I feel her pain. Sometimes it’s nice to know you’re not alone in the world of things are not okay. But still wish I could take it away from her. A lot of us who seem like they have it together just don’t. My message - always be kind. 😔
I hope she gets right and the help she needs, she is an incredible competitor and wildly entertaining! No one wants to say it, but a ton of people are thinking it. And you probably can't make a video about it without getting crucified. Buuuuuuuut, what if she got her cycle messed up and her blood work came back hot. She doesn't want to risk a 4 year ban at this point.
Hiller, you hit the proverbial nail on the head with this one. My partner was a high-level (near Olympic) gymnast during her younger years, and she completely rejected the sport (including full scholarships) during her senior year of high school. The reason is exactly as you stated. Well done on this video, and I believe you are correct.
Hiller, i agree with you. I am a former teen games athlete and currently battling back to get to the games. This road has had plenty of ups and downs and I made sure to play sports and do regular things. Would love to talk about it, hmu.
I always kind of hate it when it's like "you won because so and so weren't there"... If you're not in it, you can't win it. I personally think it might have something to do with the crazy amouth of pressure that is on her. There is only one option for her, winning. But at the same time she dissapeared from socials for about a month, wasn't anywhere to be found at the HWPO HQ opening, while she's kind of the face of the training program... So this might not even be the biggest surprise.
Devil’s Advocate: what if she was informed she failed a test and CrossFit is allowing their biggest star in the female side (Tia is already gone this year) to bow out on her own terms instead of doing what they did with Ricky, seeing how it’s ruined his image even years later. I hope it’s just her taking a mental break like her good friend Haley, but I do think it could be the above scenario as well.
This is the ONLY logical storyline. Theres no way pressure bust this pipe two months out!!! If mental health was suffering, suck it up for two months and grab your 310k then retire Wthhhh 🤦🏾♂️
Are you also suggesting that CFHQ is saving her to save her marketability for next year or to let her bow out to so CF saves face and she won’t be back.
@@BuiltonGODSrock Definitely not the only logical story line but is definitely plausible. They could probably also just keep it quiet and do what ever they have to make it seem like she didn’t fail one and keep competing. It’s also plausible she just “doesn’t have it” to be #1.
I agree with everything you've said Andrew. I played basketball from 13-21 years old, I slept, lives, and breathed bball. It took its toll. Even for fun pickup games became a chore and I was on 100 for nearly a decade. 4 years ago was the last time I picked up a ball. I see folks play and have no desire to go back again. I burnt myself out. The same has happened for CrossFit. So now I go into the gym do what I want and I'm happy... We learn, mature, and find out more about ourselves and grow. GO BE HAPPY MAL. here's a virtual hug (insert hug). ❤🖤
I really enjoy her as an athlete and a person. Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking: imagine the pressure of being the heir apparent, that pressure will (no matter the sport or activity) always end in either an injury or mental health crisis. I think that she realized she was heading down that road and took a step back. I respect her and all the young athletes who are choosing themselves instead of "the crown." PEACE, LOVE, SHIT SANDWICH, loved this video :)
Nah, the whole ‘they only won because X didn’t compete’ is crap. a competition win is who makes it to the podium. If certain people didn’t make it due to injury, mental health, drug test, doing the ugga bugga with Shane, or whatever, it means they weren’t fit to win.
@@rickyjames5610 how would they not , there is still a valid argument for the men who is better solo .. blah blah of course everyone will say well Tia had a baby and wasn’t there .
Wonder how open CrossFit HQ would be about removing the younger age group to emphasize the youth to focus on themselves and growing up without that sort of pressure, then bring back the occupational games 🤔
I hope she is ok. If you watched any of the HWPO media for the last six weeks or so she has been absent. She wasn’t in any of the footage from the HWPO grand opening. Seems like she has been gone from Vermont for a while, but pure speculation. Again, hoping she comes out of this and is ok.
First of all I agree with everything you said about Mal O'Brien's well being. We all love watching her compete and I hope everything is ok. The pressure isn't new though, we keep comparing her to Tia but she's actually Sara Sigmundsdóttir 2.0. I invite everyone to go watch the 2015, 2016 and 2017 games. The pressure can crush anyone arriving in that bright spot light. Haley Adams the same thing. Tia's biggest benefit was she basically had no pressure until she actually won the thing twice. No one was picking her even in 2018 after she's already won and placed second twice. From Day one everyone has been picking Mal.
Pressure to achieve and it's possible negative consequences are not new. What is new is the access people have to these young athletes. Especially in the form of feedback in social media. It's not hard to imagine the perception that the world has opinions about you. Or that your every move is under a microscope. Hopefully, a break to refocus and get pointed in whatever direction is right for her is all she needs. Good work Andrew.
Great post Andrew. If you think of the sickness,wellness,fitness continuum as a circle. There is a fine line between elite fitness and sickness. It is in my mind a very fine line. Mental wellness is a component of fitness or sickness if you will. My heart goes out to Mal , Haley and those we don’t know about. Have a great day!
It’s always been the case that to be #1 it requires sacrifices that everyone else won’t make. In sport it is often years off of one’s life for short term greatness. It’s ok if Mal doesn’t “have it.” Being the best is 1% of the 1% to the n-th power. It’s not a slight on her. Everyone doesn’t need to analyze everything to see what it is… just move on.
Great response. This video shows you are not just a critic and won’t hold a grudge. Looking at this ( and all the others) issue analytically and without ego has only added to your legitimacy. Very well said.
It’s a pleasure watching your skills develop as you get better and better at this Andrew. Every post I see coming out of HWPO shows Mal working with a very large team of very good people. It appears as if something outside of the CrossFit world is affecting her. I don’t believe she stopped because of solitude or pressure. A private matter involving family seems the most likely. She is definitely an introvert and an extremely capable young woman. I think the arm chair quarterbacks have it all wrong and it’s none of our business. Pray for the young one and it will workout the way it should. Blessings Mal. ❤
I started CrossFit at 13 and dedicated my life to it for 5 years. I ended up making it to the games and competing at 17. I attest that your perspective and opinions are ver accurate. Female gymnastics is a perfect comparison. I could give you fist hand perspective if your interested.
This is why CrossFit gets a bad rep. The amount of volume (2/day sessions) takes a toll on your body. That isn’t what Glassman wanted. Supporting your local affiliate, getting a workout in and improving the quality of life. The Games makes it worse as the volume is only going to increase year after year. As a teen, you need balance in your life and to enjoy it.
Is it the sport or the fact that they’re professionalized so young? Maybe NCAA had it right before NIL. Maybe it’s all of the other “responsibilities” outside of competition.
@@ramblr5900 Well there’s plenty of factors. Facing pressure from so many different avenues no other generation has had to before where people can truly scrutinize every microscopic detail of you is one. The fact that as those ages the brain is not developed yet and the unknown damage that can be done to it is another. And there’s also about 15 or more other things I could say.
I'm gonna say it, because no one else is. I'm not exactly buying the "mental health" thing in Mal's case, when she's poised to win the Games. Here's two alternative theories. (1) Mal was pre-screened for you know what, and the numbers didn't look good. The risk of popping is what led to this withdrawal. It's happened before in other sports, yo, these mysterious withdrawals right before a major comp by contenders, with the usual vague explanations. Later we find out they were dopers. (2) I recall someone reporting that a number of high level CF athletes were already tested this season. Uh oh. Maybe she already popped and CF let her bow out inconspicuously. Oh yeah, CF has done that before. Might also explain her absence from the HWPO gym's grand opening. O.K. Some people are saying it. Good.
I think its disrespectful to other female competitors to say that they only won because Mal didn't compete. This is also the year that Tia didn't compete. If Mal had won would we say "sorry Mal..you only won coz the 6 time champ didnt compete. Otherwise had she competed she would have been the 7 time champ". Best to Mal and to Haley.
No one was beating Mal. Mal was not going to beat Tia (if she was competing). It's just the odds. nothing is 100%. But if this sport has shown one thing it is that upsets aren't likely. No one in the women's field was going to touch Mal or Tia.
@@hillerfit Being Fit is not just a physical thing. As you said its als mental. And whether its a physical thing or a mental thing..Mal is sadly not "fit" this yr. However, Laura ..Brooke..Raptis...the Dottirs and all the other ladies who are both mentally and physically fit will be there competing and giving their all. It honestly goes to show us how crazy it is that Tia, Frasier, Froning, Annie and all the other greats have been at it at the top level for so long. On one of the behind the scenes that Sevan did years ago, Camille Bazinet said that it takes someone who is slightly insane to keep at that high level training everyday. I wish all the ladies who will be there this weekend all the best. And ofcourse...all the best to Mal and Haley and others who are sidelined.
There should absolutely be NO asterisk next to the woman’s name who wins this year. It’s the sport of fitness, and that encompasses mental toughness. Whichever woman wins, she will overall be fitter than Mal, (if mental issues are why Mal dropped out.)
100% agree. As a CrossFit Games teen athlete (21' and 22', aged out this year), even though I'm not as well known as Mal, or even close to her level, I can still 100% see where she could be coming from. Not only is there pressure put on you as an athlete through social media, especially when you are "famous" in the CrossFit space, but then there is the pressure you put on yourself to beat out the best of the best that have been going for years, like the OGs. I really wanted to make it to semifinals this year, but the ability to push myself mentally and believe I could dissolved before the Open even started. Now I am honestly glad I did not make it. I didn't realize how much I needed a break mentally from pushing myself day in and day out since I was 12. Honestly I don't know what next season would have looked like if I did make it. Hmu if you ever wanna talk more about this 🫶. I can't even imagine what Mal is going through right now, going straight to the indi divisions before she even had to. I just hope she is okay ❤️.
Thank you for sharing your perspective here and on IG. Mal's situation and your take on it are reminding me of Lauren Fleshman's book Good for a Girl, which dives into athletics (particularly running) for girls/teens/young women. It's absolutely worth the read.
I am not shocked when I think about it because of the pressure. I wasn't expecting though to have Mal to also sit out as well this season especially so close to the games and right before Semi's. I think crossfit needs to focus on Mental Health in some capacity or maybe try to find a method to help out the younger athletes. I do agree though playing team sports does help a lot. Hope she's doing ok! Great Video!!
I think she got injured tbh. I just don’t see her pulling our days before semis because of the pressure. If that is the case, I pray she gets through it. These teens are tough but it’s not different from other sports at the elite level. Boxing, Olympic weightlifting, wrestling and track, etc. it takes a lot of mental toughness and support system to make it.
@@ludolorandi Exactly. Here in 2023 people think you get to have your cake and eat it too. You get the best of everything. To be the best… AT ANYTHING… it requires sacrifices physically and mentally that literally no one else is willing to do. You don’t get to be #1 and have picture perfect “influencer” mental health BS. You don’t get to be #1 and not have physical consequences often times taking years off. That IS the price of admission. That IS the price that 99% to the n-th degree of people, including myself, are not willing to pay.
Those young athletes needs balance in their life!! What are they planning to do after crossfit?? What are their dream career? Being in the box for so long, seems like the kids passed beside something really important, being a kid and play. Wish you all the best Mal, and hope you will find the way to have fun and play crossfit again
I am glad you took the high road on this subject. The low hanging fruit was PEDs, and I really hope that is not the case. The "sport" is taking one body shot after another. I hope this also brings some additional attention to the mental health struggles of elite athletes. It's not as easy as the general masses think. Keep on the great work.
As Sasha Cohen, you can either go to the Olympics or you can have a childhoood, you can't have both. Hoping Mal can finally have a childhood if that is what she needs right now.
I guess I argue the amount of money she could have won would have helped her in the future .. she had it in the bag .. it’s kinda sad I guess I feel a little bit like everyone is a quitter anymore I know it’s mean. I get it she is young but why work so hard and then basically quit rounding third …
There is no guarantee tomorrow will be better. No regerts when you don’t have enough disappointments in life to give you perspective. The window closes faster than they think.
I wondered why Mal wasn’t around when HWPO opened their new facility, and had their core team there. Now we know. It’s a shame, but we have hundreds of teens that compete in massively bigger events. There must be something more to this, hope she is in a good place soon.
Glad you made this video. Mal would have won it this year and if she decides to come back to CrossFit everyone better watch out. I believe these top athletes can still be at the top with a bit more of a balance. I hope Mal finds that balance as well as any others that are struggling.
Whoever wins this year will deserve to win. The journey to that spot is a long one, full of dedication and support from a lot of people around you. I finally was able to mostly "retire" and dedicate the time necessary to train to compete at an upper level. What did I learn? You have to be selfish, the process has to be about you and you have to put other people and a lot or "normal life things" aside. That mindset over a length of time will take a toll, no question. Anyone that has trained at that level knows exactly what I'm talking about. Everyone needs an "off-season", good for her for being self aware and taking a break and getting more balance in her life.
Part of the test is the fortitude to keep it together for the entire year to be able to compete at the games. Mental and emotional is a big part of the test and has become a bigger part as the talent fields get deeper.
I love CrossFit but kids should do CrossFit as a building foundation to be bigger stronger and faster and they should play sports in junior high and high school cause you got the rest of your life to do CrossFit.. I miss the days of playing every sport in high school and playing baseball in college
I commented on your IG post about this. But I would agree a lot of what you said.. CrossFit as a sport requires sooooo much work nowadays and especially a the individual level. I know I sometimes struggle with doing the local comps as an individual especially when I first started. But I’ve learned that I can only control what I can control. But I feel like mal just needs to be a kid for a bit. If she comes back I’m sure she’ll be back like she was never gone.
Meh these are piss poor shots to invalidate whoever wins fittest on earth. Whoever wins is because they’re the fittest person. Mal and Tia both made life choices to not compete. That’s on them, not the competitors who’ve decided to commit to the competition.
My daughter was a gymnast she started at age 1. She is 12 now and got burnt out from gymnastics. She made it to level 8. Training up to 27 hours a week. She is now doing dance 6 hours a weeks, swim 20 minutes, 1 CrossFit a workout a week, and body building twice a week. She is so physically strong. But she’s a child and just wants to have freedom. No stress, sleeping in, resting if she has an injury or is sick. Spend time with family and friends and play with dolls, coloring. Sounds crazy but literally had no time for herself. So I get Mal. Mal also has Lyme disease not sure how that effects CrossFit. Before Crossfit she also was gymnast, to level 6. Wish her the best! Haley was a gymnast as well. A lot of gymnasts need therapy afterwards. There’s a lot of bullies, inappropriate coaching. That sport needs a revamp.
If she had/has Lyme disease, that will be a huge deal. That can be a nasty thing to get over, It can put you in the hospital too. She may have no energy depending on how long ago she had it.
I hate that for Mal. I'm one of the few that didn't think she was going to win, or didn't just assume she would. There was a possibility she was going to win, but not 100% for sure like with Tia. It sounds like she doesn't have an injury which is good.
The Williams sisters were criticized when they were young for not playing enough tennis tournaments. Their Dad said he didn’t want them to burn out like so many tennis players and wanted them to experience being kids too. He is polarizing but he was definitely right about that.
At the high level most of the athletes aren't affiliated and it becomes an individual sport without a real team, its a business transaction and I think that applies the worst kind of pressure.
Hiller, you are so right! After Rich stopped competing in the individuals, people were clamoring about him competing against Mat. Even years later they were still wanting him to come back. Rich said that he wanted to spend more time with his family but still people wanted him to compete as an individual. Haley was supposed to beat Tia during the Covid Games but tweaked her ankle on the hill run. Sara Sigmundsdottir was supposed to defeat Katrin and Tia in the 2016 Games. Now that Mal is out, who is left to pump up? Just think when Tia has her baby, there will be enormous pressure for her to come back and beat the 2023 Games champion in 2024. Hopefully Mal and Haley will be fine and live their best lives possible. They should hang out together and just chill.
Seen a few people mention drug test avoidance or failed test. Not completely out of the realms of possibility - given the vagueness of the comments/ statement at this stage???
Tbh I was thinking Horvath is gonna come out and take it this year. She’s been up against Tia and is getting better all the time. I just hope her handstand push-ups have gotten better hehe but anyway Mal had an amazing performance last year but without going to the semis or to the games. It’s just not fair to say who ever wins it is because she’s not there. Those putting in the work and who turn up to compete deserve it in their own right. Just watching the semis last weekend showed there are some very strong contenders. I can’t wait to watch the European semis now too! 😂
@@hillerfit I don't follow 🤣 its also possible she's done some serious health damage. Hypothetically if she took PEDs so young she might have serious complications. Mental health could be a decent cover. I obviously know nothing but I'm not sure why everyone seems to have concluded its pressure / mental health...
@@triwithlaura3138 No doubt she has been on PEDs. Only 19 years old, 135lb, 5.74 ft with all the training volume, insane heavy weights, lifting more weights than most of men…it is naive to think she is not on PEDs. Injuries are a common pattern of PEDs users.
Is she being forced to compete? No. Million dollar contracts and now we’re supposed to feel bad. There’s 40 other ladies who will be competing and people will move on.
Its also hard in a sport that works on a 1 year cycle. Most sports work off the Olympic cycle of 4 years and yes there are big competitions every year but the top athletes only focus on that olympic year and build up to that (Simone Biles being a good example here)
I was really looking forward to seeing Haley Adams vs Mal O'Brien. Now...well, maybe Sara Sigmundsdottir can stay healthy and keep her head in the game and make things interesting. With Tia out pregnant and potentially retiring, Haley and Mal sitting out...is there really a reason to watch now? Sure, there is! It's just not going to be as interesting to me.
Elite competitive athletics is brutal. The grind, as much as the competition, is a filter. The ones who make it through earn the right to be called champion. Perhaps Mal is not one of them. Most people are not
@hillerfit it's pretty obvious she's been juicy since she was a minor. I've been an athlete all my life, basketball ball, track and field, rugby, and d1 rugby and pro rugby. The muscular maturity and density and leanest are not possible for teenage girls going through puberty. Either her parents were giving her the 💊💉 or the money for it.
I'm not trying to say anything bad because I do not know what events led to her decision, but I feel like no matter how you attack it this is no different from any other professional athlete who is paid to do a sport. I understand you have to spend a lot of time but its also the reason these athletes do not have to work 40 to 60 hour a week jobs. I cant not imagine the pressure they face and the hard ship there bodies go through and never will, but at the end of the day they are making a living participating in a sport that people enjoy doing. So I really don't see a valid excuse for it ever being "too much" because its an opportunity that most of us can only dream of.
Elite sports are physically and mentally demanding. The best-case scenario is that she was just not ready to face the competition as the runaway favorite in most of the media and the weight of expectations to win the Games was too much. This, however, exposes a hole in her game, deeper than Laura's HSPU hole. My more cynical side thinks Mr. Fraser and the HWPO team ran her to the ground in either or both of these ways: 1. Fraser is just not a good coach and killed the "Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs", as expected, when he poached her from TBO. 2. HWPO got Mal on the secret sauce. The team got word on upcoming tests, some cycle timing issues, etc. They decided to lose 1 year instead of 4. To close my comment this was bound to happen with a camp created by an individual athlete who might be the GOAT but is also a sociopath and therefore not a good coach / role model.
You won the people over on this one. 😂 I think you may have highlighted an option but, I also think there are other plausible ones. Such as not being able to beat Tia or popping on an at home drug test so she didnt want to go to Semi's where she had a high likelyhood of being tested. Just some food for thought.
Skipping college to become a pro crossfitter at age 18 is a mistake. Mal, Haley, Paige Powers, Emma Carey, and Emma Lawson are giving up their one chance to have a college experience. You'll never get that back. I wouldn't want that for my daughter.
Well said at 8:40. It’s the human side they are neglecting when they choose this sport. It will eventually overspill into things like we are seeing. The single Best thing an athlete can do is shut off their social media personally and/or let someone else control it for biz purposes.
Very good way of addressing this topic, hope Mal is okay. Would be good if CrossFit was able to measure fitness but not so athletes sacrifice their mental health
Don’t forget that maybe she didn’t want to win unless it was beating Tia, she already said she didn’t want to just win the games, she wanted to beat Tia. With Mat as her coach he would support not being a shadow champ.
Interesting to point out but in the new HWPO gym footage there was not one clip of Mal (that I noticed). This could be coincidence but may also be that she hasn’t been training due to injury/family/mental health. For everyone to leap on the PED train I feel is completely wrong. Even if it is the truth she’s made herself vulnerable by posting that and withdrawing so no need kick a girl when she’s down.
The sacrifices she has made throughout her young life is admirable but also a little sad. I obviously don’t know the young lady but I have a friend who had a similar upbringing in a different sport and he was dedicated, obsessed and determined to become the best but in the meantime he missed out on a childhood and when the time came to break in to the sport he was done! He was already sick of trying to compete to be the best before he had begun. Mel is an unbelievable athlete I just hope she hasn’t burnt out to early. The. Again maybe I’m reading it all wrong and she’s fine but for people who see a headline just know their is a hell of a lot more going on behind the scenes
So many would love to be professional athlete. Working a typical 9 to 5 job is tough. So is being a great athlete. It’s hard seeing young people leave the “industry” that so many would love to be apart of. Many do both work and try to be a good athlete. But what do I know. Would be nice to be a top athlete. 🤷♂️
In gymnastics its slowly changing. You see more and more 'older' gymnasts with 28+ what is defnitely a good thing. I am thinking about Eli Seitz, Rebecca Downie and a lot more. And even Oksana Chusovitina (such a legend).. ;)
I think there should be NO teen division for individuals. They should make it TEAM so it’s more fun, less pressure on the individual. And only let people move to individual when they are 18.
Hear me out. She seems super mentally tough more so than other competitors. What if that’s just an excuse? What if she self tested and knows she’s gonna pop after semis? Granted she could be tested anytime but she would definitely be getting a test at semis
I feel her pain. Sometimes it’s nice to know you’re not alone in the world of things are not okay. But still wish I could take it away from her. A lot of us who seem like they have it together just don’t. My message - always be kind. 😔
I hope she gets right and the help she needs, she is an incredible competitor and wildly entertaining! No one wants to say it, but a ton of people are thinking it. And you probably can't make a video about it without getting crucified. Buuuuuuuut, what if she got her cycle messed up and her blood work came back hot. She doesn't want to risk a 4 year ban at this point.
Hiller, you hit the proverbial nail on the head with this one. My partner was a high-level (near Olympic) gymnast during her younger years, and she completely rejected the sport (including full scholarships) during her senior year of high school. The reason is exactly as you stated. Well done on this video, and I believe you are correct.
Hiller, i agree with you. I am a former teen games athlete and currently battling back to get to the games. This road has had plenty of ups and downs and I made sure to play sports and do regular things.
Would love to talk about it, hmu.
I always kind of hate it when it's like "you won because so and so weren't there"... If you're not in it, you can't win it.
I personally think it might have something to do with the crazy amouth of pressure that is on her. There is only one option for her, winning. But at the same time she dissapeared from socials for about a month, wasn't anywhere to be found at the HWPO HQ opening, while she's kind of the face of the training program... So this might not even be the biggest surprise.
It plagued Mat his whole career. Until it didn't
This is a great video, Andrew. Nuanced, compassionate, fair. Well done.
Devil’s Advocate: what if she was informed she failed a test and CrossFit is allowing their biggest star in the female side (Tia is already gone this year) to bow out on her own terms instead of doing what they did with Ricky, seeing how it’s ruined his image even years later.
I hope it’s just her taking a mental break like her good friend Haley, but I do think it could be the above scenario as well.
This is the ONLY logical storyline. Theres no way pressure bust this pipe two months out!!! If mental health was suffering, suck it up for two months and grab your 310k then retire Wthhhh 🤦🏾♂️
Are you also suggesting that CFHQ is saving her to save her marketability for next year or to let her bow out to so CF saves face and she won’t be back.
@@BuiltonGODSrock Definitely not the only logical story line but is definitely plausible. They could probably also just keep it quiet and do what ever they have to make it seem like she didn’t fail one and keep competing.
It’s also plausible she just “doesn’t have it” to be #1.
I agree with everything you've said Andrew.
I played basketball from 13-21 years old, I slept, lives, and breathed bball. It took its toll. Even for fun pickup games became a chore and I was on 100 for nearly a decade. 4 years ago was the last time I picked up a ball. I see folks play and have no desire to go back again. I burnt myself out.
The same has happened for CrossFit. So now I go into the gym do what I want and I'm happy...
We learn, mature, and find out more about ourselves and grow.
GO BE HAPPY MAL. here's a virtual hug (insert hug). ❤🖤
Hiller is a bit wild but a genuine breath of fresh air to a sport/methodology we love
My biggest red flag was the hwpo gym tour she wasnt in the video. Bombastic side eye 🥴
Quite possibly the deepest, most insightful Hiller take yet!
You're a really good dude, Hiller. Such a genuine, heartfelt video. Nice job!
I really enjoy her as an athlete and a person. Thank you for saying exactly what I was thinking: imagine the pressure of being the heir apparent, that pressure will (no matter the sport or activity) always end in either an injury or mental health crisis. I think that she realized she was heading down that road and took a step back. I respect her and all the young athletes who are choosing themselves instead of "the crown."
PEACE, LOVE, SHIT SANDWICH, loved this video :)
Well it’s also the year that Tia didn’t compete, so either way the winner would have an asterisk.
Yes true. Poor horvath
Huh no they wouldn’t..
@hillerfit Bull. Hovarth has podiumed every yr she's been at the games except maybe 1. I had her down to win it.
Nah, the whole ‘they only won because X didn’t compete’ is crap. a competition win is who makes it to the podium. If certain people didn’t make it due to injury, mental health, drug test, doing the ugga bugga with Shane, or whatever, it means they weren’t fit to win.
@@rickyjames5610 how would they not , there is still a valid argument for the men who is better solo .. blah blah of course everyone will say well Tia had a baby and wasn’t there .
Gutted she is not competing, she would have smashed it. This is a very genuine and thoughtful video, thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Wonder how open CrossFit HQ would be about removing the younger age group to emphasize the youth to focus on themselves and growing up without that sort of pressure, then bring back the occupational games 🤔
This seems like it would be a positive development.
I love that you say that this opens the door for conversation. It’s gonna end up being a necessary conversation! 🙏
I hope she is ok. If you watched any of the HWPO media for the last six weeks or so she has been absent. She wasn’t in any of the footage from the HWPO grand opening. Seems like she has been gone from Vermont for a while, but pure speculation. Again, hoping she comes out of this and is ok.
First of all I agree with everything you said about Mal O'Brien's well being. We all love watching her compete and I hope everything is ok. The pressure isn't new though, we keep comparing her to Tia but she's actually Sara Sigmundsdóttir 2.0. I invite everyone to go watch the 2015, 2016 and 2017 games. The pressure can crush anyone arriving in that bright spot light. Haley Adams the same thing. Tia's biggest benefit was she basically had no pressure until she actually won the thing twice. No one was picking her even in 2018 after she's already won and placed second twice. From Day one everyone has been picking Mal.
Pressure to achieve and it's possible negative consequences are not new. What is new is the access people have to these young athletes. Especially in the form of feedback in social media. It's not hard to imagine the perception that the world has opinions about you. Or that your every move is under a microscope. Hopefully, a break to refocus and get pointed in whatever direction is right for her is all she needs.
Good work Andrew.
Good video. Appreciate you being a bit more understanding to these young athletes. Hope all is well with her.
Great post Andrew. If you think of the sickness,wellness,fitness continuum as a circle. There is a fine line between elite fitness and sickness. It is in my mind a very fine line. Mental wellness is a component of fitness or sickness if you will. My heart goes out to Mal , Haley and those we don’t know about. Have a great day!
It’s always been the case that to be #1 it requires sacrifices that everyone else won’t make. In sport it is often years off of one’s life for short term greatness.
It’s ok if Mal doesn’t “have it.” Being the best is 1% of the 1% to the n-th power. It’s not a slight on her. Everyone doesn’t need to analyze everything to see what it is… just move on.
This is actually a great video, would love more content like this.
Great response. This video shows you are not just a critic and won’t hold a grudge. Looking at this ( and all the others) issue analytically and without ego has only added to your legitimacy. Very well said.
Also remember the reasons Matt Fraser gave when he retired. He wanted to have a life.
It’s a pleasure watching your skills develop as you get better and better at this Andrew. Every post I see coming out of HWPO shows Mal working with a very large team of very good people. It appears as if something outside of the CrossFit world is affecting her. I don’t believe she stopped because of solitude or pressure. A private matter involving family seems the most likely. She is definitely an introvert and an extremely capable young woman. I think the arm chair quarterbacks have it all wrong and it’s none of our business. Pray for the young one and it will workout the way it should. Blessings Mal. ❤
Thank you so much for this conversation piece. There are serious questions we should ask about this professional sport including women.
I started CrossFit at 13 and dedicated my life to it for 5 years. I ended up making it to the games and competing at 17. I attest that your perspective and opinions are ver accurate. Female gymnastics is a perfect comparison. I could give you fist hand perspective if your interested.
This is why CrossFit gets a bad rep. The amount of volume (2/day sessions) takes a toll on your body. That isn’t what Glassman wanted. Supporting your local affiliate, getting a workout in and improving the quality of life. The Games makes it worse as the volume is only going to increase year after year. As a teen, you need balance in your life and to enjoy it.
My thought was it’s a Lyme’s disease flare up. I remember watching a video where she said she had it. Very sad. Wishing her the best.
As to the title. CrossFit is clearly not workng out for younger athletes, and it has become a pattern.
Do you think my gen cant handle the pressure?
Is it the sport or the fact that they’re professionalized so young? Maybe NCAA had it right before NIL. Maybe it’s all of the other “responsibilities” outside of competition.
Will she be drug tested even if she’s not competing this weekend ?
@@ramblr5900 Well there’s plenty of factors.
Facing pressure from so many different avenues no other generation has had to before where people can truly scrutinize every microscopic detail of you is one.
The fact that as those ages the brain is not developed yet and the unknown damage that can be done to it is another.
And there’s also about 15 or more other things I could say.
I hope whoever wins this year, goes on and wins again in 2024. That would be some story line
I'm gonna say it, because no one else is. I'm not exactly buying the "mental health" thing in Mal's case, when she's poised to win the Games. Here's two alternative theories. (1) Mal was pre-screened for you know what, and the numbers didn't look good. The risk of popping is what led to this withdrawal. It's happened before in other sports, yo, these mysterious withdrawals right before a major comp by contenders, with the usual vague explanations. Later we find out they were dopers. (2) I recall someone reporting that a number of high level CF athletes were already tested this season. Uh oh. Maybe she already popped and CF let her bow out inconspicuously. Oh yeah, CF has done that before. Might also explain her absence from the HWPO gym's grand opening.
O.K. Some people are saying it. Good.
I think its disrespectful to other female competitors to say that they only won because Mal didn't compete. This is also the year that Tia didn't compete. If Mal had won would we say "sorry Mal..you only won coz the 6 time champ didnt compete. Otherwise had she competed she would have been the 7 time champ". Best to Mal and to Haley.
This. She's not competing because she's not fit to compete. She wasn't hit by a bus....she's not capable this year and has withdrawn
No one was beating Mal. Mal was not going to beat Tia (if she was competing). It's just the odds. nothing is 100%. But if this sport has shown one thing it is that upsets aren't likely. No one in the women's field was going to touch Mal or Tia.
@@hillerfit if it were that simple Mal would be competing. She isn't. Tia is more of an * but Mal is not. She's not fit for 2023 (one way or another)
@@hillerfit Being Fit is not just a physical thing. As you said its als mental. And whether its a physical thing or a mental thing..Mal is sadly not "fit" this yr. However, Laura ..Brooke..Raptis...the Dottirs and all the other ladies who are both mentally and physically fit will be there competing and giving their all. It honestly goes to show us how crazy it is that Tia, Frasier, Froning, Annie and all the other greats have been at it at the top level for so long. On one of the behind the scenes that Sevan did years ago, Camille Bazinet said that it takes someone who is slightly insane to keep at that high level training everyday. I wish all the ladies who will be there this weekend all the best. And ofcourse...all the best to Mal and Haley and others who are sidelined.
@@lillithsternin7428CLB is now doing more of a bodybuilding/fitness program and she is ripped. She seems to be much happier.
There should absolutely be NO asterisk next to the woman’s name who wins this year. It’s the sport of fitness, and that encompasses mental toughness. Whichever woman wins, she will overall be fitter than Mal, (if mental issues are why Mal dropped out.)
exactly.
Exactly, would we say that about Mal if she won since Tia wasn’t in it this year? No.
100% agree.
As a CrossFit Games teen athlete (21' and 22', aged out this year), even though I'm not as well known as Mal, or even close to her level, I can still 100% see where she could be coming from. Not only is there pressure put on you as an athlete through social media, especially when you are "famous" in the CrossFit space, but then there is the pressure you put on yourself to beat out the best of the best that have been going for years, like the OGs.
I really wanted to make it to semifinals this year, but the ability to push myself mentally and believe I could dissolved before the Open even started. Now I am honestly glad I did not make it. I didn't realize how much I needed a break mentally from pushing myself day in and day out since I was 12. Honestly I don't know what next season would have looked like if I did make it. Hmu if you ever wanna talk more about this 🫶.
I can't even imagine what Mal is going through right now, going straight to the indi divisions before she even had to. I just hope she is okay ❤️.
Great video man. Well done.
Every champion makes sacrifices.
Thank you for sharing your perspective here and on IG. Mal's situation and your take on it are reminding me of Lauren Fleshman's book Good for a Girl, which dives into athletics (particularly running) for girls/teens/young women. It's absolutely worth the read.
I am not shocked when I think about it because of the pressure. I wasn't expecting though to have Mal to also sit out as well this season especially so close to the games and right before Semi's. I think crossfit needs to focus on Mental Health in some capacity or maybe try to find a method to help out the younger athletes. I do agree though playing team sports does help a lot. Hope she's doing ok! Great Video!!
Every sport at an elite level comes with a huge mental toll. It's not Crossfit's job to focus on "Mental Health"; that's the coach's job (and staff).
I wonder if it has more to do with the fact that if Mal won this year, her title would have the “*year that Tia didn’t compete”
I think she got injured tbh. I just don’t see her pulling our days before semis because of the pressure. If that is the case, I pray she gets through it. These teens are tough but it’s not different from other sports at the elite level. Boxing, Olympic weightlifting, wrestling and track, etc. it takes a lot of mental toughness and support system to make it.
@@ludolorandi Exactly.
Here in 2023 people think you get to have your cake and eat it too. You get the best of everything. To be the best… AT ANYTHING… it requires sacrifices physically and mentally that literally no one else is willing to do.
You don’t get to be #1 and have picture perfect “influencer” mental health BS. You don’t get to be #1 and not have physical consequences often times taking years off.
That IS the price of admission. That IS the price that 99% to the n-th degree of people, including myself, are not willing to pay.
Those young athletes needs balance in their life!! What are they planning to do after crossfit?? What are their dream career? Being in the box for so long, seems like the kids passed beside something really important, being a kid and play. Wish you all the best Mal, and hope you will find the way to have fun and play crossfit again
It's also documented that she has Lyme disease. Very possible that's what's keeping her out
I am glad you took the high road on this subject. The low hanging fruit was PEDs, and I really hope that is not the case. The "sport" is taking one body shot after another. I hope this also brings some additional attention to the mental health struggles of elite athletes. It's not as easy as the general masses think. Keep on the great work.
As Sasha Cohen, you can either go to the Olympics or you can have a childhoood, you can't have both. Hoping Mal can finally have a childhood if that is what she needs right now.
I guess I argue the amount of money she could have won would have helped her in the future .. she had it in the bag .. it’s kinda sad I guess I feel a little bit like everyone is a quitter anymore I know it’s mean. I get it she is young but why work so hard and then basically quit rounding third …
It has the likes because it is not a negative video. Love a lot of your stuff have to break from the negative sometimes though. Keep up the good work.
There is no guarantee tomorrow will be better. No regerts when you don’t have enough disappointments in life to give you perspective. The window closes faster than they think.
I wondered why Mal wasn’t around when HWPO opened their new facility, and had their core team there. Now we know. It’s a shame, but we have hundreds of teens that compete in massively bigger events. There must be something more to this, hope she is in a good place soon.
Nice video as always.
Glad you made this video. Mal would have won it this year and if she decides to come back to CrossFit everyone better watch out. I believe these top athletes can still be at the top with a bit more of a balance. I hope Mal finds that balance as well as any others that are struggling.
Whoever wins this year will deserve to win. The journey to that spot is a long one, full of dedication and support from a lot of people around you. I finally was able to mostly "retire" and dedicate the time necessary to train to compete at an upper level. What did I learn? You have to be selfish, the process has to be about you and you have to put other people and a lot or "normal life things" aside. That mindset over a length of time will take a toll, no question. Anyone that has trained at that level knows exactly what I'm talking about. Everyone needs an "off-season", good for her for being self aware and taking a break and getting more balance in her life.
Great, balanced perspective dude.
Part of the test is the fortitude to keep it together for the entire year to be able to compete at the games. Mental and emotional is a big part of the test and has become a bigger part as the talent fields get deeper.
I love CrossFit but kids should do CrossFit as a building foundation to be bigger stronger and faster and they should play sports in junior high and high school cause you got the rest of your life to do CrossFit.. I miss the days of playing every sport in high school and playing baseball in college
I commented on your IG post about this. But I would agree a lot of what you said.. CrossFit as a sport requires sooooo much work nowadays and especially a the individual level. I know I sometimes struggle with doing the local comps as an individual especially when I first started. But I’ve learned that I can only control what I can control. But I feel like mal just needs to be a kid for a bit. If she comes back I’m sure she’ll be back like she was never gone.
Whoever wins, it’s because Tia wasn’t there. Period.
Agreed
And now it is becasue they both are not there
Meh these are piss poor shots to invalidate whoever wins fittest on earth. Whoever wins is because they’re the fittest person. Mal and Tia both made life choices to not compete. That’s on them, not the competitors who’ve decided to commit to the competition.
My daughter was a gymnast she started at age 1. She is 12 now and got burnt out from gymnastics. She made it to level 8. Training up to 27 hours a week.
She is now doing dance 6 hours a weeks, swim 20 minutes, 1 CrossFit a workout a week, and body building twice a week. She is so physically strong. But she’s a child and just wants to have freedom. No stress, sleeping in, resting if she has an injury or is sick. Spend time with family and friends and play with dolls, coloring. Sounds crazy but literally had no time for herself. So I get Mal. Mal also has Lyme disease not sure how that effects CrossFit. Before Crossfit she also was gymnast, to level 6. Wish her the best! Haley was a gymnast as well. A lot of gymnasts need therapy afterwards. There’s a lot of bullies, inappropriate coaching. That sport needs a revamp.
If she had/has Lyme disease, that will be a huge deal. That can be a nasty thing to get over, It can put you in the hospital too. She may have no energy depending on how long ago she had it.
I hate that for Mal. I'm one of the few that didn't think she was going to win, or didn't just assume she would. There was a possibility she was going to win, but not 100% for sure like with Tia. It sounds like she doesn't have an injury which is good.
Hmmm? Interesting?
My 2 cents comment!
Very Accurate Commentary !
I’m impressed! Ha
Great Job!
Simone Biles,Naomi Osaka..the list goes on. Good for them to realize this. Maybe the coaches need to take note.
The Williams sisters were criticized when they were young for not playing enough tennis tournaments. Their Dad said he didn’t want them to burn out like so many tennis players and wanted them to experience being kids too. He is polarizing but he was definitely right about that.
Froning left because he knew fraiser was going to rock him
At the high level most of the athletes aren't affiliated and it becomes an individual sport without a real team, its a business transaction and I think that applies the worst kind of pressure.
The legends part at the end had me laughing 😂
Hiller, you are so right! After Rich stopped competing in the individuals, people were clamoring about him competing against Mat. Even years later they were still wanting him to come back. Rich said that he wanted to spend more time with his family but still people wanted him to compete as an individual. Haley was supposed to beat Tia during the Covid Games but tweaked her ankle on the hill run. Sara Sigmundsdottir was supposed to defeat Katrin and Tia in the 2016 Games. Now that Mal is out, who is left to pump up? Just think when Tia has her baby, there will be enormous pressure for her to come back and beat the 2023 Games champion in 2024. Hopefully Mal and Haley will be fine and live their best lives possible. They should hang out together and just chill.
I was thinking the same. Anyone who takes that top spot on the podium will “only have done so because Tia and Mal weren’t competing”.
Paycheck will be the same though.
The outro kills me every time😂😂
This generation is deep into the social media from a young age, I think that has a lot to do with it as well.
This happens in every single sport
Seen a few people mention drug test avoidance or failed test. Not completely out of the realms of possibility - given the vagueness of the comments/ statement at this stage???
Tbh I was thinking Horvath is gonna come out and take it this year. She’s been up against Tia and is getting better all the time. I just hope her handstand push-ups have gotten better hehe but anyway Mal had an amazing performance last year but without going to the semis or to the games. It’s just not fair to say who ever wins it is because she’s not there. Those putting in the work and who turn up to compete deserve it in their own right. Just watching the semis last weekend showed there are some very strong contenders. I can’t wait to watch the European semis now too! 😂
Crushed this
Teen CrossFit athletes should only have the option of team
interesting take
Why is everyone assuming its mental health? It could equally be physical...
Follow the oats
@@hillerfit I don't follow 🤣 its also possible she's done some serious health damage. Hypothetically if she took PEDs so young she might have serious complications. Mental health could be a decent cover. I obviously know nothing but I'm not sure why everyone seems to have concluded its pressure / mental health...
@@triwithlaura3138 No doubt she has been on PEDs. Only 19 years old, 135lb, 5.74 ft with all the training volume, insane heavy weights, lifting more weights than most of men…it is naive to think she is not on PEDs. Injuries are a common pattern of PEDs users.
@@fonfonfonzy1544 this is my point 👉
Is she being forced to compete? No. Million dollar contracts and now we’re supposed to feel bad. There’s 40 other ladies who will be competing and people will move on.
Its also hard in a sport that works on a 1 year cycle. Most sports work off the Olympic cycle of 4 years and yes there are big competitions every year but the top athletes only focus on that olympic year and build up to that (Simone Biles being a good example here)
I was really looking forward to seeing Haley Adams vs Mal O'Brien. Now...well, maybe Sara Sigmundsdottir can stay healthy and keep her head in the game and make things interesting.
With Tia out pregnant and potentially retiring, Haley and Mal sitting out...is there really a reason to watch now? Sure, there is! It's just not going to be as interesting to me.
Elite competitive athletics is brutal. The grind, as much as the competition, is a filter. The ones who make it through earn the right to be called champion. Perhaps Mal is not one of them. Most people are not
Her parents should be jailed for giving her steroids as a minor.
You think it was her parents?
@hillerfit it's pretty obvious she's been juicy since she was a minor. I've been an athlete all my life, basketball ball, track and field, rugby, and d1 rugby and pro rugby. The muscular maturity and density and leanest are not possible for teenage girls going through puberty. Either her parents were giving her the 💊💉 or the money for it.
I'm not trying to say anything bad because I do not know what events led to her decision, but I feel like no matter how you attack it this is no different from any other professional athlete who is paid to do a sport. I understand you have to spend a lot of time but its also the reason these athletes do not have to work 40 to 60 hour a week jobs. I cant not imagine the pressure they face and the hard ship there bodies go through and never will, but at the end of the day they are making a living participating in a sport that people enjoy doing. So I really don't see a valid excuse for it ever being "too much" because its an opportunity that most of us can only dream of.
Elite sports are physically and mentally demanding. The best-case scenario is that she was just not ready to face the competition as the runaway favorite in most of the media and the weight of expectations to win the Games was too much. This, however, exposes a hole in her game, deeper than Laura's HSPU hole.
My more cynical side thinks Mr. Fraser and the HWPO team ran her to the ground in either or both of these ways:
1. Fraser is just not a good coach and killed the "Goose that Laid the Golden Eggs", as expected, when he poached her from TBO.
2. HWPO got Mal on the secret sauce. The team got word on upcoming tests, some cycle timing issues, etc. They decided to lose 1 year instead of 4.
To close my comment this was bound to happen with a camp created by an individual athlete who might be the GOAT but is also a sociopath and therefore not a good coach / role model.
"a camp created by an individual athlete who might be the GOAT but is also a sociopath" . . . Lol.
I say option #2
You won the people over on this one. 😂 I think you may have highlighted an option but, I also think there are other plausible ones. Such as not being able to beat Tia or popping on an at home drug test so she didnt want to go to Semi's where she had a high likelyhood of being tested. Just some food for thought.
Skipping college to become a pro crossfitter at age 18 is a mistake. Mal, Haley, Paige Powers, Emma Carey, and Emma Lawson are giving up their one chance to have a college experience. You'll never get that back.
I wouldn't want that for my daughter.
Well said at 8:40. It’s the human side they are neglecting when they choose this sport. It will eventually overspill into things like we are seeing. The single Best thing an athlete can do is shut off their social media personally and/or let someone else control it for biz purposes.
Also, based on how Mat, O’Keefe, and the HWPO team has posted, arguable that Mal has parted ways with HWPO
I don’t think so. They seem genuinely behind her.
@@charmedbychelssea2113 Yeah you’re right. Seeing all the IG posts.
I sure hope she stays with HWPO.
Real question is what does the Sevan Podcast have to say about this news ??
Very good way of addressing this topic, hope Mal is okay. Would be good if CrossFit was able to measure fitness but not so athletes sacrifice their mental health
The people need a live about it
Don’t forget that maybe she didn’t want to win unless it was beating Tia, she already said she didn’t want to just win the games, she wanted to beat Tia. With Mat as her coach he would support not being a shadow champ.
Nah Laura winning is because she is good enough.
Interesting to point out but in the new HWPO gym footage there was not one clip of Mal (that I noticed). This could be coincidence but may also be that she hasn’t been training due to injury/family/mental health. For everyone to leap on the PED train I feel is completely wrong. Even if it is the truth she’s made herself vulnerable by posting that and withdrawing so no need kick a girl when she’s down.
The sacrifices she has made throughout her young life is admirable but also a little sad. I obviously don’t know the young lady but I have a friend who had a similar upbringing in a different sport and he was dedicated, obsessed and determined to become the best but in the meantime he missed out on a childhood and when the time came to break in to the sport he was done! He was already sick of trying to compete to be the best before he had begun. Mel is an unbelievable athlete I just hope she hasn’t burnt out to early. The. Again maybe I’m reading it all wrong and she’s fine but for people who see a headline just know their is a hell of a lot more going on behind the scenes
Simone Biles is competing again at 26/27 years of age.
so good haha and so true
So many would love to be professional athlete. Working a typical 9 to 5 job is tough. So is being a great athlete. It’s hard seeing young people leave the “industry” that so many would love to be apart of. Many do both work and try to be a good athlete. But what do I know. Would be nice to be a top athlete. 🤷♂️
It’s got to be rough on her up there, I feel Mat has out way too much pressure on her, she needs to take a long break.
In gymnastics its slowly changing. You see more and more 'older' gymnasts with 28+ what is defnitely a good thing. I am thinking about Eli Seitz, Rebecca Downie and a lot more. And even Oksana Chusovitina (such a legend).. ;)
I think there should be NO teen division for individuals. They should make it TEAM so it’s more fun, less pressure on the individual. And only let people move to individual when they are 18.
I’ll be rooting for DB!
Hear me out. She seems super mentally tough more so than other competitors. What if that’s just an excuse? What if she self tested and knows she’s gonna pop after semis? Granted she could be tested anytime but she would definitely be getting a test at semis
🤫
She just passed a drug test. I 100% think it is mental health and my first thought was the same as yours. It passed quickly
@@hillerfit Yeah but we also know you would pass that test right? :D
@@hillerfit LMFAO "just passed" it was in January, c'mon hiller
Laura gonna take the throne. Lfg!
It’s easy to say Mal would’ve won but nobody can know for sure. But yeah you have a point cuz she’s that good.
While it is low hanging fruit it could essesntially be both. Hormone use at such a young age is very likley to cause some mental heath issues as well.