Road to the Games 17.02: Cookeville Camp

What do you get when you bring the fittest people on the planet together and challenge them with seemingly insurmountable tasks over the course of several days? If it’s not the CrossFit Games, it’s probably Cookeville Camp.
In this episode of “Road to the Games,” follow an elite pack of athletes-including Rich Froning, Katrin Davidsdottir, Camille Leblanc-Bazinet, Tia-Clair Toomey, Dan Bailey and Sara Sigmundsdottir-as they meet in Cookeville, Tennessee, to ferret out their weaknesses and test their mettle.
At the helm of this spectacular ship buoyed by suffering are CrossFit Specialty Course: Aerobic Capacity mastermind Chris Hinshaw and decorated Marine Corps Maj. Brian Chontosh.
On Day 1, Hinshaw runs the athletes through a series of challenges that test their aerobic capacity.
Sigmundsdottir becomes frustrated when she finds herself unable to keep up with Davidsdottir and Toomey, but Hinshaw assures her that weaknesses aren’t bad. Instead, they can be understood as sources of opportunity.
Later, Chontosh puts the athletes through a harrowing evening of team-based activities that involve hiking through the Tennessee wilderness in the dark and swimming in a freezing pond.
See how the best of the best attempt to overcome their negative thoughts and work together.
The CrossFit Games -- (games.crossfit.com)
The CrossFit Games® - The Sport of Fitness™
The Fittest On Earth™

[@Javvviiiii]

It's crazy how Rich has basically built a crossfit empire. All these athletes are here at his gym, move to Cookeville completely to train with him, every time someone does good they compare them to Rich...mat Fraser is phenomenal, but Rich is definitely the GOAT.

[@johnscott9845]

Khaotickhoala mat fraser will retire the goat tho.

[@andresg1097]

i dont think so tbh, rich is a machine

[@sevenstringsamurai]

fraser will eat the goat alive

[@caoinan]

Even if somehow Fraser beats Rich's record, Rich will always be the champ.

[@gregorycastillo4799]

Jordan is the GOAT

[@RedShoesGaming33]

Rich Froning "You know who he is" lol

[@spocheld]

I was just going to say that!

[@PakitoVlogs]

That made me laugh XDDD

[@MS-dk3qb]

I was just waiting to see this comment. :D

[@gymnasticsfan1012]

Like how can you not love Sara?? I adore her. She's so strong mentally and physically and I love how she just does her own thing and not let anyone tell her she cannot do something :)

[@TacticallyFitOfficial]

youngbuck0911 always someone bringing negativity to a positive post.

[@brianmcgrath5977]

Top three in the world yet not mentally strong?

[@am-so9rk]

youngbuck0911 found the know it all lol

[@lizhegeman]

I love how genuine she seems. She doesn’t seem arrogant or pretentious at all to me. I could say that for several of the top female crossfitters though. They’re easy to cheer for

[@gmarciag1]

Sara has always and will always be my favorite, BUT ma'am Tia can run and can everything. SHe is relentless.

[@frostystew]

I can't handle all these different accents. These ladies are absolutely adorable.

[@americanbullytrainer3145]

Camille and Tia are actually friends. Camille is just being sarcastic and joking. The guys do it all the time and noone blinks an eye. One women does it and everyone goes nuts.

[@kpangilinan]

I see your subtle Joker 👍

[@americanbullytrainer3145]

.......I train bully breeds. Like dogs. But okay.

[@SparklingTacos]

Camille... a snotty biiiaaaatch as usual. So unattractive.

[@ianbrewer4843]

Yes they are

[@christenechristene]

And everyone was so serious during Tosh's team challenge and everytime the camera turns to Katrin she's just laughing hahaha. Love her attitude

[@Redyns]

only thing that would make this better is Josh Bridges

[@tallcip65]

Joshua Snyder I think Bridges is a lone wolf type of guy. Same with Fraser. They just go into the cave and emerge as animals.

[@zacktelander]

mayhem looks epic...and sara not being able to do single unders is bananas

[@shaunsm01]

she was super frustrated.. thought I saw a tear coming down at one point...lol

[@DisDatK9]

Okay, but why is nobody talking about the fact that Camille, at 130lbs, jerked 275. That is freaking insane! She's definitely one of the strongest pound for pound lifters in Crossfit.

[@georgeketterer43]

DatK9 thought the same thing

[@michaelmcdonald1620]

Literally thought the same thing.. subtly the most impressive part about the whole video

[@brianmcgrath5977]

That's one of the strongest lb for lb in the world. Olympic caliber.

[@davidparker9711]

So true, Wow!

[@dorothyzbornak3757]

@@davidparker9711 She crushed Tia in that..and Tia is an accomplished Oly Lifter..unreal!

[@Nikki-pq4mu]

Reason I like Katrin: everyone’s complaining and she’s in the middle of the woods laughing and having a good time

[@isegrim.airsoft]

the best video I ever saw involving CF. Better than the actual Movies

[@lukaperko4431]

Finally I can do something they can't! Single unders for life!! :D

[@whiterabit09]

Yes!!! :)

[@danphillips8530]

Luka Perko yup, I'm gonna rock those singles tonight and be thinking about Sara Sigmundsdottir,

[@jeffsdavis]

Great video! Just have to say Crossfit Media is on the top of their game! Quality content all the time. Editing is like butter, camera work/angles are money. Just want to point that out and to keep the videos coming!

[@tallcip65]

Jeff Davis I don't see any other media running through the dark, cold, wet woods in moccasins to get the content.

[@markcambria734]

That mite b reebok who's on point

[@TheRealFoxRipley]

This comment didn't age well. (Sigh) 🤔

[@owaindavies8364]

Castro please put single unders in the games!

[@sasha2794]

Owain Davies that would be fun!! I think we will see triple unders at the games tho. It did come up in the crossfit main site

[@tanyacorbin1292]

WHY DO I KEEP WATCHING THIS ONE????? CUZ THIS IS THE BEST OF THE BEST VIDEO YALL PUT OUT....PLEASE DO MORE OF THESE.... FEATURING EVERYONE! #ALLTHESTARS Oh and to swim in the ice cold water...ughhhh lol champs

[@neale1982]

NEVER doubt the methodologies of HENSHAW!!!

[@06livefast]

A weapon is more ways than one.

[@victorcauley9436]

+CrossFit® Literally the best, and most inspiring CrossFit video yet. Great job guys!!!! 👏👏👏

[@bball1niner]

No one gonna mention how awesome that Tosh challenge was? Every personality of the athletes got magnified. Rich the Leader and Winner. Darren kind of hung back and followed Rich. Katrin laughed everything off, finding the positive in everything, Etc. If you do not take control of what you can control in those environments, you will get eaten alive.

[@samizemoura2180]

I totally agree. This is one of my favourite CrossFit videos as you could really see the personalities of the athletes and who there was able to have fun but also remain serious with their ultimate objective of winning the games.

[@TeamRICHEY]

Love Dan Bailey - This was an awesome episode!

[@liamkelly2157]

TeamRICHEY part of the team baby!

[@superchile0083]

WE DON'T QUIT!

[@Ronin7726]

@TeamRICHEY dan bailey loves you too!! haha guy is legit hilarious, gotta be one of the best personalities in it !

[@tallcip65]

I'm going to start warming up with my hoodie unzipped with no shirt underneath.

[@RonnieSlater]

Team Richey in the house!!!

[@bryanpoh9285]

Camille looks in really good shape!!

[@brocky]

This was an epic episode. While they were going through those obstacle courses throughout the night and swimming in cold water, I was telling myself, "Okay, no more complaining for the rest of life. Ever."

[@dinysanchez]

Damn I felt sorry for the guy in green! @8:52

[@saikatdas611]

think I'm falling for Sara....I better get in line.

[@stephengmercer]

Tia's abs though ...

[@blaineur]

I have watched this 3 times. Talk about being ready for the 2017 CrossFit games in Madison. This group is ready. I know they all eat well, train to their limits and beyond. All good.

[@ObesetoBeast]

Hahaha Chris Hinshaw "Loves Running" 😂😂😂

[@thandoplaysguitar5222]

Ian Wittenber "Probably Needs New Shoes" 10:47

[@stephengagliardi4506]

That was bad ass. Brian Chontosh is so legit.

[@martinomburajr.5905]

Lil' did Sara know that jump rope would come back to haunt her in 17.5

[@boxysquare]

I went to college at Tennessee Tech in Cookeville starting in 2006. In 2007 or so i heard the name crossfit once or twice, but it was still early. Never would have thought it would grow into what it has and that Cookeville would basically be the center of it. Proud of what yall are doing keep it up!

[@kaileedenny8075]

Videos put out by the CrossFit social media team always manage to take my breath away

[@KeepPrayingCA]

lmfao love the caption/descriptions following the names..."probably needs new shoes" hahaha

[@californianative7023]

Sarah looks fly as fuck!

[@kthd7]

That game of "Fuck you up" is something EVERYONE needs to experience multiple times in life

[@battlegodtv7666]

Tia-Clair Toomey is a straight animal! I love her! Her and Sara are my favorites to take 2017!

[@TheseOpenRoads]

Rare video of Dave Castro backstage figuring out how he can make workouts sound extremely complicated on live TV.

[@graffartforever]

God dang Tia is a lot faster then expected

[@kevinmccarthy21]

Pretty sure that Chris Hinshaw is like the ultimate coach. His passion for running and the things he thinks about as a coach really separate him from anyone else. Super jealous of the athletes that get to work with him regularly!

[@kyleconger6544]

Really going to miss these videos. Hope that someday crossfit will start to come back to this type of media content.

[@pbpinftworth]

Poor Dan. I swear the videographers just try to catch him with slobber coming out of his mouth. It's his signature move. LOL!

[@drakeemesiochel5236]

I love how when Brian's name came up on screen, it said "Google Him" under it. LoL! Tosh is a fuckn badass!

[@ksmoose920]

Crossfit Mayhem, so hot right now.

[@Caysum21345]

Chris Hinshaw's voice could lull me to sleep and I immediately trust everything he says don't ask me why

[@ShadMcNeil]

This was so enjoyable to watch. Thanks crew. More More More!

[@crazychrain6691]

Poor Sara had something in her teeth at the beginning. :(

[@8andre3]

True ahah

[@Floppshot]

But she is still as cute as ever. The happiest person amongst the CF elite.

[@bertvsrob]

I wish I was that object

[@apatz87]

Haha, she did not even say anything worth leaving that embarrassing moment in the video. Love you, Sara!

[@Sam18elnino9]

still 9.5/10, almost no room for improvement :D

[@Mikaxp]

I don't know why people are hating on Camile, love you girl! You do you 💕

[@GomlSaurus69]

Ahhh demmit- Camille

[@hjhusaini]

thanks CrossFit 👍😀..more like this

[@simonhernandez9634]

looking at this makes me shiver. my shoulder is holding on just by a strand or two.

[@ylanagracielli]

More of this. PLEASE!

[@benmidulla6932]

Every time I watch this it gets better.

[@danphillips8530]

Sigmundsdottir trying to singles was the best motivational inspiration I've had in a long time

[@jamesince3768]

Props go to the cameraman's committment to the shot @ 18:55

[@divinesweet5243]

I love this video. What a great vid to watch to motivate yourself. All the athletes are awesome!

[@KeepPrayingCA]

oh my gosh the single unders... that was awesome. fittest people on earth... i know they are so used to the doubles but seeing that sigh. great

[@kasimirb5155]

Adventure camp for CrossFit elite athletes. Awesome! :D Camille is stronger than Tia? Respect! She's still someone to reckon with! Oh, and Sara is definitely a princess! THE princess of CrossFit. :D

[@davidparker9711]

These are the worlds best athletes! Mentally and Physically strong!

[@janeasher5528]

I love all the bickering, makes you realise they are all human after all! 😊

[@luisa.6259]

Love these

[@jeaunj]

Tia-Clair Toomey this year

[@ryanriddle6550]

Chontosh is my hero.

[@roxastopher]

"featuring everyone"

[@MySon1sAdorable]

Walter Menendez I'm hoping they will do some updates after regionals!

[@DominikaHal]

Team Sara!

[@Niccolx]

All the way!,

[@hellishangel2444]

11:02 could have been the most adorable thing I have ever seen

[@GuitarDudeBoii]

This is better than a reality show!

[@BarJosX]

2:36 Froning Sr. giving the middle finger ... nicely done. Troll level: Master

[@Bumzi]

Love the way its been edited this year

[@BugZGaming]

That Intro Though!!! Got Me So Hyped 🤘🏾 I LOVE Sara And Katrin 💕

[@i_lift_marshmallows604]

pause at 2:36 this man has no chill

[@craigmcrae7113]

That would be Rich Froning Sr.

[@Heretical_Theology]

And he is very chill : )

[@urielms7]

Best video yet! More like this please.

[@2134310]

I looked up Brian Chontosh and this dude is a Marine who served in the Second Battle of Fallujah. This guy was basically hazing/training the athletes like guys in his old platoon. Super badass.

[@zigelo1]

i absolutely adore sarah sig

[@ChrisinGalvestonTX]

Brian Chontosh - Google Him! That was an unexpected story of heroism

[@adammcghee3017]

this may be one of the more badass vids you all have made

[@jennysok8320]

Glad to find this. Rich and group talked about it on his podcast.

[@rnoemi4]

this is one of my fav training sessions videos ♡♡

[@carolinaedcar]

Sara! I ❤ YOU!

[@sgfitness1030]

This series is awesome!

[@davidh2p585]

"Featuring everyone"...except Mat Fraser the GOAT

[@ChrisinGalvestonTX]

The most impressive thing I took from this video is that Chris Hinshaw taught me I can cook 3 pounds of bacon in a pot at one time!

[@mr.henriques2041]

No offense to Katrin and Brooke....those are the strongest woman in the sport! Sara, Tia, and Cammie!

[@alexc8715]

Chuck Henriques Bit unfair as Brooke isnt competing currently due to back surgery. Katrin is 2 time defending champ, dont know if all three would trump her over a weekend of workouts

[@ChucksterGram]

Tia Toomey has been runner up two years in a row...And Sara is probably next to Webb probably the strongest lifters in the Sport of finest....What they lack is where Katrin lives....Since Iceland Annie, no one can do what Katrin can do physically or mentally...She herself has won numerous barbells workout at the Regional and games level, that is why I made the statement...These two Tia and Sara are beast in barbell workouts...the term no offense means just that you can't take away accomplishments...but when you watch them in that video on that weekend...I was in awe of their shear strength.

[@veronikadivisova9913]

those road tot the games videos are soooooo good!

[@christopherthompson902]

great training in the woods just awesome

[@PandaSJU]

Its amazing see all of them perform Sara is so cool 😁

[@shannons1886]

Dude, that bacon trick was awesome! Just throw it in a pot???

[@06livefast]

That's how you cook bear meat.. you cut the fat into cubes, throw it in a pot over a flame, put the meat in there and let it cook. You want to talk about delicious

[@pgmorse]

Leave it to the old(er), wise Jedi

[@tallcip65]

Shannon Sofield I went and tried it immediately. Threw some sausage links in there too. So easy.

[@SPRFRKR]

That is awesome! Just grease the pot an medium heat? I'm going to have to play around with it. Did you pour out the grease as it cooked or leave it in until the end?

[@CmdrSoCal]

Only an idiot would eat bacon.

[@brantbermudez]

I just love that they all have name tags on at the course...Oh your Sara, Nice to meet you! LOL

[@maxlenk5138]

More Please! Awesome video!

[@moniquenieuwenhuize8799]

Go get them Sara!! You got this!

[@JanThorCrow]

Awesome video. Right outta the park.

[@maxkinlin3996]

I am laughing at the struggle for them to do a single under and I can't even skip rope

[@versluyssander]

Love that single under part. I experienced the same thing last month trying a bunch of them again in row, couldn't slow down the rope and failed lots of times after 2 to 5 reps. Strange feeling!

[@kerrystanley3151]

hahaha the single under's - best thing I've seen in a BTS video ever!!

[@codyhawkins6574]

this fires me up. so awesome

[@shannonh3243]

I had to do single unders in the competition and it was an humbling experience for sure!

[@MrConnorParry]

editing was quality! Great watch

[@elliotyamamoto38]

Camille is so endearing

[@noreenjuliano]

Catty Cami FTW. Pure gold.

[@chilledmonkeebrains]

Really cool film!! Reminds me of the old "road trip" style films from CF earlier days (09ish?). Loved it

[@heyitskymberly]

That military guy would've pissed me off.

[@taylorrodriguez812]

This one was good So much better than watching fikowski