Every year I learn so much from the Games. I usually leave with my head spinning and a notebook full of thoughts that range from training, programming, athletes, athlete management, plans for future athlete fields, where the game will take human potential, and coaching the game itself. On top of those notions, I mostly leave feeling fulfilled and excited. I am fulfilled with my time in this sport, fulfilled with my effort as a coach and the effort of my athletes, and fulfilled with what CrossFit has given me. I am also extremely excited for what is to come, not just from the sport, but from humans and what we can do! So, with all that down, let’s get into my top three thoughts/experiences from this year's 2021 NoBull CrossFit Games.

1) The field is so exciting when the podium spot is up for grabs.

I am referring to the men’s field with Matt Fraser being gone, and the excitement around who would win. I could sense the excitement from the crowd and the announcers, and you could see it with the athletes. There was a straight up dogfight for the top spot, and that is always good to watch. It has been amazing to watch arguably the most dominant CrossFit Athlete compete over the last few years. Each year the discussion would be, “how much will Mat win by.?” Each year it would be astonishing to see what he could do, and where he would continually take the sport. However, having him gone led to a heightened level of competition and spectating as the first place spot was up for grabs for quite some time over the week. On the female side, Tia still reigns supreme, and she will continue (in my opinion) to dominate the field. She has shown no signs of letting up, and SHE IS the most dominant athlete in the game. So, is the female side still exciting to watch? I think it is. Seeing her dominance is amazing to me, and the young guns (Emma Cray and Mal O'Brien) are definitely proving the swing of the female landscape is up for grabs for the younger crop of athletes.

2) The growth of human potential.

What CrossFit has done for fitness - putting barbells in hands, creating more importance around gymnastics, creating a larger audience around endurance training - goes beyond any other fitness movement… EVER. With that being said, what CrossFit has done to highlight and break down perceived limitations on human performance goes beyond anyone’s wildest imagination. There is no stronger proving ground for this than the CrossFit Games, period! To me, this is not even a debate. Simply tune in and see what these athletes are doing every year. But there will always be that lame soul who claims doping. I have news for you, if you dope, you still won’t make the Games, nor come close to doing what they do. Just sit back and enjoy the show, because what human performance is going towards is going to skyrocket even more!

3) The Community of the CrossFit Games was missed by many.

Plain and simple, being around friends, seeing people who you haven’t seen before, and sitting next to strangers and cheering on athletes doing what you love is great for the soul. COVID has proven that humans need humans and community. We function around tribes, and the CrossFit tribe is one of the strongest around. It was so good to be around people, see people, and converse in person with those who I haven’t seen in over two years.

I would love to hear your three biggest takeaways from this year's Games, whether you went or not. Send us an email with your thoughts to help@conquerathlete.com.

- Coach Jay