January 2026 Newsletter: Fresh Start, Commit & Save, Nutrition Workshop
Marble City,
Happy New Year! I hope your holidays were filled with joy, peace, family, and a few workouts you’ll remember for the rest of your life.
As we ring in 2026, a lot will be going on over the next few months and I’m grateful to share all of these moments with you guys.
Also, The Open is coming.
High fives and headbutts,
Clay
Overview
• Nutrition Workshop
• Zach Earns Qualifier Spot for FOTC
• Bring a Friend Week Dates
• 2026 CrossFit Open
• January Member of the Month
• Bring a Friend Week Dates
• Commit & Save in 2026
Nutrition Workshop
Join Clay for the Nutrition Workshop on Saturday, January 3rd at 7:45am
Whether you’ve been doing CrossFit for 2 weeks, 2 years, or almost 2 decades, our program’s pursuit of health and athletic development is founded upon our diet.
Everyone comes from a different perspective when we come together for things like this. Maybe you’d like to hear strategies from someone who isn’t a floating head on TikTok. Maybe you’ve tried Keto, Carnivore, Paleo, and Whole30 and none of those stuck with you. Perhaps you’d just like a hard reset going into 2026. We’ll dive into the methodology behind why and what we do, how our nutrition prescription can help you level up, and lastly, we’ll discuss strategies and tactics you can take to apply these principles to make this year the fittest year you’ve ever had.
When: Saturday, January 3rd at 7:45am
Where: Marble City CrossFit
Family members welcome
Zach Qualifies for Fittest of the Coast
Congratulations to Zach Sale who qualified to compete in the RX Division of Fittest of the Coast 2026.
This annual competition held in Charleston, SC brings many top athletes from the southeast each year for a multi-day event held in a large arena with tons of spectators, vendors, and divisions of all ages.
The competition is February 13-15.
If you’re looking for a long weekend vacation, come hit the beach with us for a few days and cheer him on!
Bring a Friend Week
Mark your calendars for our Bring a Friend Week from January 26-31.
This is your invite to share the Marble City experience with someone who needs it — your gym buddy who hasn’t joined yet, your co-worker who’s “so bored of the elliptical”, or that friend who keeps saying “I could never do CrossFit” (👀 yes, you can).
All week long, members can bring a friend to class — for FREE.
No pressure.
No experience needed. Just good vibes, good coaching, and a little sweat.
The CrossFit Open Starts Here!
The 2026 CrossFit Open is coming February 26 and registration opens January 14th.
The Open is for everyone and everybody at Marble City participates — whether you’ve been doing CrossFit for a long time or just started yesterday.
You don’t want to miss out on this — ask someone in class for the lowdown of their experience!
For now, here are 3 things to know and to be on the lookout for within the next few weeks:
1. Sign up for the Open on January 14th so you can be included in this worldwide event with all of your gym friends. We had 57 participants last year and we’d love to top that number this year!
Read this article to learn more.
2. Take the (NEW!) Judges Course and email us a copy of your certificate so we can proudly have it on display at the gym! We’re looking for a stellar team of volunteers to judge The Open workouts, and this course will teach you what you need to know, make you a great judge, and even make you a better athlete. The judges make The Open a huge success. Read this article on how becoming a judge can improve your own performance.
3. Sponsor the Open. Do you own a local business and want to help us make the Open extra special and fun? Reply to this email to learn more! From food and drinks to giveaways, we aim to make The Open incredible for anyone who participates.
January Member of the Month
Catherine McMillen
Name and Any Nicknames:
Catherine McMillen – no nicknames ever
Where were you born and where did you grow up?
Knoxville – I have never lived outside the 37919 zip code
How long have you been CrossFitting and how did you find your way into Marble City?
I’ve been CrossFitting at Marble City consistently for about a year and a half. I found my way there through my friend, Kandi, who introduced me to the gym—I just followed her lead. Following Kandi is never a bad thing.
What keeps you coming back to Marble City?
If I don’t work out, I’m a nightmare to be around, so getting in a daily workout is non-negotiable. But what actually keeps me coming back to Marble City is the people. The community there is supportive, motivating, and genuinely great to be around. That’s what makes MC special and why I enjoy it so much
What does Marble City mean to you and how has the gym impacted your life?
Marble City means growth and perspective to me. Even though I complain before and during every workout, I keep coming back because it consistently pushes me outside my comfort zone. I can’t do everything in the workouts yet, like muscle-ups or handstand push-ups, and that bothers me more than I care to admit. But I am learning to sit with that discomfort and work through it rather than avoid it. The gym has helped me accept that I’m not going to be good at everything—and that I don’t need to be to be successful. Some days I surprise myself, and other days I struggle, but both are part of the process.
Can you share a memorable experience or achievement from your time at Marble City?
I love that I get to work out alongside my daughter, Parker. Even though she rarely speaks to me or makes eye contact in the gym (unless she needs a drink), I am still grateful for the experience. It makes me genuinely happy knowing she’s being introduced early to discipline, consistency, and the idea that taking care of your body is just part of life. Watching her grow up seeing fitness as something normal and even enjoyable feels like a meaningful win
What are your current fitness goals?
My current fitness goals are to get butterfly pull-ups and a bar muscle-up in 2026. Beyond that, I plan to compete in at least three Spartan races in 2026, with the goal of placing in the top three of my age group in at least one of them.
Program your dream workout:
I like long workouts and dislike short sprints. My ideal workout is an hour or two grinder that involves running.
Favorite and least favorite lift?
Favorite = Deadlift
Least favorite = Snatch
How do you spend your time outside of Marble City? Do you have any hobbies?
Outside of Marble City, I work full-time as an environmental engineer and stay busy with my two kids. When I’m not doing laundry nonstop, I like running, playing tennis, and competing in Spartan races.
What are you currently recommending? (Books, movies, shows, food, etc)
Stranger Things, duh.
Any advice for new Marble City CrossFitters?
Make exercise a priority and don’t quit. Show up to class even on the days you don’t feel like it—you’ll always feel better afterward.
Commit to 2026 & Save BIG!
Will you be training at the gym for the full year of 2026? Us too!
Save money and be rewarded for your commitment!
Pay in full for 12 months and receive a 10% discount. (1+ Month FREE)
Spots are limited to the first 10 members to claim this offer.
Email Clay at support@marblecitycrossfit.com to get registered for the year.
Humbly, this will help the gym in a big way as we prepare for a new year. Therefore, if you are able to claim the offer, we thank you in advance because we love what we get to do at Marble City and want to coach and support you for years to come.
Students and Couples Memberships are eligible for participation.
Offer is valid through 01/31/26
