COMPLACENCY, CONTEXT, CHANGE, & CROSSFIT
This is my attempt to come to terms with CrossFit. We renounced affiliation on Sunday. It was a challenging but undoubtedly correct decision. Time to talk about it.
I want to be clear, this is for me. Committing to making this post is the only way I will take the time to articulate my thoughts.
Second, It is for the communities I have a personal connection with. The staff and members of my gym, followers of my online programs, and the coaches I have mentored.
For an outsider, a hesitancy to leave CrossFit may be confusing. The founder and sole proprietor, Greg Glassman, is currently facing serious allegations of racism and sexual misconduct, and has shown a disposition towards conspiracy theories such as climate change denial, and the belief that COVID-19 is a Chinese bioweapon.
Context provides clarity.
CrossFit is my livelihood, social circle, and identity. Since walking into my first affiliate in 2011, I have abandoned a dissertation, coached athletes to regionals/sanctionals, met my wife, taken over a gym, and changed lives. While I am just barely “pre-bok,” CrossFit is still my longest relationship. I can’t imagine how this feels for the “OGs” who built rigs out of wood in dusty warehouses, regularly posted scores on mainsite, and converged on Aromas for the first CrossFit Games.
It is the actions of these community members, the Sherwoods, the Sakamoto’s, the Speallers, and the Fronings, that prompted the de-affiliation of Breaker. The community owes them a debt and, whatever change occurs, they should be applauded for taking the first steps. It is my hope they help the community heal by not only continuing to speak publicly but by looking inward and examining their own complacency.
Context doesn’t forgive complacency.
Even before CrossFit’s inability to say Black Lives Matter, divisive communication, insensitive tweets, and shitty non-apologies, CrossFit had been a problematic brand. There was the aforementioned climate change denial, whispers of a toxic work culture, and a lack of communication from HQ to its affiliates. It is not a coincidence that when we rebranded in 2019, CrossFit was left off of our masthead.
This makes me complicit. I knew enough to avoid putting CrossFit in my logo and on my walls but paid my fee and reaped the financial benefits of affiliation. I separated CrossFit the methodology from CrossFit the staunchly argumentative and often divisive organization because it was convenient. I don’t enjoy social media or marketing but I love helping people get fit. CrossFit provided an easy out. I gladly paid the fee, had someone tweak my SEO, and proudly expressed the virtues of CrossFit - a methodology that despite it all, I still strongly believe can help people.
By taking the good and compartmentalizing the negatives I am culpable. And for that I apologize. Moreover, when we rebranded, I did not include a discussion of diversity or inclusivity in our mission, vision, and values. I naively thought that by not actively discriminating and treating everyone the same, I was doing my part. I now understand that by not doing more, I was not doing enough. I hope to make amends.
Change occurs at a community level.
Breaker has an updated Vision Statement. We aim “to build a diverse, inclusive, and supportive community that is resolutely striving towards fitness.” To further this goal, we have made $500.00 donations to each Daily Bread Food Bank and Nellie’s Shelter, organizations that help the underprivileged in Toronto. We will continue quarterly donations to transparent organizations that align with our mission, vision, and values.
Breaker will work towards formalizing our community scholarship program, build off of ideas gathered from the wider community, and work towards actioning plans developed during internal staff meetings. Breaker’s staff has pledged to donate time and it is my responsibility to best use their talents for the greater good of our community.
Change won’t occur without action.
Breaker’s affiliation is due April 2021. We will not be renewing. I echo the sentiments of the BTWB 10 year affiliate panel: Without the total removal of Greg Glassman from CrossFit and a serious inquiry into the allegations made by Andy Stumpf, we will not return to the affiliate fold and will find alternative certifications for our coaches.
While I am truly appreciative of the CrossFit Methodology and still believe it is the most effective strength and conditioning program for health and wellness, I am very excited to further develop a brand that represents Breaker's staff and community.
For further information:
Transcript of ZOOM call with Greg Glassman - Details of a call with Greg Glassman and the Affiliates
Armen Hammer on The Timeline Pre-Castro Announcement - A timeline of events leading up to the removal of Greg Glassman.
Andy Stumpf on Working for Greg Glass - A former HQ employee discusses working for Greg Glassman.
Affiliate Panel Recap - A review of the changes demanded by long-time affiliate owners.
