Why I created Adaptive Insider
The internet age both silos and disseminates information. You can go years without knowing a whole world exists, and then stumble into it almost by accident.
I first discovered adaptive athletics through the Paralympics in 2010, when I was still in high school. It planted a seed, but for a long time, it stayed there. Mostly. But that’s another story for another time.
In 2022, I started doing CrossFit — not with any intention of competing, but simply as a way to stay fit, strong, and capable in both mind and body.
But the competitive world inevitably drew me in. I caught the competition bug in 2024 during the CrossFit open.
And almost accidentally, I qualified for the Games in San Antonio TX.
“Accidentally qualified” is a bit facetious — but it captures how the process felt. I was learning the adaptive division standards, navigating classification, and juggling a full personal life all at once. As a new-ish competitive adaptive athlete, I had lots of questions to answer, systems to understand, and requirements to meet. And no one I knew seemed to have clear answers.
Two years and two CrossFit Games later, here we are.
The vision for this newsletter and website is to be the encouraging voice I wish I had at the beginning — the one that helps new and returning adaptive athletes “figure it all out.” My vision is that I can share what I’ve learned with others: coaches, athletes, and friends.
WheelWOD — the team that promotes, plans, and executes the adaptive divisions on behalf of CrossFit HQ — has made tremendous progress in smoothing the competitive process for adaptive athletes. I hope that this platform complements that work by serving as a centralized resource for adaptive CrossFit (and beyond), whether or not your goal is competition.
I don’t know everything. But I know many people who do. My hope is that this becomes a space where our community can share information, tips, and hard-earned lessons — where athletes, coaches, friends, and supporters can all find something useful. Above all, I want it to be a cheerful, resilient source of encouragement.
If you have an idea for an article, news to share, or something worth celebrating, text me: 831-539-7508.
Cheers.
