"I had a good conversation with a friend of mine that reminded me to compete if I want to because I love it. Not because I have to prove anything or finish a specific way."
Chris Spealler, the only man to compete in all six CrossFit Games, announced earlier this month that he will be back in 2013 to once again fight to be the Fittest on Earth.
In 2012, Spealler decided that would be his final year competing. But as he was walking out of the stadium at the Home Depot Center, he realized he had more to give.
“I had a good conversation with a friend of mine that reminded me to compete if I want to because I love it,” he says. “Not because I have to prove anything or finish a specific way.”
Spealler has spent much of his time this year under heavy barbells, similar to his training program from last year.
“I tried some weight gain and got up to 160 or so. Felt terrible, so I bagged it,” he explains.
Ben Bergeron, owner of CrossFit New England and fellow L1 Seminar Staff, has programmed for Spealler since November 2011. He’s kept up the barbell complexes, doing lots of on-the-minute-style work to build up his stamina with heavier weights, as well as dial in technique.
While Spealler has made gains, the improvement he is most proud of is his change in perspective. With a wife and two kids, a box to run and working for CrossFit HQ, balance is something he says he constantly needs to work on.
“I don’t do things half way when it comes to competing, but I also will drop it in a heartbeat if it interferes too much with my faith or family,” he says. “I’m more comfortable with feeling like that now.”
With a new perspective comes a new goal: “Compete with freedom because I love to. Win Regionals and make it to the Games. Podium at the Games. I have a gift, have worked hard to develop it and don’t want fear to get in the way of me using it.”
