Sevan Matossian (00:00):
Oh, bam. We’re live. Fuck you guys missed the best part already. We’re just tearing James up.
James Sprague (00:05):
Hey, you already get to crop on do for him being
Sevan Matossian (00:08):
Late. He’s not, he’s not. We started early.
Brian Friend (00:10):
We told him we wanted to get you for a few minutes beforehand. <laugh>
James Sprague (00:14):
You can get me alone.
Sevan Matossian (00:15):
Yeah,
Brian Friend (00:16):
Love it. Yeah. So you could tell us all the secrets we need to know about him before next week.
James Sprague (00:20):
That’s the thing I was just telling him. I was like, dude, I wanna like talk some crap about you, but you’re too perfect. I have nothing to say.
Sevan Matossian (00:28):
Um, where, where are you? Um, where you’re not at home.
James Sprague (00:32):
I am at home. This is, uh, my mom’s house in Almi Washington. Nice. Um, so it’s, it’s still kind of home because you know, this is where I grew up. It’s obviously not Florida, but just came here to see some family hang out for a bit. Um, kind of just let my mind rest after can west and, uh, get ready to go, uh, for the demo team.
Sevan Matossian (00:52):
Oh, you’re on the demo team.
James Sprague (00:54):
I am doing the demo team. Mr. Savan.
Sevan Matossian (00:56):
Are you
Brian Friend (00:57):
Telling how long ago did you get the invite for that?
James Sprague (01:00):
Um, so actually it was, it was my manager, Benji who the whole opportunity possible, right after the LCQ got done, he started reaching out to people and was just like, is this a possible opportunity? And right after, um, LCQ got done, I think it came to life about a week after. So beginning of July,
Sevan Matossian (01:22):
You know, I, I think that maybe you’re the only, the second person I could be wrong. You could be the only, the second person in the history of the demo team who, uh, was hasn’t already gone to the games. I could be wrong about that. Like Brian’s like, oh shit. That might be the first one right there. Scuds studs might be the only,
Brian Friend (01:41):
Yeah, but, but Chloe Wilson also. So there’s.
Sevan Matossian (01:44):
Oh, okay. So in years past, I think you had to have been to the games. I think scuds may have been the first, she, maybe she cracked his seal.
Brian Friend (01:50):
Did it matter if it was or individual?
Sevan Matossian (01:53):
I’m not sure. I think it was
Brian Friend (01:54):
Individual Christine Cole brander was on it last year. Tolo was on it
Sevan Matossian (02:00):
And was that and that the year. Okay. So maybe, maybe last it broke, but, but it it’s relatively new and none of these cats have been to the games. Right.
Brian Friend (02:08):
Uh, Mitchell Stevenson has Royce. Dun had, but he’s not gonna make it. And fee has
Sevan Matossian (02:12):
Who replaced Royce
Brian Friend (02:15):
Unannounced.
Sevan Matossian (02:16):
Oh, okay.
James Sprague (02:17):
I, I don’t know if I’m allowed to say it, but I feel like I am. It’s uh, it’s another strong dude. Let’s see if you all can guess.
Brian Friend (02:23):
Well, I was thinking, you know, they
Sevan Matossian (02:25):
It’s Allen pepper <laugh> you tested positive for COVID. So they’re throwing him on the demo team.
James Sprague (02:31):
John withdrawals from the games to take up a new stance out a boy,
Brian Friend (02:34):
Tyler, Christopher.
Sevan Matossian (02:37):
Ooh, that
Brian Friend (02:38):
Was a good guess. I dunno if you would do it. I did notice like the, the, the three guys that they had selected originally, Mitchell, James and Royce, they were a really good compliment in terms of the different skill sets they had. So like any, they would have someone who is gonna be a good test for like maybe a top 10 performance in almost any workout.
Sevan Matossian (02:54):
Mm-hmm <affirmative> I know who it is, James. I know who it. Okay. I know who it is too.
James Sprague (02:59):
Let’s
Dallin Pepper (02:59):
See you go. You go
Sevan Matossian (03:00):
First. It’s it’s Raleigh.
Dallin Pepper (03:01):
Yeah.
James Sprague (03:02):
Yeah. Good guess. Yeah.
Dallin Pepper (03:04):
That’s it.
James Sprague (03:04):
That was good. Yeah. Did you, well, he kind of gave it away on a story today. He’s like getting the body ready. So he, oh, wow. He’s yeah. So he’s, he’s coming out and uh, I think I’m gonna be the last one there. Me and Mitch get there tomorrow night. We start on Saturday morning.
Sevan Matossian (03:18):
Can you pull up that, um, the demo team again? I have a question for D about the, about the demo team. Um, Dalan of these guys on here. Who’s the fittest. Is it, is it the, is it the Raleigh guy? Is it James Sprague or is it the, some, the, um, um, Mitchell, Mitchell Peterson
Brian Friend (03:38):
Stevenson. Come on.
Sevan Matossian (03:39):
Yeah. Stevenson. <laugh>
Dallin Pepper (03:40):
I would definitely go with James he’s definit.
Sevan Matossian (03:43):
Yeah. Just checking. Would
Brian Friend (03:44):
You have gone with James? If Roy was still on the team? Royce was 15th at the games last year.
Sevan Matossian (03:49):
Oh, it doesn’t matter. Down’s always gonna pick his bed, buddy.
Dallin Pepper (03:52):
I don’t know. I might have picked him,
James Sprague (03:53):
Buddy. Whoa. I beat him in the LCQ, bro.
Brian Friend (03:56):
Dude. How crazy is that? I mean, Royce won the semifinal last year. He was 15th at the games, the fittest guy from ocean at the games last year. And he didn’t make it this year.
James Sprague (04:07):
It’s just cause all these youngsters are kicking him out.
Brian Friend (04:10):
No, just cuz Ricky, Ricky came back and the, the other guys made it. I mean Jay and Baen both made it back. Like the, you know, there’s just four guys that are top 20 potential and only three spots. Crazy
Sevan Matossian (04:20):
Da uh, are you, are you in, where are you?
Dallin Pepper (04:24):
I’m in Madison.
Sevan Matossian (04:25):
You made it. Okay. And when did you get there?
Dallin Pepper (04:28):
Uh, like 12 noon today
Sevan Matossian (04:31):
To awesome. And who’d you roll with?
Dallin Pepper (04:34):
Uh, Karen and Danielle and cash.
Sevan Matossian (04:37):
Oh. So as a team, who’s cash.
Dallin Pepper (04:40):
Her dog Danielle’s dog.
Sevan Matossian (04:41):
Oh shit.
Dallin Pepper (04:42):
<laugh> he took a, oh God, he took a big old shit right in the middle of the airport.
James Sprague (04:47):
No way. Good job. Cash. Who
Sevan Matossian (04:56):
Clean wait, Danielle, Brandon brought her fucking dog to the games.
Dallin Pepper (05:01):
Yeah. Cash rolls with the team.
Sevan Matossian (05:03):
That’s gotta be a new level of distraction. I love
Dallin Pepper (05:06):
That. No, no. It’s an advantage. Cuz everyone else had to leave their dogs home.
Sevan Matossian (05:10):
I’m I’m with three in the morning, her dog has to take a dump. She has a big event at six in the morning. She has to get up and walk it downstairs to the lobby
James Sprague (05:17):
Therapy puppy. There’s
Dallin Pepper (05:19):
Designated people for that.
Sevan Matossian (05:21):
No shit. The dog name. Yeah. God Danielle’s Ballen.
James Sprague (05:24):
It’s the D D D the designated dog. Dad.
Sevan Matossian (05:27):
So your wife, the shitting, the publicly shitting dog. Uh, and Danielle all. And, and how does that, how does she bring her dog? That does it have like a, um, one of those vests that says like, I, my, my owner’s crazy. I’m here to help or <laugh>
Dallin Pepper (05:43):
No vest.
Sevan Matossian (05:44):
No,
Dallin Pepper (05:45):
No vest. No. I mean, he just sat on her lap the whole time. And then he, he went to the bathroom in like the pet rest area and then like 30 seconds when we walked out, Danielle was like, ah, he’s definitely gonna poop right here. And sure enough, 10 seconds later, you just stopped and went right there.
Sevan Matossian (06:04):
Yeah, girl, my wife’s good at like that too. She could spot like anything that’s P has to poop in her area. Like even if I’m standing around, she’d be like, you should go to the bathroom. I’m like, fuck. How’d she know <laugh> Danielle just knew. She saw that dog doing the, the onesy twosy
Dallin Pepper (06:17):
Little pucker.
Sevan Matossian (06:20):
Um, how, how big’s the dog?
Dallin Pepper (06:22):
It’s not very big.
Sevan Matossian (06:24):
I’m tripping. Like you used to have to wear a button up shirt and pants to get on an airplane. Now, any fucking Tom Dick she’s probably was wearing like sports bra, thongs and a bikini bottom and had a fucking dog. Huh? That takes a shit. I mean, anyone can do anything. Now
Dallin Pepper (06:38):
If you, if you have pink hair, you can do anything.
Sevan Matossian (06:41):
Good point. Hers is a little too long though. I mean it’s I like it, but it’s not like your traditional, uh, thing. Oh, look Danielle, Brandon. His butt puckered. Yep. She saw it. Wow. These are my new, uh, CEO wristbands. And they’re so fucking big that I start, this is a tradit. This is like a, do you wear
Brian Friend (07:07):
Them on your
Sevan Matossian (07:08):
Shins? Uh, yeah. They’re they’re like neat. They could, I could pull ’em up over my calves.
Dallin Pepper (07:13):
They’ll keep you extra warm. Isn’t that? Why you wire? Isn’t that? Why you wear
Sevan Matossian (07:16):
’em? Yeah, exactly. And I just started sweating
James Sprague (07:20):
Savon. You’ve been putting in work in the gym. I’ve been watching your videos, man.
Sevan Matossian (07:23):
Thanks.
James Sprague (07:23):
Yeah. I’m proud
Sevan Matossian (07:24):
Of you. I’m trying. Thank you. How old are you?
James Sprague (07:27):
Uh, I’m 20
Sevan Matossian (07:28):
God, 20 year. Old’s proud of me, James.
Brian Friend (07:30):
He said he, uh, set a time to beat for 20 legless rope climbs. And we were, he was wondering if you could beat it
James Sprague (07:36):
Really <laugh>. Oh my gosh. What was it like? Was it emo
Sevan Matossian (07:42):
Just 20, just 20, just 20 legless rope crimes as fast as I can.
James Sprague (07:46):
Did the emo it,
Sevan Matossian (07:47):
The videos coming out every minute on the minute. No, but that, but that was actually kind of the goal at the beginning and they actually weren’t legless to be honest. Oh no,
James Sprague (07:59):
That’s a great standard.
Sevan Matossian (08:02):
Um, Dalan when you, so, so you get to the games. Will there be anything that you do? That’s just totally different. Um, I like, like you’ll put your phone down and turn it off or, uh, there’s certain people you won’t talk to or you won’t your, your wife and you will not, I don’t know, whatever, like traditions you guys have first thing more like, is there anything you’re good? Like, is there anything like you’re cutting out this week? Like bye. Not this week?
Dallin Pepper (08:26):
Uh, no, I’ll probably keep it as normal as I can just stick to a routine as much as, as much as you can while you’re at the games. Uh, I’ll stay pretty consistent with that. And then just being around the people that will be staying in the Airbnb, Matt and Dom and Micah and Olivia all from brute, they’ll be here, just keep things light and I’ve noticed I can compete better when things are light and I’m sticking to my regular routine.
Sevan Matossian (08:53):
Uh, how many competitions has your, your wife been to with you?
Dallin Pepper (08:57):
West coast? ALZA and the Mac. So three.
Sevan Matossian (09:02):
And do you think that, um, as these competitions go, she’s getting more attuned to like what you need or don’t need?
Dallin Pepper (09:09):
Yeah, the first one was definitely like a challenge just because I don’t talk, like I just stopped talking. Um, as soon as the competition starts and she wasn’t fully ready for that and like what that would mean. Yeah. Um, but now we’ve grown both together and as individuals and we understand like what the process is throughout a competition and she takes every minute, just as serious as I do.
Sevan Matossian (09:32):
Um, and, uh, did you get, did you get a, uh, are you mad at me? Like the first time, like at the competition, like when you stopped talking, did you get a, are you mad at me?
Dallin Pepper (09:40):
Yeah. She’s like, what’s what’s wrong. I’m like, I’m just focused, like, just thinking about my events and
Sevan Matossian (09:46):
You should been like, I have no idea. I’m thinking about killing myself. <laugh> I go, um, James, um, you will be there. How, how often did you guys, so I didn’t realize this, but it looks like the way things are set up, that the boys don’t train together and the girls don’t train together that they pair you guys up? No, not necessarily tell me Don.
Dallin Pepper (10:10):
Uh, usually, um, because the brew HQ is a little bit of a smaller gym. We’d have one group go in at nine and one group go in 10 30, 11, just so it was split up. So one of us would be warming up while they’re doing the big conditioning piece up. That takes up the whole gym. And what is it is usually like Emma and Phil and then James and I. Um, and then,
Sevan Matossian (10:34):
So they did, it was, they did pair you up by sex. It was Emma and Phil and then you and James
James Sprague (10:39):
Who’s the girl.
Sevan Matossian (10:40):
I don’t know. I was gonna let you guys decide <laugh>
James Sprague (10:43):
Who was the,
Dallin Pepper (10:44):
Um, but yeah, now it’s been Emma and Olivia Sue go in at nine and then Danielle and I will go in at 11.
Sevan Matossian (10:51):
So, so you and James have done a lot of training together?
James Sprague (10:54):
Yeah. Unfortunately,
Sevan Matossian (10:56):
James, if you’re, when you’re there, um, do you suspect that you’ll talk to him? Like if he has a, if let’s say, let’s say has a great event, he takes first place, will you walk by and let and, and be like good job? Or don’t let this go to your head asshole? Or if he has a shitty event, will you come by and be like, Hey dude, just remember, I love you. Or God you’re fucking up our reputation as the dynamic to it. Like, will there be, or will you just feel it out? Like, is there any, do you have, I mean, he’s gonna need some, it’s a, it’s an long emotional day.
James Sprague (11:23):
A week. Very much is right. Yeah.
Sevan Matossian (11:25):
Do you have any minds you’re working on to like step on his balls or, or tickle his balls? Anything. Oh man. Are you even allowed to talk to him?
James Sprague (11:31):
I, they, they sent me an email today. It’s like, don’t talk to your training partners. So I was like, I was like, how am I supposed to do that? I missed my bull. I haven’t seen him in a month. Uh,
Dallin Pepper (11:39):
Yeah, if James said
Sevan Matossian (11:40):
Anything, wait, did they really?
James Sprague (11:42):
They said they recommend us not talk to our, uh, training partners once we get there or anyone we associate with and cross it, which I, I understand like,
Sevan Matossian (11:50):
Uh, I don’t explain that to me. Explain it to me what what’s
James Sprague (11:52):
It’s cause we could ruin the test if we, if we tell them them
Sevan Matossian (11:55):
Anything. Oh yeah.
James Sprague (11:57):
So, so it
Brian Friend (11:58):
Can’t be like, even if he said to him, like, don’t worry about that. You got the next one. It could be like an unintended implication of, uh,
Sevan Matossian (12:04):
Right.
James Sprague (12:07):
Yeah.
Sevan Matossian (12:07):
Sorry, go, go ahead James. Good point though. Brian, go ahead, James.
James Sprague (12:10):
Um, I think that, you know, like down said, like I respect that he’s quieter and wants to be in his own and I don’t want to distract anyone there. So, you know, if he I’ll wink at him when I’m briefing workouts and, and make sure that, uh, I’ll send him a smile and um, if he needs, if he needs anything from me, he’ll he’ll come up to me, but I I’ll leave him alone.
Sevan Matossian (12:30):
Yeah. And I, I didn’t even think of what Brian said that that’s gotta be the real reason. They don’t want you to be like, if he says, if you say, Hey dude, what’s up. And, and he says to you, Hey, what’s up? And you’re like, my arms are fucking sore. Then he’s like, ah,
James Sprague (12:42):
Ah, exactly. Yeah. It’s like, it’s like things you don’t even mean to say, could, could unintentionally, uh, give a hint or whatever. And you know, we don’t wanna be doing that.
Brian Friend (12:52):
And honestly, it’s like, it can be hard. It could be. And if you’re on the demo team, you know, you know, all this stuff that’s going on, you’re exposed to all these things and trying to keep track of what you know, and what they know and the timing and everything.
James Sprague (13:02):
Yeah. It’s yeah. Cause we don’t even know when things are released. Um, they said we’re barely gonna have time to watch events. So I might be screaming for down through my phone for some of these. And um, I’m gonna try and be in the stands as much as possible. And um, but I, I really don’t know what I got myself into. I’m just gonna try and smile through it and, and have a good attitude.
Sevan Matossian (13:22):
Have you talked to anyone who’s been on a demo team before yet?
James Sprague (13:25):
Yes. Uh, so I talked to skuds has been texting us a lot and she just said to expect to be on call basically the whole day. And, um, basically that we’re kind of just rag dolls and they throw us around however they want.
Sevan Matossian (13:38):
It’s really hardcore. It’s cool. Yeah. You’ll have a blast because you will build a crazy comradery, but like you’ll be in a room right next to where the event’s going and they’ll, and you’ll just be on call and you won’t get to see shit, but, but, but you will also do some fucking crazy fun shit. They’ll drag you around to some fun spots.
James Sprague (13:56):
Totally. I really hope that, um, I get to touch test as much as possible and get like almost a games experience in. And I think that, you know, like I I’m, I’m going in fully expecting to be crushed and, and go through a full series of tests and give it my best. Cuz I want to try and give, give an accurate read for what the tests are gonna look like for them. So been, been keeping the body as fit as I can.
Sevan Matossian (14:20):
Um, dLAN I’m, I’m trying to think. Um, if there’s, I mean, I mean, you’re really making a big, I’m trying to think of what male rookies have come in. I mean, there’s a lot of noise there. Say that again.
James Sprague (14:31):
I think GE is like GE and George Sterner. And uh, was Nick tall Dino individual or no? Did he
Sevan Matossian (14:37):
Get that? Oh no, but there was a lot of noise around Nick, but I can’t remember. I don’t even remember. I guess there was a lot of noise around gee, but it seems like just, and, and maybe it’s just because social media’s gotten louder and more and more people have voices or maybe it’s just cuz I’m more interested in the, the sport than ever. But man, there’s a lot of, uh, noise around you. Do. Do you feel any pressure from that? Do you like it?
Dallin Pepper (14:57):
Yeah. I mean, pressure is a privilege if you’ve earned that right. To feel that, or at least know it’s there. I don’t really feel it from the outside. It’s more the pressure I put on myself, but I know it’s there and I know that people have, if you wanna call ’em expectations, like people think different things, but I’m not really letting that affect how I feel or things.
James Sprague (15:18):
My dad said you’re gonna top five at the games today down.
Dallin Pepper (15:22):
Bring it
Sevan Matossian (15:22):
On. So sorry I hit a button. Say that again. What did you just say, James? I just hit a button and started fucking playing some audio somewhere. Say that again?
James Sprague (15:28):
I just said my dad believes in down a lot. He’s gonna get you. My dad said he is gonna get a top five today. And I said, hell yeah.
Sevan Matossian (15:34):
He’s he’s pretending like it’s you James? Hmm. Your
James Sprague (15:38):
Dad. He lives vicariously through my friends cuz I’m not good enough to make it.
Sevan Matossian (15:41):
Yes. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I appreciate it. I love the shirt too. It’s four, four foreshadowing.
Dallin Pepper (15:52):
So I mean you’re coming out to do behind the scenes again.
Sevan Matossian (15:55):
Yes, yes. I’ll be there. I’ll be there.
James Sprague (15:56):
Are you for real?
Sevan Matossian (15:57):
Gonna be there? No fuck. Aw. They don’t. They, they already, they, they already have the place surrounded with pictures of me. If you see this guy called the police,
James Sprague (16:04):
I thought that picture of you Glassman and Dave was from today, like planning the games. I was like, oh this is gonna be hype.
Sevan Matossian (16:10):
It is from today. Is it? Yeah. It’s from today.
James Sprague (16:13):
Oh, I thought you were in Madison in that.
Sevan Matossian (16:15):
No, no, no. That was from today. That was uh, is that CrossFit HQ or the old one? Yeah. Yeah. That’s it CrossFit HQ. The old one. Yep. Oh
James Sprague (16:22):
Dope. Heck yeah. You look really small next to them.
Sevan Matossian (16:25):
<laugh> I do. I look like a little bite size. How tall do I look there? Like four, six.
James Sprague (16:33):
You like called me site?
Sevan Matossian (16:34):
Someone me today that Suza
Brian Friend (16:36):
Photoshopped, all these people into this picture.
Sevan Matossian (16:38):
<laugh> oh my gosh. I look photoshopped in there
James Sprague (16:43):
Brother. TV’s bigger than you.
Sevan Matossian (16:45):
Um dLAN when, when were you, where were you when the, um, film tune news broke? Were you, were you near him at all? Like physically near him stand like next
Dallin Pepper (16:55):
To him
Sevan Matossian (16:55):
And he just, he just started throwing up.
Dallin Pepper (16:57):
No, I was at my apartment. We were like in between sessions. When I, when he had posted on Instagram,
Sevan Matossian (17:03):
I, I don’t know if you know this feeling, but like a feeling like, um, I like you stole a pack of gum from the store and your dad walks in your room and goes, I know you stole that pack of gum and all of a sudden you feel like sick to your, you know, you feel like, oh fuck yeah, you feel the whole world’s gonna fall apart. Um, did you, did it feel like that when that happened at all? Was there any,
Dallin Pepper (17:22):
Yeah, I mean, it was a bit of a shock all the way through Naples and everyone involved. Um, it’s not really the news we expected just on a regular training day. It was, it was a weird
Sevan Matossian (17:33):
Day. Does, but, but does it hurt? Like, do you feel it, um, physically, did you feel it like, like, like made you sick or are you like Nope, it’s too. It’s different. It’s different. Um,
Dallin Pepper (17:45):
A little different, like I, I, I would say I felt it physically. Um, but maybe not quite that I know what feeling you’re trying to describe, but I don’t know it quite the same.
Sevan Matossian (17:55):
Like if one of your friends got arrested for a DUI, you kinda like wanna throw up like one of your high school buddies you’re in high school. You’re like, oh fuck. Yeah. Even though it’s it’s, I mean, it’s bad, but it’s not like, like, no, no one’s dying. I mean like, like I’d rather be caught for steroids than been molested. You know what I mean? Like I wanna be caught a thousand times for steroids. Um, how do you know, where were you James? When it happened?
James Sprague (18:17):
Uh, I was at my gym training.
Sevan Matossian (18:19):
And what happened
James Sprague (18:20):
Here in Washington before the can west games.
Sevan Matossian (18:23):
And, and how do you guys find out?
James Sprague (18:25):
Um, just looking at Phil’s story.
Sevan Matossian (18:28):
Is that how you found out too, Alan?
Dallin Pepper (18:30):
Yeah. And then, um, right after, like I had been, I was texting Matt a little bit, so
Sevan Matossian (18:37):
Yeah. Do you guys immediately call each other and be like, what the fuck?
Dallin Pepper (18:40):
Mm, yeah.
James Sprague (18:41):
Yeah, it sucked, man. I, I hate to see that happen to anyone, especially someone we’ve been tight with.
Sevan Matossian (18:48):
Um, have you guys had a chance to talk with him?
James Sprague (18:51):
Yeah, I’ve talked with him a bit.
Dallin Pepper (18:53):
I, I texted him just the other day. Um, and like he understands I’m completely focused on the games right now. So, um, trying not to let that distract me from what I’m doing and uh, yeah, I’m, I’m focused on the task at hand at the moment. So
Sevan Matossian (19:11):
Do you go ahead, James? He
James Sprague (19:13):
Kind of wants, he’s kind of traits us like an older brother. Like he wants to see us do well, he told, told me learn from that, learn from that mistake and don’t wanna happen and, um, just wants what’s best for us. So he is obviously still cares about us a lot and you know, we, we spent a lot of good time together. So I think that that relationship is, is still good.
Sevan Matossian (19:34):
That’s good to hear. Do, do you, um, do you guys, uh, call Matt, does anyone give Matt Torres a pep talk? Like since you’re kind of on the outside, they’re all still in the game, James and you’re on the outside. Do you call, uh, Matt or do you, do you have to take any like leadership role from the outside and be like, Hey guys, don’t fucking worry about it, keep your head down or did anything like that?
James Sprague (19:54):
You know, um, I just try and try and bring, uh, JY energy into the gym and, and keep it light in the gym. And I, and I hope that, uh, I hope that that can transmit to people, taking things a little less serious. Um, sometimes because I think all of us as high level athletes sometimes get in our head about things that don’t matter. And sometimes think that one bad day equals a bad year or, or can add up to, um, just things that they’re not. So I just try and, and take one day at a time, bring in fun energy and, and, um, make sure everyone’s smiling in the gym and enjoying themselves because that’s what it’s all about. Just, just enjoy what you’re doing and you’re gonna do better.
Sevan Matossian (20:32):
Uh, remember when se first of all, don’t call me Chevy. Don’t ever fucking call. Remember whence thought he’d beat the 65 plus females at the game. I’m gonna fuck them up this year. You’ll fuck yourself. Gregory. I’ll fucking mash him. Mm-hmm <affirmative> um, dLAN did you win? Did you win the games as oh, Ricardo Monto bond. This is post with Dave and Glassman. Thank you. Wow. So I do three podcasts a day. That guy gives me $20 a day. That’s $60. I’m fucking set for life. Um Dalan did you win the CrossFit games as, as a, as a young?
Dallin Pepper (21:06):
Yes.
Sevan Matossian (21:06):
Yeah. And how and Brian,
James Sprague (21:10):
This is hilarious.
Sevan Matossian (21:11):
And, and how many times did you win it? More than once
Dallin Pepper (21:13):
I won it three times.
Sevan Matossian (21:15):
Fuck. And, and is that how many times you went?
Dallin Pepper (21:18):
Yeah,
James Sprague (21:20):
For each, for each CrossFit games, medal gold medal. He has, he’s allowed to have another wife.
Sevan Matossian (21:26):
Oh, that’s awesome. Oh, he didn’t like that, James? That, yeah. I made him uncomfortable.
Brian Friend (21:33):
Kevin you on trivia
Sevan Matossian (21:34):
Question? Yes, please. Please.
Brian Friend (21:37):
I’m I’m fairly confident in this, that there are only two people who are undefeated in their CrossFit games, careers, and Down’s one of them
Sevan Matossian (21:46):
Of wow. Of, of how many years, any
Brian Friend (21:48):
Division that many time they’ve gone to the games they’ve won it.
Sevan Matossian (21:52):
Oh, it’s that? 65 year old lady.
James Sprague (21:54):
I I’ve another guy too. His name’s Kevin Coster.
Brian Friend (21:57):
Oh, is, but if, I don’t know if like how many has he won?
James Sprague (22:00):
Uh, three.
Brian Friend (22:01):
Three. Okay. Kevin Coster, Susan Clark, down pepper.
Sevan Matossian (22:05):
Um, if
Brian Friend (22:06):
It’s only one, I don’t know if I’d count that this is, has be at least. Yeah.
Sevan Matossian (22:11):
Dalan what what’s that, um, feel like to win those?
Dallin Pepper (22:15):
Um, you know, one thing I noticed and I’m really, I’m stoked. I learned this at such a young age is like nothing changes when you reach a goal like that. Like you like the ceremony, like you finish last workout, you know, you’ve won and then you realize nothing’s changed at all. And like, you’re already thinking about the next goal. Like what can I do next? What can I get do better for next year? And that type of thing. So understanding like you have to find enjoyment and fulfillment and the process of reaching that goal, um, because nothing’s gonna change once you do reach that goal. Um, it’s just onto the next one.
Sevan Matossian (22:52):
I, is it almost even a let down like even a little, uh, like a little depressing? No,
Dallin Pepper (22:57):
Uh, you just think back to all the, the time and energy and sacrifice and work that it took to get there. And it’s an incredible feeling, like the way, I guess, the way I worded that, uh, would make it seem like let down, but that’s not at all. I mean, it’s a, it’s an incredible feeling. Um, when that’s, when you set your eyes on that all year, all year long and you are able to reach it
Sevan Matossian (23:21):
And, and, and how were, how were the victories? So like, were they, did they ever come down to the
Dallin Pepper (23:25):
Last I to do the last event on all three years?
Sevan Matossian (23:29):
Wow. I, I wonder, I wonder if people covered that ship more, if there’d even be more hype. I wonder if that would be even better for the CrossFit games to invest more media there just to build even more hype as these dudes cross over.
Dallin Pepper (23:43):
I mean, the teens division really is the future. Like I remember it, I was still one of the earlier teens and it was like, this is the future of the sport. This is the future of the sport. And we’ve slowly seen that, uh, come to, come to life.
Sevan Matossian (23:58):
Who, who are, who are some of the people you, so Emma mm-hmm <affirmative> Emma Lawson,
Dallin Pepper (24:04):
Mau, GE Angelos with mayhem. Um,
Sevan Matossian (24:08):
Gee was a team too. Tutor, tutor,
Dallin Pepper (24:11):
Tutor. Yeah, Cole page. Um,
Sevan Matossian (24:15):
Did you ever put, did you ever compete against gee? Oh, he, he was too old. He was old.
Dallin Pepper (24:24):
Yeah, he was. So when I was 15, my first year he was 17 and that was his last year. And he was in a separate division.
Sevan Matossian (24:30):
But you did compete against tu? Yes. And you put it twice and you put it to him twice.
Dallin Pepper (24:36):
<laugh> I can say that.
Sevan Matossian (24:39):
And where did James show, where did James show up? Did he do the, the Peewee league?
James Sprague (24:43):
I did do the PUE league league
Dallin Pepper (24:44):
Twice.
James Sprague (24:46):
I, uh, yeah, I missed it the, the middle year, cuz I had cranky knees and uh,
Sevan Matossian (24:51):
Finished fourth.
James Sprague (24:52):
I finished fourth the first year and I was super pissed off of that. I thought my life was over after that and I was so
Sevan Matossian (24:58):
Mad. It was, it was, it was,
James Sprague (24:59):
I was so mad. I was like, why, why have I looked back at that? I’m like, why did I let my myself think that way? And um, you know, it was like a, I took to cross it way too seriously. I thought everything revolved around a placing at that age and it doesn’t. Um, and so missed the middle year, went out 2019. Had some fun again after knee surgery, after I was told I’d never squat again. And then now I’m here.
Sevan Matossian (25:22):
Who’s taller outta you guys,
Dallin Pepper (25:24):
James, for
James Sprague (25:25):
Sure. The joke in the gym is that I’m six foot nine.
Sevan Matossian (25:27):
How tall are you? Six. Three.
James Sprague (25:30):
I’m six, two.
Sevan Matossian (25:31):
Wow.
James Sprague (25:32):
How I would take another inch?
Sevan Matossian (25:35):
How tall are you?
Dallin Pepper (25:36):
Feet. Six foot
Sevan Matossian (25:39):
There’s there’s this thing that I, I, I always think about when, about you young guys that and gals that be even these events, even between the open and the games, you might get several percent better. Mm-hmm <affirmative> do you guys actually feel that or is it since you’re living it? You don’t or is it bullshit? You guys know it’s it does you guys don’t really get better that much faster, especially you James. I mean, you, I feel like you just kind of exploded.
James Sprague (26:08):
Thanks brother. Yeah. That’s I kind, yeah, I, I think that, uh,
Sevan Matossian (26:12):
Not, not enough to make it to where Doon is, but you still too
James Sprague (26:14):
Low <laugh> <laugh> Hey, all, all I care about, I was telling down for the LCQ. I was like, I just need to beat Down’s LCQ last year, cuz then I can come up and, and potentially have a better year next year. Cuz uh, he’s come so far since last year too. I mean, look at this guy, it went from bubble to confidently making it with no issues. Like I believe that if I trained just like I did this year, that the same thing can happen to me. Um, that one’s always been one step ahead of me and I it’s always my goal to, to catch him.
Sevan Matossian (26:42):
How, how old are you James?
James Sprague (26:43):
I’m 20 let’s count. How many times Devon asked how old I am on this podcast?
Sevan Matossian (26:48):
You’re you’re how old? Uh, still, um, uh, um, what were you gonna say down? You were gonna say something about
Brian Friend (26:55):
Yes. He believes he gets extra wife also <laugh>
Sevan Matossian (26:58):
I do,
Dallin Pepper (27:00):
Um, with us getting better. I think the, the age we are and like our training age and how long we’ve been doing it, all of that comes into play. But I think we are able to get better exponentially compared to a lot of the field and with the, like the resources we have when it comes to coaching we’re training full time with our coaches where, um, a lot of people when they were our age never had that opportunity. And I think that plays a huge role in that.
Sevan Matossian (27:28):
Are you, are you rested and, and, and healed and, and ready
Dallin Pepper (27:31):
Hundred percent
Brian Friend (27:33):
Don, are there
Sevan Matossian (27:34):
Anything a hundred
James Sprague (27:35):
Percent,
Sevan Matossian (27:36):
Hundred
Dallin Pepper (27:36):
Percent. There we go.
Brian Friend (27:38):
Throw back games, work workout 2016, a hundred percent Brentford cow. That’s
James Sprague (27:41):
A good thing. That’s uh, that’s my go-to saying. And now balance does it all the time I
Sevan Matossian (27:46):
Rub
Brian Friend (27:46):
Off on it. You probably flush that workout actually. James,
James Sprague (27:48):
What is it?
Brian Friend (27:49):
There’s a bunch of box jump overs and sandbag cleans.
James Sprague (27:52):
Oh yeah. Yeah. That’s a fun
Brian Friend (27:53):
One. Sprinty workout. Yeah. Yeah. Um, down. Are there, are there any things that you’re consciously aware of that will be either, either the same or different competing in the individual field relative to the teens?
Dallin Pepper (28:05):
Um, the field is deeper. Um, I think in the teenage division, there’s kind of like three or four separate groupings of athletes. Um, and like they kind of stay together in all of the workouts and then maybe the bottom half mixes, a little mixes, a little more. And I think the men’s field, especially this year and just in general with the individual it’s deeper, you have to every second and every point matters, you have to fight for every point. Um, and the weekend’s just a long, a little bit longer, couple more events. And I’m, I’m aware of that and ready
Brian Friend (28:38):
All the years that you did teenagers, there was never like a day off. It was always just straight through three days,
Dallin Pepper (28:44):
2018. We
Brian Friend (28:44):
Did. Oh, the age groups did have day off that year. Okay. So you got a little little experience with that. Yeah. I think that it’s always like kind of awkward. Like you’re in the competition mindset, you know, and you have that first day and like the engines are revving and then it’s like, okay, now I gotta back off for day. What do I do? So it’s that? They’ve had
Dallin Pepper (29:01):
That first event jitters all over again Friday morning
Sevan Matossian (29:06):
When, whenever we watch these events, whether it’s the, the semifinals or the games, there’s always a few events you see where there’s a last minute pass that didn’t need to happen. Meaning meaning there’s a sprint and one guy just takes his foot off the gas, just a little too early, like looks around to the left or, or just gets kind of lackadaisical and they get passed
Brian Friend (29:27):
Or bulldozed by COLSA.
Sevan Matossian (29:29):
Yes. <laugh>
James Sprague (29:30):
Um, what you think? I, I was thinking of the Maderas, uh, on event too at the 2020 games, but then you brought that up
Brian Friend (29:37):
<laugh>
James Sprague (29:38):
I didn’t realize that happened to me.
Sevan Matossian (29:40):
It did happen to you, you oh,
James Sprague (29:41):
Multiple times.
Sevan Matossian (29:42):
I’ve not. We also did it to, he also did it to George’s Turner at the games.
James Sprague (29:46):
Oh my
Sevan Matossian (29:47):
Gosh. End of the rock run
James Sprague (29:49):
Cold. Cole’s notorious for stealing hearts
Sevan Matossian (29:52):
Points. Is that something, how are you gonna stop that from happening, James?
James Sprague (29:58):
Wait me. Oh, this year or.
The above transcript is generated using AI technology and therefore may contain errors.
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