Mr. International

Many of you have had the opportunity to work out with Mr. International, visiting from Prague over the past few weeks, but some of you might not be aware of the history.

You see, Mr. International is originally from Vancouver but has been teaching overseas for as long as I’ve known him. And how long is that, you might ask?

Well, I met Mr. International when he was in town for the summer of 2010, when Sunghee and I ran our first ever CrossFit Kids summer camp, and Mr. International enrolled his son, a very athletic young man. His daughter, whom you may also have met, was too young to participate at the time. Of course, she is all grown up and kicking ass in the gym these days.

Over the years, Mr. International has spent a few summers with Empower, and his visits are always a treat. He recently began competing in CrossFit, qualifying for the 2026 Quarterfinals in the Masters 55+ division.

These multi-decade relationships are one of the more fulfilling aspects of being in the game for as long as I have. It is especially rewarding to see athletes continue to progress through the years. And these visits by Empower alum from abroad serve as a refreshing reminder that the CrossFit community still spans the globe.

With his vacation coming to an end, Mr. International will soon be flying home, but we wish him luck in the coming competition season and hope he will have the opportunity to drop in and visit us the next time he is in town.