July 29, 2021
Patty Failla: "I Hope to Be the Inspiration to Others"

We could all use a squad like Patty Failla’s.

At her seventh CrossFit Games, Failla, 64, is surrounded by her family, including her husband, sister, daughter, grandchildren, and even her 95-year-old mother. Their support, she says, is “amazing,” and it serves as her motivation to compete.

According to her family, the masters athlete isn’t just an inspiration to them but to the members of her gym, too.

“The young kids at the gym look at her and use her scores as benchmarks,” Tom, her husband, says.

“To be at the age she is and to continue at the level she has is absolutely inspiring to so many people,” her daughter Carly says. “For this to be in (my kids’) memories, I’m super stoked.”

Competing in the Women’s 60-64 division, Failla feels blessed to compete at her age.

“Every year it gets a little more difficult,” Failla says. “I’m just really grateful.”