Before and After – 10 CrossFit Games Athletes Before They Were Famous

If you think CrossFit Games athletes started right at the top, skilled and unbelievably strong, think again. A bit of research through Instagram or YouTube channels will give you a different perspective on how long, and how much work it takes to improve to Games level.

Click through the “back then” list to get an impression what current CrossFit Games athletes were like before they got famous.

1. Mat Fraser

BEFORE

AFTER

2. Camille Leblanc-Bazinet

BEFORE

AFTER

Here we go day 2 ⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️🦄🦄

A post shared by Camille Leblanc-Bazinet (@camillelbaz) on May 20, 2017 at 9:51am PDT

3. Rich Froning

BEFORE

First #tbt… Senior year baseball picture #babyface

A post shared by richfroning (@richfroning) on Aug 28, 2014 at 7:50am PDT

AFTER

A little #tbt via @roguefitness

A post shared by richfroning (@richfroning) on Apr 13, 2017 at 5:25pm PDT

4. Julie Foucher

BEFORE Julie’s background in gymnastics and track and field help her with bodyweight movements and engine, but Olympic weightlifting was a skill she had to learn from zero:

AFTER

The @crossfit community is amazing. Words cannot express the amount of love I am feeling. ❤️ Thank you.

A post shared by Julie Foucher-Urcuyo, MD, MS (@juliefoucher) on May 30, 2015 at 6:00pm PDT

5. Jason Khalipa

In 2005 Khalipa worked in sales at the conventional gym, not really knowing what he wanted from life.

Throwback to my sales desk at a conventional gym in Milpitas Ca 2005. This picture is awesome to me for two reasons. One it has my late grandma in it. Two it represents a time I didn't know what I wanted to do for a living. I was graduating college, had saved enough money to buy my wife her wedding ring, but still didn't know exactly what I wanted to do. Selling gym memberships left me feeling empty….I knew members wouldn't get the results I promised them. Then @ausbing introduced me to CrossFit and everything changed. I found a program I was passionate about, got members results, and I could make a living from. I am thankful for @crossfit everyday.

A post shared by Jason Khalipa (@jasonkhalipa) on May 12, 2015 at 7:26am PDT

Ten years later he is one of the best CrossFit Games athletes in the field. 

In business and in life sometimes things surprise me, sometimes people's actions surprise me. Ultimately I never have and never will wish negativity to anyone. Life is good. #keepsmiling #everythinghappensforareason

A post shared by Jason Khalipa (@jasonkhalipa) on May 28, 2015 at 6:33am PDT

6. Sam Briggs

Before starting Crossfit and winning the Games in 2013, Sam was a football (soccer) player. Later she built that pain-resilient engine, competing in triathlons and duathlons.

AFTER

Putting my back into the @crossfitgames masters qualifiers!!! #babygotback #crossfitgames #crossfit #ryourogue #bemorehuman #compex #teamPRGNX @reebok @roguefitness @progenex @glc2000uk @buffboxmeals @compex_uk @jamesjowseytraining "" @prestonsmithphotography

A post shared by Samantha Briggs (@bicepslikebriggs) on Apr 23, 2017 at 8:05am PDT

7. Lucas Parker

Lucas was, well shaved. That was in 2011. In his youth he also played rugby, football (soccer) and did karate.

Here's a faaaaabulous flashback to the 2011 #CrossFitGames #CanadaWest Regional. I just happened to be shifting sideways and looking off in the distance. A huge number of my facebook friends made this their profile picture when I qualified for the Games. Mildly embarrassing, but majorly awesome. #CrossFit #TBT

A post shared by Lucas Parker (@toqueluc) on Feb 19, 2015 at 2:18pm PST

AFTER

#Repost @jaktrx ・・・ #TBT to last weekends #WestRegionals where Lucas Parker (@toqueluc) took first place and qualified for his 5th trip to the #CrossFitGames. The Lucas Parker Signature Series Peanut Butter Chocolate WODrecovery is in stock!! Get it while it's hot! #crossfit #jaktrx #teamjaktrx #lucasparker #peanutbutter #chocolate #supplements #fitness #protein #gains #swole #vascular #beard

A post shared by Lucas Parker (@toqueluc) on Jun 4, 2015 at 12:35pm PDT

8. Annie Thorisdottir

Annie’s background is gymnastics and track and field. Her first CrossFit Games appearance was in 2009 where she learnt how to snatch and do a muscle-up.

AFTER

I don't let myself go to failure often but you won't know what you can do unless you give it shot! I'm coming for you 93,5kg-206 ️‍♀️ @thetrainingplan @crossfitgames #enjoythejourney

A post shared by Annie Thorisdottir (@anniethorisdottir) on Apr 12, 2017 at 3:59pm PDT

9. Scott Panchik

Scott got into CrossFit with his dad who was a certified coach. His background is football and wrestling.

Tbt #teampanchik taking on a 5k run. Any guesses on which one I am? @papa_panchik

A post shared by Scott Panchik (@scottpanchik) on Mar 5, 2015 at 2:25pm PST

AFTER

Grippin and rippin into the week! @rxsmartgear #elevateyourfitness

A post shared by Scott Panchik (@scottpanchik) on May 1, 2017 at 5:55pm PDT

10. CrossFit Games Competitors: Brooke Ence

Brooke was a dance major at the University of Utah. She also did “a few steps” in the world of miss figure and fitness.

Could be mistaken as Halloween ! Hahaha #tbt to when I was starting my journey to find true fitness ; so happy I was only taking a pit stop in that world! So grateful for where I am today! #crossfit #functionalfitness #suntanoverspraytan

A post shared by brookeence (@brookeence) on Oct 30, 2014 at 10:53am PDT

AFTER

A lot of good shit happened in 2015 #grateful #itmakesence #crossfitgames

A post shared by brookeence (@brookeence) on Mar 23, 2017 at 4:49am PDT

How about you? What is your background? What did you do before Crossfit?

crossfit games 2016 updates mat fraser © RX'd Photography

Camille-1 ©

Sam ©

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