One Italian Athlete Turned Determination into Reality
To “realizzare” a dream—to make it real—is something most people talk about but few actually do. Francesca Marchiori, a Master 35 athlete and coach from Cantieri CrossFit®, didn’t just talk about her goals—she realized them. Her journey to the CrossFit® Games 2024 in Birmingham is a testament to what it means to transform ambition into achievement.
“L’anno scorso avevo fissato l’obiettivo di partecipare ai Games, segnandolo come un sogno da realizzare nella mia agenda.” With those words, Francesca described what was once a distant vision—one that seemed nearly impossible.
The rules changed. The qualification pool expanded. And with those shifting tides came the chance she had once only dared to write down. “Così abbiamo deciso di provare, vedendo questo come un anno di prova, senza troppa pressione.” But instead of just testing the waters, Francesca found herself standing among the top 40 competitors, on one of the sport’s most elite stages.
The path to realization wasn’t a smooth sprint—it was a grinding, disciplined march. She trained seven days a week, often twice a day, alongside fellow athletes Franci and Lucia. “Mi allenavo anche il sabato e la domenica… lasciandomi solo il mercoledì come giorno di riposo.” Balancing coaching, training, and her personal life, Francesca embraced fatigue and stress not as burdens but as necessary ingredients in the recipe of success.
And when she finally arrived in Birmingham, she was met not by intimidating rivals, but a circle of kindred spirits. “L’atmosfera era davvero tranquilla, serena… gareggiare in un ambiente così competitivo ma allo stesso tempo rilassato è stata una delle cose che ho apprezzato di più.”
Still, the Games tested her limits. “La sfida maggiore è stata il primo giorno di gara: non ho dormito praticamente niente la notte prima.” Battling nerves and exhaustion, she had to silence the voice that told her she wasn’t ready. And she did. She competed. She learned. She grew.
“L’idea stessa di essere lì è stata un momento indelebile.” Representing not just Cantieri CrossFit®, but Italy itself, Francesca stood on the floor as proof that dreams don’t have to remain ink on a planner. With heart and perseverance, they can be realized.
The impact of this experience continues to ripple through her mindset. “L’esperienza ai Games mi ha dato maggiore sicurezza nelle mie capacità.” No longer haunted by pre-competition anxiety, Francesca now approaches her next challenge—Wodapalooza 2025—with confidence and joy.
Behind the scenes, the camaraderie among athletes was just as powerful as the competition. Shared mistakes, mutual encouragement, and a collective spirit made even the backstage moments unforgettable. While not everything was perfect—the judging, the venue layout—Francesca stayed focused on what mattered most: being there.
“Essere lì a rappresentare Cantieri CrossFit® e tutte le Master italiane… è stato un onore enorme.” From her decade-long commitment to CrossFit® to her advice to future Masters—“La costanza è fondamentale”—Francesca embodies what it means to realizzare.
Realizzare is not just about the moment on stage. It’s about the early mornings, the sacrificed weekends, the anxious nights, and the supportive voices that keep you pushing forward. It’s about honoring the process as much as the prize.
Francesca Marchiori’s journey reminds us that realization isn’t magic—it’s motion. It’s the slow, steady progression from intention to manifestation. Her story serves as both inspiration and blueprint for anyone holding onto a dream. If you want to realizzare, be prepared to do what she did: write it down, show up every day, and surround yourself with people who lift you higher.
Source:
- https://youtu.be/B9kTwwJeTlQ?si=QR_WWlmpe8NZlTix
- https://crossmag.it/francesca-marchiori-ai-crossfit-games-2024-ancora-oggi-faccio-fatica-a-realizzare-che-tutto-questo-sia-successo-davvero/
- https://chatgpt.com/
- https://app.pictory.ai/
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