The Wicked Witch is Dead

A few weeks back I wrote a blog about how CrossFit was dead. Then CrossFit was like: hold my beer.

Yesterday CrossFit Inc announced they were changing owners. Greg Glassmen decides to sell his company to Eric Roza, who will be instantly stepping in as the new owner and CEO of CrossFit Inc.

Holy balls, what a moment in the history of our community.

@rozaeric: "Dear CrossFit community, Since I discovered CrossFit 10 years ago, it has changed my life, and I am deeply honored to have the opportunity to lead CrossFit through its next chapter as CEO and owner, following the closing next month. As a box owner and athlete, I've experienced CrossFit's transformative power and the shared bond it creates between people of different races, genders, ages, ethnicities, incomes, educations and physical abilities. That magic, created by our affiliate owners, coaches, and athletes in 158 countries around the world, is real. And I believe it makes the world a better place. In the past weeks, divisive statements and allegations have left many members of our community struggling to reconcile our transformative experiences in the local box with what we've been reading online. My view is simple: Racism and sexism are abhorrent and will not be tolerated in CrossFit. We open our arms to everyone, and I will be working hard to rebuild bridges with those whose trust we have lost. I come to you with deep humility and the realization that we have hard work to do. I am committed to listening, I am committed to learning, and I am committed to leading positive change. Most of all, I am committed to CrossFit and to you, as a member of our community. If you are committed to the future of CrossFit and have ideas, I want to hear from you. And if you loved CrossFit, and we lost you along the way, I want to regain your trust and partnership. Please reach out to me at eric@crossfit.com." #committedtocrossfit

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So a lot to unpack here, but let’s start with this. The wicked witch is dead. Gone. Forever. CrossFit’s founder has decided to man up and sell the company. To be 100% honest, and this may be u popular, I do applaud him for this. He has every right as the sole owner to take the whole, “of I’m going down I’m taking everybody with me” approach, and watch it all burn. In the end, for as evil Ana, as he has turned out to be, he still decided in the end that the community staying intact, and the message of fitness and health was more important than his ego. So, he gets like . 25% of a point for that, at least in my eyes. The important thing to take from this though, he’s OUT. And now, we can rebuild.

So this Eric guy. A super savvy businessman with truckloads of gold stashed in a vault somewhere, he’s been a founder and CEO of a massive tech company, and has owned his own CrossFit affiliate for the last 7.5 years. It seems from his interviews that he’s been more of a quiet owner than a super hands-on coaching owner, but this is all me making snap judgments off of one 20 minute sitdown.

Regardless, one thing is clear: he is a CrossFit guy. He’s fit. He practices what he will now preach. And he’s a hell of a businessman. In a 20 minute chat with Castro via zoom (RIP to the shortest lived stint in CEO history for him, btw) Roza said a lot of great things that has me excited. For one, he’s trying to keep communication wide open. He sent out his personal email to everyone. He takes a stance off inclusivity. And he’s a total fanboy for the program.

One thing that gets me personally STOKED for this guy, is he answered Castro’s question about the future of the CrossFit Games in probably the best way possible. More on that at a different time though.

For now, after talking to those involved deeply in the community, there are dry logs of broken trust, laying on the embers of hope for the future. This guy doesn’t just get his lost affiliated back, but he can earn their trust. The world of fitness will be watching him closely, with a lot to prove, and a lot of room to grow. I believe in him, I hope for a brighter future, and I’m excited to welcome him to the healm! Fingers crossed for a bright and prosperous future.

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