I hit CrossFit Open 26.1 with my community

After speaking at a conference in Las Vegas, Mat Fraser and Matt O’Keefe head straight to the airport for a redeye flight back to Vermont with little sleep and no excuses. Their destination: HWPO GYM VT for the first CrossFit Open workout of the season.

Back on the gym floor, Mat takes on 26.1 alongside members of the HWPO coaching staff and community, including Michele Letendre, Justin Sweeney, Dan Sutton, Joe Buda, and Sammy Moniz. The atmosphere captures everything that makes the Open special: competition, community, and the willingness to SHOW UP regardless of circumstances.

But this episode goes beyond the workout itself. Coach Sara presents the HWPO GYM VT Spirit of the Games award, recognising the athletes who embody the HARD WORKER mindset through support, effort, and consistency both inside and outside the gym.

Throughout the episode, HWPO members and ambassadors also share personal stories about how training, discipline, and consistency have impacted their lives. Their experiences reflect what HARD WORK PAYS OFF truly means and why the process matters far beyond a leaderboard.

Watch the full episode for a behind-the-scenes look at the opening week of the CrossFit Open at HWPO GYM VT and the community that continues to define what it means to put in the work.