What did you think was possible in 7.5 weeks? Did you think you could lose 30 lbs? Did you think you could add 30 lbs. to your max effort clean? Well, several did.
The Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good Challenge was more successful than I could have ever dreamed. The results, across the board, were phenomenal! On average, our participants improved by 36 points on their Play Good Challenge workout – a combination of improvement in max effort clean and reps performed in the conditioning workout. That alone would make me a very happy man; the changes seen in the photographs are icing on the cake. Several individuals lost 25 lbs. or more while still improving on their max effort cleans. That’s damn good!
Without further ado, the winners of the Invictus Look Good, Feel Good, Play Good Challenge are:
- First Place – Kim McLaughlin (finished in the top 3 in all scoring components!)
- Second Place – Mark “Thor” Noah
- Third Place – Tausha Beard
- Fourth Place – Merritte Powell
- Fifth Place – Gary Martin (pictured above)
I will be highlighting each of the winners as I receive their permission to share their stories, but I will start with our Fifth Place finisher – my big brother, Gary Martin (pictured above). It’s easy to take him first because I know the circumstances he was fighting to make these changes – and he cannot get too angry about me bragging about him.
Gary won the photo component – which was only one third of the overall scoring – by a landslide. But he didn’t have an easy path. Gary is a father, husband and shift worker. He goes to work at 4:00 a.m. and goes straight from work to pick up his son (5) and nephew (4) from school. He brings them down to the gym with him at 4:30 p.m., heads home for some dinner, hangs out with his wife (who often has to work late), and then gets to bed about 5 hours before he has to get up to do it again. Needless to say, this busy lifestyle led to a lot of eating foods most convenient to him, and the sleep deprivation wreaked havoc on his body.
Over the last 8 weeks, Gary gave up soda and fast food, and dedicated himself to a diet fueled by meats and veggies, complemented by some fruit and nuts to satisfy any sweet cravings. He hasn’t been able to find time to get much more sleep, but he has stayed diligent with the nutrition and consistent at the gym. The photos (see below) speak for themselves.
I am extremely proud of all of our competitors, and my brother is no exception. (He is not, however, exempt from razzing about the tan in the “after” photos.)
AWESOME job Gary!! You look AMAZING!! So very proud of you!! 🙂
Thanks to everyone for the kind words. I have to say that it would not have possible without all the support from the Invictus family. Peer pressure is a powerful thing.
I would like to thank CJ for letting me figure out how to make this happen on my own terms. You never judged or placed expectations on me. You gave me the tools and helped me figure out how to use them.
Awesome, Gary! You are a great example of hard work. And now that it’s your new way of living/eating, it’ll be eeeeeeasy!
It was so wonderful seeing BC and Jill today! Barry and I picked the right day to go to a 9:30 class!
Gary! Good job my man!
You must have worked your butt off, literally!
Nice job Gary! I remember talking with you on many a Saturday morning about your tough work schedule and how you were struggling to get workouts in. Well done to you and Jen on your dedication to the CrossFit method and sticking to paleo.
Wish I could’ve been around to shake your hand today!
Jill and I had a fantastic (albeit too quick) visit with the 0930 crew. You are all so inspiring and we will always have a soft spot in our hearts for the entire CFI staff and members. Great things are happening and lives are improving as a result of CJ and his fabulous team of trainers and supporters. I will continue to follow CFI programming and rock CFI gear up in Camarillo. We miss you guys and appreciated the workout and warm welcome this morning!
Respectfully,
The Freischlag Clan
way to go! lookin good, all this pseudo science paleo stuff actually works!!!!!
Gary, That is some good work. I knew you were doing well when I saw you cleaning and dropping into the front squat like it was butter, but you clearly crushed the fat-loss portion of the challenge too! Even your tattoo looks smaller. Very impressive.
P.S. Did you shave your shins too? O, Vanity!
Gary – congratulations! You and Jen did sooooo awesome! I am super happy for you and can’t wait to see both you and Jens continued progress!
Gary! What you have done is nothing short of phenomenal! I’m super stoked to see the great changes you made to your lifestyle and with your health and fitness as a result. Keep on keepin’ on, brotha!
gary.. you da bomb!!
Wow… amazing work Jen and Gary, keep it up, it’s obviously paying off!! PS: I love the tan!!!! 🙂
Gary,
You and Jen are so amazing! I love that you take care of so many people so well and that now you are taking care of yourselves and each other. Congratulations!!!
xoxo,
Kate
Wow, that is awesome! For a guy with those sorts of responsibilities and commitments in terms of family and work to be able to make such a dramatic change in such a short time is amazing! Great work, Gary!!