Team CrossFit 808 disqualified from Regionals!

"Happiness is the real sense of fulfillment that comes from hard work."

-Joseph Barbara

Above: Team CrossFit 808 has officially been disqualified from the CrossFit Games.

Today's WOD:
Gymnastics "Goat" Session:
Take 10-12 minutes to practice three gymnastics skills of your choice.

21-18-15-12-9-6-3 rep rounds for time, of:
Shoulder to Overhead (135/95 lbs.)
Chest to Bar Pull-ups


A message from Coach Mike:

It is with a heavy heart and regret that Crossfit 808 has been disqualified because I tested positive for methylhexeanamine (DMAA).  This is a banned substance found in many dietary supplements such as OXYElite Pro and Jack3d. I openly defend the fact that I have never taken any of these products or products like these. This disqualification is hard for me to swallow as I know that, although I tested positive for the substance, I have never taken said supplements in order to gain any advantage. Although we do not know for sure what may have been the culprit for the positive test, I feel strongly that it may have been a homeopathy nasal spray I took that weekend due to allergies. Understandably, this is not sufficient enough evidence to refute the penalty so the team has been disqualified.

As a lesson to us all, make sure you KNOW what you are putting into your system. Just make sure you do the research and understand what you are putting into your body.

I must be honest and tell all of you that it is a hard pill to swallow.  I feel as though I have been convicted of a crime that I did not commit; fortunately at least the punishment is not life in prison. That’s my way of looking at the bright side.

I am a whirlwind of emotions filled with sadness, frustration, and motivation. I am saddened that I have let my team and all our supporters down. I am severely frustrated at HQ for not looking into this situation more deeply, however, do not blame HQ as I am responsible for what I put into my system. Mostly I am now motivated to come back stronger and faster next year to help the team rightfully reclaim what is ours! Even though I may be a little down in the dumps right now I will continue to coach you all with the same enthusiasm and motivation I have always shown.

It was not any supplement that made me a better athlete but WODing with the 808 greats; Josh, Joe, Jeff, Kyla, Brandy, Katrina, Rome, and Elyse. You all have been such a great support to me and make me feel honored to be a part of such an amazing team. It gives me great joy to WOD next to and coach such terrific people every day and I am grateful for you all at Crossfit 808. I will forever hold that weekend at Regionals as one of the best times in my life and no one will ever take those memories away from us.  I cannot express to you all the disappointment and regret that I feel; to my team and to all our 808 supporters, I am sorry from the bottom of my heart.

A few words from Coach Elyse:

I was informed last night that Team CrossFit 808 has been disqualified from Regionals and therefore not able to compete at the CrossFit Games. Unfortunately, as you now know, Mike failed his drug test following the Regional for a stimulant that is banned from competition.

I can't speak for the team, but I know I am devastated and disappointed. Obviously, this is not the situation we had in mind 25 days before the CrossFit Games, but sometimes life throws you curve balls.  This does not mean that we love Mike any less. Mistakes are a part of life and we all make them, at least that is what I've learned in my short 27 years of life. 

As Mike has said, he did not take a stimulant for the purpose of performance enhancement. In fact, he had no knowledge that he was using a banned stimulant. Unfortunately, according to the CrossFit and their Drug Free Policy, not knowing is not an excuse. While I agree, I honestly can't find it in me to be upset with Mike for using a nasal spray for his sinuses, especially when he has a history of allergies and we were competing outside at the Santa Clara Fairgrounds (talk about hay all around us). After all he did find that nasal spray at Whole Foods and had no idea it would cost us everything in the end. Lesson learned. Labels do not always list all the ingredients in a product, especially in dietary supplements and homeopathy medicines (which are not FDA regulated as we learned), like the nasal spray he used.

As an athlete and a coach, I always preach eating healthy or "clean" as we like to say, and taking the recommended supplements like fish oil and Vitamin D. I think this is a great time to remind you that you also need to be very cautious when it comes to dietary supplements. Just because a label says "all natural" doesn't mean it is good for you. Many stimulants on the NCAA banned substance list (the list CrossFit follows)  is derived from plants, hence "all natural". 

I know there are many of you that have gone to great extents to make the trip to the Games, just so you could cheer us on. We are so sorry for obviously not following through. I hope you guys still go and soak it all up, because the CrossFit Games is really a neat experience. Also, don't forget our very own, Mary Schwing, will definitely need our loud cheering and support as she represents us in the 60+ Masters competition. GO MARY GO!

To everyone who supported us at Regionals, I hope you know that we will forever be grateful for your unconditional love and support. To be honest, the team will need everyone's love and support now more than ever. 


This might not mean much, but Mike, Josh, Joe, Jeff, Kyla, Brandy, Katrina, and Rome - your amazing performance at Regionals will not be forgotten. You guys are still number 1 in my book and I could not be more proud of all the hardwork you put into both training for Regionals and these past few weeks for the Games. You guys really came together and it was so awesome watching you guys kick butt. Let the hurt and anger fuel your training for 2013. I have no doubt you guys will reclaim what is rightfully yours.

Yesterday's WOD Board: