This past weekend saw CrossFit CEO and Founder, Greg Glassman join forces with sports Scientist Prof Noakes for the Visionaries for Change event which took place at the Century City Conference Centre on Saturday, 3 December, followed, in traditional CrossFit style by a WOD (Workout of the Day) hosted by Black River CrossFit.
Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Mr Gert Oosthuizen delivered an opening address which spoke to the power of sport in nation building, followed by Glassman who was first to address a clearly excited audience with delegates having traveled from Richards Bay, Mossel Bay and Pretoria alike, to hear the WOD-Father, speak.
CrossFit, the fitness regime that has taken the world by storm, was developed by Greg Glassman over several decades. Glassman is named as being the first person in history to define fitness in a meaningful, measurable way: increased work capacity across broad time and modal domains. Crossfit has been specifically designed to improve fitness and health.
With over 7 000 affiliates in the US alone and 70 new CrossFit boxes opening around the world every week, the number of firm followers and advocates for the regime continues to grow at an ever increasing rate, seeing CrossFit as one of the fastest growing brands in the world.
Glassman’s message is simple, “constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. Eat meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar.”
Coach Glassman, addressed a very “fit” looking audience comprised of predominantly CrossFit affiliates, coaches and athletes. Whilst many have been expecting him to talk about the sport, the CrossFit Games and what it takes it become an “elite athlete” the message he had to share was far more powerful and hard hitting.
“Each box is a lifeboat in a tsunami of chronic disease.” – Greg Glassman
Glassman spoke at length about the nutritional crisis we are faced with globally, the diabetes and chronic disease tsunamis that are going to hit us and the role that each CrossFit affiliate plays in fighting and preventing chronic disease.
After a short Q&A session, Prof Noakes was next up, addressing the topic of, “Believing in the Outcome” aptly suited to the audience of coaches and athletes.
Prof Noakes’ message was focused on the mental aspect and mindset required to perform and win at the top levels in all sporting disciplines. He spoke at length about the state of “flow”, the importance of perfection, self-belief, character, team and how critical it is to understand the “why” as an athlete and coach.
The visuals and videos shared in Prof Noakes’ talk left more than a few audience members emotional and evidently inspired.
Glassman and Prof Noakes have been firm advocates on the public stage for a low-carbohydrate diet, based on eating real food that is free from sugar. They have both faced much criticism within the media but have remained steadfast in the commitment to fighting diabetes and chronic disease globally.
Greg Glassman, Jimi Letchford (CrossFit CMO) and the team spent two days in Cape Town with The Noakes Foundation before heading off to Johannesburg for a day en-route back to the US.
