Invictus Blog

The Class of Canada
Written by C.J. Martin

I would like to introduce you all to one of the members of our online community. Mike Eberts has been following Invictus programming in his garage since late last year with his partner Louise and friend Chris Lundrigan.

Mike is a fantastic athlete, but the story I want to share with you has little to do with his athletic prowess and everything to do with the strength of his character. As I hope is well known by now, we are proud of our athletes’ accomplishments, but even more proud of the community, support and character that is on display in our gym and in the stadium when our athletes compete. While Mike doesn’t train at Invictus, he exemplifies everything we are about.

Mike was kind enough to answer a few questions for me so that I could share his story.

Mike first got involved with CrossFit in 2009 when some of his buddies challenged him to do Fran. He finished in about 5 minutes and then collapsed into a mess of sweat and drool. He said about his first experience, “that was an eye opener as I thought I was ‘fit’ before that. Once I got better and better at CrossFit, everything in life just started getting easier.”

Mike has stuck with CrossFit ever since. He creates time to train despite holding down jobs as a full-time engineer and a part-time fire fighter (paid on call) – working towards becoming a full-time fire fighter.

Mike is no stranger to CrossFit competition. He took 19th place in Canada East last year. He was living temporarily in Montreal where he met his girlfriend, Louise Hodge. They trained at CrossFit L’Usine, and both were part of the CrossFit L’Usine team that took first place at Regionals, and 28th place at the CrossFit Games. Mike loved the competition, but for him the experience was about so much more, “I met and fell in love with Louise through CrossFit! Making it to the Games to compete with her was icing on the cake.”

This year Mike and Louise relocated back to Kelowna and have been training out of their garage. They have been following the “Performance” program since late last year. Mike says, “I have felt amazing since starting. My goal is to be fit and healthy and this programming works for me. I found that pushing my body in the past to the point where it’s over-trained was detrimental. I think being 34 years old limits my ability to recover, and I definitely can’t train 6 times per day as my body and time prevents me from doing so.  Ever since I have started with Invictus and listening to my body closely, I have improved and felt so much more love for CrossFit and my training.”

Mike’s training certainly paid off in the 2012 CrossFit Games Open. After 4 weeks of the Open Mike’s performances had him sitting in 7th place in Canada West behind some phenomenal athletes. And then Mike did something remarkable . . . he chose not to submit a score for Open workout 12.5.

You see, Mike had other plans:

“Louise’s grandfather is turning 100 years old in Scotland on the same weekend of the Canada West Regionals.  I figured that’s more of a priority for me. 



At first I was a bit upset learning that I couldn’t compete, but I had to remind myself to let go of my ego and think about the big picture as well as others. 

Crossfit is of massive importance in my life towards being fit and healthy, but being the best and competing isn’t as high as some of my other priorities.

After week 4, I figured I shouldn’t do week 5 because it was highly likely I would have made regionals.  If I would have completed the workout and submitted my score, I would have taken someone else’s spot at regionals.  I know if I was in 61st place and someone qualified to compete but didn’t show, I would be sad.  CrossFit is much more than being the best, it’s about everyone!  I love the community aspect of it and it’s evident in every gym I have been to. I will throw down with anybody, and if I ever finish before someone in a workout, my workout isn’t over until theirs is. I will cheer my guts out for them.

For me, CrossFit is more than just being the best or fittest; even in the realm of competing. It’s about bettering myself and helping others while enjoying the process as much or even more than the end goal. Success for me and others comes on so many levels when I look at it that way.”

I asked Mike if he is interested in competing in the future. He responded that he would love to be on a team again: “Being on a team is something greater than myself and feels extremely rewarding.  I love how Crossfit Invictus incorporates team style WODs and love hitting them with others of any skill level.  Even if I hypothetically were to finish first place in my region in the open, I would have had a difficult time saying no to being a part of a team!”

Thank you Mike for exemplifying the Invictus athlete. Your priorities are squared away, you are generous and kind to others, and you understand that training can be a way to express the same principles and priorities that affect every aspect of our lives. Thank you (and Louise) for being a part of the Invictus family.