Posted in Apple Incorporated , Community , CrossFit Central , CrossFit Dallas Central Shirts , Dean Xu , Jeremy Thiel , Lindsey and Web Smith , Melissa Knourek , Part Two , Sam Nix , Spencer Nix
On the morning of Christmas day, my jumbled, complex thoughts shone through the proverbial fog. All it took was a bit of curiosity from Lindsey. On the way home from the Christmas Eve church service, Lindsey said, “Web, can you believe that we almost didn’t go?” Sometimes we try to imagine what life would be like now, had we missed the the Southwest Regional qualifier in May of 2009. It was at that moment that I realized just how important CrossFit was to us. I drafted this post 11 times since Part One of the Affiliate Mega-Church Debate. In that time, a lot has happened in the CrossFit community. Some events were good, some not so. My perspective on the succession of these events altered the way that I framed the message in Parts Two and Three but not in the way that you’d imagine. You won’t see a negative thread here. Rather, you’ll find love, strength and triumph.
Herein lies the peculiarity of CrossFit and its internet-spawned community. CrossFit's relevance would seem so far-reaching and cliché to people who haven’t experienced the friendship and fellowship that we have, since May of 2009. For some, CrossFit is just a website; it is just an internet presence, a workout methodology or an old mechanic shop-turned gym in town. These are reminders that I detected in the fragility of my wife’s voice, “Web, we almost didn’t go... How different would our lives be, had we not made the drive to the Southwest Regional Qualifier in May 2009?”For Lindsey and me, CrossFit was just a workout and the community was just an internet message board. To really understand the issues of late, you have to consider that CrossFit, the business and the community are symbiotic. One can not be healthy without the other; by definition, they need one another. Only a sliver of businesses have this sort of symbiotic relationship with their users. Apple Incorporated is an example and it just so happens that both CrossFit Inc. and Apple Inc. grew out of California garages.
The Business
CrossFit is at its tipping point. Things are changing quickly and the community is growing in some places while contracting in a handful of others. People seem to be focused on the negative, at the moment. When compared to Apple, another California-garage incarnation, there are countless similarities and an obvious irony. Greg and Lauren Glassman's contribution to fitness will be a noted historical shift in philosophy and practice. Before the Glassman's, Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak were incredibly passionate about revolutionizing the personal computing industry. They turned a collection of enthusiasts into employees and those employees helped build the billion dollar conglomerate that exists today.It's been said that passion is when you would do what you love, for free. Steve Jobs began one of the world’s most powerful corporate communities by employing passionate people. Apple grew by making their products available to eager, educated consumers. Why make this connection to CrossFit? It is only fitting that two organizations grew similarly, before their respective tipping points. Apple would suffer casualties and dissension, along the way, including Steve Jobs' oust from the company. Yes, Steve Jobs, a man now synonymous with the company’s success, was away from Apple for twelve years.
His return tipped the company toward astronomical success. But that is the thing about communities like these, emotional reactions can occur when passion and concern for others are at the center of the business's operating plan. Few businesses boast the combination of eager consumers, educated supporters and visionary experts. This is why Apple, Inc. and CrossFit, Inc. boast similar communities of eager supporters.
The Community
Lindsey and I had a luke warm involvement in CrossFit until May of 2009. It wasn't until I watched a CrossFit Central video that I became interested in getting more involved. I introduced myself to Jeremy Thiel at May's Southwest Regional qualifier, just so that I could tell him that CrossFit Central's videos were motivating and inspirational. What I didn't expect to learn about Thiel was his genuine spirituality and faith. That one video, seen in April 2009, made me want to be better. Since, with every interaction with the members and coaches of that affiliate, I have become a mentally and physically stronger athlete. CrossFit Central’s influence outside of their affiliate community is not an exception. Through other successful affiliates, CrossFit has changed the trajectory of lives. Dean Xu, of CrossFit Dallas Central, encapsulated this sentiment in his closing paragraph of CrossFit Dallas Central's All Cities Open summary,
What an amazing time. I made some new friends and strengthened bonds with old ones. I learned that beyond working out and pushing ourselves to near bodily failure, our community comprises of real people doing real things. We have real emotions and all share a common bond of enjoying each other's company and camaraderie. We are more than a gym, more than a fitness program, more than cool t-shirts. We are a network of human beings that share the same passion for seeking the most out of life.
It was there, at the All Cities Open, that I became better friends with Melissa Knourek. We were sitting in an office room, casually chatting between workouts when our ordinary, friendly conversation took on meaning. It left me teary-eyed. For twenty minutes, I sat captivated by her story of personal tragedy and her improbable triumph. Her story was intense. But for all of us who appreciate the platform that CrossFit provides, I couldn’t help but to ask her permission to share it. Coach Sam Nix, his older brother's affiliate, and its community had an extraordinary effect on her life.
Melissa's Platform
The emotional battle that she wielded, each day, was the result of pains much greater than any she would experience in the Marine Corps. Melissa had been suffering from severe stress and depression; her body was at war with three auto-immunodeficiency diseases (Lupus, Dermatomyositis, Hashimoto’s), an arduous rehabilitation regimen, and a severely abusive spouse. Her life was in such physical, emotional and spiritual despair that she wanted, desperately, to end it and she tried.
Miraculously, she survived the attempt. Following it, she decided to live a happier, faith-filled and more purposeful life. She had always had it in her to do so. Even at birth, the then-three pound Melissa Knourek was a strong competitor with an enormous heart. At life's every-stage, her focus on perseverance outshined any of her personal tragedies. But now, she is physically, spiritually and mentally strong. And she looks the part. Her immunodeficiency is almost completely admonished by her pursuit of elite fitness and her adoption of the Paleolithic diet. Her sorrows of old have been replaced with one of the most cheerful attitudes that you'll ever see. Her desire to help other people shines through the simplest of text messages and the shortest of personal interactions. She "looks up" to my lovely wife and our marriage. But what she doesn't realize is that we both look up to her.
To sum her up in one word, I would choose "moxie." Until the moment of that conversation with Melissa, I had a few lingering questions about CrossFit and its community. I no longer doubt that the CrossFit community is genuine. The more you travel around your state, your region or even your country; you'll find that every affiliate community has stories like this. Dean said it best, "We are a network of human beings that share the same passion for seeking the most out of life."
The mega-church debate is less about the business; it is more about the platforms that allow people to share the sources of their strength. For many, the source of that strength is their faith in God. They serve Him in their actions, their mentorship, guidance, leadership and athletic accomplishment. Melissa's story is a testament to this. The CrossFit community will have its inner-qualms and personal issues but stories like hers are the ones that we should carry with us. Every instance of negativity and adversity presents a grand opportunity for reconciliation and triumph. Apple is an example of an organically built company, with a dedicated community, that became successful despite difficult and very public growing pains. That company's adversity gave way to reconciliation and unparalleled success. Apple is a model of the corporate mega-church. But obviously, there is a deeper meaning in my use of the term. As long as people seek ways to be better, healthier people and stronger athletes there will be a place for CrossFit. And unlikely stories about ordinary people changing others' lives through the pursuit of fitness, will continue.
Great post! You are very passionate about this all. I hope that u plan on doing something with it.
great post Web!
Wicked post. Now I feel I can knock a few WOD's out today because of it. Keep it up and thanks for sharing.
Web and Lindsey - Thank you so much for turning my story into something good and useful. It makes me smile to realize just how amazing the Lord is. Thank you guys for showing up last May at the SW Regional Qualifier,for being great role models, and for the inspiration you provide.
Much love
Melissa "Mel" Knourek
@Anonymous Thank you! And as a matter of fact, I am planning on making that jump in the near future.
@Lionheart Kris, it always means a lot when you like what I have written. I look forward to being around, a lot more often ;), to partake of your infinite wisdom. Much love, my friend.
@Dennis Thanks, brother! Get some!
@Mel Thank you for allowing me to share your story with the readers of CrossFit Chronicles. I have received several emails already today and I know that it has already changed a few people's perspectives on things. You are an exceptional person and we look forward to seeing you really soon! Keep working hard and harder.
With Love,
Web
Great post Web! My thoughts on the business/community have changed as well this year. At the beginning of this year I was doing workouts alone at my globo gym, content to train alone rather than driving 45 min & paying for the extra cost of joining a CF box. Then I went to Robb's cert; then to the CFE cert; both times meeting great people and hearing about their amazing gyms. I began to desire the same kind of encouraging community that I already have socially & spiritually.
I had been toying with the idea of getting my Level 1 so that I could start training others, even if it was only my family & friends. Two months ago, (in His perfect timing) a guy from church walks up to me and tells me he is starting a CF gym and needs a trainer. Now, as we prepare for the opening, I have had to fight frustration and anxiety about the recent HQ drama and how that will affect the CF community. I believe in the power of Community and know that can be built and managed on our local level but also hope that it can continue to grow on a national level. I believe the BBS and SIC FIT will be tremendous resources as well as part of the glue that knits all the local communities together into something even more amazing. Thanks for sharing your thoughts and efforts in making CF better. I look forward to sharing future inspirational stories born out of our own box.
Godspeed!
Parallels between the CrossFit community, the UFC and Apple Comp? Do I smell a fitness world changing phenom?
Hats off to Melissa. Hope to meet you sometime.
Exellent writing Web. Always a joy to read your thoughts on the community and ways to enjoy it and make it better.
Thanks for the positive thinking and example. Godspeed and Godbless to the Smith Family.
Any organization that has experienced exponential growth; large companies, garage built bands turned mega stars, hometown restaurants opening additional stores and "chains" etc, have all started in the midst of a small group of capable people with an incurable passion and commitment to their focus, whatever it may be. Same goes for Crossfit. I think as these respective ventures grow, their community begins to change into something that might best be explained as a "target" like representation; each ring symbolizes a different group of people that possess a different level or mix of: passion, commitment, understanding of core values or any other of the nearly infinite ingredients that form their relationship with that community/organization.
With Crossfit, you have the sometimes competing interests of business (money/professional) and community (passion!, social, common belief or practices) at every level of the "target", making things more complicated. A very simple (lacking detail and quantifyable research) preponderance of what i've seen thus far brings me to this:
At the center, the bullseye of the crossfit COMMUNITY, there are some of the originators/creators/firebreathers, the most passionate practitioners that possess the knowledge and understanding of core principles and the foundations upon which Crossfit was created. These individuals truly believe in Crossfit and its potential to have positive influence on many aspects of life, not just its potential to forge elite fitness (notice the COMMUNITY in all caps). The bullseye may also include many of the people who had previously occupied outer rings of the target that have "drank the kool aid". These people encourage others to take interest and have the skill and desire to include more people in "their" community. For me, the bullseye of the community, where we are both (you and I, web) most drawn to, are the people who represent EVERYTHING we love about it. But As a community grows, not just the bullseye gets bigger. Instead, more rings are formed to fit more levels of integration that the different/new members might occupy. Jump to the outermost ring. Here may exist people on their way to their first crossfit WOD, surfing the net and spending more than a minute or two educating themselves on crossfit.com; interested. As this outer ring gets further and further from the center, simply due to growth, a sacrifice of control by those in the middle must be accepted and with that, the willingness to rely on the intermediate rings to represent the ideals of the community. Of the four affiliates i've had personal interaction with, all of them have done a great job with that specific responsibility. However, it can't be ignored that when you add the opportunity for an outsider to experience a financial gain by entering our community (by simply attending a seminar and paying a fee), you create the possibility that at some level an affiliate could exist that is solely motivated by money. I think this could definitely cause uncertainty and resentment from the "bullseye" as entities of our intermediate rings will undoubtedly become scattered with the result of this risk.
The same analogy could be applied to a growing CrossFit affiliate. Even if the leaders promote everything great and everything we love about the community, as they grow,it will become harder to control what type of product is reaching their end user.
(continued...)
I think your debate has truly stemmed from the situation that has arisen as a result of Crossfit's rapid growth and people being in the position to exploit what we love without supervision or predisposed restraint (or franchise, and im not so sure that's what anyone wants either). The people at the center, who would be there with or without financial influence, are now threatened with their associated namesake, "CrossFit", being jeopardized as it may begin to represent something that, to them, it originally did not. I do not have any experience with an affiliate that fits this description, but for three thousand dollars someone could certainly get a damn good start on such an exploit and, provided they were indeed motivated by money, could start ruining the reputation associated with the name, Crossfit. The same name that we have taken great pride in associating ourselves with to this point. The possibility exists, I don't know if it's actually a threat at this time, but it is there for the taking.
Or maybe there is no debate, and there should be no cause for concern. After all, CrossFit is just a strength and conditioning fitness methodology, right?. Go ahead, google it. Nothing about community, excellent people, holiday parties hosted by a gym where all members are invited and attend, or unparalleled personal support will show up in the authoritative literature you'd come across. However, I think it's safe to say that a technical definition will not do the trick when your trying to explain to, let's say, your parents about what you've been up to.
The thing i like about "Crossfit" is: With one term, and maybe a few demonstrations, i could show someone that i value Honor, hard work, and perseverance; that i refuse to give into adversity and that I might have some toughness beyond what physical performance alone could explain. With that term alone, i'd like to be able to let someone know that I'm respectful and respectable and i accept all comers willing to work (everything is scalable) for positive results in themselves and those around them. What i don't want is to say "crossfit" and have some soft-ass, liar, used car salesman tell me how great of a deal he can offer me at his "crossfit" gym where no one know's each other's names and there are escalators to the second floor. Of course, if that happens, what the hell do i care, I'm still a man trying to approach "potential" in all I do and who or what i associate myself with is my responsibility. If "Crossfit" moved in the opposite direction due to some sort of negligence on behalf of those that own the name, I'd still have my garage gym and paleo, and i know a few good workout partners. Of course CrossFit would STILL be making loads of money, and I wouldn't go trying to bring down the house. It would be a healthy break up, haha. We'd just start doing "WebFit" or "TomFit: Your favorite community gym that trains hard and fun... without the escalators. Donations welcome."
MORE IMPORTANTLY:
@ Web and Linds: As always, thanks!
@ Mel: Keep up the great work, lady. You ought to be what comes up when i google "What is Crossfit"!
Nice as always Web -- a little bit of everything! I heard a little rumor about a certain family making a certain move to a certain place... Any truth to that?? Let's talk ASAP.
@Scott I hoped that this message would ease the minds and hearts of people in your position. I know that there were people who were questioning the rigidity of CrossFit's spine. Could it fold? Will it implode?? No. It is just a hiccup and eventually, we may look at this whole experience as a catalyst for positive chain. Seize your opportunity, if you truly love what you are venturing to do, you will excel beyond your own expectations. Thank you so much for reading and God Bless. I am so excited to see how things turn out for you!!
@Shane and Karen First off, we love the Gibson family and our relationship with you was at the heart of that piece. What if we wouldn't have gotten to meet? Y'all have been great friends to our family and we cherish all of the time that we've had with the Gibby's! And please don't give up on the Gibson Garage Gym. Porter needs you.
@Tom your analysis was eloquent and thorough, I love your traditionalist mentality. It is obviously the same mentality that I have. You are correct in a way, my post originated from the bleak attitude that I noticed people were developing about CrossFit. I believe that those attitudes are counter productive and sure to spawn a self-fulfilling prophesy. CrossFit WILL walk down the path that you despise but please know that the mindset of the "used car salesman" CrossFit presence will falter and ultimately fail. We have control of the culture and I know that our culture won't let that fly.
@Mike Thank you, thank you, my friend. I can not confirm nor deny those rumors but I will say this...Lindsey has a second interview in Pflugerville next week and um...I was in Austin for a "Vision O' The Future" meeting, just yesterday. I will leave you with this proverb:
"If it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck, and looks like a duck, it must be a duck."
Absolutely a great post...
Web & Lindsey-
I watched you both compete at the Dallas All City Open. I'm fairly new to Crossfit and wanted to say that you are both amazing athletes and a huge inspiration. You have a beautiful family. Keep up the hard work!!! :-)