MFP Education Center

The Countdown Begins…

‘Tis the season for what is often called the “most wonderful time of the year” in the CrossFit world. The global phenomenon known as The Open presents an opportunity for the entire CrossFit community to come together for three weeks of Fitness, Friends, and Fun. While the remaining 49 weeks of the year are dedicated to the soul purpose of the CrossFit Methodology, the Open serves as a special time to experience CrossFit with an intensified focus—more Effort in fitness, more Energy within community, more Excitement for challenges, more Enthusiasm towards participation, and more Evolution in personal growth.

#HERE I am, along with many dedicated CrossFit affiliate owners worldwide, finalizing my Open sign-up lists, checking them twice, and figuring out which Intramural teams will be naughty or nice. At times, I question whether it’s worth going above and beyond to create this experience for my small local community. I could very easily channel my own 5 E’s into other areas of my personal life. But in moments of self-doubt, I remind myself that The Open—and the CrossFit methodology as a whole—are much bigger than any one of us. This intrinsic drive to participate in the largest worldwide fitness event still holds immense significance in fulfilling the soul purpose of CrossFit that I believe in.

Flashback to 2013. My first Open experience. Peep the Chucks!

Times Are Changing: For Better or Worse?

The soul purpose is a crucial reminder for any affiliate owner, especially as we acknowledge the current adversity within the CrossFit Brand and the CrossFit Games community. A majority of my CrossFit MFP community would likely be unaware that The Open is currently at an all-time low in terms of registrations. In the past 4–6 years, several conflicts have arisen—most recently an intense series of events—that have led to a dramatic decline from peak registration years (300k–500k) to the current low of just 100k. Many affiliates, including my own, still choose to participate, but without officially registering with CrossFit HQ. CrossFit Games athletes have also been stirring up a polarized, almost political, agenda on social media. Additionally, many affiliate owners have de-affiliated from CrossFit but continue to implement “CrossFit-like” workouts in their gyms. On top of this, there’s been a surge in pseudo-CrossFit clubs, Hydrox hounds, and Spartan Savages—groups that spark interest and prompt many people to convert from a CrossFit affiliate to a new form of CrossFit that is kind of like CrossFit, but not really CrossFit—or something like CrossFit. Insert ?!?! emoji

So, what does all of this mean? Does it validate the idea that “CrossFit is failing”? Maybe. But what I am #HERE to do is to educate the trolls, the critics, the pseudo-CrossFit fitness enthusiasts, and the naysayers. I’m #HERE to share the true soul narrative behind what the CrossFit methodology is really all about.

Let’s revisit the CrossFit pyramid for a moment. Before we even begin to express ourselves through exercise, the pyramid clearly establishes that the foundation for performing exercises across the three domains is nutrition. Above that, and at the peak, comes “sport.” If you haven’t yet grasped the deeper message, it becomes clear: CrossFit is LESS about the exercises themselves and MORE about becoming whole as a human being. CrossFit is the key to unlocking the BEST version of ourselves.

Now, Let’s Get Spiritual

The deeper significance of the pyramid supports my point that CrossFit, despite its reputation as an extreme fitness regimen and its often “cult-like” community, is by far one of the most important fitness movements in shaping our cultural shift toward a new planetary consciousness. It’s a critical phase in the evolution of our greater society, helping us understand who we are as individuals and, perhaps more importantly, why we are #HERE as a collective.

Explain That Shaman Vomit, Please…

The one time I vomited after any workout, was Open workout 15.5 #ThrustersAndRowing. This was also my first Instagram post circa 2015.🤢

The Truth of the CrossFit Pyramid

In simple terms, the pyramid emphasizes that CrossFit demands a commitment to physiological and biological health through nutrition. Nutrition is undeniably one of, if not the most, essential components of holistic health and longevity. Once that foundation is laid, we move on to incorporate movement and exercise—elements that CrossFit is often known for, whether seen positively or negatively. Yes, by definition, CrossFit’s constantly varied, functional movements performed with relative intensity are crucial for improving healthspan, happiness, performance, and lifespan. While these movement categories are essential in the pyramid, they are not the ultimate purpose of CrossFit, nor the end goal. The TRUE end goal of the CrossFit pyramid is to take what we’ve learned and express it outside of the gym, in our daily lives. The concept of “sport” in this context is actually less about competition and more about lifestyle and purpose. It’s about understanding that as we unlock deeper layers of our health, we awaken to the larger truth of why we are even #HERE to begin with. Our time on Earth is meant to be an exploration of our physical evolution (health), which allows us to connect with our higher selves (soul/true self). In doing so, we evolve in how we connect with and serve others—and all of life around us (purpose). Last time I checked, Health-Orchestrates-Planetary-Evolution (H.O.P.E.). Imagine the impact of a brand influencing millions of individuals through the CrossFit methodology and its pyramid! Whether people realize it or not, we are all part of a global civilization evolving toward a greater, collective purpose.

My search for “Sport” became a gateway for my greater purpose in life

So What Has the CrossFit Methodology Really Done?

Over the past 25 years, CrossFit has become the psychedelic gateway substance our society needs. It has awakened countless individuals who yearn for an opportunity to reconnect with the best versions of themselves. While I’ve highlighted the small percentage of individuals who participate in the Open, millions more continue to #JustShowUp at a CrossFit affiliate each day, or have been influenced by CrossFit in some way. This includes thousands of de-affiliated owners, people who have come and gone from our CrossFit gyms, and yes, even those who continue to do squats into presses (aka thrusters) at “Body Sculpt Pump Fitness” gyms.

#GiftForGrowth: The CrossFit Open Is Bigger Than All of Us

The true “why” behind my participation in the CrossFit Open is rooted in my understanding of the deeper purpose of the methodology. Even as I continue to create a meaningful CrossFit Open experience at my affiliate, I still encounter members who offer every excuse not to participate. Over the past 15 years, I’ve heard it all, and honestly, 95% of these excuses stem from a lack of understanding about the true meaning behind the methodology. Fear, intimidation, doubt, and judgment are natural feelings, but they can prevent people from experiencing the 5 E’s that the Open offers. Like any transformative journey, all it takes is a small shift in perspective. It takes a mindset and mantra to #JustShowUp, embracing who you are in this present moment, willing to face the challenges ahead. In doing so, you unlock the potential for Effort, Energy, Excitement, Enthusiasm, and Evolution as you work toward becoming the best version of yourself.

Celebrating my 13th Open!