to practice the basics. Mat Fraser, 5 time CrossFit Games champion and my "coach" if you wanna call him that, has provided the most necessary insight any prospective competitor in any sport needs, and we don't see enough of it, that you must practice, develop, and continue to master the fundamentals of any sport. The basic mechanics are what determine the success of your maximal output come competition time . WIth this he's stressed the importance of knowing your body's limits, listening to your body, and fuelling your body for the performance you want to deliver.

I've stressed these points in may posts and blogs but they are once more solidified in their importance from the mouth of Mat Fraser when he says Hard Work Pays Off.

"Progression is built through consistency and tested by passion"

JB