Marcus Filly Out in 2017

By
Brian Spin
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2781
Marcus Filly holding newborn daughter, Noa, via Instagram
Marcus Filly holding newborn daughter, Noa, via Instagram

Marcus Filly is the latest athlete to not compete in 2017. However, Filly’s decision was based on a much brighter reason that what we have seen the past couple of days. Filly and his wife had a baby girl, Noa, on February 19.

After much thought, Filly has decided to pull out from competing in the Open to be there with his wife and newborn daughter. Filly said via Instagram, “Competing in CrossFit requires my full physical, emotional and mental investment in order to be fulfilled by the process and to succeed. So after a challenging deliberation, I made the decision to pull out of this year’s CrossFit Open. I didn’t feel as though I could give everything I’ve given in the past to the competitive process.”

On February 19th we finally met our little girl Noa. It has been 9 months of anticipation. We are so grateful for this addition to our lives. Along with joy and love, new challenges and tests have also arrived that I look forward to facing as a father. With that said, the months of anticipation and her first 9 days have stretched my emotional and mental resources to their limits. Competing in CrossFit requires my full physical, emotional and mental investment in order to be fulfilled by the process and to succeed. So after a challenging deliberation, I made the decision to pull out of this year’s CrossFit Open. I didn’t feel as though I could give everything I’ve given in the past to the competitive process. The process and the journey are what drive me and right now my heart is called to be present for another journey that is beginning– the Noa Reese Kaden-Filly journey. I have come to understand that sharing myself as a whole person with you, my support team, is just as important as connecting with you through fitness and training. I wanted to share my thoughts and feelings as I make this difficult decision and to let you know how grateful I am to have your support of me as an athlete, but also as a person with a multi-faceted life. Training and coaching will continue to remain central to my life. I’m still on the journey to discover the best version of myself through fitness. When I find a new balance that supports the commitment it takes to call myself a competitor in this sport, you will see me on the leaderboard again. Until then I’m still training hard because it is part of who I am, and essential to my continued growth. I want to thank my amazing wife for grounding me when life and decisions seem so overwhelming. I also want to thank my coach Mike Lee for challenging me when I need him to and supporting me when I need his trust. I’d like to send a big thank you to those who support me on social media. Your comments and belief in me mean so much. And lastly, thank you to my sponsors @niketraining @rocktape @revive_rx and @wodproofapp for continuing to support my journey as it takes new turns. #HonestyCommitmentPersistence

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In 2015, Filly took a year off after a grueling 2015 season and five years of competing. He felt his body was worn down and that competing in the upcoming season would be too much.

Fast forward to 2016, Filly started to feel better and was ready to compete again. Filly went on to take second in the Northern California region during the Open and following it up with a 3rd place finish at the California regional. The weekend of the California regional was the one-year anniversary of his mother living cancer-free on top of his grandfather, Dudley passing away.