This episode of “Road to the Games” follows the highs and lows of Games hopeful Tia Wright and two-time Games medalist Patrick Vellner as they prepare for and compete in the 2018 Regionals.

Wright knows the feeling of finishing just short of a qualifying spot all too well after placing seventh at Regionals in 2016 and sixth in 2017.

“Since last year, I’ve worked so much on my mind,” Wright says. “I’ll be ready when Regionals come.”

Despite that confidence, Wright struggles through the West Regional, finishing the weekend in 22nd.

“I’m confused that you can put in such good work and not see the outcome that you’re looking for,” says a disappointed Wright.

In the East, Vellner busts down the door to the CrossFit Games like a wild Canadian moose. With back-to-back third-place finishes at the Games, Vellner is now a seasoned veteran who knows what it takes to compete at the highest level.

“If you’re under-prepared for Regionals, you don’t go to the Games,” he says.

It’s safe to say Vellner is prepared this year. After placing third or better in every single event, Vellner takes the East and finishes first overall on a combined Regionals leaderboard—25 points ahead of two-time defending Games champ Mat Fraser.

“Even when it comes to my school or work or whatever, I want to do better than everybody else. I want to be the best version of myself that I can be,” says Vellner, a chiropractic student who works as an intern at the Canadian Memorial Chiropractic College (CMCC) clinic when he’s not busy training.

Vellner hopes his winning streak will continue in Madison: “I would love to win. We work too hard to ‘participate.‘”

Watch the full episode and discover which of these athletes likes to knit and which has a house that’s constantly filled with strangers’ dogs.