Justin Cotler

It’s always difficult to put the CrossFit Games into words.

On paper, this was Alex’s best finish yet. Fourth place. The fittest American woman. Another incredible performance on the biggest stage in the sport.

A year ago, none of that felt guaranteed. Twelve months ago, she was on crutches after a devastating car accident, watching the Games instead of competing in them. There were questions about how long recovery would take, what she would look like when she came back, and whether she’d be able to return to the level she’d reached before everything changed. To come back from that and stand on the competition floor as one of the four fittest women on Earth is remarkable.

At the same time, if I’m being honest, it doesn’t feel completely fulfilling. Not because fourth place isn’t an incredible accomplishment. It absolutely is. It just wasn’t what we came here to do.

We came here believing Alex was capable of standing on the podium, and we trained every day with that expectation. When your goals are that high, falling short hurts, even when the result is something most athletes would dream of. That’s the reality of elite sport. You don’t lower your standards just because the outcome is objectively impressive.

What makes me proud isn’t just where she finished. It’s how she carried herself through every obstacle this past year. The resilience, the discipline, and the willingness to do the work when nobody was watching. She never let the accident become an excuse. She simply got back to work.

So today I feel a lot of things. Pride. Gratitude. Perspective. And Hunger. Those emotions aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, I think they often go hand in hand when you’re pursuing something at the highest level.

Congratulations on your best Games finish yet, Alex. I love you, mama. I’m incredibly proud of everything you’ve overcome to get here, and I also know we’re both already thinking about what’s next.

The work continues…

As Semifinals season comes to a close, we want to take a moment to acknowledge all of the semifinal athletes who are part of our HWPO 1:1 coaching family.

We are incredibly proud of these individual, masters, teen, team, and adaptive athletes. Since launching the HWPO Individual Coaching Program in October of last year, we’ve been amazed by how many people are willing to invest in themselves, and what a little guidance, support, and belief from great coaches can help unlock.

From day one, our goal has been simple, build relationships with people and watch the athlete flourish. These athletes embody that mission to the fullest, and we couldn’t be more proud of what they’ve accomplished.

So please take a moment to scroll through these slides and give a shout out to these inspiring athletes. All are true examples that Hard Work Pays Off!

Perspective.

Alex won the Northern California Classic this weekend and qualified for her fifth CrossFit Games.

If I’m being completely honest, it wasn’t how I drew it up in my head. I thought she’d dominate the weekend. Instead, she was in a dogfight from start to finish and had to earn it all the way to the final event.

And looking back, I think I was probably too hard on her. During the competition and after. As coaches, we spend so much time chasing what could be better that sometimes we lose sight of what’s actually happening right in front of us.

I’ve always loved the Vince Lombardi quote, “Perfection is not attainable. But if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.”

The problem is that if you’re not careful, chasing perfection can make excellence feel ordinary.

In Alex’s last four major competitions, she’s finished 1st, 1st, 2nd, and 1st. The last 2 coming after battling back from a car accident that nearly took her life and very easily could have ended her career.

The results are undeniable. I think my belief in her is so strong that sometimes my expectations become almost impossible to meet. I see what she’s capable of and expect it every time she steps on the competition floor.

Maybe that’s part of what has helped produce these results. But it’s also a reminder that perspective matters.

Winning isn’t easy. Qualifying for the CrossFit Games isn’t easy. Standing on top of the podium isn’t easy.

Sometimes it’s okay to take a step back, appreciate what was accomplished, and recognize just how special consistency at this level really is.

Lesson learned, coach. 🙏

One day is not enough to celebrate how incredible of a Mom you are, babe. The kids and I thank you for all you do!! Love you and Happy Mother’s Day!!

We went all out for Jaxson’s 6th birthday today. Homemade Oreo cake, brand new Nintendo Switch, Adventuredome Theme Park, his own Cyber Truck for the day (ok, I also had a lot of fun with that. 😂), and a sushi feast for dinner. And why the hell not?! You only turn 6 once!!!

Love you Jaxie Boy! Hope you loved your birthday!! 🎂🎉🥳

Happy birthday to Ash. It feels a little ironic writing this from a hospital bed while she’s at home doing what she always does holding everything together. Taking care of the kids, working two jobs, managing a full bathroom renovation, bringing me food and clothes, and somehow still showing up with patience and love. Her capacity is limitless. She’s the glue of this family, the steady hand when things feel chaotic, and the reason our home runs the way it does. I don’t say it enough, but I’m endlessly grateful for her, and so are our kids. We are unbelievably lucky to have her, and I’m even luckier to call her my wife. ❤️

My babygirl is 9 today. No one inspires or amazes me more than you, Ives. Loving a daughter as a dad is almost impossible to explain. It’s like your heart decided to live outside your body, walking around in the world with a smile, a laugh, and a mind of its own. You want to protect her from everything, but also let her chase everything. You’re strong because of her, softer because of her, and better because of her. Watching her grow isn’t just a privilege, it’s the greatest responsibility and the greatest joy I’ve ever known. Happy birthday Ivy. I love you!!

The launch of HWPO Individual has been nothing short of inspiring. From day one, we’ve heard stories of resilience, comebacks, and athletes fighting through obstacles most people never see.

The consultation calls have been nonstop, athletes from all over the world reaching out, hungry to work, hungry to level up, hungry to find out what they’re truly capable of with the right team behind them.

Behind the scenes, our HWPO coaches have been grinding. Programming, reviewing, adjusting, connecting. Every rep and every plan built with purpose. It takes the entire crew to make this machine move, and everyone is locked in on raising the standard.

The momentum is real. The hunger is real. And we’re just getting started.