Local CrossFit athlete describes training for games during coronavirus pandemic

MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Heskeith Flavien may live in Milwaukee, but home is still close to heart.

"Going to the CrossFit game representing my country, you know, that means a lot," Flavien said.

He is the only athlete on the planet to ever represent the country of St. Lucia in the CrossFit games.

After coming to the U.S. as a teenager in 2000, his version of the American dream still had a flare for the Caribbean. 

"The whole goal was to get me to come to the United States because better opportunities are here," he said.

He is now considered to be one of the fittest on Earth. He trains at CrossFit 414 on Milwaukee's east side -- a box that has helped him qualify for his second straight games. 

Right now, the event has not been postponed, but preparing in a pandemic has its challenges.

"Might be extended. We don't know how long it's going to be. But we will just keep staying as fit as we can," said Coach Marcus Wallace. 

Flavien and Wallace are using the ebbs and flows Mother Nature has thrown at them to their advantage.

"I have been thinking in training there are blocks where you ramp it up and then you de-load and drop it back down."

Training through COVID-19 looks a little different, but he knows moving is more important than ever.

"It's very important. Because of what it does to you mentally, to help you cope with what is going on, that is a big thing with me for CrossFit."

Keskeith was recently laid off from his full-time job as a result of COVID-19, but CrossFit 414 has always shown their support.

Last season, that came in the form of a fundraiser that paid for his entire trip to the CrossFit games.

"I can't ask for a better group of people -- the support is amazing. They are behind me 100 percent."