This post is a follow up to the recent events in CrossFit and to our video posted regarding our initial thoughts on Sunday June 7th, 2020

This last week has not been easy. It’s a week I never thought I would have or maybe I was blinded. I haven’t really been eating, sleeping and for the most part kept myself in isolation so I could have the time and clarity needed to think. I told you the last time that I spoke to you, I would read, watch, listen and educate myself before making a decision as to which direction Bionic would go regarding maintaining our affiliation with CrossFit Inc. That’s exactly what I did. I spoke to people whom I believed would add value to my decision making, not just people that supported my initial thoughts. I wanted and needed to hear all sides to this argument. I needed perspectives that were not my own, but ones that I believed educated me the best. 

Let me first make it very clear that Greg Glassman’s insensitive, deplorable comments are not okay and not supported by Bionic or any of its staff. When a leader was needed most, he failed miserably. This, on top of past issues regarding his leadership over the past years made me question for the first time, if I still wanted to be associated with him. Not CrossFit, but Greg Glassman. We believe at Bionic that there needs to be change to the inequalities, racism and hatred throughout this world. Is there a racial disparity in the CrossFit community? Yes. Is there a disparity from white affiliate owners to African American affiliate owners? Yes. Do I have the answers? NO and I truly want to explore why that is and help in any way possible. 

We want to be leaders in that fight within our community. Bionic has always had a diverse population of members, both past and present, and believe we have a platform to stand on to make positive changes.

I believe in CrossFit with all my heart, to my core. I truly believe that the CrossFit community is one of the few things we have that connects people from all over the world regardless of race, gender, sexual orientation or social status. I do not feel that should be overshadowed by one mans insensitive, deplorable comments and I do not believe that those same comments should erase or re-define what our community stands for. 

When you walk thru the grocery store, mall or airport and you see someone wearing a CrossFit shirt, you immediately have a connection and more than likely strike up a conversation with said person. We don’t care who they are or where they come from. We talk to them because we have this common bond of certain characteristics: we work hard, we dedicate our life to being healthy, we are loyal and we are committed. All characteristics of a decent human being regardless of what they look like. This is the same community of people that stood up to the challenge of COVID 19 when our realities were rocked to its core. We were scared. But we did not stop. We supported each other. We saw affiliate owners work tirelessly to provide their members with some type of normalcy and human connection. Members committed themselves to their owners and other members by continuing to pay their dues, donate what they could all so when life returned to normal, their second homes would still be there. And Just when we thought it was over, we were reminded of the inequalities, racism, hatred and police brutality when it reared its ugly head…again. At a time when we needed leadership the most from the  CEO of CrossFit, he failed. He remained silent and when he chose to speak, he was wrong and yet again and the CrossFit community rose to the challenge. The community was hurt. We were shocked. We demanded change. We demanded an apology. This was done in numerous ways, no way was better than the other but equated to the same. We wanted something done.

The community was heard. Greg Glassman retired from his position as CEO. A new leader was named.

Two nights ago I had a staff meeting. Prior to the meeting I made my expectations clear that I wanted all of the staff to be educated and informed on recent events so we could have a productive conversation. The meeting lasted about 2 hours. We all spoke individually. We all listened without judgement. The meeting ended and there were three main points we all unanimously agreed on. 1. We all care about the members more than you can imagine. 2. There is a big issue with inequalities in our world, black lives do matter and we all want to be part of a positive change and 3, We all believe in CrossFit, what it has done for us and what it really does stand for.  We support the current changes and are hopeful the efforts CrossFit Inc has taken will be the first of many positive steps in making our community stronger where everyone is represented and feels equal.

Dave Castro, has been appointed as the new CEO of CrossFit Inc. While many may not like his personality portrayed on social media, he is nothing short of a leader. If you have ever attended a training seminar or watched a CrossFit event, they are all orchestrated and lead by Dave Castro and his team. They are magical events to witness and experience from a leadership perspective. Dave Castro spent over 10 years as a Navy Seal. He is a born leader. He is a man who believes in a mission and being successful in that mission, as failure is not an option.  His new mission is leading CrossFit to better places and making positive change in our world. I say we give him a chance. 

Our affiliation with CrossFit is up for renewal in January 2021 at which point we will re-evaluate the new leadership of CrossFit and decide what is best for our community. We will continue to operate as Bionic CrossFit until that time.

CrossFit has changed the world of health and wellness as Apple or the iPhone revolutionized technology. CrossFit has changed millions of peoples lives for the better with their constant charity work and methodology. We are all people. We all make mistakes. We have all said something we regret, we have all done something we are not proud of. We have all been hypocrites and have all judged others. What’s important is how we grow and learn from these instances. My hope is we as a community can move forward with the ability to really listen without judgment, forgive without regret or fear and create a space where everyone has an equal place and voice

Respectfully, 

Chris and the entire Bionic CrossFit staff