CrossFit is for Anyone - Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

CrossFit is for Anyone

This past weekend in Las Vegas, WheelWOD hosted the 2025 CrossFit Adaptive Games. For those who know the story, you’ll understand just how special that is. For those who don’t, here’s a little history.

Back in 2013, Steph, Stouty, and I (as well as many other’s who are still with us at CFI) did the CrossFit Open together at Indestri for the very first time. Each week when the workout was announced, Stouty would take the movements and figure out a way to adapt them so he could participate. I would videotape those workouts and share them with the CrossFit community. A few times, they were even featured on the CrossFit Update Show (if you remember the update show, you’re probably an OG).

Then in early 2014, Kevin Ogar had his accident at the OC Throwdown that left him in a wheelchair. I remember asking Stouty if he was okay with me reaching out to Kevin to share his story, I messaged Kevin privately through Facebook, hoping to give him some inspiration, that whenever he was ready, there was this guy named Stouty who would be more than happy to chat and offer guidance, and sent him some links to video’s of Stouty training in his wheelchair.

Around the same time, Stouty was founding WheelWOD. Over the years, Stouty, Kevin, and an incredible group of people have built WheelWOD into a company that has changed countless lives.

On Sunday night, I was watching a clip from one of the divisions competing this past weekend, and Sam Dancer said something that stuck with me. He spoke about how athletes with special needs don’t often have spaces where they get to feel like superheroes. But the Adaptive CrossFit Games creates that space, it gives athletes the chance to be celebrated for their strength, resilience, and ability.

And sitting there, I couldn’t help but feel so proud of Stouty. He might not be super thrilled that I’m thrusting him into the spotlight like this, but it’s the truth. Stouty used himself as a test dummy for many, many years, figuring out ways to adapt movements, workouts, and equipment long before there was a framework. Eventually, he started stepping out of the spotlight and working tirelessly behind the scenes to help make the Adaptive division what it is today.

He’s never been one to chase attention, but the reality is, the Adaptive CrossFit division wouldn’t be what it is without his vision, courage, and relentless drive all those years ago. Yes, he has built a phenomenal team around him, people who pour their own passion and hard work into making it all happen. But at the heart of it, the spark started with him.

Many of us at CrossFit Indestri have been lucky to not only have a front row seat to watch it all unfold, but some of us have even been fortunate enough to play a very small part in helping along the way. It’s been an incredible journey to witness, and we’re all so proud of you for it, Stouty. Congratulations to you, Kevin and Shannon Ogar, and the entire WheelWOD team. How cool is it to see how far it has come, and how many lives you’ve impacted for the better.

And this is also why it’s so disheartening when we hear people talk negatively about CrossFit. That it’s “too hard, too intense, too crazy.” In truth, I don’t know of any other form of training that can be adapted for any level or ability of athlete. I don’t know of any other coaches who can take a workout and modify it to accommodate any form of impairment while still keeping the athlete challenged and safe, and all in the exact same class together. CrossFit truly is for anyone.

CrossFit has always been about proving that fitness is for everyone who’s willing to show up and put in the effort. Watching the Adaptive Games unfold in Las Vegas this past weekend was another reminder of that, and it makes us incredibly proud, not just as coaches, affiliate owners, and business partners, but as friends of someone who helped push this movement forward in such a meaningful way.

So once again, Congratulations Stouty.

Wednesday, September 17th, 2025

Focus:

10 min EMOM
3 - 5 Strict Pull Ups

WOD:

For time:
2000m Row
50 Push Ups

Check back each night at 8pm for the next days WOD .
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