Had to break the video up. Again, thank you and offering to be there for the community ❤ How can we be there for you, other athletes and the Dukic family. That’s the question. Thanks 🙏 Justin
On behalf of everyone who knows about this story, thank you to your sister’s boyfriend. Him trying to save Lazar will be so crucial in the investigation, and he really showed just how simple it would have been for someone to DO something. He will inspire many to not think twice before acting in scenarios like this in the future, and potentially save lives because of it. I second the person who said please consider seeking professional grief therapy. Survivor’s guilt, PTSD, depression are all real risks for all the athletes, no matter how fine they currently feel.
❤ Thanks Justin. Thank you for sharing, competing, and bringing us smiles during this tragic time. You have such an amazing heart for others and it shows.❤ I’m sorry you had to deal with hate and comments.
i fucking love you Justin. you're an incredibly special and inspirational person. Please protect your mental health surrounding all of this. We need you, buddy! Nothing but love to you, Ellie, Theo, the whole team. We love you.
This video just demonstrates what a class act Justin Medeiros is. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings on the weekend. As someone that was in Ft. Worth, I am still struggling with what I saw and how the weekend played out. Seeing Justin breakdown before event 2 is an image that will stay with me for a long time. I can’t begin to imagine how the athletes felt, but I support each and every one and the decision they made…whether that was to compete or not. Justin, for as amazing of an athlete you are, you are an even better person. Thank you!
A very traumatic event to see all of this unfold. Survivors guilt is a real concern. Even if you are thinking you are okay please consider talking to a professional. So glad you were able to make it through the games. Here's to moving forward and hoping for a brighter future for CF and all of the athletes. RIP Lazar
"I would like to make a deep bow to you, Justin. This video shows the true Justin. You show us your feelings and emotions. The video is truly very impressive. A deep bow to you showing us the Champion is a beautiful person. Thanks from the Netherlands."
Thanks for doing this video, Justin. Been wondering about you. It takes a lot of courage to be this open. Proud of you for just being you! Lots of love to you❤ It was hard watching you compete feeling so emotional and knowing you weren't eating or sleeping right. Thanks for still going for everyone else. Thanks for continuing for some form of normalcy. Thank you for encouraging others to be kind. Lots of love to you!! So sorry for what all of you athletes were and are going through.
Always rooting for this dude. Thank you J for being a genuinely good dude. So sorry for this situation but your class and transparency is so appreciated. This dude has my support on or off the comp floor
You are my family's favorite athlete! We sit down together to watch your videos! Thank you for your authenticity. Your humanity shines through and I know you don't seek that, but it does come out of the overflow of who you are. Thanks for the update and perspective.
Fantastic video, Justin. I appreciate your emotional transparency and honest expression of what you and the other athletes were going through. You're a role model.
Really appreciate this video. Being there was definitely a crazy experience, we ran into Dallas at the lake before everything happened and got a picture with him. Later the next day he reached out just checking on us to see how we were doing. You truly have a one of a kind team and some incredible people surrounding you. Appreciate you and every athlete that did what the felt was best the rest of that weekend and on.
💓 it's because of athletes like you, Pat, Brent, that I have followed the games for all these years. I knew it would affect you all so deeply and wanted to see how you would be doing during the games. It broke my heart to see everyone so somber, rightfully so. But I'm glad you completed and kept Lazar in the forefront of everyone's minds. You're an amazing person. Thank you for sharing, Justin.
Thank you for sharing your experience and showing your vulnerability. Your openness is an inspiration to us all. The CrossFit Community stands with you and surrounds you and your fellow athletes in support after such a tragic event. Stand proud and tall. Lazar will never be forgotten.xx
Thank you for your compassion, and honesty and transparency around your experience Justin. May others in the Crossfit community take note on how to approach this when speaking on public forum.
I’m so sorry for what you, your family, and your fellow athletes experienced. Please take care of yourselves. Thank you for your candidness in this video. I really think most people are supportive of all the athletes and their individual decisions, everyone chose the best path they could given the traumatic circumstances. Lots of love to you❤❤
Thank you for being so brave to share your experience when you don’t owe it to anyone. You’re an athlete but you are a human above all. Genuinely appreciated your insight and admiration for your fellow athletes. Gotta keep going and talking about this for Lazar.
You’re an amazing human Justin. Your event win was definitely the highlight of my weekend. For what is worth I appreciate you and the other athletes that decided to take the floor. Have fun in the off season and I can’t wait to see you compete again champ. 🥇 🥇 🏆
Wow, your video hit me harder than any one I have seen yet. Your vulnerability, care, and honesty is truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing your story and know that there were many of us who appreciated you being out there. My heart goes out to your family. Cannot imagine the feelings they are processing from seeing it happen. Please be sure to take care of each other during this time. We love you Justin!!
JM your great man. love the authenticity and being humble. crossift has saved my life in many ways and given my daughters their dad back. losing lazar was a gut punch. never met the man but his laugh and smile won us all. got home to watch the games and realized what had happened. very very sad day for our sport and community. please keep your head high and we will all keep lazar alive forever through spirit and mind.
Love the video…the transparency and the inside look to you and what you and other athletes were going through. You handled the situation as best as you could for not having this happen before. You’re a true champion and leader in the space. You rock!! Much love brotato.
Sending love. Thank you for sharing. You were all in an impossible situation with no right answers. Thankful for your family and support group that instill the value of community in you. It shows in how you carry yourself and we are appreciative of you!
Last year I lost my father in law to drowning the same week that you had a boat crash or you knew someone in a boat crash I can’t remember now. It seemed mental the timing and I felt that it was crazy that such similar events could lead to drastically different outcomes. This year I am the one watching you having lost someone in your life, a colleague and a competitor… I hope you have the support you need it’s a hard time and it takes a long while to realise it’s real. My father in law had a great guy like your sisters partner but it didn’t help him. But it’s great to know that there are many good people out there. I was very angry with CrossFit and I still am for their handling of the whole thing but I’d never judge an athlete for choosing to compete, I feel like it shouldn’t have been your choice you guys were all still in real deep shock but even so I could never get angry for doing what is right for you!
Thank you for this honest debrief. I'm not one to judge either, you had to do what felt right for you. Not sure how I felt about how CrossFit dealt with things, but appreciated how tough it would have been on all of the athletes. Best of luck recovering. Thanks again to you and your team for the wonderful videos. ❤
Thank you for taking the time to do this video, it can't have been easy to do but it will help a lot of people understand the situation much better. Huge respect to you and thank you for your authenticity and transparency
You hit on something that needs to be echoed by everyone who was there the entire comp and those who are on the outside looking in: "There is not right answer." Thanks for this. Thanks for staying quiet, taking the time to formulate your perspective, and articulating it so well.
Thank you for this video. I know the weekend was not easy on anyone, especially the athletes, and I think everyone processes grief in their own ways. It’s always fun watching you compete and I think you did it in the best way you could. Take care of yourself and thank you again for your candidness and vulnerability. You’re awesome!
Thank you Justin. You are such a pure and grounded soul. It is evident that your family is your bedrock and you are loved and supported which contribute to your empathy.
I’m sorry for your loss Justin. I’m sorry that your mom and sister had to witness something so traumatic. Thank you to your sisters boyfriend who jumped in to tell someone even if he didn’t see it. I see and hear your struggle. I’m a random fan but I cry for Lazar, his family and the whole situation. That was way too much pressure on the athletes on what to do. You did your best and that’s all that matters. I hope that time will give us more answers and clarity and that whatever justice needs to be served will happen. I do think CrossFit is responsible. Rest in peace Lazar.
God Bless you for letting us know this information. We are all as a crossfit family watching all of this, are devastated but being there and knowing these athletes and families, I just can't imagine! I just love you buddy!
Really appreciate the raw emotions of this video. You could tell how tough the weekend was for you and the other competitors. Hug your family and keep being you. ❤
We’ve got you Justin, you have all our backing and support ❤️ such incredible strength to open up and be so valnerable. Setting a great example for others. I hope my son grows up to be as humble and genuine as you. I feel for you and all the different feelings and thoughts and what ifs and guilt for simply being here to brush your teeth and eat and walk. All those moments where you have to learn how to live your life again. Just know that we’ve all got you and your family ❤️
Too often we forget that while these athletes are the elite in this sport, they are still human and still all cope with grief in so many different ways. Watching the Games that whole weekend you could see how everyone was dealing with it - watching the Buttery Bros documentary yesterday and this today gives us all a reminder of how we all deal with these emotions differently. Justin, thank you for putting yourself out there and everything you felt throughout the weekend - it's definitely difficult to share things like this but you are even higher on my list how after hearing all the kind things you had to say about Lazar and sharing this weekend🖤🖤
Thank you for sharing this. You only ever hear amazing things about your family and this just proves it even more. Such a real dude, your response through all of this never felt performative. Absolute role model and an amazing champion of the sport. CrossFit is lucky to have you! Will always be cheering for you!
Thank-you for making this Justin, your honesty and empathy cuts through the noise and is so deeply appreciated. Sending love to you, Ellie, and all your family. Peace to all.
Thank you for making this video - one you didn't have to do, but we (your fans) are so glad you did. I will always cheer for you because you are a real one, and the CrossFit community needs more leaders like you. Enjoy the off season - can't wait to watch you compete again. It's a good day. ❤
Thank you for sharing your perspective. We are all sorry that you lost a friend and fellow competitor. We cannot imagine the choices you were forced to make on such short notice. Praying for a positive change from such a tragic time. I hope your sister's boyfriend is also ok emotionally and mentally after trying to help. Please also know it was very hard for the community to watch the weekend and see everyone's grief as you all competed. As someone who was watching on the live feed, please know that we were praying for Lazar, Luka and you all.
Bro, I'm so sorry to hear that. I watched the guy jump in, had no idea that was your sister's boyfriend, crazy. I agree there was no right answer. Personally, I'm glad you guys continued, it was my only way to feel part of the community. Lazar will be missed.
Sending love. I can’t even imagine, all of it has to be so difficult. Keep navigating how ever feels right, no one can tell you what that is. It seems like you are doing it in the most thoughtful and intentional of ways, give yourself grace and whatever space you need.
WE LOVE YOU! Thank you for this video. What a great perspective to show for those who weren't at the Games and didn't feel the emotional rollercoaster that those who were there felt. Those who said the games should be cancelled weren't there. Also they should respect each individual for their choices and not judge.
Thanks so much for sharing! As a Crosfit fan it has been very clear to me in the past and obviously the present a clear disrespect and disconnection between Crossfit HQ and the athletes and the Crossfit community. Your plan of how the event should have continued and the prize money allocated reflects the solid human you are!
Thank you Justin! I really appreicate you and what you shared. It is clear what many of you faced was being stuck in a traumatic event which can trigger episodes of panic. You were stuck and had to do your best each second of the day. There was no right or wrong decisions just decisions. All I can do is pray that healing comes in time. Hang in there, you are still my favorite and number one in my book because of your character!
Thanks man, God bless you.................Ive been trying to get the most I can from the athletes and watching this video really made things better, I dont think I will get over from what happened but definitely watching you speaking was great !!!
This is great content. Really appreciate your vulnerability! Much love to you! The community appreciates you for your efforts and we support your feelings, Justin.
Hey Justin, I chose you as my favourite for this year's games, and I'm thrilled with my choice. In my opinion, you are the winner based on everything we saw in the video. I have a lot of love and respect for you and everyone around you.
For those of you who stayed to compete I believe you did our community a service during a difficult time and in the moments during events you allowed us to have some feeling of normalcy amid tragedy.
Justin thank for this video. Explaining how you felt and the other athletes perspectives gives a little clarity to the weekend. I live in Texas and had plans to go to the games but plans fell through. I am so sorry that this terrible tragedy occurred but I hope you and the other athletes can move forward and help to keep Lazars memory alive and to ensure this never happens again .
Loved the video….Thanks for your honesty. It’s been really hard to watch a lot of the content from the 2024 games. I’m literally in tears watching your video.
Thank you Justin. This was raw beautiful insight to the weekend and so grateful you did this. Take care of yourself in the coming weeks and take your time to heal 🤍
Crossfit should NEVER have put the athletes in that position. How embarrassing and irresponsible. The choice to compete after the tragedy is obviously an individual choice on behalf of the athletes, but Crossfit should have stepped up and showed actual leadership by saying definitively that the games either would or would not continue in the first place. Instead it sounds like what happened created further trauma for all of you. I have an immense amount of respect for you personally and the thoughtfulness and emotional intelligence you've shown both during and after the games. Sending you healing.
I do see where you’re coming from, but I do think that they wanted to give the athletes a voice. It really didn’t matter how they handled it, it would have people who disagreed. There’s no way to truly correctly handle something like this in the eyes of everyone. While there are things they could have handled better, even if they had handled it perfectly, people are still going to have negative things to say. Emotions were and are still high and navigating the entire thing was difficult for everyone there.
Athletic competitions are not democratic. Actually, when individual athletes start "running" the comps or loudly asserting claims, it turns into a cluster fuck and athletes need mental focus to compete. Confusion is not helpful at events and turns to anger. The company running an event makes ALL of the decisions and people choose whether or not to compete. I say this as a Meet Director for skiing
@@jessiegoodrich6799 they weren’t running anything. Considering it’s their job and a community, they were asked for their input. It’s been like that in the space. In the grand scheme, this is the last thing people should be upset over. The athletes didn’t seem to mind having input so why would our opinions matter anyways? Had they not been given a choice, and HQ had continued with the Games or chose not to without the athlete input, you’d have people, who’s opinions don’t matter, complaining they didn’t get a voice.
@dhall75608 crossfit created a Games culture of mystery and separation from the athletes' opinions. So I think it was inappropriate and confusing (check out more athletes comments and videos) to suddenly expect them to resolve this issue. Crossfit likes the military, so what would happen when a Captain just turns and asks his squad what to do when the shit hits the fan? I'm only using the military example because of the community
Justin, sorry for your loss, thank you for your integrity and courage in sharing what you were going through. And you are right, there is no right or wrong in such matters, there is only what is. Everyone has to have the freedom to deal with tragedy and grief in the way they feel best for them.
Thank you so much for sharing. I cannot imagine being so close to this tragedy, competing and losing your friend/competitor. I live across the country, haven’t competed in CrossFit in 7ish years, never watched anything about lazar prior, and this hits me so hard every time. 😢 every competitor regardless of what they chose to do made the right decision for themselves. Don’t let the comments get to you, give yourself some grace. You have honored Lazar and he is proud of you.
Wow, such an honest and open account. No one can criticise how you process such an incident everyone does it their own way. Keep doing what you do and continue to inspire.
Nothing but love for you Justin! You are genuinely an amazing honorable just all around GOOD person. We need more people like you not only in the crossfit community but I think also just in life in general. You are an amazing human man! Appreciate the video!! Always enjoy the insight!! Cheers brother!!
I just watched this.....and I have always been a fan...even more so now. Thank you for your honesty, and being open and telling us the truth. And thank you for showing Chad's wife's speech....it gave us a different perspective.....I wish they showed it. You're amazing and the crossfit space needs you in it. We wish you all the success because you deserve it.
I appreciate all of you and your comments. Thank you so much for your support. It means so much!
Had to break the video up. Again, thank you and offering to be there for the community ❤ How can we be there for you, other athletes and the Dukic family. That’s the question. Thanks 🙏 Justin
Bro, Jas and I love you.
Can't wait to see you and Jas back. Hope you're doing okay ❤
Appreciate you buddy!! Hope to see you soon!
Hope you and Jas are ok
Hey Justin Medeiros, this is why you are The Real Champion: full of ethics, values, and empathy.
Go, Justin!
💯
He's the first crossfit athlete I have heard be this transparent. I appreciate it and I have a new insight to what's going on.
On behalf of everyone who knows about this story, thank you to your sister’s boyfriend. Him trying to save Lazar will be so crucial in the investigation, and he really showed just how simple it would have been for someone to DO something. He will inspire many to not think twice before acting in scenarios like this in the future, and potentially save lives because of it.
I second the person who said please consider seeking professional grief therapy. Survivor’s guilt, PTSD, depression are all real risks for all the athletes, no matter how fine they currently feel.
This is the most appropriate content I’ve seen since the games. Thoughtfully done. Honest and open. Thank you for sharing
Most genuine dude in crossfit! We are Justin fans at our house. Don't change brother. You inspire people everyday and are an Absolute Legend!!!
Thank you!
❤ Thanks Justin. Thank you for sharing, competing, and bringing us smiles during this tragic time. You have such an amazing heart for others and it shows.❤
I’m sorry you had to deal with hate and comments.
i fucking love you Justin. you're an incredibly special and inspirational person. Please protect your mental health surrounding all of this. We need you, buddy! Nothing but love to you, Ellie, Theo, the whole team. We love you.
This video just demonstrates what a class act Justin Medeiros is. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and feelings on the weekend.
As someone that was in Ft. Worth, I am still struggling with what I saw and how the weekend played out. Seeing Justin breakdown before event 2 is an image that will stay with me for a long time. I can’t begin to imagine how the athletes felt, but I support each and every one and the decision they made…whether that was to compete or not.
Justin, for as amazing of an athlete you are, you are an even better person. Thank you!
You show a maturity and wisdom beyond your years...All class Justin....RESPECT!!
A very traumatic event to see all of this unfold. Survivors guilt is a real concern. Even if you are thinking you are okay please consider talking to a professional. So glad you were able to make it through the games. Here's to moving forward and hoping for a brighter future for CF and all of the athletes. RIP Lazar
Event 1 story is alway so harrowing every time you hear it. Hope you and the family are recovering.
"I would like to make a deep bow to you, Justin. This video shows the true Justin. You show us your feelings and emotions. The video is truly very impressive. A deep bow to you showing us the Champion is a beautiful person. Thanks from the Netherlands."
Thanks for doing this video, Justin. Been wondering about you. It takes a lot of courage to be this open. Proud of you for just being you! Lots of love to you❤ It was hard watching you compete feeling so emotional and knowing you weren't eating or sleeping right. Thanks for still going for everyone else. Thanks for continuing for some form of normalcy. Thank you for encouraging others to be kind. Lots of love to you!! So sorry for what all of you athletes were and are going through.
Always rooting for this dude. Thank you J for being a genuinely good dude. So sorry for this situation but your class and transparency is so appreciated. This dude has my support on or off the comp floor
You are my family's favorite athlete! We sit down together to watch your videos! Thank you for your authenticity. Your humanity shines through and I know you don't seek that, but it does come out of the overflow of who you are. Thanks for the update and perspective.
Your voice matters, and you use it well. It's not only Brent and Pat who are leaders in the space.
Fantastic video, Justin. I appreciate your emotional transparency and honest expression of what you and the other athletes were going through. You're a role model.
Really appreciate this video. Being there was definitely a crazy experience, we ran into Dallas at the lake before everything happened and got a picture with him. Later the next day he reached out just checking on us to see how we were doing. You truly have a one of a kind team and some incredible people surrounding you. Appreciate you and every athlete that did what the felt was best the rest of that weekend and on.
Appreciate you man!! Hopefully we connect again soon!
Man, I'm so thankful you had the courage to share this. Immensely proud of who you are becoming in this space and as a man.
💓 it's because of athletes like you, Pat, Brent, that I have followed the games for all these years. I knew it would affect you all so deeply and wanted to see how you would be doing during the games. It broke my heart to see everyone so somber, rightfully so. But I'm glad you completed and kept Lazar in the forefront of everyone's minds. You're an amazing person. Thank you for sharing, Justin.
Thank you for sharing your experience and showing your vulnerability. Your openness is an inspiration to us all. The CrossFit Community stands with you and surrounds you and your fellow athletes in support after such a tragic event. Stand proud and tall. Lazar will never be forgotten.xx
Thank you for your compassion, and honesty and transparency around your experience Justin. May others in the Crossfit community take note on how to approach this when speaking on public forum.
I’m so sorry for what you, your family, and your fellow athletes experienced. Please take care of yourselves. Thank you for your candidness in this video. I really think most people are supportive of all the athletes and their individual decisions, everyone chose the best path they could given the traumatic circumstances. Lots of love to you❤❤
Thank you for being so brave to share your experience when you don’t owe it to anyone. You’re an athlete but you are a human above all. Genuinely appreciated your insight and admiration for your fellow athletes. Gotta keep going and talking about this for Lazar.
You’re an amazing human Justin. Your event win was definitely the highlight of my weekend. For what is worth I appreciate you and the other athletes that decided to take the floor. Have fun in the off season and I can’t wait to see you compete again champ. 🥇 🥇 🏆
Thank you Justin, the world needs more Medeiros’
❤ Justin, you're a good guy, we need people like you going forward in this sport
Wow, your video hit me harder than any one I have seen yet. Your vulnerability, care, and honesty is truly remarkable. Thank you for sharing your story and know that there were many of us who appreciated you being out there. My heart goes out to your family. Cannot imagine the feelings they are processing from seeing it happen. Please be sure to take care of each other during this time. We love you Justin!!
You are a great representative to CrossFit. Highly respected by the players and fans.
JM your great man. love the authenticity and being humble. crossift has saved my life in many ways and given my daughters their dad back. losing lazar was a gut punch. never met the man but his laugh and smile won us all. got home to watch the games and realized what had happened. very very sad day for our sport and community. please keep your head high and we will all keep lazar alive forever through spirit and mind.
Love the video…the transparency and the inside look to you and what you and other athletes were going through. You handled the situation as best as you could for not having this happen before. You’re a true champion and leader in the space. You rock!! Much love brotato.
Sending love. Thank you for sharing. You were all in an impossible situation with no right answers. Thankful for your family and support group that instill the value of community in you. It shows in how you carry yourself and we are appreciative of you!
Last year I lost my father in law to drowning the same week that you had a boat crash or you knew someone in a boat crash I can’t remember now. It seemed mental the timing and I felt that it was crazy that such similar events could lead to drastically different outcomes. This year I am the one watching you having lost someone in your life, a colleague and a competitor… I hope you have the support you need it’s a hard time and it takes a long while to realise it’s real. My father in law had a great guy like your sisters partner but it didn’t help him. But it’s great to know that there are many good people out there.
I was very angry with CrossFit and I still am for their handling of the whole thing but I’d never judge an athlete for choosing to compete, I feel like it shouldn’t have been your choice you guys were all still in real deep shock but even so I could never get angry for doing what is right for you!
You are,and always, will be my all-time favorite athlete. You represent the Sport the way it should. Thank you, Justin.
An absolute class act 🤍 thank you for being vulnerable and authentic in sharing your experience, Justin.
Impressed by your honesty and rawness here I hope you and your family are healing 🫶🏼
Thank you for sharing and helping us that weren't behind the scenes appreciate what the athletes went through.
Thank you for this honest debrief. I'm not one to judge either, you had to do what felt right for you. Not sure how I felt about how CrossFit dealt with things, but appreciated how tough it would have been on all of the athletes. Best of luck recovering. Thanks again to you and your team for the wonderful videos. ❤
A truly heartfelt vlog, Justin. Good on you for showing your emotions and letting others know it is absolutely ok to do so. You are a true gent ❤
Best response I’ve seen. Thank you for opening up about this in a humble way. So meaningful and I think you are such a leader in the community.
Thank you for taking the time to do this video, it can't have been easy to do but it will help a lot of people understand the situation much better. Huge respect to you and thank you for your authenticity and transparency
You hit on something that needs to be echoed by everyone who was there the entire comp and those who are on the outside looking in: "There is not right answer." Thanks for this. Thanks for staying quiet, taking the time to formulate your perspective, and articulating it so well.
Thank you for this video. I know the weekend was not easy on anyone, especially the athletes, and I think everyone processes grief in their own ways. It’s always fun watching you compete and I think you did it in the best way you could. Take care of yourself and thank you again for your candidness and vulnerability. You’re awesome!
Love you. Grief is hard. Loss sucks! Praying for you. & everyone involved.
Thank you Justin. You are such a pure and grounded soul. It is evident that your family is your bedrock and you are loved and supported which contribute to your empathy.
I’m sorry for your loss Justin. I’m sorry that your mom and sister had to witness something so traumatic. Thank you to your sisters boyfriend who jumped in to tell someone even if he didn’t see it. I see and hear your struggle. I’m a random fan but I cry for Lazar, his family and the whole situation. That was way too much pressure on the athletes on what to do. You did your best and that’s all that matters. I hope that time will give us more answers and clarity and that whatever justice needs to be served will happen. I do think CrossFit is responsible. Rest in peace Lazar.
God Bless you for letting us know this information. We are all as a crossfit family watching all of this, are devastated but being there and knowing these athletes and families, I just can't imagine! I just love you buddy!
Thanks for sharing Justin, continuing to talk about Lazar is a great way to honor and remember him.
This is beautiful and so compasionate. Smart, mature, full of respect and love. Thank you! ❤
Thank you for your honesty and for sharing you experience. You are a role model for the sport.
Really appreciate the raw emotions of this video. You could tell how tough the weekend was for you and the other competitors. Hug your family and keep being you. ❤
You guys had an impossible decision to make. Your heart and character shines through. Thank you for sharing with us all.
We’ve got you Justin, you have all our backing and support ❤️ such incredible strength to open up and be so valnerable. Setting a great example for others. I hope my son grows up to be as humble and genuine as you. I feel for you and all the different feelings and thoughts and what ifs and guilt for simply being here to brush your teeth and eat and walk. All those moments where you have to learn how to live your life again. Just know that we’ve all got you and your family ❤️
Too often we forget that while these athletes are the elite in this sport, they are still human and still all cope with grief in so many different ways. Watching the Games that whole weekend you could see how everyone was dealing with it - watching the Buttery Bros documentary yesterday and this today gives us all a reminder of how we all deal with these emotions differently. Justin, thank you for putting yourself out there and everything you felt throughout the weekend - it's definitely difficult to share things like this but you are even higher on my list how after hearing all the kind things you had to say about Lazar and sharing this weekend🖤🖤
Thank you for sharing this. You only ever hear amazing things about your family and this just proves it even more. Such a real dude, your response through all of this never felt performative. Absolute role model and an amazing champion of the sport. CrossFit is lucky to have you! Will always be cheering for you!
Thanks, Justin! You are a true professional. Thank you for sharing your feelings in this way.
My heart goes out to Lazars friends and family, and to all of the athletes
You’re the man Justin. Watched the whole thing. Your leadership and authenticity shine through.
This was such a heart felt video. Justin is so honorable. He represents the athletes and community with his heart and soul.
Thank-you for making this Justin, your honesty and empathy cuts through the noise and is so deeply appreciated. Sending love to you, Ellie, and all your family. Peace to all.
Hey Justin, you are a truly amazing person and a class act. Your words and vulnerability are so appreciated
Thank you for making this video - one you didn't have to do, but we (your fans) are so glad you did. I will always cheer for you because you are a real one, and the CrossFit community needs more leaders like you. Enjoy the off season - can't wait to watch you compete again. It's a good day. ❤
Thank you for sharing your perspective. We are all sorry that you lost a friend and fellow competitor. We cannot imagine the choices you were forced to make on such short notice. Praying for a positive change from such a tragic time. I hope your sister's boyfriend is also ok emotionally and mentally after trying to help. Please also know it was very hard for the community to watch the weekend and see everyone's grief as you all competed. As someone who was watching on the live feed, please know that we were praying for Lazar, Luka and you all.
Bro, I'm so sorry to hear that. I watched the guy jump in, had no idea that was your sister's boyfriend, crazy. I agree there was no right answer. Personally, I'm glad you guys continued, it was my only way to feel part of the community. Lazar will be missed.
We love you, Justin. And we’re with you.
Sending love. I can’t even imagine, all of it has to be so difficult. Keep navigating how ever feels right, no one can tell you what that is. It seems like you are doing it in the most thoughtful and intentional of ways, give yourself grace and whatever space you need.
Appreciate your candor about what transpired, Justin. Always here to support you!
WE LOVE YOU! Thank you for this video. What a great perspective to show for those who weren't at the Games and didn't feel the emotional rollercoaster that those who were there felt. Those who said the games should be cancelled weren't there. Also they should respect each individual for their choices and not judge.
Thanks so much for sharing! As a Crosfit fan it has been very clear to me in the past and obviously the present a clear disrespect and disconnection between Crossfit HQ and the athletes and the Crossfit community. Your plan of how the event should have continued and the prize money allocated reflects the solid human you are!
Thank you Justin! I really appreicate you and what you shared. It is clear what many of you faced was being stuck in a traumatic event which can trigger episodes of panic. You were stuck and had to do your best each second of the day. There was no right or wrong decisions just decisions. All I can do is pray that healing comes in time. Hang in there, you are still my favorite and number one in my book because of your character!
Thanks man, God bless you.................Ive been trying to get the most I can from the athletes and watching this video really made things better, I dont think I will get over from what happened but definitely watching you speaking was great !!!
WOW! Such depth and transparency. Thank you J.
Thanks for being so authentic and transparent even though you didn’t owe us anything.
This is great content. Really appreciate your vulnerability! Much love to you! The community appreciates you for your efforts and we support your feelings, Justin.
Hey Justin, I chose you as my favourite for this year's games, and I'm thrilled with my choice. In my opinion, you are the winner based on everything we saw in the video. I have a lot of love and respect for you and everyone around you.
For those of you who stayed to compete I believe you did our community a service during a difficult time and in the moments during events you allowed us to have some feeling of normalcy amid tragedy.
Justin thank for this video. Explaining how you felt and the other athletes perspectives gives a little clarity to the weekend. I live in Texas and had plans to go to the games but plans fell through. I am so sorry that this terrible tragedy occurred but I hope you and the other athletes can move forward and help to keep Lazars memory alive and to ensure this never happens again .
Loved the video….Thanks for your honesty. It’s been really hard to watch a lot of the content from the 2024 games. I’m literally in tears watching your video.
Thanks Justin! Really well worded and much needed for the community!
Thank you Justin. This was raw beautiful insight to the weekend and so grateful you did this. Take care of yourself in the coming weeks and take your time to heal 🤍
It’s more than physical to be fit. To compete whey what happen is a mental battle that many of you conquered. Glad you went on with it.
You are a class act! I hope you and your family are ok? Thank you for sharing and being so vulnerable…
Crossfit should NEVER have put the athletes in that position. How embarrassing and irresponsible. The choice to compete after the tragedy is obviously an individual choice on behalf of the athletes, but Crossfit should have stepped up and showed actual leadership by saying definitively that the games either would or would not continue in the first place. Instead it sounds like what happened created further trauma for all of you. I have an immense amount of respect for you personally and the thoughtfulness and emotional intelligence you've shown both during and after the games. Sending you healing.
You think they shouldn't have given the athletes a voice?
I do see where you’re coming from, but I do think that they wanted to give the athletes a voice. It really didn’t matter how they handled it, it would have people who disagreed. There’s no way to truly correctly handle something like this in the eyes of everyone. While there are things they could have handled better, even if they had handled it perfectly, people are still going to have negative things to say. Emotions were and are still high and navigating the entire thing was difficult for everyone there.
Athletic competitions are not democratic. Actually, when individual athletes start "running" the comps or loudly asserting claims, it turns into a cluster fuck and athletes need mental focus to compete. Confusion is not helpful at events and turns to anger.
The company running an event makes ALL of the decisions and people choose whether or not to compete. I say this as a Meet Director for skiing
@@jessiegoodrich6799 they weren’t running anything. Considering it’s their job and a community, they were asked for their input. It’s been like that in the space. In the grand scheme, this is the last thing people should be upset over. The athletes didn’t seem to mind having input so why would our opinions matter anyways?
Had they not been given a choice, and HQ had continued with the Games or chose
not to without the athlete input, you’d have people, who’s opinions don’t matter, complaining they didn’t get a voice.
@dhall75608 crossfit created a Games culture of mystery and separation from the athletes' opinions. So I think it was inappropriate and confusing (check out more athletes comments and videos) to suddenly expect them to resolve this issue. Crossfit likes the military, so what would happen when a Captain just turns and asks his squad what to do when the shit hits the fan? I'm only using the military example because of the community
Justin, sorry for your loss, thank you for your integrity and courage in sharing what you were going through. And you are right, there is no right or wrong in such matters, there is only what is. Everyone has to have the freedom to deal with tragedy and grief in the way they feel best for them.
Thank you so much for sharing. I cannot imagine being so close to this tragedy, competing and losing your friend/competitor. I live across the country, haven’t competed in CrossFit in 7ish years, never watched anything about lazar prior, and this hits me so hard every time. 😢 every competitor regardless of what they chose to do made the right decision for themselves. Don’t let the comments get to you, give yourself some grace. You have honored Lazar and he is proud of you.
Wow, such an honest and open account. No one can criticise how you process such an incident everyone does it their own way. Keep doing what you do and continue to inspire.
Nothing but love for you Justin! You are genuinely an amazing honorable just all around GOOD person. We need more people like you not only in the crossfit community but I think also just in life in general. You are an amazing human man! Appreciate the video!! Always enjoy the insight!! Cheers brother!!
Respect to you Justin Medeiros, thank you for sharing this info and your perspective. 🙏🙏
Thank you for sharing Justin and appreciate your honest sharing of thoughts in such an emotional and difficult scenario.
Thank you for being a great human... this is more valuable than any tittle ! Legend Justin
Thank you For the insight, we appreciate you. This is well done and well said. Thanks Dallas thanks Justin
You did well and handled everything honorably. Thank you for sharing so openly. We are and will stay a community.
Thank you for your honesty, you're an incredible human♥️
Thank you for doing this video! Thank you for caring about the community!
Excellent recap Justin. Much appreciated.
The real MVP! Thank you for being you, Justin! What an inspiration! Keep strong 🙏
Thank you Justin, for sharing. It is helping us as well.
I just watched this.....and I have always been a fan...even more so now. Thank you for your honesty, and being open and telling us the truth. And thank you for showing Chad's wife's speech....it gave us a different perspective.....I wish they showed it.
You're amazing and the crossfit space needs you in it.
We wish you all the success because you deserve it.