Julia Papworth

Freelance Writer

United States

Sports and social media fanatic with a penchant for football stats, CrossFit stories, witty puns, and striking filters. Competent and concise writer of copy, possessing a strong dedication to building a brand.

The Leslie Knope of her generation.

Currently shuffling words for The Fantasy Footballers & Morning Chalk Up.

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Morningchalkup
02/15/2024
But Did You Die? CrossFit Reveille’s Journey to Get AEDs Into More Affiliates

Countless CrossFit workouts will lay you out on the ground, “dying.” But on October 13, 2023, CrossFit Reveille member Tim Sheffield actually did. After completing his usual late morning class, Sheffield experienced a sudden cardiac arrest. Most people’s stories might end there. Thankfully, Tim’s doesn’t.

Morningchalkup
02/11/2024
CrossFit, Children, and the Kansas City Chiefs: The Evolution of Joshua Al-chamaa

When Joshua Al-chamaa and his CrossFit Invictus teammates were crowned the Fittest on Earth at the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games was the best moment of his life. Al-chamaa had an incredible week in Madison with his team. Everything came together perfectly at the right time. “The mantra for the whole year was going for gold. So we had that clear vision in mind that we wanted to win. I didn't expect to finish the weekend and feel as fresh as I did,” Al-chamaa tells the Morning Chalk...

Morningchalkup
01/30/2024
How Lauren Fisher Channeled Her Grief Through CrossFit

I PR’d everything the week my mom died. Lifts, gymnastics, workouts–it didn't matter. I also cried while on the Assault Bike, but not for my usual reasons. The gym was the only place I felt like myself, the only place I felt safe. It is incredible how powerful grief can be. We have seen it countless times across professional sports - athletes summoning superhuman strength amid personal tragedies to turn in performances nothing short of spectacular.

Morningchalkup
12/05/2023
Slowing the Parkinson’s Progression with CrossFit

Veronica Romero, the owner of CrossFit Warehouse in Alsip, IL, is used to training all sorts of athletes. Owning the affiliate since 2018, Romero ran teen and traditional CrossFit classes until recently, when something pushed her to expand her offerings.

Home Grown Releaf
10/05/2023
CrossFit Games Recovery with HGR CBD

For four days in August 2023, Devyn Kim and members of the CrossFit Invictus team ran, lifted, sweat, and bled at the 2023 CrossFit Games

Morningchalkup
07/23/2023
How the Love of Group Suffering Created a Passion Project Called Grit

With a background in general weightlifting and playing football, Alletto was no stranger to suffering. He loved the gym culture and pushing himself to the limit, and discovering CrossFit was another thing to add to the repertoire. He knew it was for him after the first workout of the 2012 Open–seven minutes of burpees.

Morningchalkup
07/02/2023
Will Moorad: Older, Wiser, and Full of Fire

CrossFit athletes have had some extraordinary accomplishments this year, one of the biggest being the qualification for the CrossFit Games for the 10th year by Noah Ohlson, Cole Sager, and BKG. Celebrating the consistency these three men have demonstrated in this sport is a fantastic feat. But there is another guy who has been around for ten years, competing on the Regionals stage for the first time in 2013–Will Moorad.

Morningchalkup
06/21/2023
CrossFit Rotherham: Bouncing Right Back, All The Way To The Games

Teams of four qualify to go to the CrossFit Games, but at the Europe Semifinal, five members of CrossFit Rotherham stood together and embraced when their names were called. Rotherham took the tenth spot in Europe with 396 points and punched their first ticket to the CrossFit Games. But the journey was not easy.

Morningchalkup
06/20/2023
Summertime Squatting with Caffeine and Kilos: A Free Program

The days are longer, the sun is shining, and all of a sudden, it’s summertime strong season. You know what I’m talking about – it’s that training outside, chilling by the pool, and running on the beach kind of time, and Caffeine and Kilos is all about it.

Morningchalkup
06/19/2023
The Pretty Little Lifters: How Tiffany Ragozzino is Changing the PE Game

If you stumble upon Tiffany Ragozzino’s Instagram page – entitled The Pretty Little Lifters – you will see a brightly colored feed full of inspiration and positivity, an intentional step away from the negative diet culture that has infiltrated social media in recent years. A middle school Physical Education (PE) teacher, Ragozzino wakes up every day with a goal – to teach teens and women the things she wished she had learned in PE and Health classes growing up. Pretty Little Lifters, or...

Morningchalkup
06/08/2023
Bethany Flores, The Comeback Kid

It has been a roller coaster for Bethany Shadburne over the past 2-3 years. First, she married, tying the knot with Randy Flores, a strength and conditioning coach for the LA Lakers. Now proudly a Flores, Bethany plans to rock the name on her competition jerseys moving forward. Beyond her personal life, Bethany has lived some of the highest highs and the lowest lows in CrossFit since 2021, culminating this season with her 6th qualification for the CrossFit Games after a 5th place finish...

Morning Chalk Up
06/02/2023
Jonne Koski Sets an Unofficial Record in Test 2

Jonne Koski was Mr. Consistent in Test 2 at the Europe Semifinal, finishing with an unofficial test record of 57 reps, edging out Scott Tetlow and Colton Mertens, who clocked 56 reps last week at the North America West Semifinal.

Morning Chalk Up
05/19/2023
Alison Stall: Competing for Two at the North America East Semifinal

While most women at the North America East Semifinal this weekend are worried about qualifying for the CrossFit Games, Electric City Fitness Co. athlete Alison Stall has another concern on her mind. Vomiting. You see, Stall is almost 14 weeks pregnant with a baby girl and extremely nauseous right now.

Morning Chalk Up
05/20/2023
Men's Field in North America East Semifinal Hit With Withdrawals

Saturday in Orlando has proven to be an especially tough day for the male field at the North America East Semifinal. The men's field has been riddled with withdrawals, and here is the latest. Griffin Roelle Going into Day 2 for the Individuals, we learned that Griffin Roelle had withdrawn from the North America East Semifinal overnight.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
05/16/2023
Fantasy Football: Superflex League Draft Strategies

This season Andy, Mike, and Jason finally gave in to all the pressure and added Superflex rankings to The Fantasy Footballers website. The rejoicing was palpable across the fantasy community. If you are just starting to spread your wings in the Superflex space or are experienced in the area, draft strategies differ for this type of league from your traditional redraft.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/21/2023
The Fantasy Footballers' Early WR Rankings: Top 10

Andy, Mike, and Jason are back with the rest of their 2023 WR rankings. If you missed WR20-11, go back to the Tuesday's show and check it out. Today the guys address the top 10 WRs and a quick reminder as we jump into the rankings, these are a range of outcomes of where these players might end up.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/19/2023
2023 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Rashee Rice (Fantasy Football)

The 2023 draft is filled with talent, but this year the chatter is falling on RBs. And QBs. And TEs. Basically, every position player besides WR. After last year's bounty of WRs, it seemed like we came back down to Earth with the pass-catchers of this year. But talent still exists.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/18/2023
The Fantasy Footballers' Early WR Rankings: 20-11

As the NFL draft gets close, Andy, Mike, and Jason take a look at the 2023 WR rankings. Today the guys address WR20-11, and a quick reminder as we jump into the rankings, these are a range of outcomes of where these players might end up. This is not a deep dive.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
03/29/2023
2023 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Tanner McKee (Fantasy Football)

With all the chatter about a heavily touted QB draft class, you would think the only four guys to play under center during the 2022 season were named CJ, Bryce, Will, or Anthony. But spoiler alert, there were many other college football teams, and each of them had a QB.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
03/23/2023
2023 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Sam LaPorta (Fantasy Football)

Hi, my name is Julia, and I am a card-carrying member of the "I got burned by Kyle Pitts " club. I remember the time well...a fresh-faced, bright-eyed TE from Florida waltzed into the NFL carrying the weight of the world and future-assumed Kelce-level greatness, and I fell for him.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
03/05/2023
2023 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Marvin Mims Jr. (Fantasy Football)

One of my favorite television shows is "Friday Night Lights," the story about the Panthers football team from a high school in Dillon, Texas. The show epitomizes everything that Texas football is. Clear eyes, full hearts, can't lose.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
02/23/2023
2023 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Tank Bigsby (Fantasy Football)

As we close the door on the epic 2022 fantasy season, we open the window to the dynasty offseason and the rookies that it brings. Whether you are a seasoned dynasty player or fresh to the scene, you may have heard how deep this 2023 rookie RB class is.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
02/07/2023
The TRUTH: Top WRs in 2022 Part 2 (Fantasy Football)

The TRUTH series is back, and so are Andy, Mike, and Jason as they tackle WRs 11 and up to break down how much these players helped fantasy managers during the 2022 season. Make sure to check out The TRUTH about WRs 1-10 as well!

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
02/03/2023
The TRUTH: Top-10 WRs in 2022 (Fantasy Football)

It is a new month, and Andy, Mike, and Jason are back with their TRUTH series - today, the guys tackled the top-10 WRs to dissect how much these players helped fantasy managers during the 2022 season. Before we jump in, here is a quick reminder on how the TRUTH scores are calculated.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
12/30/2022
The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap - Week 17

As you settle in for championship week, remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers Podcast, available wherever you listen to your podcasts. Congratulations if you made it out of your semi-championship week! Andy, Mike, and Jason start the week off by getting sophisticated. News Studs Hard to believe, but there were some great performances this week.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
12/23/2022
The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap - Week 16

Check out The Fantasy Footballers Podcast - available wherever you listen to your podcasts. What. A. Weekend. After Andy, Mike, and Jason get sophisticated, the guys start with the news. News If you have Jonathan Taylor, you will have to make other arrangements, as he has been diagnosed with a high ankle sprain and will probably be done for the season.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
12/17/2022
The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap Week 15

As we welcome in playoff weeks, remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers Podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. It is best friend day with Mike and Jason! After getting sophisticated, the guys jump right into the news.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
12/02/2022
The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap - Week 13

Welcome to the post-Megalodon show! Remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers Podcast, available on these platforms - After reflecting on a tough fantasy week for one person in particular, Andy, Mike, and Jason get sophisticated. News Damien Harris exited with a thigh injury on Thursday, and Rhamondre gains more power as the season progresses.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
10/08/2022
The Fantasy Footballers Podcast Recap - Week 5

Remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers podcast wherever you listen to your podcasts. Big announcement this Monday - The Ballers will be live on Twitch for Thursday Night Football with a fantasy focus! Join Andy, Mike, and Jason this week. After the announcement, the gentlemen get sophisticated.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
09/24/2022
The Fantasy Footballers' Podcast Recap for Week 3

Welcome into a fun show today following an exciting weekend! After getting sophisticated, Andy, Mike, and Jason jump right in. The FootClan resources are starting to cook, so check out the website with tools like the streamfinder, the strength of schedule, and more. Also, remember to listen to The Fantasy Footballers Podcast!

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
09/01/2022
What Do We Do With Joe Burrow in 2022? (Fantasy Football)

Joe Burrow has swag. No one can deny this fact. On the heels of an incredible season, bouncing back from a 2020 season-ending injury, he led the Cinderella story Cincinnati Bengals to an AFC Championship and a Super Bowl berth. He ended 2021 as the QB8, playing 16 games, with an average of 20.52 fantasy points per game.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
08/25/2022
Here Comes the Sun God: Should You Bet On Amon-Ra St. Brown? (Fantasy Football)

Ja'Marr Chase, LSU. Jaylen Waddle, Alabama. DeVonta Smith, Alabama. Kadarius Toney, Florida. Rashod Bateman, Minnesota. Eighteen WRs were taken before Amon-Ra St. Brown was drafted mid-fourth round in the 2021 NFL draft by the Detroit Lions, and on the second episode of this season's HBO Hard Knocks, we learned that Brown knows the name and school of each one.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
08/10/2022
The Fantasy Footballers Top-10 RB Rankings for 2022

Welcome to the RB rankings! On Tuesday's show Andy, Mike, and Jason tackled RB 1 - 10. If you want to dive deeper into the rankings, head over to the website and check out the UDK+ for the player profiles, consistency charts, and the draft analyzer.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
08/06/2022
The Fantasy Footballers' Top-10 WR Rankings for 2022

On Friday's show, the Fantasy Footballers talked top-10 WR rankings and the high-end players that will make a difference for your fantasy teams. Top 10 WR Rankings A note heading into the top ten - we looked at the top ten ADP WRs over the last five years, and there was a 44% bust rate ...

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
08/01/2022
It's Complicated: What to Do with 2022 Ambiguous Backfields (Fantasy Football)

Fantasy backfields can be frustrating, complicated, and downright maddening. The same can be said about how fantasy owners approach them. Some owners steer clear nervous about drafting the "wrong" player, and instead target teams with clear RB1s, but often at a high draft cost, causing them to have fewer options at other positions in the draft.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
07/04/2022
The Path to a WR1 Fantasy Football Season: Michael Thomas

Editor's Note: This profile is part of our annual Path to a Fantasy WR1 Season series. Make sure you read the 2022 Path to WR1 Series Primer for our methodology and an outline of the process. To remind you, we are not saying Michael Thomas will be a WR1 this season; we are just discussing the path of ...

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
06/22/2022
The Path to a WR1 Fantasy Football Season: Allen Lazard

Editor's Note: This profile is part of our annual Path to a Fantasy WR1 Season series . For our methodology and an outline of the process, make sure you read the 2022 Path to WR1 Series Primer . Our well-loved series, " Path to a WR1," is back for the 2022 season!

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
06/15/2022
Second Year Breakout WR Candidates: Who Can Make the Leap? (Fantasy Football)

Few things in life are more certain than death, taxes, and wide receivers breaking out during their second or third season. In every fantasy off-season, there is an abundance of talk around the water cooler about who will be the "player du jour" to make the leap, that pass catcher that you can sneakily draft off the board in the later rounds.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
06/08/2022
Make Up or Break Up: Ryan Tannehill (Fantasy Football)

Dear Ryan, Oh, Ryan Timothy Tannehill III, what a complicated ride we have been on together. You caught my eye after being drafted by the Miami Dolphins in 2012. Already a seasoned fantasy player, I would not jump the gun and draft an untested rookie, but I decided to keep my eye on you from afar.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
05/24/2022
What Do We Do With Saquon Barkley? (Fantasy Football)

I was recently on a call with my fellow Fantasy Footballers writers. It was a yearly catch-up meeting where we talked about our lives, writing, and generally get centered heading into the upcoming NFL season.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
05/13/2022
Make Up or Break Up: Terry McLaurin (Fantasy Football)

Dear Terry, Oh, Scary Terry, where to begin. I guess like with all stories; we start at the beginning. You first caught my eye three seasons ago when you were a rookie with the then-named Washington Football Team. As the season began, you were a rookie prospect drafted in the third round to a team ...

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/22/2022
2022 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Jalen Tolbert (Fantasy Football)

Amid the talk of the lackluster QB and TE options in the 2022 draft class, there is a glimmer of hope in this offensive lineup - the wide receivers. This year's incoming WR class is as diverse as it is deep. You have your speedsters and durable runners and your undersized specimens and statuesque athletes.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/16/2022
Make Up or Break Up: Allen Robinson (Fantasy Football)

Dear Mr. Robinson, Here's to you, sir. At least here's to the good times we had together. Remember the good old days? Let me remind you - the start of our life together began in 2015 when you were a Jacksonville Jaguar. You were fresh off your rookie season, wide-eyed, and ready to take the ...

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/13/2022
2022 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Carson Strong (Fantasy Football)

Look up the term "college pocket passer" in the dictionary, and you will see a picture of Carson Strong. In a world where the dual-threat QB is highly touted, for NFL and for fantasy, the existence of the pocket passer is slowly fading. Fading, but not disappearing completely.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/06/2022
2022 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Khalil Shakir (Fantasy Football)

We are back with our rookie profile series, and today we are looking at WR Khalil Shakir. The 2022 NFL draft is filled with talented WRs, and Shakir is no different. A 4-star recruit hailing from Murrieta, CA, Shakir played in ten games as a true freshman at Boise State in 2018.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
04/01/2022
2022 Draft Rookie Profile: Charlie Kolar (Fantasy Football)

As we continue with our rookie draft profile series we move to the Midwest. There has been a lot of talk about Iowa State leading up to the 2022 NFL draft, with the potential number one RB prospect Breece Hall hailing from the school. But the Cyclones are not just Breece Hall.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
03/25/2022
2022 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: John Metchie III (Fantasy Football)

John Metchie III did not have the end to the college career he had envisioned. Instead of catching a TD in the National Championship game and fighting for a win with his Alabama teammates, he was on the sideline recovering from a season-ending injury.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
03/18/2022
2022 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Erik Ezukanma (Fantasy Football)

Good luck trying to say Erik Ezukanma's name three times fast. You might not even be able to say it once. In a draft season highlighted with the names like Garrett Wilson, Drake London, and Chris Olave, you might not have heard Ezukanma's name very often.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
03/09/2022
2022 NFL Draft Rookie Profile: Tyler Allgeier (Fantasy Football)

In September 2021, Tyler Allgeier was starting his third year playing at BYU. The Fontana, California native was on the field near the end of the third quarter, with his team holding on to a 21-17 lead over 19 th ranked Arizona State.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
02/28/2022
2022 NFL Rookie Draft Profile: Desmond Ridder (Fantasy Football)

There has been a lot of chatter as of late about Cincinnati QBs. As Joe Burrow led the Cinderella Cincinnati Bengals into the Super Bowl, another Ohio QB looks to make a name for himself moving forward. Desmond Ridder, the QB of the Cincinnati Bearcats, will be entering the 2022 NFL Draft.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
09/01/2021
The Case of the Back-Up RB for Fantasy Football

Players get hurt every week in the NFL. We see the most horrific injuries on our television screens - like Joe Burrow ripping his knee apart to Dak Prescott bending his leg backward, and we gasp in shock. Once we get over the human factor of this injury - which cannot be emphasized enough here, ...

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
08/25/2021
Why Austin Ekeler Will Help Win Your Fantasy Football League in 2021

As a newer writer for The Fantasy Footballers, it was a joy to choose my inaugural "My Guy" this year. When I first started listening to Andy, Mike, and Jason, it was their annual "My Guys" episode that piqued my interest in the show and made me hit the subscribe button.

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
07/15/2021
Will the Real Jalen Hurts Please Stand Up? (Fantasy Football)

The year was 2020. I had squeaked into my league playoffs with a 7-6 record, streaming QBs all season after losing Dak Prescott in Week 5. It was the semi-final week, and I had just seen my opponent's stack of Josh Allen and Stefon Diggs put me in a hole so deep I could not ...

Fantasy Footballers Podcast
07/01/2021
The Path to a WR1 Fantasy Football Season: Adam Thielen

Editor's Note: This profile is part of our annual Path to a Fantasy WR1 Season series. For our methodology and an outline of the process, make sure you read the 2021 Path to WR1 Series Primer. Just like Andy last year, I was a Justin Jefferson truther.

Crossfit
05/14/2014
Heavy Hitters Bat for Team: Pera and Hughes

When the first round of SoCal individual athletes responded to their invitation to regionals, a record 19 women and 15 men in the top 48 in each respective division declined. Two of the biggest declines came from Games vet Jon Pera, fifth in SoCal after the Open, and Chelsey Hughes, second in SoCal after the Open.

Crossfit
07/17/2013
Kris Clever: Shouldering it All

"Kris showed real guts and determination to fight through and still finish in fourth at one of the strongest Regionals," Sam Briggs says. Kris Clever is nothing but consistent. In the last four years, she has not only qualified for the CrossFit Games, she has finished no lower than fourth place in the world, even winning the title of Fittest on Earth in 2010.

Crossfit
04/01/2013
The New Girl's Max Greenfield Takes on the Open

"Look, I am kind of obsessed. People at work are so sick of hearing about it. If someone asks me a question about CrossFit in the makeup trailer I have to announce to the cast that I am only answering a question and not bringing up the subject myself."

Crossfit
07/19/2013
The Difference a Year Can Make: Team CDR Redlands

"We just want to have a good time. Last year, we did anything but have a good time." After placing 24th at the 2012 Reebok CrossFit Games, Team CDR Redlands went to the 2013 SoCal Regional aiming for a podium spot and another shot to go to Carson, Calif.

Crossfit
05/15/2013
Why So Many SoCal Individuals Have Gone Team

"Competing as an individual last year was stressful, and I felt like I was alone on an island," Katie Crowe says. "(Competing on my team) has given me a new sense of community." The 2013 SoCal Regional is days away, and the team rosters are solidified.

Crossfit
03/21/2013
Joey Altobelli: Just Getting Started

"As an athlete, I always want to see myself on the top of the Leaderboard ... but I have to try to remind myself that the season literally just started." Joey Altobelli was predicted to do well in the 2013 Reebok CrossFit Games Open, and be a top contender at the Southern California Regional.

Crossfit
08/01/2006
The Fire of Team CrossFit Eagle Rock

"We've been hovering here (around 30th) the whole time," Anne said. "We're confident 14.5 will open the field a bit more and help us get in." Photos courtesy of Dana Barsuhn and Jan Austad. A family who competes together, stays together. As young football, track and gymnastics stars, this mantra rings true for the fiery, redheaded Austads siblings.

Crossfit
08/01/2006
Danny B's Year in Southern California

"I believe I can win, and I put in the work to end up on top." Last year, Dan Bailey was in a tight race at the Central East Regional. He had been consistent all weekend, never finishing lower than ninth place in an event, and managed to hold off a surging Graham Holmberg to capture third place along with his third consecutive ticket to the CrossFit Games.