“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old;

Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.

At the going down of the sun and in the morning

We will remember them.”

ANZAC Day is the most important day on the Australian and New Zealand calendar. As a nation, we can become so caught up in our lives that we can so easily take all the beautiful and amazing things we have for granted. But without those that sacrificed for us, we may have never had all that we have today.

Without those amazing people that served in the World Wars, we may not have the big cosey homes we have, the quality schools our kids go to, the freedom to choose what we want to do with our careers, kind and caring community groups, free public healthcare, public holidays, professional and grassroots sport, women may still not have the rights they have today, minority groups could be more segregated than ever, I probably wouldn’t have the gym that I have or have met and built beautiful relationships with the people that are a part of it.

Without those people, people that went across the globe in their teens and twenties, people that fronted up knowing they would most likely never return home, our lives could be a whole lot different.

If there was ever a day to be grateful, today is that day.

CrossFits’ deep roots in the military and their actions taken to honour and pay respect to servicemen and women is one of the finest and most special things about the brand.

The reason I so deeply love the CrossFit methodology and outlook on fitness is because CrossFit ‘gets it’. CrossFit isn’t about Instagram worthy abs, or starving yourself for ‘fitness’, or parading about in front of the mirror. Unlike the rest of the fitness industry, CrossFit isn’t narcissistic in any way (just read last weeks email).

CrossFit is about quality health, longevity and the importance of community to help us live a prosperous, thriving and functional lifestyle for as long as humanly possible.

Instead of being about ‘looking like fitness’, CrossFit shows us what ‘is fitness’.

CrossFit shows us what each and every one of us is truly capable of, which is a whole lot more than many of us can even fathom.

Why is CrossFit unlike the rest of the industry? Because they understand that the valuable things that our service people fought for should not be taken for granted. The moment you get caught up in the little insignificant things (like abs, a little softness in the hips or Instagram profile pics) is the moment you’re forgetting to be grateful for what you have: your health, fitness, family, friends, food and a roof.

ANZAC Day is the most special morning we have at our gym. Ever since we opened we have ran an ANZAC Dawn Service and a CrossFit ‘Hero’ workout to honour those who have served for our country and made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.

I am most grateful for this morning well beyond any other.

On ANZAC Day, let’s not only pay our respects to all that have served for our freedom, but remind yourself how lucky you are to have what you have and let those little things go.

Lest we forget.

Stu.