since it was announced his retirement from competitive CrossFit As of early February 2021, five-time Fittest Man on Earth® Mat Fraser has been busy. He trains through his Hard Work Pays Off (HWPO) programming, guest star in the independent comedy series Nashville Dads ClubY wrote a book with Spenser Mestel. On May 6, 2022, Fraser took to her YouTube channel to talk about be sober by age 17, so he can focus on his athletic career and Olympic aspirations.
In the video, Fraser participates in an early-morning workout session at The Phoenix, an active, sober community that officially began its association with CrossFit in May 2021. Fraser then takes viewers on a tour of an unremarkable brewery. alcohol, Athletic Brew Co. — in which Fraser shows off his first beer flight. (Athletic Brewing is one of Fraser’s sponsors.) Check out the full video below:
Fraser and his training partners at The Phoenix wrap up the video, and their session, holding up six-packs of non-alcoholic beverages. beer in his hands, passing from sitting on foot without your hands touching the ground.
Fraser and sobriety
Of his early journey through sobriety, Fraser says he quit drinking to pursue his dreams of competing in the olympics. He explains that his exercise routine helped reduce his desire to drink, which he also attributes to his “large sober community.”
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Fraser, 32, says that during his senior year in high school, he used to wake up at 5 a.m. to run a mile to the school gym, do a full weight training sessionthen I would run back to catch the bus at 7:45 a.m. Then I would olympic weightlifting after school, followed by bodybuilding and core work at home at night. Of his routine, Fraser comments:
“I was doing all of this to fill this void. I just felt like I had to over do something. I didn’t realize then [but] Now I look back and realize that I was just feeding my addiction with something else. And I think that was probably the beginning of me realizing… having this addictive personality can be a benefit if i am addicted to things that have a positive outcome.”
The Phoenix and CrossFit
Fraser’s video also features Scott Strode, the founder and CEO of The Phoenix, who explained the nonprofit’s mission: “We work with people in recovery from addiction and create a free, sober and active community using the transformative power of climbingCrossFit and yoga.”
In May 2021, the then CEO of CrossFit eric rose announced the partnership between The Phoenix and CrossFit on her Instagram, calling it a “dream come true.” The partnership with The Phoenix is part of a larger initiative to connect CrossFit with local community nonprofits.
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When a trainer from Phoenix introduces the training session to Fraser and other participants, the trainer emphasizes that people who exercise at the facility are required to have 48 hours of continuous sobriety to support people in long-term recovery. He also asks that the participants keep your clothes on during training and use language, including body language, that facilitates a safe and affirming space for everyone in the room.
What’s next for Fraser?
True to form, Fraser has kept busy even after retiring from CrossFit. His visit to Athletic Brewing Co. doesn’t just reflect his commitment to living sober. The five-time CrossFit Games champion is looking to make his mark in the athlete-oriented market. nutritional space with the supplement company podium nutritionwho is co-owner with buttery brothers.
And Fraser still has his eyes on success at the Games, just not for himself. He has won the 2022 CrossFit Open Mal O’Brien2021 World’s Fittest Man®, Justin Medeiros, jake marconiY jayson hopper under his wing through his HWPO programming. The NOBULL CrossFit Games 2022 are scheduled for August 3-7, 2022 in Madison, WI, and the five-time champion will likely be in attendance to support the athletes he coaches.
Featured Image: @mathewfras/Instagram
