SGPT Interviews CrossFit Elite Athlete Tyler Friese

SGPT: Tell is about yourself?

TF: I am 16 years old originally from Everett, WA, moved many times lived in fun place like Alaska, Idaho, Minnesota, and Oregon kinda all over the place. Currently live in Oak Creek, WI where I am homes chooled so I can train a couple times a day! Loved fitness since I was seven or eight yrs old… somewhere around there. But have been enjoying ever since. Wrestled from 2nd grade until 10th when I decided to focus on CrossFit.

SGPT: How did you get interested in CrossFit? Who were your early mentors? What gym are you at currently?

TF: I was first introduced to CrossFit by my older brother, we would do the CrossFit Kids workouts when they released those. I lost it when I started wrestling cause I focused more on bodybuilding until two yrs ago when I realized CrossFit would positively impact my wrestling. I realized that CrossFit was something I excelled at as I would consistently set records for the gym I was training at, at the time. I decided to give it a go and refocused on getting to the games!

My early mentor would probably have been my older brother as he taught me a bunch of stuff I still use now. Now my early influencers in CrossFit would be Josh Bridges and Chris Spealler both of them the shortest athletes but were still capable of incredible things which I enjoyed seeing because I have always been the smallest person on the team!

I currently train out of FUEL Fitness in Oak Creek twice a day. As well as sometimes in my garage gym.

SGPT: What are your strengths in CrossFit?

TF: My strengths in CrossFit would definitely be body weight and the long grueling events where you just have to suck it up, grind, and leave it all out there. If I could pick one event to be in the Open or the Games it would definitely be Murph.

SGPT: Tell us about your past competitions-which event was the hardest?

TF: I have just gotten started in CrossFit but competed in the Navy SEAL Foundation Red Wings Challenge. I won that one but the hardest event was a strength complex of 3 Deadlifts, 2 Hang Power Cleans, 1 Shoulder to Overhead. That was definitely more grueling than I thought it would be!

SGPT: Do you have any mental edge methods that you use before a big comp?

TF: Before big tournaments for wrestling I would remove myself from everyone. I wouldn’t focus on anything else but the tourney, I wouldn’t go out the night before would focus on recovery and sleep. During the tourney I always had a short memory so if I slipped up I would move on and fix it without getting to anxious. I would look at each match as an opportunity to learn and embraced the suck.

SGPT: How do you recover after a competition or hard workout?

TF: I usually will do an ice bath and some sort of flow yoga.

SGPT: What does a typical day or week look like for you with your nutrition?

TF: I eat anywhere from 2,800 to 3,000 calories a day of Whole Foods staying away from processed junk. I eat 2-3 cups of fruit and veggies a day and focus on micros as much as macros.

SGPT: What book are you reading right now?

TF: I am currently reading Fearless about Adam Brown.

SGPT: What is your next big competition?

TF: My next comp is the CrossFit Open. Then CrossFit online Qualifier and Lord-willing the Games. But will also try to qualify for the Granite Games and the Wodapalooza 2020.

SGPT: Thanks for the interview Tyler!

TF: No problem, thanks for the opportunity

Follow Tyler on Instagram here: tylerf_2002

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