CrossFit - Happiness and Intellectual Pursuits

The CrossFit Journal -- (journal.crossfit.com)
At 24, Elisabeth Akinwale had defined ideas about what it would take to achieve happiness in her career. The answer was grad school.
At the time, she was a group fitness instructor-a job she thought wasn't "intellectual enough" to be valuable.
But there was a problem. Once she graduated, she found herself working nine-hour days.
"I felt like I followed 'the rules' and I was just incredibly unhappy with the outcome," adds Akinwale, now 34.
Today, she's "cycling back" to what she originally wanted to do. She's now a full-time athlete who finished sixth at last year's CrossFit Games.
The mother of a 6-year-old boy spends a lot of time doing physical training as well as reading.
"I just want to be able to maximize my mental strength for the purpose of competing better but also just for the enjoyment of it," Akinwale explains. "I mean, that's the whole point is wanting to enjoy it and wanting to see how far I can go."
Video by Mike Koslap.

[@CleoPhoenixRT]

finding something you're passionate about after "following the rules of society" and still not being happy. I love that, it gives me hope.

[@luvoshun]

I love her. As the only brown girl in the box I work out in she really is an inspiration.

[@afrosoul4eva]

+luvoshun I feel you. Not much brown in crossfit

[@gracious2gf]

Agreed. It's the same for me.

[@mollyparkpark]

She's an amazing competitor and a very sweet person.

[@kamala80]

Great video! I can so relate to what she speaks of regarding going to college, graduate school, "playing by the rules," etc. only to end up unhappy and cycling back to what one is passionate about. I'll definitely be watching Ms. Akinwale from this point forward.

[@ninjaSpence21]

This was inspiring to watch. Being an athlete of the sport of Parkour, we share that same sense of community. Proud to see people overcome the bad and make something blessed and wonderful out of something. Keep up the great work.

[@addisgebru9810]

such a humble person. you go girl!!!!!!!

[@MrKAHutch]

Her perceived intellect and passion for fitness make her incredibly attractive!

[@m1n2b3v4c5x6z7l8k9j1]

Awesome! What an impressive lady, both as a Mother, an athlete and all round good soul :-) I wish you all the best in the CF Games!

[@FSUvinny]

It's your year Elisabeth, you got this.

[@Fleezyy]

What a great perspective and outlook on Crossfit and life in general.

[@MontyJ804]

She's an remarkable inspiration for both men and women.

[@brnzetyger]

I love it! With so little representation of blacks, especially black women, in CrossFit, it's so cool to see someone coming on and competing. She just became one of my favorites in the sport. :)

[@pimpindymepiece]

She's an intellectual... Love it! As a law student that does Crossfit I look up to this woman

[@purplemoonflower123]

Love her! So inspiring!

[@TheDebdove]

what a great role model for crossfit.....beautiful inside and out!

[@th3godfather0]

Cool chick. I hope she reaches her goal of getting on the podium this year.

[@aerialassault305]

One work to describe Elizabeth Awesome truly Awesome

[@travisjohnson3043]

Ok she's my new favorite athlete.

[@ewongsee22]

Inspired!!!

[@youngwajd]

Arm tattoo is pretty bad ass. Also, damn she's got some crazy quads. Hardcore.

[@infinitestarz]

excellent!

[@cre_datch]

If there is ever a perfect woman, it is her!

[@TheKadachi213dos]

Great story:)

[@WorldofAthletes]

We are rooting for you and supprt you-WorldofAthletes

[@mshardbodi35]

You're an Amazing women Thank You for sharing

[@DreNizzo]

Right on brother.

[@entyce66]

so nice

[@TheBeckyMc]

the words of a champion.....

[@mihaka1234]

Well Done for you

[@kylemccammack4585]

I love her!

[@heitorsantos7046]

She's powerful and cute a She Hulk.

[@mekcheeks]

finally! AKINWALE

[@windlord1111]

Quite a lady. Great bio, guys. And young Asa looks like a budding parkour artist :)

[@Moysauce22]

How long can she drive without her hands on the wheel?

[@Moiez101]

apparently a long fucking time!

[@MrKAHutch]

What's funny is, my initial comment was voted down so much it was removed. However, the "well spoken" comment is still up.I find that extremely interesting.

[@DreNizzo]

This is an interesting comment. I think you bring up a psychological/sociological ideology that when a black person speaks well, people make it a point to say things like "they're very well spoken." I heard this a lot during Obama's first spotlight years. I almost can't help but add for the person who said it... "they're very well spoken (for a black guy)." "How is she suppose to speak," is a great question for self-reflection.

[@DreNizzo]

Ryan Lochte, super bro.

[@TheseEbonyEyes]

FIERCE!!!

[@cxa011500]

I need a woman like that in my life.

[@14energy]

role model for us others

[@BarBros2013]

LOVE THEM FEMALE RUGBY PLAYERS BRO!

[@COO113]

the thighs...lawd have mercy im in love

[@idaliaslink]

She's great an incredibility both strong enough to still be a sweet and intelligent woman

[@forbin80]

Maybe because his was simply a compliment and yours was an attempt to stir up drama.

[@fanoooooo6]

respect

[@grizygauge]

Nice

[@MrKAHutch]

Gotcha!

[@gymintuition9232]

@1:23 Freakin' Awesome!!!

[@achillemac]

You freaking me out with so many times with no hands on the steering wheel

[@megatron1000ify]

Tore both my acls playing sports. Found fitness, found crossfit, when i get my reconstruction I will be in the open next year out of sheer love of the challenge that remains a mystery until some great sadist posts the wod.

[@jamrob21]

I feel just like her about the working hard part

[@Afroboricua05]

great and sweet person

[@chowderman43]

Elisabeth is so smart thick sexy and strong I get a little irritated knowing I'm not married to her but hopefully in life I'll find a woman like her

[@lopezguira2]

that whole time she had her hands off the steering wheel, i did not hear a word she said. i know i was not the only one

[@wilma9er]

Anybody know the music at the beginning of the video?

[@hpringer5862]

Music takes away from the video

[@forbin80]

I think he really just meant well spoken "for an athlete". Who knows. I get your point but I'm not sure it applies in this case.

[@forbin80]

Guess I was kind of mixing up your comment with Andre Blanc's, my bad.

[@4EVABLESSED7]

She's dope! Love her!

[@laelwright4581]

Jessica B She is a Jezebel! Went after my husband while I was pregnant and was caught sleeping with him last week! Disingenuous and no humility or God in this woman at all!!

[@4EVABLESSED7]

What! Wow sis my apologies. I had no idea.

[@afrosoul4eva]

+Jessica B damn that came outta no where lmao

[@FunkyBruja]

Your legs are absolutely perfect!

[@RonSpwan11]

what´s the name of this song? plz tell me

[@dynamicsz1]

She's got a fantastic physique, beautiful woman.

[@alltypesofgains]

dude its a volvo ! nuff said

[@Daaveey]

Music at the beginning????????

[@elmotociclista9296]

ooook...I can see her knees healed just well

[@LittleMur410]

HOLD THE STEERING WHEEL

[@PapaEcho88]

who the heck is driving the car from 1:59 - 2:29?

[@forbin80]

It's possible he just truly meant she's well-spoken, and it had nothing to do with race. I would say the fact that TopShelf went straight to the race issue speaks more about him than it does about Erik.

[@whataderk]

Wow she is cut!

[@abdulrashidmumuni8562]

IFBB female fitness championship 2024 number 69 Elizabeth Akinwale KZbin studio LA

[@DreNizzo]

Yea sure it's possible. But I think he was trying to make a point. Again, remember that comments like "she's well spoken" can have subconscious implications. It's interesting to think whether or not so many people on this thread would have said she's well spoken if she wasn't a black woman. What do you think? Top Shelf was making a point and probably understands the concept of White Privilege and social injustice. Give him the benefit of the doubt on bringing up race.

[@jackbartrem]

Please put your hands on the steering wheel

[@MrKAHutch]

I'm sure you didn't mean it, but your comment is semi inflammatory.You say she is "well spoken" as if you're surprised that she speaks well.How is she suppose to speak?

[@DreNizzo]

Hmm. It was just misinterpreted. And possibly mine.

[@Sx3StoneSky318]

Lol everyone's all confused on who's driving the car. Y'all have never driven a car with your knee?!

[@MrKAHutch]

Did you read my comment? I never mentioned race. Therefore, your implication says a lot about you and the way you think.

[@Boomer2Galactica]

Dam

[@teakey]

How is she to speak, she could speak with nerves like she is on camera, being filmed and saying a lot of AHHhhhs and Ummms like a lot of people speak when being recorded. Plus she has a nice quality to she voice. Its softer than her strong appearance.

[@OneJazzyBel]

lol I'm sure the vast majority of the time her hands were at the bottom of the steering wheel ...

[@bigboytom377]

what a beast..a sexy beast too..

[@Dilerganja]

Dat ass 3 :D:D

[@afrophysicist]

ekuse

[@robertoivanhernandescasare4130]

SE PARESE A RONALDO SIN OFENDER

[@MulMhmm]

Shame people can't see themselves as human

[@TPLlocs]

Whoa, why is her gland in her neck so big? When she is in the car and looks forward you can see a huge bulge in her neck. That is not natural, is it?

[@kaitlynkilpatrick36]

thatpineapplelife.dreadlocks it's a muscle. When you do certain moves such as trap work / shoulder shrugs and grind your teeth/grimace during effort, you're building your neck muscles

[@ERW311]

Dat ass.

[@aaicrag]

Looks like she was STEERING WITH HER LEGS. I know people who do that with no problem. I am in no way advocating this. Please drive with your HANDS on the wheel.

[@CathyGoes]

*cue sarcasm* OMG 9 hour days! You poor thing. *end sarcasm* Not to bash this women's achievements but since when is a 9 hour day all that long? The standard work day is 8 hours and many people work 10 hour shifts.

[@RayNew3]

racist

[@laelwright4581]

ADULTERESS LIAR!! For this woman to talk about being blessed and her son is a disgustingly hypocritical! I caught her at the apartment she shows in this video on Tuesday sleeping with my husband who is now her trainer and I am 6 months pregnant with the baby that he so wanted at the time. This Jazebel met me and my husband while I was pregnant and clawed her way into our lives for her own gain!! Watch who you see as a role model. She is the worst and a person like this will NEVER WIN IN LIFE!! I know that it is both of their faults...but she went after him knowing our situation. And JIC...yes WE WERE HAPPY BEFORE HER!! For her to talk about her son ASA and not think about my son Kevin, Jr. after his dad...is the lowest of the low! I am sick to my stomach watching this.

[@neurada748]

Lael Brathwaite LMFAO

[@realfaux7333]

Lael Brathwaite are you for real?

[@laelwright4581]

I wish I wasn't and it just keeps getting worse. Me and our children are going to be fine but this woman is truly the devil. She is encouraging my husband to abandon our unborn child as well. It's so cruel!

[@ceeceenunn]

+Lael Brathwaite is this true?

[@laelwright4581]

Yes. This is very true and when I posted this I was pregnant with my now beautiful son. (You can imagine why I didn't name him Kevin Jr.!) She's a miserable person.

[@luvoshun]

I love her. As the only brown girl in the box I work out in she really is an inspiration.