Chris Spealler

me, Speal, Tim, Aimee, and Jason at CrossFit KoP

This weekend I had the opportunity to meet Chris Spealler. He was running a Level I Certification at CrossFit King of Prussia, so I stopped in on the last day to say hi. For those that don't know, Speal is one of CrossFit's original firebreathers. When I got into CF in 2008, I would watch videos of Greg Amundson, Jeremy Thiel, Nicole Carroll, Eva T., James "OPT" Fitzgerald, and Chris Spealler. I never really grew up thinking of NFL/MLB/NBA athletes as role models until these guys and girls. Relatively unknown athletes made famous by a handheld camcorder and some barbells. Speal is one of the most well-liked figures in that he doesn't fit the 5'10", 185lb. frame that most people say is necessary to succeed in CrossFit. At 5'5" and 140lbs., he's a figure head for the "small guy." Even at that height and weight, he can throw heavy barbells around like he was twice the size as in the video below of him against Jason Khalipa, winner of the 2008 CrossFit Games. Speal is one of only few athletes to compete in all four CrossFit Games. Last year he placed 3rd and won the "Spirit of the Games" award.


When he was at the box, he saw that I held the gym record of 192 double unders. I didn't see him do it, but he said he wanted to "crush my soul" and obliterate my record. (His PR is 360+) Apparently he got tripped up at 193, but witnesses say he wasn't even breathing hard. Yikes!