Member Spotlight: Gavin’s Journey to the Crossfit Games

This July, one of our adaptive members Gavin Sippel competed at the Adaptive Crossfit Games in San Jose, CA and placed 3rd in his division. 

This is the journey of how a first-time visitor and his guide dog turned one free clinic into a spot on the podium.

Meet Gavin 

Gavin & Epic at the 2026 Adaptive CrossFit Games

Gavin and Shawna at the 2026 Adaptive CrossFit Games

Meet Coach Shawna

1.What was your experience like working with Gavin from your first interaction with him to now coaching him at the adaptive games? 

A: I originally met Gavin when I volunteered for a CAF event and he came as a participant. He loved the workout we did and we talked about him coming to check out a noon class. Once he showed up and we started working together the guy was hooked and he started talking about going to the CrossFit Games. From there it was all about teaching him the movements and CrossFit terminology and building the strength to do the adaptive workouts, as well as getting him used to having his reps judged and executing on full range of motion etc.

2. What do you want coaches to know that want to work with and or have never worked with adaptive athletes before? 

A: That it’s not one size fits all and you need to personalize the experience to the athlete. Gavin has the ability to stand, walk with support, even does stuff on the rig. Standing and walking are hard for him and he feels safest and most comfortable in his chair, but since he still does transfers etc he has to train time on his feet. I don’t treat him like a seated athlete even though he arrives in a wheelchair. I treat him like a crossfit athlete and then modify/scale the workouts to meet him where he’s at, and I use our training to first and foremost make sure that he is as capable as possible in daily living. 

3. Has your coaching of Gavin changed at all over the past year you have been working with him? 

A: Gavin has gotten stronger both physically and mentally.  I’ve learned what he is capable of, so I push him harder now and I will give him heavier weights to lift/more advanced movements. 

4.  What did training look like for Gavin? 

Gavin followed our CAP programming and I modified/scaled for his capacity (most of the movements he would do as written just scaled (ie modified rope climbs, assisted jumps to a mat, toes assisted pullups, deadlifts) - we would blend time on his feet with building capacity in the chair to be good at the CrossFit Open and beyond- but I mostly prioritized time on his feet and using his legs - I knew the Games was a season and I wanted to make sure what we were doing in the gym made him strong for life not just for a competition weekend.

If you are an adaptive athlete or know of someone who is an adaptive athlete we have an upcoming adaptive clinic on September 27th 2026, 12:00PM - 2:00PM. Click the link below to sign up as an athlete!

https://challengedathletes.org/crossfit

1.What drew you to crossfit? 

A: I went to a clinic put on by The Challenged Athlete Foundation over a year ago. I felt so welcomed and the trainers were so knowledgeable about adapting the workout for each person. 

2.What do you want other adaptive athletes to know about crossfit and competing?
A: It is scary but once you meet people that have similar goals as you it becomes fun. All of the
CrossFit movements can be adapted to your needs.

3.Were there challenges you faced while training for the games? 

A: Since adaptive athletes aren’t typically sponsored, it can be expensive. Athletes with brand deals can have training and equipment covered. I had to fundraise to get a wheelchair specifically made to handle CrossFit. My everyday chair was breaking. The new chair was over $7000. Thank you CrossFit 1904 for hosting a fundraiser at the gym for me!

4. What was your favorite part of training for the games

A: My favorite part was pushing past the exhaustion. My disease of Friedreich's Ataxia comes with high levels of fatigue. There were so many times I could have given up on the goal of getting to the games. Shawna kept reminding me that CrossFit games athletes don’t just give up. 

5. What did you learn about yourself through this journey of starting crossfit to now competing?

A: I learned that there are going to be bad days. There are going to be good days. All you can do is persevere. 

Coach Shawna and Gavin at the 2026 Adaptive CrossFit Games

Gavin and Coach Shawna at the 2026 Adaptive CrossFit Games