This is Tough - But You are Tougher
First, a huge shoutout to longtime Empower member HHH for her vision and help with this year's Friday Night Lights decorations and set-up. It looks amazing, and the messaging inspires us daily. Thank you, HHH!
HHH judging Smash through 25.1 yesterday.
Empower Affiliate Leaderboard Update
All told, we have 35 athletes registered this year. Nice work, Empowerites! 25 athletes are competing as part of an Intramural team and 10 athletes are soloists.
Notable:
-Bobo has joined us this year. Yay Bobo!
-We’ve calculated at least four athletes registered for their first Open: Salsa, Timothy, Rocky, and Turbo.
-Returning youth competitors The Force and F-Bomb tackled 25.1 RX. Those weights aren’t light!
-Iron Dam & Pebbles continue to prove that strength only increases with age, holding strong in the 70+ division.
-We have families competing together with HHH, Smash, and F-Bomb the biggest crew this year.
-Shine is keeping her streak alive with her 9th consecutive Open. Way to stay committed!
We know life is hectic, but showing up for this challenge will pay off in strength, mindset, and resilience. Keep going!
Week 1 Intramural Standings: 🍁Snatch Me If You Can Takes the Lead!
After a strong showing in Week 1, Snatch Me If You Can has jumped into the lead, leaving the even playing field that prevailed in the dust. Here’s where things stand:
🥇 Snatch Me If You Can – 614 points
🥈 WOD Busters – 498 points
🥉 The KettleBellends – 317 points
Captain Spice. Will she lead a 3rd team to victory?
How They Took the Lead...
Participation Power.
Snatch Me If You Can racked up 515 points from workouts & judging, WODBusters was 2nd with 405 points and Kettlebellends came in with 225 points.
Full-Team Bonus Snatch Me If You Can was the only team to have every member complete 25.1, earning a 50-point bonus.
Division Placement Points
Snatch Me If You Can secured 24 division points
WOD Busters earned 18 division points
The KettleBellends were close behind with 17 division points
Close division race with WOD Busters and The KettleBellends nearly tied! We'll share a detailed breakdown next week.
The most competitive heats in the division battles are:
Women 50-54 & 55-59. Solid competition.
Open Men & Women. Stacked divisions.
How Do Teams Close the Gap?
Max Out Workout Points Every workout completed = 5 points. Get after it!
Friday Night Lights = Big Points 20 points this week, 25 next week. Show up to clean house.
Judging Pays 10 points per athlete judged = easy money.
Bonus Points Are GOLD 50 points for full-team completion of 25.2 or 25.3.
Week 2 Challenge: WOD Predictions! Nail all 3 movements = 155 points. Game-changer.
Week 3 Challenge: Team Cheer or Song in Costume 🕺🎤 = Send it in - points TBA
Key: Maintain a determined mindset. Stay Superbowl Strong
🍁Will Snatch Me If You Can keep the fire lit, or get too comfortable?
🔔Can The KettleBellends prove that the fight isn’t over yet?
🕵️Will WOD Busters sleuth their way to the front?
Stay tuned!
March Meals & Mindset🌷
New Month. New Focus.
March Challenge: Limit eating out! How many meals can you make at home this month?
🔹 Pack your lunch instead of buying it.
🔹 Set a goal: If you eat out 3x a week, cut it to 1-2x.
🔹 Go for a takeout-free weekend.
Why? Less money spent, fewer extra calories, and you control what’s on your plate.
Crockpot Comeback: Easy Carnitas for Busy People
This weekend, my son and I hit Richmond Center Mall after cleaning out my father-in-law’s assisted living suite, reward for our efforts. We spotted a new Mexican place, checked out the menu, and I thought, "We can make all of this. Let’s go!"
A quick stop at Save-On on the way home, a dusted-off crockpot on Sunday morning, and boom—the easiest, most delicious carnitas ever. I’ve been loving it on a bed of broccoli and sweet potatoes.
Easy Carnitas Recipe
What you need:
✅ Pork Shoulder
✅ Salt, pepper, cumin, garlic powder - you choose
✅ Onions chop coarsely.
✅ Salsa
✅ Tabasco for a kick
How to make it:
1️⃣ Lay chopped onions in the bottom of your crockpot.
2️⃣ Rub spices onto your pork & place it on top.
3️⃣ Add salsa + Tabasco i.e. 1 cup salsa and dashes of tabasco
4️⃣ Set to high for 6 hours.
5️⃣ Shred and return to crockpot for 30 mins. Heat oven to 400. Lay a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Scoop out shredded meat by ice-cream scoop on place on cookie sheet. Crisp it in over in 5-10 mins flat.
How to Use It:
🌮 Tacos
🥗 Bowls
🍛 Salads
Reality bites
Wednesday WOD
5 rounds for time of:
35 double-unders
200-meter run
