Sunday Story…Thank You!!!

A quick note of Thanks! to all the people who have made my journey to the CrossFit games in 2017 such a success.

First my Mom. Because without Mom there’s no me! My parents instilled a simple value in me: if you are going to do it, do it to the very best of your ability. It serves me throughout my life.

My Business partner, Ellie McKenzie. She dug me out of self imposed exile in Fernley NV. with an opportunity to come to Dallas TX and create a community dedicated to fitness and health. She has put up with my ups and downs, training injuries, mercurial moods, and acted as a modulating force to my often explosive force. In the athlete’s area at the games her coaching and focus cues were invaluable. It’s been quite a journey and we are just starting to get traction!

My coach, Tino Marini, and the entire staff at CrossFit Invictus. Over the last 4 years they have continued to get better at programming, more innovative, and flat out smarter. Tino has programmed around a myriad of injuries over the last 2 years and has somehow managed to get me stronger and in the absolute best condition of my life going into the 2017 Games. No small feat given my last surgery on 12/15/17 and the inescapable fact that I am 60 years old.

My community at CrossFit Odyssey. There are too many of you to list here. You stepped up with donations to help fund the journey. You bought T-shirts. You show up every day with all your energy and enthusiasm for health and fitness. You serve as an inspiration for me! You make all the lonely workouts worth it. I hope I inspire you…to know you are only limited by what you believe to be possible. Your age, your current condition, your previous disabilities have no hold on your “What’s possible”. If you believe it, you can achieve it.

My support community…Chris Babb and Landon Webster and the whole crew at Kinetik Chain without whom this old body would impossible to manage. Kelly Carden at CryoOne for freezing me regularly. Mark Murdock and his people at Phoenix Re-gen for getting me into the NovoThor infra-red bed which was an invaluable tool for recovery as the lead in to the Games took its toll on me. Dr. Soryal at Texas Sport for getting my knee working again. Dr. Mezera at Dallas Hand and Lower extremity for not 1 but 2 fixes on my thumb.

I know that isn’t everyone. I am extremely grateful to everyone who made this Journey to Extraordinary possible and, yes, Extraordinary!

John Mariotti
www.crossfitodyssey.com
www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com
775-338-2412