To say Crossfit is revolutionary is an understatement. CrossFit is altering the way people view their bodies, the way they eat, and the way they gauge what it means to be intense, to be fit, and to be well. Some say that Crossfit has a hand in raising up generations of people that are healthier than ever before.

The 2nd Annual CrossFit Games, or this generation's zeitgeist, is quite literally a sign of the times. It is a glimpse into the future of fitness and what is yet to come.

Most sports have a season and in that season there is a championship. The championship showcases its top performers of the sport, they compete against each other, the end result is a victorious athlete or team who trained the entire season for the championship. CrossFit, like many sports, has its championship. However, CrossFit varies from a purely traditional sport because this method of fitness trains individuals for real life. The real champions are the ones out in the “real world” using their abilities that have been strengthened through CrossFit - Firefighters, Military Personnel, Navy Seals, and Moms - this list goes on and on. Once a year, however, CrossFitters travel from across the globe to showcase what is know as CrossFit at the annual Crossfit Games - and the competition is stiff! Only seconds separated 1^st place and 10^th place.

Suiting to the CrossFit training protocol you cannot find out the challenge until you arrive at The Games. Many workouts are put into a Hopper. Workouts are then chosen at random, whatever comes out is the one in which the athletes compete. There is no room for excuses, the workout is served, and you as the competitor must take on the challenge regardless if it is your strength or your weakness. Jeremy Thiel described the playing field like a Gladiator Pit. Dirt, Rocks, and patches of grass were splattered throughout the competition area. “Everytime you threw the Barbell down, dirt and dust would fly up into the air” Jeremy said of the competition.

The Crossfit Central Team trains year round. Months before The Games these athletes took things up a notch, dialing in on their nutrition, focusing, and pushing through their workouts with fierce drive and determination. The result? A phenomenal output by the CrossFit Central Team! CrossFit Central CoFounder, Jeremy Thiel, took 3^rd place overall out of hundreds of athletes.

On the CrossFit discussion boards people prophesized about the winners of the competition. Josh Everett, Chris Speal, Jolie Gentry, and OPT were deemed as the CrossFit Games “favorites” and the ones to watch. CrossFit Central Caoches also made their predictions during pre-game interviews. “I believe that the two people that will win the games will be unknown. There’s somebody out there, that by heart, is gonna win it.” Jeremy Thiel predicted. His predictions materialized at the Games when spectators were all watching the CrossFit Elites and the ones picked to win by the Discussion Boards, While Jason Kallipa, who was in 8^th place going in to the Sunday competition, called Time and was crowned the Winner of The Crossfit Games.

Jeremy Thiel also laid everything he had on the line, heart and soul, and placed 3^rd in the International competition. It was though sheer determination and focus that Jeremy came from 11^th place to 3^rd place in one workout.

At the end of the day on Saturday, did you think you could come form 11^th place to 3^rd place?

I wanted to do consistently well. When they announced the final WOD, I knew I could win.

What was the day of the competition like?

I never got to compete with the top competitors. When I found out I was in the top 20 I was excited to compete with the best on Sunday. But two hours before Sunday’s event they announced that only the Top 10 would compete. When I found out I wasn’t going with the top 10 I decided I would destroy the workout.

When did you know you were in the Top Three?

I didn’t know when I was finished. But when I saw Josh Everett begin to struggle I knew I had a chance. I started to see other competitors crumble under the weight and I thought I did it! That was an exciting moment!

Who out of the Top 10 did you think would take it?

I didn’t know, because I didn’t know what the competitors were capable of. I have the most respect for Josh Everett. He has the spirit and heart of a champion, you can see it in his eyes.

Did this weekend change you in any way?

I believe, more than ever, in human will and the power to achieve success and that anyone is capable of it. I used to say, you can do anything, but now I truly believe it. If I can do it anyone can do it! If I didn’t have the CrossFit Central Team and my coach Lance Cantu I wouldn’t have made it into the top 3. Watch Jeremy Thiel's Post Game Interview.

CrossFit Central took 6 coahces Jeremy Thiel, Zachary Thiel, Michael Gregory, Crystal McReynolds, and Lance Cantu. Lisa Bender, winner of the Fittest Games Challenge, and CrossFit Central Member Richard White also joined The CrossFit Central Team and journeyed to Aromas, California to compete amungst world class athletes.

Watch Zach Thiel's Post Games Interview

Watch Lisa Bender's Post Games Interview

Watch Michael Gregory's Post Games Interview

Watch Lance Cantu's Post Game Interview

Watch Richard White's Post Games Interview

Carey Kepler, spectator at the CrossFit Games, was inspired by the athletes. "I thought it was a perfect example of functional, randomized movements performed at high intensities. It was a perfect display of what CrossFit is. I thought it was as excellent turnout from the CrossFit community. It was a very diverse group. There were all skill levels at the Games, and there were many that had to scale the workout. Watching Team CrossFit Central made me want to come back to Austin and begin an Elite CrossFit class for our atheltes that want to take it up a notch. This means strict following of the WOD's, additionl cardio vascular training, and a focus on technique. Watch out for us in 2009!"

Next Year the goal is to have thousands of athletes compete and the event will be televised. This is a sign of what is yet to come.