Coach True North Grit

02/02/2025

10/31/2024

To put this into context, Crossfit Birch Bender is a fraction of what many other gyms are in terms of membership.

Yet, our community did THIS.

consistently proves that they value more than just "working out" - they give back, and in a big way. For them, what matters most is not just the community within their walls - but also outside of it.
We couldn't be more proud of the generosity and big ❤️ their little gym has displayed throughout all of our charitable initiatives.

10/31/2024

To put this into context, we are a fraction of what many other gyms are in terms of membership.

Yet, our community did THIS.

consistently proves that we value more than just "working out" - we give back, and in a big way. For us, what matters most is not just the community within our walls - but also outside of it.
We couldn't be more proud of the generosity and big ❤️ our little gym has displayed throughout all of our charitable initiatives.

10/31/2024

11 HOURS OF HONOUR in support of Wounded Warriors Canada.

On November 9th, Crossfit Birch Bender is hosting its yearly charity initiative to support and honour those that have given/gave so much to fight for our freedom and to whom we owe the privilege of living in this incredible country. Crossfit, itself, has always held close ties with the veteran community. As our Birch Bender community grows, we hope to expand this Remembrance Day fundraising event in an effort to do what we can to support this extraordinary cause.

How it works:

The event is Saturday, November 9th. We will have 11 different workouts ("Hero workouts" - which are workouts that have been designed as a tribute for various fallen first responders who died while in the line of duty), starting hourly from 8am til 6pm.

ALL funds donated will go directly to Wounded Warriors of Canada., and all workouts are lead by a coach and modified/scaled to make them challenging, but doable for anyone. Donations can be made directly via the link below. Thank you!

10/09/2024

True G.R.I.T

I had the Guts to try something new, outside of my comfort zone last weekend at the first ever Hyrox competition in Toronto.
It proved, once again, that I am Resilient - in mind and body, to whatever Obstacle that comes before me.

My wife, Ashley Parker , took the Initiative in signing us both up for something we had zero idea of how it would go. She went into this event with two new hips, replaced not even a year ago, which included it's own trials, including - rehabilitation, recovery (ongoing), training, and rest. Sometimes she couldn't train, let alone rest due to discomfort, work/life balances or otherwise.
She bought her first pair of actual running shoes months after the surgery - something not previously possible because only one specific brand of shoe didn't incapacitate her for days after using them.
Most of the time, she finds it hard to eat enough to compliment her output in a day - largely because shes serving and taking care/doing for others (and animals IYKYK), which affects her recovery and/or performance in/out of the gym as well.

Fast forward...

The HYROX competition requires the individual to run 8km total, along with other stations for feats of strength and endurance. And somehow, having only ran a few kms in isolation here and there, while breaking in her new shoes (and hips), she voluntarily showed up to the start line last Saturday at 5:10pm.

She had obvious reason to doubt herself leading up to the 3..2..1..go. And most people would be completely justified in not showing up to the race:

"Would my knees last?"
"Will my hips allow me to do this?"
"Will it be too painful to continue?"
"What if the running is just too much?"
"Will I be embarrassed for having to bail during?"

But. She. Did.

And she fu***ng killed it. Finishing 15th in her age group. Fully intact and ok.

Tenacity is a lifestyle and not a fu***ng catch-phrase. It's tempered in experience, in repetition. Even tenacious people doubt their ability to persevere, sometimes. But one thing always remains the same with her. She just keeps going, no matter what.

The Obstacle Is The Way.

Put yourself in uncomfortable situations.
It inspires, builds character, leads to personal growth, instills confidence, and imparts priceless experiences - not only to the person involved, but also to those who care enough to notice.

I notice her. Everyday.

I only have these pictures because of my wife. I have accomplished so much the last few years because of her. She is a testament that you can.be an (im)perfect machine and still accomplish a whole fu***ng lot if you stop feeling sorry for yourself or stop playing the victim to circumstances.

Go and do, find a way, and get s**t done. Nobody cares about your excuses or why you didn't do something - but they will be inspired to listen/witness how gritty you were by accomplishing something WITH those excuses in tow.

My wife inspires me, somehow, everyday ❤️

Ashley Parker
HYROX Athletes
Hyrox Canada Community
Crossfit Birch Bender
CrossFit Canada
Coach True North Grit
Adaptive Training Academy
Adaptive CrossFitters

09/15/2024

is back for our 4th year participating in the national fundraiser CF24, raising money for Special Olympics Canada. As we launch our own Adaptive Athlete program internally under the leadership of Dan Banks, this event is close to our hearts. Last year, we won the whole event as the TOP FUNDRAISING GYM thanks to everyone's support.

This is a 24 hour event, with workouts scheduled each hour at the gym running for the full 24 hours straight (with participants choosing which hour(s) they wish to participate). The workouts are all 100% modifiable/scalable to ANY fitness level/experience, our community is incredibly welcoming and supportive, and our coaches will be on hand to help in any and every way. It's a super fun day (and night!), with music, food, coffee, including some guest appearances from some Special Olympics athletes.

Message us on Social, or reach out directly to [email protected] if you would like more information about how you can participate.

To support directly, you can donate via this link (IN BIO):

https://cf24.ca/sponsor/?id=5427.

You can request a tax receipt from CF|24 directly online when you donate. All funds raised go directly to Special Olympics Canada.

09/15/2024

Crossfit Birch Bender is back for our 4th year participating in the national fundraiser CF24, raising money for Special Olympics Canada. As we launch our own Adaptive Athlete program internally under the leadership of Dan Banks, this event is close to our hearts. Last year, we won the whole event as the TOP FUNDRAISING GYM thanks to everyone's support.

This is a 24 hour event, with workouts scheduled each hour at the gym running for the full 24 hours straight (with participants choosing which hour(s) they wish to participate). The workouts are all 100% modifiable/scalable to ANY fitness level/experience, our community is incredibly welcoming and supportive, and our coaches will be on hand to help in any and every way. It's a super fun day (and night!), with music, food, coffee, including some guest appearances from some Special Olympics athletes.

Message us on FB, or reach out directly to [email protected] if you would like more information about how you can participate.

To support directly, you can donate via this link: https://cf24.ca/sponsor/?id=5427.

You can request a tax receipt from CF|24 directly online when you donate. All funds raised go directly to Special Olympics Canada.

Crossfit Birch Bender is back for our 4th year participating in the national fundraiser CF24, raising money for Special Olympics Canada (Special Olympics Ontario-Aurora). As we launch our own Adaptive Athlete program internally under the leadership of Dan Banks (Dans Page), this event is close to our hearts. Last year, we won the whole event as the TOP FUNDRAISING GYM thanks to everyone's support.

This is a 24 hour event, with workouts scheduled each hour at the gym running for the full 24 hours straight (with participants choosing which hour(s) they wish to participate). The workouts are all 100% modifiable/scalable to ANY fitness level/experience, our community is incredibly welcoming and supportive, and our coaches will be on hand to help in any and every way. It's a super fun day (and night!), with music, food, coffee, including some guest appearances from some Special Olympics athletes.

Message us on FB, or reach out directly to [email protected] if you would like more information about how you can participate. To support directly, you can donate via this link: https://cf24.ca/sponsor/?id=5427. You can request a tax receipt from CF|24 directly online when you donate. All funds raised go directly to Special Olympics Canada.

06/18/2024

We are proud to be able to provide a solution to the challenges some people with disabilities face in attempting to train fitness and maintain healthy lives.

boasts a team of trained coaches (specifically for this program) ready and willing to make fitness accessible to everyone, regardless of physical or intellectual limitations. With inclusivity as the foundation, we strive to create personalized workout routines tailored to each individual’s needs, whether they’re navigating:

➡️ mobility challenges
➡️ recovering from and injury/surgery
➡️ managing a physical or mental disability
➡️ have a prosthetic(s)

Our program empowers participants to achieve their fitness goals safely and effectively - ultimately helping them to lead strong, independent, and social lives .

Reach out today, and/or share this with someone who may be interested in a journey towards improved health, strength, and confidence!

Email: [email protected] for details

03/30/2024

I'll start!

👀 There's a pinecone missing from the 🎄 tree on the left...

12/02/2022

We are proud to say that this will be our 3rd year in working with in helping local families in need.

And because of our extremely generous and caring and community, we are able to sponsor 3! families this year.

Taking Initiative is in our name (Guts. Resilience. INITIATIVE. Tenacity)
And we do it because it's who we are.

Please reach out if you would like to help in making life easier for those in need by purchasing some of life's basic necessities for them.

Thank you.

11/28/2021

🇨🇦True North Strong & Free🇨🇦

So proud of the community we've been able to build, in such a short period of time, before holding this charity event for .

The
community was able to raise $2000 for the veteran services provided to vets and their families by Wounded Warriors Canada.

🎖"11 HOURS OF HONOUR"🏅

We continue to host this event every year through the organization of 11 CrossFit style "HERO" workouts done every hour on the hour.

Hope to see you there next November!

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11/27/2021

You are born to survive, built to last.

Welcome adversity and struggle into your life. It is the only way to understand the world, yourself, and others.

🪓Rest follows work.
🪓Fuel follows combustion.
🪓Character follows adversity.

Your True North awaits on the path of struggle of which you walk armed with Guts, Resilience, Initiative, and Tenacity.

Trust your instincts, have integrity, and hold the f*ck on.

Stay Gritty.

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