Every morning, I open up my Facebook page to someone hating…about something…anything. At what point did we become such complainers? Myself included. Here are some thoughts…
Remember the scene from the movie 'Jerry Maguire' when Tom Cruise had an epiphany, went a little crazy, and wrote a manuscript leaving him jobless and fiancé-less?
I do.
As I write this, I sort of feel like Jerry Maguire. I don’t know what the reaction or outcome will be in response to what I’m about to say, but I know it needs to be said. This message needs to be heard by everyone who has some involvement in spreading CrossFit, and also by those that don’t…yet. If you don’t like this message, I apologize ahead of time, but this is the cold, hard truth so pay attention…
When Reebok and CrossFit partnered back in 2010, nobody understood the intent and it felt like a wooden stake had been driven into each and every one of our hearts. It was a gut-wrenching feeling, almost like finding out that Santa Clause didn’t exist for the first time. It was heartbreaking. CrossFit had sold out. Or so we thought.
I came from the “grass-roots” class of CrossFit, throwing down with a rusty barbell, in a gym smaller than my bedroom, surrounded by shirtless guys and ‘puke’ buckets in every corner. My first competition was the 2009 Regionals at Tony Blauer’s facility in Fairfax, VA. It was raw, intimate, and had this super cool ‘underground’ vibe that made me feel special. A large number of guys were head-to-toe covered in tattoos with girls that looked like they could bench press the world while exuding this super sexiness. Fight Club with barbells and pull-up bars.
I left that weekend feeling part of something that couldn’t be explained or done, to and by, the ‘average’ person. Clearly…I was wrong. Way wrong.
As CrossFit grew, so did I. By that, I refer to the true meaning of CrossFit - Coach Glassman’s vision.
I continued to do these workouts with my friend, Dave Lipson (who first introduced me to CrossFit back in 2008), still not fully understanding what CrossFit was. The workouts were crazy, accomplishing more work in 5-10 minutes than I could ever do in my typical 2-hour gym routine. I needed to learn more about this fitness program.
In 2009 I went through the Level 1 and Level 2 Trainer Course. Attended several specialty seminars and still, even then, I didn’t get it. I thought I did. I really thought I understood it. Regurgitating ‘constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensities’ to anyone that asked me what CrossFit was. But what did that mean? I felt like a fraud and needed to delve deeper into what I was delivering.
It wasn’t until I started reading, researching, asking people who had been in the game a lot longer than I, that I really started to understand the magic of CrossFit and what it really meant.
I could feel Coach Glassman’s vision. The penny was dropping.
In early 2010 I began the internship process for the Level 1 Seminar Staff and the metaphoric puzzle pieces started to come together. I was seeing, actually seeing and living Coach‘s vision week in and week out. This fitness program that had the potential to make you “look sexy naked” and give you results that you never knew possible, was so much more powerful than could be explained…so much than just a workout.
After being giving ‘the nod’ to become a CFHQ Seminar Staff member, I committed my weekends to being part of a team of individuals that live, breathe and ooze CrossFit. It was then, and only then that I got it! Slam-dunk! Exposing as many individuals as possible to CrossFit, and delivering it with excellence to anyone that will listen.
CROSSFIT IS FOR ANYONE.
It is for anyone. Not just the elite or the underground circle of tattooed, chiseled abs, “fire breathing” ninjas that I (thought) had once been exposed to. Anyone can do this. ANYONE. But, in order for them to jump on board they first need the exposure. They need to know it exists and it what it stands for. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to that kind of exposure. And, by everyone I mean the rest of the world.
Cue Reebok.
We (the U.S, Canada, even Australia) have been the lucky ones. CrossFit originated out of Santa Cruz, California. It started small and back then finding a box to WOD required traveling far and wide. That is no longer the case. CrossFit has organically grown to the point where most people (in the U.S) probably live within 15-20 miles of a gym.
Note: “People in the U.S.” What a luxury, huh? Good form.
So, what about the rest of the world? What about India? What about Japan? What about Russia, Vietnam, Korea, the many poverty-stricken countries of Africa? How do they get on board??
Cue Reebok.
Reebok elevates CrossFit to the masses. I will say it again. Reebok elevates CrossFit to the masses. The masses! Some countries don’t know or trust CrossFit, but they need CrossFit for the health and, more importantly, survival of their kind. These countries DO trust Reebok. They know Reebok. Reebok has the backing power to bring CrossFit to these countries. Reebok can help assist CrossFit and Coach Glassman’s vision of a creating a healthy, independently functioning, fit and happier world.
“Fit people can change lives.” – Coach Greg Glassman
Change is inevitable. First, it was the addition of adding in a qualifying regional to compete in the Games. Then, we were introduced to a sectional qualifier before competing at regionals. Finally, moving the finals from Aromas, CA to the very prestigious Home Depot Center. Not to mention infamous ‘movement standard’ requirements within these events. CrossFit is forever changing and the addition of Reebok’s involvement may not be the last curve ball.
What’s the point of this article? To educate, and hopefully inspire those that don’t agree or feel anger towards this relationship. I encourage you to jump on board and help bring CrossFit to every corner of the world and all that lies in between. Ask questions; fill your toolbox with knowledge and information that can better the lives of those around you. Ditch any form of negativity. Replace it with an attitude that takes an obstacle and turns it into an opportunity to be better.
So here’s the long and short of it. Reebok’s role is to elevate CrossFit – pretty cool stuff! CrossFit authenticates Reebok as a brand. Not a bad deal at all. I am on board with the direction CrossFit is heading and fully believe in Coach Glassman’s vision…I hope you guys are too.
This is NOT about Reebok; it’s about ELEVATING CrossFit and making more people awesomely healthy.
Chuck Carswell, a fellow CrossFit trainer and good friend once said, “The people change, but the message stays the same.”
Believe in that.
Believe in Coach Glassman.
CrossFit sold out? Absolutely not.
CrossFit is MOVING ON UP! Believe it.
Remember the scene from the movie 'Jerry Maguire' when Tom Cruise had an epiphany, went a little crazy, and wrote a manuscript leaving him jobless and fiancé-less?
I do.
As I write this, I sort of feel like Jerry Maguire. I don’t know what the reaction or outcome will be in response to what I’m about to say, but I know it needs to be said. This message needs to be heard by everyone who has some involvement in spreading CrossFit, and also by those that don’t…yet. If you don’t like this message, I apologize ahead of time, but this is the cold, hard truth so pay attention…
When Reebok and CrossFit partnered back in 2010, nobody understood the intent and it felt like a wooden stake had been driven into each and every one of our hearts. It was a gut-wrenching feeling, almost like finding out that Santa Clause didn’t exist for the first time. It was heartbreaking. CrossFit had sold out. Or so we thought.
I came from the “grass-roots” class of CrossFit, throwing down with a rusty barbell, in a gym smaller than my bedroom, surrounded by shirtless guys and ‘puke’ buckets in every corner. My first competition was the 2009 Regionals at Tony Blauer’s facility in Fairfax, VA. It was raw, intimate, and had this super cool ‘underground’ vibe that made me feel special. A large number of guys were head-to-toe covered in tattoos with girls that looked like they could bench press the world while exuding this super sexiness. Fight Club with barbells and pull-up bars.
I left that weekend feeling part of something that couldn’t be explained or done, to and by, the ‘average’ person. Clearly…I was wrong. Way wrong.
As CrossFit grew, so did I. By that, I refer to the true meaning of CrossFit - Coach Glassman’s vision.
I continued to do these workouts with my friend, Dave Lipson (who first introduced me to CrossFit back in 2008), still not fully understanding what CrossFit was. The workouts were crazy, accomplishing more work in 5-10 minutes than I could ever do in my typical 2-hour gym routine. I needed to learn more about this fitness program.
In 2009 I went through the Level 1 and Level 2 Trainer Course. Attended several specialty seminars and still, even then, I didn’t get it. I thought I did. I really thought I understood it. Regurgitating ‘constantly varied, functional movements, executed at high intensities’ to anyone that asked me what CrossFit was. But what did that mean? I felt like a fraud and needed to delve deeper into what I was delivering.
It wasn’t until I started reading, researching, asking people who had been in the game a lot longer than I, that I really started to understand the magic of CrossFit and what it really meant.
I could feel Coach Glassman’s vision. The penny was dropping.
In early 2010 I began the internship process for the Level 1 Seminar Staff and the metaphoric puzzle pieces started to come together. I was seeing, actually seeing and living Coach‘s vision week in and week out. This fitness program that had the potential to make you “look sexy naked” and give you results that you never knew possible, was so much more powerful than could be explained…so much than just a workout.
After being giving ‘the nod’ to become a CFHQ Seminar Staff member, I committed my weekends to being part of a team of individuals that live, breathe and ooze CrossFit. It was then, and only then that I got it! Slam-dunk! Exposing as many individuals as possible to CrossFit, and delivering it with excellence to anyone that will listen.
CROSSFIT IS FOR ANYONE.
It is for anyone. Not just the elite or the underground circle of tattooed, chiseled abs, “fire breathing” ninjas that I (thought) had once been exposed to. Anyone can do this. ANYONE. But, in order for them to jump on board they first need the exposure. They need to know it exists and it what it stands for. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to that kind of exposure. And, by everyone I mean the rest of the world.
Cue Reebok.
We (the U.S, Canada, even Australia) have been the lucky ones. CrossFit originated out of Santa Cruz, California. It started small and back then finding a box to WOD required traveling far and wide. That is no longer the case. CrossFit has organically grown to the point where most people (in the U.S) probably live within 15-20 miles of a gym.
Note: “People in the U.S.” What a luxury, huh? Good form.
So, what about the rest of the world? What about India? What about Japan? What about Russia, Vietnam, Korea, the many poverty-stricken countries of Africa? How do they get on board??
Cue Reebok.
Reebok elevates CrossFit to the masses. I will say it again. Reebok elevates CrossFit to the masses. The masses! Some countries don’t know or trust CrossFit, but they need CrossFit for the health and, more importantly, survival of their kind. These countries DO trust Reebok. They know Reebok. Reebok has the backing power to bring CrossFit to these countries. Reebok can help assist CrossFit and Coach Glassman’s vision of a creating a healthy, independently functioning, fit and happier world.
“Fit people can change lives.” – Coach Greg Glassman
Change is inevitable. First, it was the addition of adding in a qualifying regional to compete in the Games. Then, we were introduced to a sectional qualifier before competing at regionals. Finally, moving the finals from Aromas, CA to the very prestigious Home Depot Center. Not to mention infamous ‘movement standard’ requirements within these events. CrossFit is forever changing and the addition of Reebok’s involvement may not be the last curve ball.
What’s the point of this article? To educate, and hopefully inspire those that don’t agree or feel anger towards this relationship. I encourage you to jump on board and help bring CrossFit to every corner of the world and all that lies in between. Ask questions; fill your toolbox with knowledge and information that can better the lives of those around you. Ditch any form of negativity. Replace it with an attitude that takes an obstacle and turns it into an opportunity to be better.
So here’s the long and short of it. Reebok’s role is to elevate CrossFit – pretty cool stuff! CrossFit authenticates Reebok as a brand. Not a bad deal at all. I am on board with the direction CrossFit is heading and fully believe in Coach Glassman’s vision…I hope you guys are too.
This is NOT about Reebok; it’s about ELEVATING CrossFit and making more people awesomely healthy.
Chuck Carswell, a fellow CrossFit trainer and good friend once said, “The people change, but the message stays the same.”
Believe in that.
Believe in Coach Glassman.
CrossFit sold out? Absolutely not.
CrossFit is MOVING ON UP! Believe it.
