Push It!

Science catches up to the crossfit community again.
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/uk/health/article2753446.ece
Link SFW
Unfortunately they only mention fruits and vegetables but not grassfed beef.

Avery‚Äôs post (“Is It All About The Snatch”) is superb!
Until A2’s interview, I could point to the main site as a place where women were always taken very seriously. And I suspect that after A2’s interview things will return to normal.
From my point of view, the main site has always treated female athletes with as much or more respect than male athletes. (I cannot say the same of the Black Box Site.) I cannot think of a single comment directed towards Nicole, Eva, Annie, or any of the other female athletes that was laced with the slightest bit of sexual innuendo. Not one.
(An exception might be some of he more misogynistic rap lyrics, which were quickly scaled back after numerous people took exception. Frankly, I think the sound track to “Nasty Girls” is humorous because it is so profoundly obvious that these “girls” are the complete opposite what is suggested by the lyrics.)
As much as I like A2 (we all like A2, I really mean it) she was used, and she was delighted to be used. Women deserve to be taken seriously, if they choose to be taken seriously. When a woman blasts out a WOD, men are in awe, and without exception, they are delighted to be in awe. I have not heard a single negative comment directed towards a woman who takes this sport seriously.
But a woman who chooses to be strictly an object? There is zero that can be done about that. Very few men will refuse to comply with that wish.
Should women put up with this nonsense and be a good sport? In my opinion, the answer is no. Being a good sport about this stuff is the beginning of the end of being taken seriously.
Bravo, Avery! Respect.

Avery-
Kudos.
I hope you can attend a cert soon so someone can interview YOU.

Allison I was just thinking that I hope someone from the Box posts the blog on the main site-so glad you did it!

I made a post on the Main Site about all of this.
I came here to respond to what Hari wrote above-
I’m hurt by what you said. I respect you. I liked you. One of the questions I was asked in the interview was who I admired at the Box. I said a few names but said that I admired you the most because you encouraged me, you’re smart and I saw your determination to finish WODs more than once.
I’m really shocked you said that about me.
Calling me 2pood is fine. Posting half naked pictures of me and Allison and Marisela is fine. But laughing about the snatch is degrading?
I say the nicest things about all of you and the Black Box to everyone I meet. I said great things about all of you and the gym in my interview and this is what I get. I feel like I’ve been stabbed in the back for a second time. Some of you know what I’m talking about here.
It’s all very hypocritical..

Maybe, just maybe this is more about us (the Black Box) than it is about A2 or that interview. Maybe it’s true we should look into how we treat our female members (see also Morgan’s comment on Avery’s blog), but we, as a group, have once again mismanaged what could have been a simple issue, to the point where we’ve driven away a member/former member for the second time, and made a public display of it. How fucking stupid are we?
I don’t feel like discussing this further right now, it would take too much time to sort out my mixed emotions. Let me just say I agree with Avery in general terms, but there’s more to be said.
Finally, people, this is the Internet. Nothing ever really disappears. In fact, there is no edit button on these blogs. Think before you type, always, and when in doubt, do NOT post.

I’m not sure where to start with all of this, but I knew that I was going to come across as a battle axe wielding feminist after writing that post. I also understand why someone from a totally outside perspective on the main site might think I have “issues” or “be jealous” or whatever. They have no idea who I am, what my personality is like, or what my real agenda is…frankly it’s not worrying about the possibility of sexism occurring at Crossfit all the time. I do have a job. And stuff.
I had not intended it to be posted on the main page of this site, the main site, or wanted it to stir up some major controverial debate about what consitutes fun and joking. Frankly, I forget that anyone ever reads my blog besides a few people. I woke up today and saw all of this and thought, “Oh God.” Obviously, that was a mistake on my part.
I also had no intention of anyone getting their feelings hurt over this post. I should have used more general terms talking about this issue, as the main point is not the interview (that was merely the catalyst), it is the general atmosphere I have AT TIMES experienced at the Box, on the CrossfitNYC boards, and my experience on the HQ main site (which is limited compared to the regular posters).
FOR THE MOST PART, my experience at Crossfit has been life changing, amazing, awesome, insert other superlative adjectives here and I love the people I have had the opportunity to workout with. I only wrote this post as a challenge to the way we think about our speech and actions, so perhaps we can become an even stronger community.
In the light of all these posts and comments and the possibility of more negative, personal ones in the future which I find most unnecessary, I’ve set the blog post to private. If you have any questions or comments you need to make, please email them to me at averex@msn.com. Not the main HQ site or this board.
Many Thanks.
Avery

I understand that A2 has rubbed some people the wrong way at the Box, but what’s the point of trying to discuss one’s issues with her on a fucking BLOG? i’m sorry but in my opinion, this is ridiculous, the whole thing with A2. She’s not at the gym anymore, let it go. If you have nothing nice to say about someone when they aren’t around, don’t say it. I understand people need to rant and vent but (in general, I’ve seen this with my own friends) don’t have a discussion about your dislike for a certain person. If you want to settle things with her, call her up, get a date for coffee/lunch, and talk it out. You are all mature adults here, not a teen like I and my peers.
After reading delving into our archives, what the hell has happened? In the past 2 months the discussions and picture postings have become less and less PG[-13] at times. There are points where I’m going to show my coach or other adults in school this website and I see some of the pictures posted on the main page and some of the comments we make, and I refrain from doing so. I LOVE the Box and I don’t think much of what is said or posted here because I know most everyone and that a lot of this is in good fun; but, however, other people don’t know what our sense of humor or our characteristics are like. First impressions make or break you. If I want to vouche the validity of the Box to someone, I want them to see this is a mature institution and not just some hole-in-the-wall gym (which we are, but we can be above that standard).
And now if you’ll excuse me, pancakes are ready.

I think the point is or should be that A2 is an excellent athlete and should be treated as such. The problem I think Avery is pointing out is that when Hari is interviewed he is treated like a diplomat and when A2 is interviewed she is treated like a pornstar. The truth of the matter is that A2 is younger, fitter, faster and all-around better athlete than Hari (no offense, Hari) and most people here at the box. However, that part of the story is neglected in the CrossFit interview.
Of course, we must consider the personalities of the people that contribute to the tone that the interviews take. I’d rather not get into that but the point is that we can’t live in a white-board only vacuum as Juan would like. I hope Allison (Bishop) knows that I am not trying to pick on her. I think she is a fantastic athlete and should let that speak for itself. The other drama is counterproductive. I apologize if posting the picture was too much. I guess I have seen too many adds for Bally’s and Equinox and Shape magazines and thought that was what a gym-goer was supposed to look like.
Am I guilty of a lot of bad judgment and poor taste? Yes. Are the rest of you? Probably. I have heard most of the women here make sexual comments about pictures of glistening, shirtless men that appear on this site. Do two wrongs make a right? No. Let’s get over the hypocrisy and the bad feelings and work on our cleans and handstand pushups.

A2,
You write that you are hurt and shocked by what I wrote, but much of what you list has nothing to do with what I wrote. I have consistently been critical of the sort of crude behavior you cite, and have never been part of that crap.
What I did write was this: “As much as I like A2 (we all like A2, I really mean it) she was used, and she was delighted to be used.” I meant this exactly as I wrote it.
Shortly after you started working out at Black Box, a number of us realized that you had the potential to become another Annie, Eva, or Nicole. Instead, you are allowing yourself to become another Anna Kornikova, a woman who had the potential to be the absolute best, but traded her potential for attention.
I encouraged you because you have talent and because you can be infinitely more than just cute. As you know, men will literally lie beneath your feet while you do pull-ups. If that’s all you want, it’s yours. I encourage you to get more out of life, but it’s your life.
When I wrote my response to Avery’s post, I was actually not concerned with you. You’ve been gone for months. I was concerned with the other women who are currently at Black Box as well as those who are likely to join (or not join). My primary interest is in the ongoing success of Black Box, which depends entirely on how we treat all our members.

The problem is Hari that some people are notable for being attractive/hot as much as they are for being athletic — it’s only a “problem” (one I know *all* too well I can tell you) if you choose to call it that
Innuendo is a fun way American culture has evolved to deal with this kind of thing. Personally I think it’s rather optimal.
For example in Allison’s interview would you rather the interviewer ignored Allison’s charms altogether (eg BBC circa 1950)? The middle ground of flirtation is just fine IMO
So what if the interview steered from fun/sass/innuendo at the beginning to Allison’s sincere devotion to CrossFit at the end? Seems like a perfect balance to me — captures all aspects! Everyone came across fine — both Allison and interviewer.
But I think it is easy to come across as insulting when you try to make excuses, perform analysis, or give opinions on someone else’s behalf, all the more so when it is related to either looks or personality. For example, “please excuse my friend Hari — he’s intelligent”; or “he’s just letting himself be used — to solve equations!”
So while I fully believe you didn’t mean to insult, maybe it could be seen as hurtful for you to analyze this issue in-depth when Allison is in the public eye? And maybe the all-important RESPECT doesn’t commute with detailing opinions about someone in public?
Just my two pence (sterling).

wow. i’m gone for a week and the shit hits the fan.
it’s not just me!!
i wish i had had the chance to read your post avery, but i was too late.
funny thing about the main site is that there are soooooo many things posted there that i don’t agree with and don’t like to read, so i don’t read them. the reason i am on this blog so much is because i do know the people and i want to have stimulating (pun intended) discussions with people that i do understand and that understand me.
as a woman, i have no problem using my assets to charm or intrigue. this is what our society and culture have taught us to do, so to be chastised for being sexy is unfair. men do not have to play the same kind of game. the fact that i have a brain underneath it all seems to be secondary to the fact the my breasts look great in a corset, or that my bottom propels me into a great squat. but i also do not let people disrespect me. i will be the first person to tell someone if they have and it is almost never personal.
allison, i fully understand what sat badly with you about the interview because they never talked about her(a2)ability. they discussed why and when she got into it and how it changed her life, but never about her amazing talent as an athelete. it did seem to me that the only reason for the interview was because she is hot. though i know that allisonnyc is also a talented athelete.
this is the frustration that women have to deal with all the time. this industry in particular is not female friendly. look on the main board and see how many times a woman is involved in the heavy political discussions or how many times womens rights come up there.
and annie, nicole and eva (give another 3 or 4 names that i don’t know) are only 7 or 8 women! the names get repeated here so often, you would think they are the only kinds (bodytype) of women out there. i have a great respect for women like them, but unless i make this my life (which i am slowly working against) I WILL NEVER LOOK LIKE THEM. nor do i want to. i want to look like me. the best version of me possible and if i never lift as much as them, fine.
i don’t understand why when a woman speaks her mind about the mysoginistic manner with which an interview was handled by our beloved crossfit HQ, she is quickly called jealous. all of us who know allison (a1) know that she is HOT. (ummm, catwoman)
and i choose not to have people around me that get offended by the pg13 pics on our blog. brian, i know that you are still a puppy and have teachers hovering around you that want to teach you what is good and evil, but we are all good, strong, smart and, yes, SEXY people here at crossfit nyc.
i make no excuses for who i am or what i do. and i do some pretty stupid shit sometimes.

Dan L: I certainly wouldn’t start by asking you mate. No offense
But I definitely wouldn’t suppress innuendo either — I think people who try this are implicitly seeking to homogenize our culture; this is something that hasn’t worked out well in the past…

That was a nice response from TonyB. Nice slogan too “a great place to be hot” —- the thing is, everyone brings their own kind of hotness to the gym.
For some people it’s hotness of intellect/eloquence (Hari), with other people it’s hair (Paul), and with other people it’s further under wraps but nonetheless shines through with the intensity of effort put into their training
To single out one type of hotness (eg intelligence or beauty) as bad, or somehow in need of censorship, is unhealthy surely? Especially when there is a cultural norm for dealing with it light-heartedly (ie making nerd jokes or innuendo; or both!)

i refuse to conform to what a “serious institution” should be.
i refuse to look at a beautiful ass in a thong and think of it as bad, especially when someone that day may have finally understood what arching their back meant.
i refuse to think, because others tell me i should, that certain things are wrong until i have experienced them.
i refuse to be around people that think i am bad because of it.(which is why i like the nyc blog better than the main)
i refuse to feel bad for having a sexy body and a sexy attitude, because i don’t feel bad about my sexuality the way our misogynistic society wants me to.
nobody will ever make me think i have less integrity because of it.
the truth of the matter is that “men” are afraid of a woman like me. i will not bring in any other names because i don’t want anyone to misinterpret this as anyone’s opinion but mine, but i’m sure there are others like me.
i’m beautiful
i’m strong
i’m smart
i’m sexy
i’m fit
and i speak my mind
i don’t do it in that irritating “girlie” way either. i speak to everyone the same way and a woman like me, with these qualities is labeled “angry” (“stop getting all rosie o’donnell”).
it is a way of saying that they are scared. scared of a woman with eloquence and strength. scared of a woman that isn’t an object, but is still sexy and beautiful. scared that a woman isn’t prude, but likes sex a LOT, maybe even more than him. scared that they may have just found a person, entirely and not a thing to get off with.
the same people that called allison “jealous” or “hypocritical” or, even worse, “prude” are probably the same guys that would ask for dirty deeds, then go tell all their friends at school the next day and ruin her reputation. ironically, if a girl went and told everyone, she’d still be the whore.
it isn’t just men either. women fight each other all the time. we judge and bring each other down. sadly, i don’t think this was that occasion.
a2, if you were offended and hurt and truly respected allison and the box, shouldn’t you have just called her? or maybe read the posts thoroughly?
because of my refusal i have struggled a lot in life, but i choose the struggle of my integrity. i know who i am. i know what society is and i am saddened that some women don’t even know the difference.
on a lighter note,
justin, i would pay to see that

Justin,
I’m calling you out again. I definitely want to see you in that bikini! I’m going to change the box into a full studio set for one night just for this. See you tomorrow!

Adding my two cents to the discussion, I started the same exact day as A2 and I did notice the different treatment we recieved, sure I know that I was no looker at an overweight 40 year old female. Sometimes it was a bit much and I knew it was not meant to be hurtful and boys will be boys. I laughed it off, But i loved the program and lived with it.
I have to agree with sarena. I would love to see someone like her or michelle interviewed, believe it or not there are alot more women like them than not.
They are my heros, not some 21 year old.

Alex, thanx! I am amazed by how hard you push yourself. I guess us “old ladies” gotta stick together to show those young uns!
Alex maybe we should go back to the globogym and watch the stares we get we pick up the reak iron as opposed to the little pink DBs!
Justin, I for one dont mind skipping the bikini shoot!

Justin what time are the bikini pull-ups?
lunch or evening?

Hey, Marsiela, could you post that again?
It’s not real clear whether you’re a legend in your own mind or not. Please repost; it was too subtle.

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