It’s the most wonderful time of the year!
A time to spend with loved ones, take a vacation, enjoy funny films about dysfunctional families (‘Christmas Vacation’ anyone), and indulge in a treat or two that comes but once per year (Egg Nog? Mom’s famous pumpkin pie?).
What do Games athletes do during the holidays?
FloElite caught up with several athletes to see what their favorite holiday traditions are, and what they are asking for from Santa this year.
Jeff Germond, 2014 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
One of my new favorite traditions is running the Christmas Day class at my gym. I have done this for the past 5 years, and there’s always a nice showing. We typically do some version of the 12 days of Christmas WOD and listen to Christmas music the entire class!
What are you asking for from Santa for this year?
A good sleep at night. I just had a little girl at the end of September and she has thrown a wrench into my sleep schedule for sure! It has been fun, but she is exhausting!
Emily Abbott, 2014 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
A holiday tradition starts for me with watching ‘National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation’ of course! I turn on the fire, snuggle with my dogs and revel in the delectable corny comedy. When I am feeling a little grumpier about the holidays I watch ‘Bad Santa’. When I am feeling joyous towards humanity I watch ‘Love Actually’. So sadly, movies are the main event. I also chill with the family wherever they may be in the world. This year it's Mexico! So I will be an hour north of Puerto Vallarta surfing and sipping tequila in a laid back little fishing village.
What are you asking for from Santa for this year?
I don't want for much, but Santa baby could hurry down the chimney with a new olympic lifting barbell! Oh, and I would love to hit 300 lbs on my back squat. Maybe Santa can give me a few tips as he seems to come from a power-lifting background!
Scott Panchik, 2012, 2013, 2014 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Getting our Christmas tree as a family.
What are you asking Santa for this year?
If I could ask for one thing for Christmas, it would be warm sunny weather for the rest of the year.
Heather Bergeron, Two-time individual and one-time team CrossFit Games Competitor
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
We go cut our tree down and take the kids to our favorite spot for a special brunch right afterwards. However, my most favorite thing to do is putting up our outdoor lights. We're THAT family on the street. I dive into the project head first for weeks at a time and make it as big as I know how to. We always have way too many lights for the size of our house, plus the other houses in our neighborhood don’t really partake. Every year seems to get bigger than the last. It's sort of excessive.
What are you asking Santa for this year?
From Santa? Maybe an injury proof superhero uniform made specifically for my aging body. I could definitely use one of those about now. He could also throw in some roller blades with super-turbo rocket boosters to give me some speed since I've been so good all year.
Aja Barto, 2011, 2012, 2013 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
My favorite holiday tradition is doing the 12 days of Christmas workout, and the white elephant gift exchange at our gym’s annual Christmas party.
Amanda Goodman, 2013 & 2014 CrossFit Games
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
One of my favorite things to do on the holidays is to spending the day with my mom and sister being lazy, watching movies, and enjoying my mom’s home cooked food.
What are you asking Santa for this year?
If I could get anything from Santa, I would like unlimited frequent flyer miles so that I can travel wherever and whenever I like.
Will Moorad, 2014 CrossFit Games
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
I think my favorite holiday tradition is our Christmas morning breakfast. It’s really nice to have the whole family home around one table!
What are you asking Santa for this year?
I wouldn’t be disappointed if Santa were to drop off fully outfitted home gym.
Spencer Hendel, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching Christmas Vacation with my family.
What are you asking for from Santa this year?
If I could get anything from Santa, it would have to be a day at the spa for my Fiancé and I. A day where we do absolutely nothing besides have a two hour massage and facial followed by a manicure and pedicure. Then we could finish the day lounging in the hot tub, ending the evening with a nice dinner date.
Amanda Schwartz, 2014 CrossFit Games
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
One of my favorite things about Christmas is food, but that’s not different than any other time of the year. Growing up in Australia, my Christmas traditions were so different. We typically spent time at the beach playing with new pool toys and enjoying the Australian sun! However, this year my family and I are going to NYC. I especially enjoy Christmas now since I have the the opportunity to see it through my son’s eyes. It's all so magical and fun. We also love taking time to remember what we are really celebrating Christmas for: the birth of our Savior.
What are you asking for from Santa this year?
I have everything I need, but I suppose I wouldn't mind my opening the door to see my family there Christmas morning. Also, I wouldn’t mind some nice “regular clothes” seeing as I have all the workout gear I need, thanks to some great sponsors.
A time to spend with loved ones, take a vacation, enjoy funny films about dysfunctional families (‘Christmas Vacation’ anyone), and indulge in a treat or two that comes but once per year (Egg Nog? Mom’s famous pumpkin pie?).
What do Games athletes do during the holidays?
FloElite caught up with several athletes to see what their favorite holiday traditions are, and what they are asking for from Santa this year.
Jeff Germond, 2014 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
One of my new favorite traditions is running the Christmas Day class at my gym. I have done this for the past 5 years, and there’s always a nice showing. We typically do some version of the 12 days of Christmas WOD and listen to Christmas music the entire class!
What are you asking for from Santa for this year?
A good sleep at night. I just had a little girl at the end of September and she has thrown a wrench into my sleep schedule for sure! It has been fun, but she is exhausting!
Emily Abbott, 2014 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
A holiday tradition starts for me with watching ‘National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation’ of course! I turn on the fire, snuggle with my dogs and revel in the delectable corny comedy. When I am feeling a little grumpier about the holidays I watch ‘Bad Santa’. When I am feeling joyous towards humanity I watch ‘Love Actually’. So sadly, movies are the main event. I also chill with the family wherever they may be in the world. This year it's Mexico! So I will be an hour north of Puerto Vallarta surfing and sipping tequila in a laid back little fishing village.
What are you asking for from Santa for this year?
I don't want for much, but Santa baby could hurry down the chimney with a new olympic lifting barbell! Oh, and I would love to hit 300 lbs on my back squat. Maybe Santa can give me a few tips as he seems to come from a power-lifting background!
Scott Panchik, 2012, 2013, 2014 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Getting our Christmas tree as a family.
What are you asking Santa for this year?
If I could ask for one thing for Christmas, it would be warm sunny weather for the rest of the year.
Heather Bergeron, Two-time individual and one-time team CrossFit Games Competitor
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
We go cut our tree down and take the kids to our favorite spot for a special brunch right afterwards. However, my most favorite thing to do is putting up our outdoor lights. We're THAT family on the street. I dive into the project head first for weeks at a time and make it as big as I know how to. We always have way too many lights for the size of our house, plus the other houses in our neighborhood don’t really partake. Every year seems to get bigger than the last. It's sort of excessive.
What are you asking Santa for this year?
From Santa? Maybe an injury proof superhero uniform made specifically for my aging body. I could definitely use one of those about now. He could also throw in some roller blades with super-turbo rocket boosters to give me some speed since I've been so good all year.
Aja Barto, 2011, 2012, 2013 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
My favorite holiday tradition is doing the 12 days of Christmas workout, and the white elephant gift exchange at our gym’s annual Christmas party.
Amanda Goodman, 2013 & 2014 CrossFit Games
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
One of my favorite things to do on the holidays is to spending the day with my mom and sister being lazy, watching movies, and enjoying my mom’s home cooked food.
What are you asking Santa for this year?
If I could get anything from Santa, I would like unlimited frequent flyer miles so that I can travel wherever and whenever I like.
Will Moorad, 2014 CrossFit Games
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
I think my favorite holiday tradition is our Christmas morning breakfast. It’s really nice to have the whole family home around one table!
What are you asking Santa for this year?
I wouldn’t be disappointed if Santa were to drop off fully outfitted home gym.
Spencer Hendel, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012 CrossFit Games Athlete
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
Watching Christmas Vacation with my family.
What are you asking for from Santa this year?
If I could get anything from Santa, it would have to be a day at the spa for my Fiancé and I. A day where we do absolutely nothing besides have a two hour massage and facial followed by a manicure and pedicure. Then we could finish the day lounging in the hot tub, ending the evening with a nice dinner date.
Amanda Schwartz, 2014 CrossFit Games
What’s your favorite holiday tradition?
One of my favorite things about Christmas is food, but that’s not different than any other time of the year. Growing up in Australia, my Christmas traditions were so different. We typically spent time at the beach playing with new pool toys and enjoying the Australian sun! However, this year my family and I are going to NYC. I especially enjoy Christmas now since I have the the opportunity to see it through my son’s eyes. It's all so magical and fun. We also love taking time to remember what we are really celebrating Christmas for: the birth of our Savior.
What are you asking for from Santa this year?
I have everything I need, but I suppose I wouldn't mind my opening the door to see my family there Christmas morning. Also, I wouldn’t mind some nice “regular clothes” seeing as I have all the workout gear I need, thanks to some great sponsors.