Why?

“So, why did you start a CrossFit gym?”
I get that question all the time.  And if you only have a minute, I’ll let you know it’s because I really love CrossFit and wanted to take the opportunity to do what I was passionate about.  And that’s true, but it’s not necessarily the whole truth.  If you have a few more minutes and a couple of beers, I’ll get a little more into it.  More than being passionate about fitness, it has to do with family, friends, and my own personal purpose.
Family
When I was growing up, my dad wasn’t around a lot as he was traveling around Europe for work, and my parents ended up getting divorced.  I realize that is nothing out of the ordinary in today’s times, but for me that was a big deal, and having understood that boys tend to turn into their father, whether by genetics or upbringing, I made a conscious decision as I settled into family life to not follow the same path.
My first career brought me out on the road, traveling to hospitals around the country for 9-month projects.  After my second son Oliver was born, I realized it was about that time to take the different path, and started soul-searching and brainstorming other careers.  Once again, I was passionate about CrossFit, having been a devoted follower for a few years, and I pitched a CrossFit gym to Denee and she agreed.  So, I started a CrossFit gym because I am passionate about CrossFit.  But even more than that, it’s because I wanted to be close to my family.
Friends
As our CrossFit Kent Island community has grown, something has happened that I truly did not anticipate.  Our clients, people that were paying to be members at our gym, became our friends.  And not just acquaintances or workout buddies, but close friends that have become like family.  Maybe it helped that before we opened the gym we didn’t have any friends on Kent Island, having only lived here for two years with tiny babies at the time!  But more than likely it’s because when we started the gym, we did it because we were passionate about CrossFit, not making money.  And CrossFit is about fitness, but it’s even more about community and friendship.  So, I started a CrossFit gym because I was (and still am) passionate about CrossFit.  But an especially powerful reason that keeps me going is because we have made the best friends.
My Purpose
As the gym matured, I started to reflect back on why it was in the first place I became passionate about CrossFit.  What was it about the intense workouts, or close-knit fitness culture, or even the political incorectness and rejection of popular opinion?  Maybe it was all of it.  Actually, I’m sure it was all of it.  And the reason I’m sure of it is that it all lines up with what I originally thought of as my goal in life, to be a Navy SEAL.  It was very strange, but when halfway through my college experience a fraternity brother who was in the Navy asked me if I had considered joining up, I locked onto it and wasn’t able to think about doing anything else with my life.  Anyone who has been close to that community can tell you that the characteristics of the CrossFit community line up very well with the SEALs or any military special ops team.  They workout harder than anyone else, they stick together, maybe at the expense of other relationships, and they just don’t care about whatever else the world is talking about because they know they’ve found the answer.  That career goal eventually slipped away from me, but when I made the mental link of the CrossFit community with the elite warrior community, I suddenly was at peace for the first time with not achieving my goal, because I was fulfilling my purpose in life in a different way than originally imagined, but all the same this was it.  I’ve never had an intense desire to go to war and kill people, although I was steeling my mind to the thought.  What I really wanted was to be a part of an elite community, one that knew what it’s ideals were and would be willing to sacrifice a great deal for them.  And I found it in CrossFit Kent Island.
So, yes, if you’re asking, I started a CrossFit gym because I’m passionate about CrossFit.  But I’m passionate about CrossFit because I’m passionate about my family and my friends, and because through CrossFit I’ve found my true purpose in life.
I appreciate you all reading these blogs and giving me feedback.  Please let me know if there’s anything you’d like to hear about!
Ryan