Our first time at the CrossFit Games was 2014 and loved the energy. It was truly the fittest crowd on earth and that was not including the competitors . What started as a shared passion in 2014 has grown into a decade-long tradition—and one that continues to evolve with every barbell dropped and every story told.
This year, Nicole and I find ourselves in Albany, New York, covering the 2025 CrossFit Games. A brand new city for the Games, but for us, it’s another chapter in a journey that has taken us coast-to-coast—from the early days in California, through the electric energy of Madison, the gritty heat of Texas, and now the historic MVP Arena in Albany.
2014: Where It All Began
We got our first press passes in 2014. Back then, the media landscape at the Games was a bit different—less glitz, more grit. We were just excited to be in the mix, to capture the stories that weren’t always on the leaderboard.
From interviewing rookies in the shadows of the legends to capturing raw, unfiltered moments in the warm-up area, we quickly learned that this sport was about much more than the fittest on Earth. It was about resilience, community, and character.
Years of Growth: Madison & Texas
Madison gave the Games a new heartbeat. From the fans flooding the coliseum to the scenic trails and iconic swim events, it became our home base for several unforgettable years. Each trip brought its own set of challenges—tight deadlines, late-night edits, unpredictable weather—but the camaraderie in the media pit kept us pushing through.
And then came Texas. Hot. Intense. Fast-paced. The 2024 season brought new questions and raw emotion. We were there to witness the turning point. From tragedy to transition, our cameras caught more than highlights—they caught history.
2025: A New Chapter in Albany
Now we’re in Albany, a fresh venue, a condensed field, and perhaps the most emotionally charged season yet.
While the roster may be smaller, the stories are bigger than ever. Rookies like Lucy McGonigle are stepping into the spotlight, veterans like Tia-Clair Toomey are potentially taking their final bow, and the sport itself is evolving—facing challenges and growth in equal measure.
And we’re here again, lenses up, not just to capture moments—but to tell the stories behind them.
Why We Keep Coming Back
People often ask us: “Don’t you get tired of covering the same thing every year?”
Our answer? “It’s never the same.”
Every Games season brings new personalities, new narratives, and new reasons to fall in love with the sport all over again. For Nicole and me, it’s not just about the podium—it’s about the athlete who PRs their snatch after battling self-doubt, the affiliate that sends a team for the first time, the quiet fist-bump behind the scenes.
We do it for the moments you don’t always see on camera—because we believe those are the ones that matter most.
The Work Continues
From Madison to Texas to Albany, from makeshift media tents to press row, from sunrise runs to late-night uploads—we’ve done the work, and we’re proud to keep doing it.
Here’s to another season. Another story. Another memory captured.
See you in the arena.
— Steven & Nicole