022110 Sunday Discussion “My People”
This post is a giant thank you to “my people”.
When Shanna and I decided to open a training facility we knew it had to be more than sweat, yelling, and barbells. It had to be more than dropping body fat and increasing muscle tone. In fact, I recently found a piece of writing that summarizes what we set out to create.
“There are many barriers to health and fitness and we will set out to conquer them all. A general fitness training facility will use functional mechanics that mimic everyday life. It will discuss cutting-edge nutritional knowledge and be attractive to all levels of fitness. Most importantly, it will be a SUPPORTIVE COMMUNITY ATMOSPHERE. Humans are social creatures and therefore need to “belong”. They need to be a part of something. Our center will foster an enviroment that is friendly and supportive to those in all stages of life: from elite athletes to silver-hairs, from fitness buffs to those in need of lifestyle modification. This final tenet is perhaps the most important aspect for the long-term success of our clients.”
The toughest part of that equation is finding the people who acknowledge the importance of supportive competition. To light a fire under someone’s ass and help them put it out when it’s too hot. To make welcome new comers and maintain support for those on a rough streak. You ARE those people. I want to take this moment to thank all of you. Without you the following story would not be possible.
As many of you know, I run the Stay Active Clinic that has a division focused on chronic pain rehabilitation and lifestyle modification. These are individuals who are at risk of injury and over-training through the regular CrossFit Asheville program. Many of these folks have “never been athletes”. One such individual has been working with me for a few months now. He has had knee pain his entire life that recently led to hip and ankle pain. As well, he is winded after just a few flights of stairs and struggles to keep up with his rock digging crew due to knee pain and exhaustion.
He’s in his fifties and was originally intimidated by the atmosphere . He has worked just as hard as any of you and can now do 30 bodyweight squats in a workout without pain. A giant feat for him: he is and should be extremely proud. He normally comes in before the evening classes to minimize intimidation but as he has progressed many of you have started cheering on the end of his workouts, minimal as they may seem to you. I was rather choked up on Friday when he stated to me “where are my people?” We don’t have Friday evening class and he wanted to know where everyone was. He has never warmed up with you. Never sweat next to you. Never helped you change a weight. You did not make him feel weak or out of place. Instead, this man who has never even approached a CFAvl class feels a part of your community and you a part of his. You are “his people”.
This is all your doing. Every one of you should be proud. Even if you have never met him or seen him, he is a friend of yours. The intensity of your workouts equals the intensity of your humanity.
Thank you, Corey
I just got a little verklempt. It’s true, everyone at CFA is awesome.
well said, Corey.
very well said.
“The intensity of your workouts equals the intensity of your humanity.”
This should be posted in the gym in bold letters.
@ Amanda: way to use Yiddish in a CF post. That takes talent and an old world ethos–not something you see every day.
@ Corey: Nice post and very true. I just pictured myself 30 years from now lifting at Crossfit in my 80’s (and maybe needing a bisl Stay Active Clinic for my arthritis) and feeling a part of something very special.
@ Amanda: See, I used Yiddish too in my CF posts (for all you goyim out there, bisl means little, and goy means you are not Jewish. Yes, Jews actually have a word for not being Jewish. That’s how we chosen people roll.)
I love you Corey.
lol, i just watched ‘A Serious Man’ last night…i got the goyim bit
i love the cf avl crew! love schvitzing like a chazer with all of you…sweating like a pig in yiddish, yo!
Great stuff.
Well said corey. I hope to become a coach like you one day. I have seen so much progress in so many people through the past year. I am proud to have trained along side of you all. Without you i would not be where i am today. You all have helped me more than you know, and it is a COMMUNITY, we all push each other and keep each other coming back. I am so happy to be a part of CFA!!!!
c ya in the gym
sean.
CFA is the best. Now, go to bed and get some rest! Shalom Y’all!
Ha ha ha amy! But the chazer/pig bit–treyf/not kosher, dude. I believe Jews sweat like gehakte leber (chopped liver).
Great words Corey; Encouraging story.
Look forward to the next time I’m in Asheville and can join you for a WOD.
It’s been too long.
I’m headed down to Oklahoma City for a level one cert at the end of March.
You guys are champs – I wish I could join your box on a daily basis,
Brent
Vance Air Force Base
Enid, OK
i think everyone sweats like everyone else.
that being said, I do want the t-shirt Brian C. has just cuz it’s funny as hell.
m3 what does it say?
it’s R-Rated but starts w/ ‘Shalom…’
Eh, can there actually be a post about how much we all love CFA without me chiming in? HA!
First of all, Miriam, Brian’s (AKA Sparkles’) shirt says “Shalom, Motherf*****” (Shanna, did I censor that appropriately?).
Second of all, I think everyone knows that I consider CFA my second family. I might have said that once or twice
. When I think back to a year ago before I had CFA in my life…well, wow. I can’t actually express how thankful I am for the coaching, support and friendship I have received through CFA.
Finally, I think it’s safe to say that my “real” family also considers CFA to be part of our family. I walked into the house after the WOD this morning, and Ari was whining because Brian told him “no” about something. Ari came up to me with tears in his eyes and said, “I miss Shanna and Corey.” Ten minutes later, he announced, “I like eggs.” Brian went through the normal routine: “They make you strong.” Ari’s response: “Strong like Shanna.” Really, has no one else walked into a room to hear, “Let’s play a game. I’ll be Shanna and you be Corey.” On Saturday night in Chapel Hill, my mother in law came to find me and said, “Hurry, you have to see what Ari’s doing.” Yeah, he was in their exercise room doing dumbbell push presses…which I know he didn’t learn from me because I hate dumbbell push presses.
So, thanks for everything, guys. I love all of you!
Shalom Motherf*****? Gosh, Tamara’s censorship is leaving me confused. Shalom Motherflower? Shalom Motherflavor? Shalom Motherfinest? Gosh, this is so frustrating; I just can’t figure out what T’s trying to say.
Oh, never mind. I’ll just look at T’s facebook page instead.