ersailles resident Mike Frye is preparing for the Super Bowl of Crossfit competitions in Madison, Wisconsin Aug 3-7 at the 16th annual CrossFit Games.
Frye is a former United States Marine and retired Batallion Chief from the Madisonville Fire Department and now a co-owner of CrossFit Frankfort. The CrossFit Games comprise a series of grueling workouts, including metabolic conditioning, weightlifting, and gymnastics. Frye says he is excited about the opportunity to compete against the world’s best in the age 55-59 class.
To qualify for the games, Frye entered the open competition field where in 2022, a record 293,805 contestants from around the world competed, with the top 10 percent from each division making it through. The first rounds are held virtually with video submissions of the workouts required for each contestant. After making it through the open, Frye survived the quarter- and semi-finals to earn a trip to Madison for the championship round. Frye has already proven he has the right stuff for the competition after a few big performances over the past couple years. In 2019, he won the Granite Games in St. Cloud, Minn. and then won his age group in the Master’s Fitness Collective in Fort Wayne, IN last year.
“I started crossfit in 2014 when a new gym opened in Madisonville while I was on the fire department,” said Frye. “I always stayed in shape because I did not want to be that fireman that couldn’t rescue someone if the situation came about. The first time I tried crossfit, it whipped me pretty good, but I decided to come back and really enjoyed the atmosphere and the intensity of the workout. I set bigger goals and began to achieve them. The sport allowed me to meet some incredible people as well.”
In 2014, Frye met his wife, Jenn Valeriote, through crossfit. He said the gym had become a place where he feels at home thanks to a tremendous support system of people who want to build each other up and push for new limits.
“Crossfit is good for your physical and mental health, but I think the biggest part of the sport is the community you become part of when you begin working out,” said Frye. “I always thought that the best shape of my life was when I was a Marine, but as I’ve made my journey through the sport, I realized you can be … as fit as you’ve ever been if you want to put in the work.”
As the games approach, Frye continues to put himself through four big workouts a day within three hours in preparation for the pressure he will face in Wisconsin.
“I’ve set a goal to win all of the major championships in crossfit,” said Frye. “I am working as hard as I can, but I am also enjoying myself and taking pleasure in my work. I know everyone there will be a top athlete, but that’s the fun part. We all get to show what we can do.”