Barbell Shrugged - Talking Training W/ Crossfit Games Athletes, Strength Coaches & More

Mathew Fraser (@mathewfras) is an American professional CrossFit Athlete. With a coined mantra of “Hard Work Pays Off” (HWPO), he has been a dominant force on the CrossFit Games stage since the beginning of his career defining a legacy in the sport. In 2014, his debut year at the CrossFit Games, he claimed 2nd place atop the podium and was awarded Rookie of the Year. In 2015, as the favorite to win, he claimed 2nd place again. Fraser recalls this 2015 moment not as a “win for 2nd” but a “loss for 1st”. In 2016, Fraser hit the competition floor and took 1st place, it was the first historic victory of his career, winning by the largest margin of victory in Games History. In 2017 and 2018 Fraser repeated not only his overall finish but each year has bested his own set record for winning by the larger margin of victory in Games History. In 2016 he led by 197 points, in 2017 he led by 216 points and in 2018 he led by 220 points. Fraser holds accolades in competitive sport before his time as reigning and defending