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Sunday story…Movement is Mental Health Last Friday, Andrea Reich and I filmed a short video on the mental health aspects of working out for Instagram. You can find it on our Instagram page, @CrossFitOdyssey. What we're discussing today is the mind-body connection that occurs during exercise. Regular exercise, as we know, is celebrated for its physical benefits. However, a lesser-known benefit is the impact on shaping your mental and emotional well-being. Participating in physical activity creates a complex cascade of biochemical events in your brain that promotes feelings of happiness, reduces anxiety, and can alleviate some symptoms of depression. Your muscles move, your heart rate increases, your respiration increases, and your brain begins to release endorphins. Endorphins are those natural chemicals that act as mood elevators and painkillers. These endorphins, along with neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine, can help foster feelings of optimism, resilience, and even provide a sense of calm. Regular exercise serves as an effective outlet for stress management. Physical activity can break the cycle of negative thoughts. Activities like running and yoga, swimming, and even a quick walk can be meditative, focusing your intention on the present moment. The mindfulness effect of exercise will help with your self-awareness and emotional regulation. When we participate in group sports or fitness classes, we experience feelings of connection and have opportunities for social interaction and support. Setting and achieving exercise goals, no matter how small, helps us build self-esteem and eventually develop a sense of mastery. These are critical components for maintaining long-term mental health. Making movement a regular part of your life is a simple and effective strategy for promoting good mental health and well-being. Movement is medicine for both the mind and body. If you're interested in learning how to build muscle and strength, sign up for a free fitness assessment at www.crossfitodyssey.com, or reach out to me directly, and let's get you started on your journey to extraordinary. John Mariotti www.sunday-stories.blogspot.com www.crossfitodyssey.com 775-338-2412
by Ellie Bishop McKenzie There’s a story I love about a wealthy father who took his son to the countryside to show him what it looked like to be poor. After their trip, the father asked, “What did you learn?” Instead of feeling pity, the boy replied: “We have one dog—they had four. We have a pool—they had an endless creek. We have fancy lanterns—they have the stars. We buy our food—they grow theirs. We have walls—they have friends.”
At CrossFit Odyssey, we often remind our athletes to expect the unexpected. Life rarely sticks to the plan—and how you respond when it doesn’t makes all the difference. Day two of our trek proved this lesson in spades. We woke at 5 a.m., packed our gear, and set out to summit Apu Salkantay—revered as a Mountain God—via a 7-kilometer climb to Salkantay Pass at 4,630 meters (15,190 feet). The weather was raw and unforgiving: cold rain pelted us at the base, and snow greeted us at the summit. I was not excited about it. A Note About Day One. The day before, many of us tried chewing local coca leaves—a traditional remedy believed to ease altitude sickness. For the record, coca leaves are not the same as cocaine. Some in the group said it helped them breathe easier. Others thought it tasted awful. A few of us, ended up with immediate stomach cramps. That was me. By the time we climbed to Humantay Lake that afternoon, my gut was in full protest. I quietly drifted to the back of the pack, hoping fresh air would help. Later, at dinner, more people were feeling queasy and couldn’t face a meal. Horses to the Rescue

As many of you know, I love testing my fitness outside the gym. This year’s challenge: Machu Picchu. If you’ve followed my journey, you know these adventures started small. On my 49th birthday, I wondered—could I do a legless rope climb? I did. The next year, I went bigger: a standing backflip for my 50th birthday. Why? Because my younger brother used to flip effortlessly when we were kids—and I always wished I could. I hired a coach, trained in ninja gyms, sponge pits, trampolines, and finally the floor. It took work, but I nailed it. And that lit a fire. Since then, every year has brought a new challenge: 51: 51 steps walking on my hands 52: Skydiving (thanks, John!) 53: Time with my dad in his final days 54: Learned to wakeboard 55: Summited Mt. Kilimanjaro—with 7 friends from the gym That last trip sparked a new goal: helping others test their fitness in the real world, beyond the gym. Machu Picchu was my adventure for 56—and I brought 10 amazing people with me, including my 17-year-old daughter. Sharing this experience with her was a gift of its own.
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