Heartbreak and Redemption at the 2024 CrossFit East Semifinal

Dive into all the action in Knoxville, TN, as we take you behind the scenes of the CrossFit North America East Semifinal. Featuring Games athletes Brooke Wells, Amanda Barnhart and Jayson Hopper, this event was nothing short of electrifying. From intense workouts to nail-biting finishes, experience the raw emotions of heartbreak and redemption on the competition floor.

Behind every great athlete is a team of family, friends, fans and dedicated coaches. Get an inside look at Mat Fraser, Jake Marconi, and Josh Godinez guiding their athletes through the 6 events, and os much more.

Shoutout to HWPO Training members Cam Crockett and Peter Mason, who also qualified and put in HARD WORK last weekend.

Make sure you SUBSCRIBE so you don’t miss upcoming videos. And, to join the worldwide community of HARD WORKERS, visit hwpotraining.com.
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Supplemental Music from Zack Telander. “People Change, Yeah Right, Southern Call” — find him on Spotify for more.
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let me guess tired of the country Bo moving Ming it’s Friday we’re heading over heading over for uh event one we got a 4minute commute it’s nice there’s Josh look at Josh all smitten oh who’s he chatting with yeah last week was pretty wild we have seven seven hwpo athletes that have qualified for the games already so Chris is UN uncoached by us he just follows Pro and qualified for the games which is awesome but then Tristan who just follows 60 so doesn’t even follow Pro or Flagship he follows 60 and he almost almost qualified for the games he was a couple spots out I mean just so impressive this week’s going to be fun yeah we got Brook and Amanda going Hopper hitting this workout a little bit later today everyone’s just having a good time good spirits Jason I think is in I mean he is in incredible shape so I’ll be really excited to see what he does this week I don’t I think all my nerves are gone from the last two weeks in a row we’ve done this the third time so yeah I’m just dead inside so you personally coach Brooke and Jason is that right yes those will be my guys this weekend I’ll be going back and forth I’m doing both so I’ll be in the warm-up area the whole time they’re both feeling really good Jay Matt mentioned this last night at dinner Jay was rooting and tooting which is a really good sign for Jason and when he is like that he’s in he’s in top shape he’s ready emotionally when more than anything else all right got to [Music] go Carlos hello how you doing I’m happy to see you I like that good I guess yeah how are you feeling freaking nervous but how many of this have you done Regional semi-finals so 2016 I was on a team 2017 individual every year after that individual nine wow is it nine yeah wow so yeah cuz this would be if I make the game would be seven s games one year I did I didn’t make the games and then the year before I was team so yeah are you nervous yes very nervous I feel like it gets worse every year you’re more aware of it I’m also like more at peace with it but I’m still just as nervous like I’m especially this year like since this year’s just been so rough like I genuinely just feel happy to be here and like I really do feel at peace with whatever happens but I’m still so nervous at the same time it doesn’t take away the nerves you did pretty good at quarterfinals yeah I think that helped a lot like going into quarterfinals like I mean Josh knows this I didn’t think I was even going to make semi-finals the fact that I did and I did well enough and like I’ve only gotten better since then like that’s helped a lot with my confidence but it still is not like oh the nerves are gone now yeah what are your favorite events of the week I just really like that all of them come down to your Fitness at least I don’t think there’s anything that’s like a true limiter like if you don’t make the games it’s truly because you weren’t fit enough just hanging dang it waiting for call times you know it’s more just like kind of hoping like okay you know I hope the athletes put are able to put out an effort that they feel reflects what they did in training you know that that’s it that’s all you can ask for are you’re looking for Brook just looking around seeing the sights staying out of trouble do you have some new cool shoes y yeah thank you they do we’re really excited about it uh while on Earth says soon to be launched uh performance but we’re an apparel brand and it’s based on the ethos that time is our most valuable currency and how we use it really to find who we become and we believe that the best version ourselves or the healthiest version of our shelves and that starts with Fitness and taking care of our bodies and this weekend we’ve got a little bit of a soft launch with Matt and Brooke who our co-founders in the business and uh Brooke will be wearing our products starting tomorrow through the weekend Footwear and apparel so it’s uh really exciting they’ll be launching in September uh but you can sign up for updates uh anytime jump lunge and then clean [Music] okay they’ve been better the last couple weeks how’s she feeling she’s feeling really good she looks good she looks good she just got her heart rate up pretty high which she wanted to do before the event now she’ll cool down do she like first she does like the first event but she likes all their CrossFit right so all the events are events that she can really give it and have a good performance on if he executes and has a good strategy I love these tests he my favorite that I’ve seen in a few years last day Carson was awesome yeah that’s a big Moving Day right like a lot of shakeup happened on that day even in that last event there was a lot of shakeup which is what we used to see at regionals like a couple of semi-finals a couple of people had it cinched in the last day but for the most part folks had to perform for the last event how you what are you doing here this week uh I’m doing it behind the scenes I’m Savon standon dude I’m the pinch hitter just getting everybody everybody and anybody who’s willing to talk this first event we’ll probably talk with Haley a little bit he seems like a good one to come in uh strong in this one um obviously we’ll be following Taylor because you know all the hype around him coming into this weekend uh talk to Jeff hopefully a little bit but uh that’s it man anything and everything trying to capture all the cool moments [Music] if we’re looking at the two things very objectively and this is no secret if you watch her move at all we have two things in this workout one that’s amazing for her barbell stuff and one that’s not necessarily real house running she made some strides in it so really it’s how do we get her to maximize her time on the barbell and also be able to hold a pace on the run that she can fall into and maintain straight up the G game look I ain’t never scared I was born for Prime Time cold bloody he up went in the Limelight I told nobody got ice in my veins w we got a different mentality we now built the same W adrenaline bringing it out of me look on two turn there was no way you was stopping me now came too far to accept the Los taking that trophy at any cost when my who ready ready we ready who want it then come get it hey these folks they got me chopped like a maete they must not know I’m hotti who ready y look nervous [Music] happy that was awesome on a clinic I think I think even though she’s in the first her time’s going to hold up very well that was impressive you that was proper B because it was like her last couple reps she was having to pause after the clean they know she based it well she was awesome she wasar with her run man she was awesome I’m really happy for her honestly that was a big a big moment for her to get back on the floor you know a lot has changed for her like she looked great honestly great man we’ve been really working on Brooks running this year and it’s been a process to get her to be able to run uh super consistently and that showed that it paid off like I I’m so stoked but she dominated the heat which is great and I think it’ll be a top 10 finish but more so than anything she came in confident every single time and there was never a moment when she came in here that she was like this or outside of herself and got out of her form I’m running and so that is a huge win in itself yeah I saw a stumble on the n mean you pce it perfectly like I do feel like I went a little too hot yes for sure you came in at like 30:3 and I was like no yeah it was it was great knew my watch wasn’t working great start good momentum going into the weekend so yeah I’m I’m very happy about that one I I knew it was going to be a good workout I felt amazing but I haven’t done a semi-final I mean no one’s done one in a year but kind of like taking the games off and stuff this was my first individual comp in a year so the nerves were real she killed it she killed it that was everything she could do she the great execution was like a it was good I’m happy with it like the place that I was on the floor was mentally challenging because it looked like I was doing worse than I was so like especially on the run like it looked like I was in last at one point yeah and I’m like I’m not in last because I’m like the first person to come in the door but I knew that so I was like it’s okay like if everyone else thinks they’re ahead of me and then like each round I caught people so that helped too Jason how are you feeling feeling good bro it’s going be a good one it’s going be fun I love events like this I can tell it’s a good one go it’ll be fun do you have a physic strategy not don’t come out too hot it’s a lot a lot of running it’s going to be a lot of legs so don’t chase the rabbit out of the gate pretty much but yeah I’m also in the in the lane where I’m like leading leading the run so I’m going have a lot go chasing me yeah if he executes well and he he can race a little bit on the run this will be a solid go for Jay and then we’ll do a warm up [Music] run at him now he panicking got you looking like a mannequin SK Mas double bag let’s talk lot of cash need it all if I don’t get it then the paramedics better come fast take all of De presidence leave cops no evidence pull up and pull out the heat they give me cash and then I’m going to flee all that way they got a witness I add them right to my HS soon as they ran the alarm I laugh with the da we already gone we already gone we already gone [Music] [Applause] go big time on the on the last 10 reps he broke the last two so he went eight touch and go and then went 111 and it was a Savage move his barbell cycling improved so much over the last year like for Jay that is really consistent and more consistent than he’s been in the P if that’s what we have to look forward to cover all right can’t talk right now I hurt so bad oh the legs the legs hurt so bad I was getting uh caught on the last round I was like dude I got to go touch it go I was really happy you did I didn’t plan on it boy Jeff can run you won how was that it was pretty bad I it went better than practice I was like 2 minutes faster yeah just I went slower in the beginning I went way too fast in practice I I wish I’d finished better but I can’t complain how is your preparation leading up to semis since quarterfinals it’s been good but leading up to quarterfinals in the open I was in the fire academy for 4 months so I didn’t really do any CrossFit really I graduated the day the open started wasn’t in the best shape going into the open thought I totally thought I wasn’t going to qualify for semi-finals or barely squeak in so I’m happy to be here right [Music] now what’s going on guys it’s Saturday morning we are here at the University of Tennessee golf facility so new string conditioning facility we all just got a workout in kind of broke off in little clumps Jake and I got got some good squatting in did a nice neom so guys Scott Stallings golf director HP here in Knoxville my HS out here having a great weekend hpo is about to rock it got the coaches hope you guys enjoyed the content this weekend thanks for being in oxville we’re going to go check out the athletes on the competition FL are you guys you don’t want to be in our Vlog oh I want to be in your Vlog but I want did you say you don’t want to be in our Vlog I want to be in the Vlog a month worth of biking and Rowing I’m so tempted I really am you have so much time before the next quad no I have to qualify for worlds in September I was supposed to do do you think mad can make it make it to what the games yeah I mean mad what’s your cleaner Dr like 140 145 yeah and you’re a gymnast yeah I I think I think you got the tools for it how are you at swimming not a clue not a clue paddle Champion perfect no bad habits formed yet I I always talk about it like it probably doesn’t make any sense I always I was like I just need to get my lungs calloused up it was like the first week or two of just like moving that volume of air in and out it felt like it just stripped my lungs raw but then after I got like you get Fran lung once or twice and then hit a hard rowing workout and fight through it then then you’re kind of good then your lungs don’t hurt as much anymore [Music] that was great dude I mean she got some no reps on the toast bar they were valid no reps her toes weren’t hitting the bar they were just going under cuz she’s so so flexible finished third in that heat solid yeah I think I like did it a little too hard do you know that was going to be a good work for you yeah I did I ended up going a little bit slower than I wanted to but happens oh my gosh thank God I’m in the last again like I want to stay in my own lane which was good about yesterday but I still managed to do that today but it’s also just kind of good to know like you’re in with the group or hey you need to step on it you know just kind of gauge where you are better I saw you signing some books that’s like my favorite thing that’s like why I do this so that’s like the best part of competing for sure know my worth go hard put in work cuz I come first and I ain’t even need your help I put the work in put the work in put the work in you got to do it for yourself put the work in I you looking for results put the work in yeah you going to have to put the work it put the work you better go off quick the work you in the zone don’t quit the work like you on that is that was way harder than I remember probably just from like the last two workouts I assume because my legs were so dead on the box jumps like and it was hard during training but that was harder I mean I can’t be mad that was the best I could have done I like started with my wrong hand on the first two rope climb so I panicked a little bit but once I got that figured out I calmed down and then I was fine but the boxs were just so hard my legs just were like was all I could do to get through those 10 box HPS every time the bike is fine cuz you can like use your body weight and like lean into it but the freaking boxs been horrible what are your thoughts coming into the last day I’m trying not to stress too much like there’s still three workouts left we knew I wasn’t going to be in a great place after the first two so it was actually in a better place than we thought it was going to be that went worse than we thought it was going to go though so I think it will like all kind of even out I’m trying to be at peace with whatever happens [Music] and noad hi guys dude I was looking for Kingston I think it’s Amanda barnhart’s soning with a that way you want to go with me yes there’s K right hey hey where you going bu hey Disney World you going to Disney World hey man can I can I give you something I need you to get out of your dad’s arms I need you to stand up like a man dude I’m going to give this Sharie take that Sharpie now don’t take the lid off yet you have an assignment okay you have homework goal what I want you to do is I want you to take this hat and there’s a whole bunch of really cool signatures on here we have volunteers we have some of the best athletes on the planet including Tia Clair Tumi and Matt Fraser how cool is that but listen you can go get some more signatures and I’m going to give you this hat okay is that cool whatever but hey you take it and this five it up hey good job buddy thanks for coming tell story behind the Hat um well it started it started at woa I don’t like getting Sunbird and so uh I wore that cowboy hat and I just had an idea to have somebody sign it and then I garnered a bunch of signatures and ended up giving it away and then lo and behold we’ve got a tradition now so yeah why not man why not K what’s up buddy you look good dude five that up man that H is awesome all right thank he looks solid dude he looks solid in there you know what you’re good that’s awesome hey G thank you so much likewise appreciate miss you yesterday oh man I was so I was at my 25th College reunion that’s a whole Vlog in its own right I took some footage for you we we’ll insert it right [Music] here 47y olds acting like 18-year-old so I was bummed not to be here but I got to watch and it was an awesome day for everybody it was it was a good time it was really good to see a lot of people I haven’t seen in like 25 years you want this on camera are you nervous I’m so nervous why I have no clue I think I was getting better at this whole competition thing and then the games happened and it was a really different experience than we’re used to and so this time around I’ve been a mess an absolute mess he should do pretty well this he should do pretty well today I think he was bummed yesterday cuz had he not gotten no rep on that rope climb it would have been I think he could have won like it would have been it would been a serious race between him Roman and D so he was bummed last night which obviously doesn’t help the nerves when you know like he was kind of upset at how the day ended but new day only halfway done I know he’s falling short of his goals a few times for a few of these workouts but it’s minor little things like you said so L been looking at them PRS like they minuscule ooh hold on got to see it through I might hold a sword or the Drake I got different views we can’t even go out on the walk we got different shoes told you I was supposed to stop I ain’t get the news look I was on the block now I’m on the clock used to push them M now on the shop look put me in the Box I Can’t Let It Rock number one pick I can’t let them crop [Applause] [Applause] [Music] is working too seriously and so we’re trying to you know relax a little bit have some fun bring some banter you know we’re really good friends and so we don’t want to you know butt heads so we try to keep it you know love you how you feel for that good fumbled my my event win yesterday so I’m glad I got that one you know you had a chance yeah I knew I was the best rower it was all just going to come down to no mistakes on the handstand walk and pushing the pace not being slow it was a row workout so I just had to make sure I was you know keeping somewhat of a a good Pace on the handstand walk to have a chance but I knew D was just as good at those movements and so it came down to that last little stretch it’s going to be a fun day between you two guys oh yeah last workout will be fun it’s going to be a good one it’s going to hurt guys they showed a couple screens up on the Jumbotron and then uh Jason’s screen got flashed up there I think he goes at like 132 133 and like the whole section behind me was like and then I was like all right let’s hope this handstand walk goes well and then he snaped that too so I think he went into that one kind of expecting the win and he executed flawlessly that was great the thing that I love about is he got to show what he’s good at and he got to show what he’s been working on his handstand cycle rate has like sped up dramatically and I don’t know if there’s a better rower in the space a better time probably you can ask me those questions again and I won’t be blacked out how you feel good that was really good I um he wanted to do well on that one that was one of the workouts that one and then the Echo Bike workouts he was excited about so I’m going to let him believe he want it was a handstand workout is what we’re going with so that he can feel like he’s a big gymnastics guy that was good for him I did do some breath work in the middle of the workout but um after he got on the RO for the last time things I was a little more just excited and less worried wants to be Podium I keep reminding him and Jake keeps reminding him the whole purpose of this weekend is just to get to the games cuz that’s when these things matter so um yeah I’m he’s thinking Podium I’m thinking let’s just make into the games [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] [Applause] [Music] hey hey I was a young one I was a no one I was a reject I was a heathen looking for L one now I’m the new one setting a one licking my eyes tried towi the time is mine I remember when they look down only what hey now I know they can’t look on [Applause] [Music] [Applause] yes come [Music] on go [Music] what’s up that’s my snatch PR and I just hit it twice work out why are you limping though uh my calf is it flares up every once in a while and it’s been really bad since the uh the front Squad event does it help to have you know like your people in front of you oh yeah yeah my wife and my friend pay is my coach yeah that was awesome the music was bumping how’s the weekend so far I’m not doing as well as I would like but like I’m smashing all my practice times considering like I took 4 months off of training I should be happy with how I’m doing but it’s just like kind of disappointing but like I’m proud of the effort I’m putting in I’m doing everything I can it’s not the results I would like good job out there thanks appreciate it honestly I think I’m probably more nervous than he is when he actually goes oh my gosh I’m such a head case and he’s like so quiet so levelheaded yep that’s me feel like I just worked out little nervous I’m trying to get you a house he went for it yeah yeah he did you know he saw Roman have one left and so he was just trying to squeak in a rep before before ran got off the ground it’s like yeah he rolled the dice he went for it he’s he’s in a good enough position where he can afford a gamble like that so it was it was cool to see that you know he’s still chomping at the bit fighting for every point he is really he’s got a lot of Joy back on that floor which is really nice to see had a tough year last year we all did and I just don’t think it was as fun I think he kind of lost some of that and I’ll tell you one thing if nothing else he’s having a blast and you can see it on his face do you think you can hang out there with the best I have not a clue maybe a solid maybe what was the last time you did a workout like that at least 10 years ago you going to test it next week you are maybe not next week but in the next couple weeks you think you w’t try to touch and go any of them I think I’d be faster if I could be efficient at dropping and going but that’s what I need to practice cuz I’ve never done that before fun workout to end it all huh dude I got to say like when the workout got announced it’s like I’m so used to seeing like an overhead lunge or like a heavy lunge when you hear that like you can carry him by the side it’s kind of like you never seen a workout quite end like that it has produced some very exciting endings the whole day is awesome all three workouts yeah yeah today’s an exciting day of competition you like CrossFit no it’s very confusing this this a lot different environment than the golf tournament at least we have a expert right here said I’m that greatness I’m just rhyming off topic I’m rhyming off topic I spent time in the trops but I’m back going to my my who’s Fire Fly to it I’m deny going to I got fire and pocket still I’m finding a pocket I got time to be bses I got time to make greatness known I’m a cook with that apron come me let’s make a toast you going eat and and make the most hit the L and then take the go the going make it known look at me when I make it go cuz I run around like I’m go 100 racks in my pocket that don’t cover my losses I keep my eyes on the CIT in the crime and I’m muser ha love just only cuz I’m that great I’m just ring I got some dollar bills in my pocket take it off make get rain on dude thank you I’m proud of the weekend that was awesome are you proud of yeah like I don’t each workout I was right on that edge of like blowing up I think I did the best I could every single time I’ve actually already decided I’m going team next year nice cuz I’ll be in paramedic school David and that’s a whole year long I need to focus on that cuz that’s the future for my wife and our family so I don’t even want to be tempted to train is like super hard how many years have you done Regional SL semi-finals uh year four hey congrats manam thank you appre [Applause] go good job she pushed it clearly to her limit she was going for a bigger set and she couldn’t quite have it but she took a break back and when she got to the lon she’s strong as ever stronger than anyone here made up so much time it’s been a long ride proud of very proud of her she gave it everything she had how you doing good what’s that fun is it awesome I’m proud of [Music] her I’m just so proud of her I’m proud of all of their accomplishments me too she’s a great kid I know are you proud [Applause] too you seem like a proud coach right now she did what she had to to qualify she needed 26 they better and I’m pretty sure that was it I’m pretty happy she’s going back in the [Applause] game Hur still hurt though I got a bad hip and warming up I couldn’t do the the lunge so really I was yeah I mean I couldn’t do it on my right leg I was going to do the whole the whole 72 with one the left leg I didn’t feel it but it was still slow so how does it feel to be here having all your family friends coach awesome man it’s awesome can’t do it without them they’re they’re a huge part of the the plan and they sacrifice a lot and they they take care of me and you know I won’t be who I am where I am without them said that she gets more nervous than you comp against each other for few she threw up she said twice to be why do you feel right now how are you feeling feel good kind of bum that my headp hurt I wanted top five I don’t know if that’ll that’ll happen overall consistent week though really yeah it was good it was good I got I got to get healed up though some few things I got to get healthy decided to go to Dallas oh yeah congratulations it’s going to be a good time the way this whole day is set up is just three dramatic workouts back to back to back a CrossFit fan you are it’s going to be very rare to find one day of competition as exciting as this year’s Sunday at semi-finals was seven place with 43 points Brook Wells 468 points [Music] Shas I mean we had wow ton of what’s the best way to describe it highs and lows you know I’m really bummed for Amanda she worked her ass off they all do really I mean it’s it’s is sad for 29 kids you know it’s a she fought hard she’s had a you know a rough year in general with her body and so she gave it her best fight I’m just bumped for when they work that like you get to see how hard these guys work and then not get where they want to get it it honestly it’s emotional so but we’ve had you know a couple great you know we weekend performances from Jason and Brook is back at the CrossFit games which is so special so really happy for them all even Amanda I mean I’m really proud of her man she fought through a lot so it’s a great it’s a great weekend ready to celebrate with these guys tonight I’m happy I’m so excited to go back back um honestly just thankful I feel like you kind of like this is my 10th season I’m going this will be my ninth trip I feel like sometimes I take for granted like getting to go every single year and then after last year it’s like w like I’m just going to take every moment and soak it all up so I’ve been doing that this year and it’s been so fun I used to be the youngest and now I feel like I’m kind of like getting old are you excited to like new oh my gosh be your third different venue right Carson I’m extremely excited about a different venue like I just I loved Madison but I’ve been there for like seven years so I think it’ll be a nice change for like everyone yes suck how you feel to have like your sister here Mom Dad like the whole family oh yeah I mean theyve never missed a competition and I’m I’m so grateful that they like are so supportive throughout the whole thing ups and downs so Jason [Music] Hopper we got to be happy with how we ended up considering all things I’m happy really proud of [Music] him the 2024 CrossFit semi-finals Brook qualified for the ninth CrossFit Games this is going to Jay qualified for his fourth CrossFit Games Amanda had a really good showing she’s had a tough year and just her getting here was actually a big deal she went out there and gave it her all on all of the events this is the last semi-final in all 3 weeks we’ve had a bunch of our athletes qualify you’ve seen those in the other videos we’ll see you guys in Dallas there ain’t nothing like this right here got me see p CLE so high I can f come on it’s going to me up