2025 CrossFit Games: Kentucky National Guard Soldiers Secure Spot

Two Kentucky Army National Guard Soldiers Qualify for 2025 CrossFit Games

FRANKFORT, Ky. – Two formidable athletes, U.S. Army Col. Eddie Simpson and 1st Lt. Erik Thomas, both proudly serving in the Kentucky Army National Guard, have successfully secured their spots in the highly esteemed 2025 CrossFit Games. This achievement highlights the significance of personal performance and opens up a new chapter for the future of Army readiness, specifically focusing on the Holistic Health and Fitness (H2F) program.

Impact of the H2F Program

As representatives of the Kentucky National Guard, Simpson and Thomas are embodiments of discipline, resilience, and total readiness. This was pointed out by Maj. Gen. Haldane B. Lamberton, the adjutant general of the organization. The pair’s accomplishments, according to Lamberton, are a testament to their personal commitment and the beneficial impact of the H2F program on developing a more potent and lethal force.

The Road to CrossFit Games

The journey to the CrossFit Games is marked by grueling competition and stringent selection processes, as detailed by Thomas, who serves as the state H2F coordinator and a transportation officer with the 307th Support Maintenance Company. “The road to the CrossFit Games begins with the global CrossFit Open, the world’s largest participatory sporting event,” said Thomas. “Hosted by local CrossFit gyms in April, the event witnessed the competition of 109,000 men. In my age group, just 30 athletes from around the world made it to the games.”

Thomas, who was introduced to CrossFit during a deployment to Iraq and Kuwait in 2012, secured his place in the games after successfully completing a series of five semi-final workouts within a demanding, high-pressure timeline. He attributes his achievement to the H2F program and the lifestyle it endorses.

Importance of Sleep and Nutrition in Physical Performance

“For me, sleep and nutrition are more than just habits – they’re tools for performance,” Thomas said. “One of the few opportunities for your mind and body to recover and reset is during sleep. I prioritized a dedicated sleep routine not just during the competition period but also in the lead-up months.”

The Five Domains of the H2F System

The H2F system revolves around five domains: physical, nutritional, mental, sleep, and spiritual. Each domain plays a crucial role in Soldier readiness. From building endurance and strength through physical training, fueling recovery and performance with nutrition, enhancing decision-making and resilience through mental fitness, supporting recovery and cognitive function with sleep, to helping Soldiers align actions with values and purpose through spiritual fitness.

The Power of SMART Goals

While attending the Master Resilience Trainer (MRT) course in 2023, Thomas set a SMART goal to qualify for the CrossFit Games by April 2025. Two years later, he fulfilled his goal. As a Master Resilience Trainer and the state’s H2F coordinator, Thomas applied the same mental performance strategies in his training that he advocates to Soldiers.

“I’ve used MRT skills like performance imagery and energy management during competition,” said Thomas. “Interestingly, my SMART goal to qualify for the CrossFit Games 2025 was set back in 2023. It served as my roadmap to success.”

The Role of Physical Fitness in Career and Personal Life

Simpson, who has coached Thomas in fitness and leadership, qualified for the CrossFit Games back in 2018, ending up 16 in the world in the men’s 45–49 age group. He has consistently trained and competed to reach the Games—achieving that milestone twice in his 15-year journey.

“Physical fitness played a key role in my career, not just for meeting standards, but also for building stronger connections with Soldiers as we pushed each other to do better,” Simpson shared. “After a knee injury in 2009, CrossFit became a fun way to rebuild and strengthen my knee muscles. I then started using it as a tool to attract recruits. It was challenging and helped build camaraderie.”

Building a New Standard for Soldier-Athletes

For both men, the CrossFit Games serve as an international platform to showcase what they have been building quietly in Kentucky: a new benchmark for what Soldier-athletes can achieve. The 2025 CrossFit Games, which will take place in Columbus, Ohio in August, will see thirty athletes in each age group, representing countries from all over the world.