“You should be a competitive CrossFit athlete if you choose to coach or open a gym.”

What kind of coach do I want to be?

I’ve thought about this a long, long time. It’s never taken me longer to write a post, in fact. So here it is. Not necessarily a manifesto, but a general roadmap. I’d like to be a coach that:

Gets it.

Ever heard the term “the cobbler’s son goes barefoot”? Owning a gym has never made this thought more crystal clear. I went into thinking yeah, I’ll be at the gym all day. It’ll be easy to get in some awesome training sessions. 

I’ve never been more wrong. It makes sense, though. Imagine if your only option to train was right outside the offices of your boss, all your employees and co-workers, and ALL of your clients, patients, and customers. It would be nearly impossible.

So, when I ask for 5 hours a week from my members I’m also asking it of myself. I get it. It’s really hard – but not impossible.

Is reasonable.

I don’t live like a monk and I don’t expect you to as well. At the time I’m writing this, we’re in the throes of playoff baseball. I’ll admit it, my diet takes a backseat most of October. But that’s cool. We’ll get back on the train in November.

I’m not a competitor. I’m not a fitness model. I haven’t built my career on Instagram. But I am a guy that has 4-5 huge projects in the air at any given time trying to prioritize my health, family, and future. I feel a strong bond with every athlete going through this same struggle.

Is proficient.

Being the “Alpha” athlete in the gym is an unattainable task. Trust me; I’ve talked with plenty of gym owners chasing this title. There will always be a 20-year old right behind you ready to crush the next WOD.

However, I want to be an example of mechanics & consistency. My WOD times won’t take me into retirement but sound mechanics will. That’s my hope for all my athletes: safe, fun, lifelong movement.

Is of service.

Strip away all the burpees and thrusters – all you have is a group of people looking to be better humans. The shortest path to that end is to be of service to others. Whenever I’m frustrated with my fitness results, business, relationships – you name it – this is the piece that’s always missing. It’s my hope that my athletes do the same.