Lessons from my 10th CrossFit Open | CrossFit Chiltern

This year marks a personal milestone for me: it is my 10th CrossFit Open. I’ve participated in these three weeks of testing in different gyms, across different countries, and at vastly different stages of my life. I’ve done the Open as a "firebreather" chasing the global leaderboard, and I’ve done it as a busy dad just trying to survive the burpees after a sleepless night with the kids. Reflecting on my journey, I realise that I have gained invaluable insights from my experiences over the last 10 years of CrossFit Open and the lessons learned during these 10 years of CrossFit Open.

As I look back, I see how these 10 years of CrossFit Open have shaped my approach to fitness and community, showcasing the importance of the 10 years of CrossFit Open experience.

Over the last decade, the Open has been the most consistent "check-in" for my health and mindset. As we approach the 2025 season here at CrossFit Chiltern, I wanted to share three vital lessons I’ve learned from ten years of CrossFit Open under the "Friday Night Lights." These lessons highlight the significance of perseverance, community support, and personal growth throughout these 10 years of CrossFit Open.

Understanding the evolution of my performance and mindset during these 10 years of CrossFit Open has been eye-opening. It reflects not just physical growth but also the mental resilience built through years of participation.

1. Comparison is the Thief of Joy: Focus on Your Lane

In my early years, I spent hours refreshing the global leaderboard, comparing my scores to people in Texas, Sydney, and London. I’d be upset if I was in the 80th percentile instead of the 90th. Eventually, I realised that the only competition that matters is the one with my previous self. The Open is an annual "Fitness MOT." It tells you where you are right now. If you are better than you were last year—not just in your score, but in your movement quality and your resilience—you are winning. Your lane is the only one that matters.

2. The Basics are the Foundation of Our Elite Performance

Every year, people hope the Open workouts will include "fancy" movements like muscle-ups or handstand walks. But the athletes our team sees consistently performing the best are the ones who have mastered the "boring" basics: the air squat, the hollow hold, the burpee, and the row. Elite fitness is simply the basics performed exceptionally well under high intensity. This is why our coaches focus so heavily on mechanics at Chiltern. If you master the basics, you are "Open Ready" 365 days a year.

3. It’s About the People, Not the Points

When I look back at my last nine Opens, I don't remember my specific scores for 14.2 or 17.5. What I remember are the high-fives. I remember the person who stayed by my side during the last minute of a grueling thruster workout. I remember the sound of the Amersham community roaring when a member got their first-ever pull-up. The Open is our chance to celebrate as a family. It’s the ultimate "Support System"—one of the six pillars of health that we believe drives everything we do.

A Decade of Our Growth and Longevity

My journey through the Open mirrors our gym’s "5-Year Journey to Success." It’s about being better today than yesterday. We've built this gym to be a "Growth Engine" for your life, and the Open is just one beautiful, high-energy stop along the way. Whether this is your first Open or your tenth, I want you to embrace the challenge. Don't worry about where you sit on the global leaderboard. Focus on the person next to you, focus on your movement, and focus on having the most fun you’ll have all year.

Start your journey today. Book a Discovery Call with one of our team! https://kilo.gymleadmachine.com/widget/booking/sdUjnJkKy9dGRSLzEGzz