Perfect Form. Nothing Else Matters.

Happy New Year everyone! I hope you’ve all had a great Christmas. I’m writing this to convey my thoughts about the last 12 months.

Firstly I would like to express my sincerest gratitude for my family. And by that I mean not only Richard, Anthea, Carmen, Hamish, Rhys and Smudge, I also mean my CrossFit Family. CrossFit Toowoomba would just be a pile of equipment sitting in a shed if it weren’t for the awesome people who walk up my driveway with a smile on their face ready to give it their all so for that I thank each and every one of you who does just that.

We’ve all got through the first year with many milestones achieved. We had several of you achieve Level 1 Trainer Certifications: Richard Maas, Ellis Caffin, Adrian Woods, Wendy Norgren and Heather Roberts. I completed my Olympic Lifting certificate, and will soon be attending the Coaches Preparation Course and the Running Certificate and the CrossFit Endurance Certificate. Phew, another busy year ahead but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

CFT held its inaugural Altitude Challenge in February (speaking of which, is due to be held again soon so give me your ideas peeps). CFT crew attended the CrossFit Rocks Challenge in January (Richard & Jo & Matt Hickey), then in March we had Richard & Jo represent CFT at the Queensland Sectionals, with yours truly continuing to the CrossFit Regionals in Sydney. Also in March Chris N, Ian, Ryan, Richard and Jo competed at the CF Northside Challenge. In April it was the CF Gold Coast Challenge where Chris N and Jo held the flag for CFT. In July we held our first smackdown with CF Ipswich in July where Jo, Richard, Chris N, Ryan did Fight Gone Bad. At the end of July, Wendy and Jo competed at the Kawana Indoor Rowing Championships. In August we sent a tribe to the CF Brisbane Hardn’up Challenge (Wendy, Matt, Heather, Joely, Gillie, Chris N, Jo, Josie and Ian). In September CF Ipswich held their open day for their new box and the team of Richard, Joely, Gillie, Ian, Jo and Cam waved the CFT flag. In November , I helped CF Coastal hold demonstration WOD’s at Australia Zoo on Steve Irwin Day.   Also in November CFT sent Jo, Ian, Chris N, Joely and Jane to help CF Arena celebrate their first birthday. And in December we sent our biggest team yet to the Clash On The Coast: Ian, Ryan, Chris N, Richard, Jo, Joely, Jas, Jane, Jenni, Aleisha, Heather and Cameron, as well as our two youngest competitors Naomi and Anthea.

CFT also hosted it’s first indoor rockclimbing afternoon and hopefully enjoyed by all. Please let me know if you want to see more of that in 2011.

In September a few of you jumped aboard the 100 Day Challenge. The t-shirts will be ready in a couple of weeks – those involved can be proud to wear them. There will be another 100 Day Challenge starting soon – stay tuned for details.

So, 2010 has been a fantastic year for CFT, but none can match the achievements of my individual members. I thank everyone who did their first WOD, maybe their only WOD, maybe their first addictive WOD, gave it a go anyway and survived the carnage.

I am so proud of everyone who achieved their first muscleup, their first “30 Muscle-Ups”, their first box jump, pullup, kipping pullups, bodyweight deadlift, rxd WOD, double unders, handstand, running without stopping, and ripped calluses. It is these achievements that are the rewards for me, and nothing makes me more proud than when you all perform beyond what you thought you could achieve. I am proud to call you my clients – you are quality all the way!

CrossFit Toowoomba is the most awesome community in the world and I am both honoured and humbled to share your friendships and be a part in some way to helping you get CrossFit.

In 2011, I would like to see CrossFit Toowoomba further develop a culture of allowing and ensuring that all people develop their own mental strength as well as physical strength when completing WOD’s. I’ll be focusing on learning to “bring it” in tougher situations than just in a group session.  I have a series of throwdowns planned through the year with Shaune’s team at CF Ipswich.

I also have some sekrit training and activities planned for 2011. I could tell you but then I’d have to kill you.

Finally, I cannot write this without mentioning my eternal gratitude to Matt Swift (the Godfather) for his initial and ongoing faith in me.

Well, unfortunately I’ve just used up my full 2011 ration of soppy so you won’t get any reprieve again for another 363 days.

Yours most sincerely,

Jo Maas