"It Helped Me Get to the CrossFit Games" | James Sprague on Embracing AIRWAAV
When it comes to peak athletic performance, every edge counts. For James Sprague, a CrossFit Games athlete, one critical tool in his arsenal is the AIRWAAV mouthpiece. This isn’t just about having the right gear; it's about leveraging science and technology to push the boundaries of what’s possible. James's journey from an unmotivated gym-goer to a dedicated athlete underscores the transformative power of the right mindset and the right tools.
From Humble Beginnings to Professional Athlete
James’s story began in a familiar setting: the gym. He was inspired by his father, who was dedicated to his fitness routine. James admits he wasn't initially motivated or particularly fit, but seeing his father’s commitment sparked a change in him. "Day by day, I started becoming a better athlete and grew side by side with my dad in the gym," he recalls. This father-son bonding experience laid the foundation for James's athletic journey.
The transition to professional athlete status was marked by a significant life change. Two years ago, James moved to Florida, dedicating himself entirely to becoming a top-tier athlete. "From dawn to dusk, it was all about how can I maximize health, how can I maximize my performance," he says. This commitment to excellence in every aspect of his life set the stage for incorporating advanced tools like the AIRWAAV mouthpiece into his routine.
Discovering AIRWAAV
James's introduction to the AIRWAAV mouthpiece was serendipitous. He noticed many people in his gym using it and decided to try it out himself. The impact was immediate and profound. "Ever since I put it in, I was like, wow, this is game changing," James shares. The mouthpiece offered benefits that James hadn't anticipated, helping him in ways that went beyond simple comfort.
One of the first improvements he noticed was a reduction in teeth grinding during intense lifts. "I don't grind my teeth," James notes, highlighting how the mouthpiece allows him to channel what he amusingly calls his "face energy" into the AIRWAAV mouthpiece. This has helped prevent headaches that used to accompany his heavy lifting sessions.
Breathing Better, Performing Better
For any athlete, breathing efficiency is crucial, and this is especially true in a high-intensity sport like CrossFit. James explains that the AIRWAAV mouthpiece helps him breathe more effectively. "I feel like it opens my airway, like literally I can get deeper breaths and get more controlled breaths," he says. This improvement in his breathing has allowed him to control his workouts better, enhancing his overall performance.
Before using the AIRWAAV mouthpiece, James struggled with intentional breathing, a key component for athletic success. The mouthpiece bridged this gap, enabling him to take deep, controlled breaths, crucial for maintaining oxygen supply during demanding workouts. "In our sport, we need more oxygen, and we need that supply to perform well," James explains, emphasizing how vital proper breathing is to athletic success.
Scientifically Proven, Athlete Approved
The efficacy of the AIRWAAV mouthpiece isn't just anecdotal; it's scientifically backed and used by many high-level athletes. James's personal success with the mouthpiece is a testament to its effectiveness. "It's one of the many tools I use to bridge my gap from being a semifinals level athlete to a CrossFit Games athlete," he says.
The AIRWAAV mouthpiece contributes to James's performance by helping him stay focused and in the moment. It aids in his bracing mechanics and breathing, allowing him to channel his efforts more effectively into his lifts and conditioning exercises. "The AIRWAAV mouthpiece makes me 1% better by allowing me to stay in that moment and focus on my bracing mechanics and my breathing," James asserts. In the competitive world of CrossFit, that 1% can make all the difference.