18 Responses to "CrossFit Part 1: We Drink Kool-Aid, NOT Flavor-Aid!"

• Donny
  August 17, 2009, 11:49 am
  

  I'll never understand why, as Crossfitters, we are encouraged to rope other people into being Crossfitters. We want respect because we choose to live this "lifestyle", but why aren't we respecting people who don't? At our gym, we don't have to rope people in because they can see for themselves what Crossfit has done for us. They willingly join because they too want to be strong and fit. People gravitate towards greatness, and if you're having to convince people in a cult-like manner to join your gym, then you're very much doing something wrong. Perhaps it's your rigid nutritional advice accompanied by the judgement of others who aren't like you.

  Crossfitt was designed to be about strength and fitness. I don't believe it was to be used as an excuse to starve your 12 year-old of grains. With teen eating disorders on the rise, you're setting her up for failure. Sadly, I've seen it happen too many times.

  You might want to rethink your recruitment process if you want people to stick around for the long term so they can really benefit from what Crossfit has to offer. It would be interesting to know what your drop-out stats are.

• Garth
  August 17, 2009, 12:41 pm
  

  I love my kids and cringe when they stuff their face with bread, pasta, chips, cookies, candy and cake. It took me months, leading by example, to convince my wife and 14 year old daughter that grains were potentially harmful to their health. We've eliminated most of the processed foods and grains in our household and the kids are 100% on board. They love fruit and meat but need help and encouragement to break away from their carb addictions. All the advertising, nay sayers and idiot nutritionists out there that say things like 'Calories In/Calories Out, Everything in Moderation, Whole Grains are Good For You' don't help either.

  I want my children to be strong, healthy and fit. Obesity is rampant in our schools and it's a miserable feeling to be overweight and a target of ridicule among peers. I know - my kids always struggled with their weight and it's because we've made poor diet choices in the past. It's our job to lead by example, share our knowledge and help them to be successful which includes helping them to eat the right kind of foods.

  So a big thanks goes out to Bill and Jennie for all that they do and the knowledge that they share. They do this because they truly care and want their members, which they treat like family, to share in their successes and to avoid degenerative diseases like cancer, heart disease, diabetes and alzheimers. Besides, how can you be successful in a fitness program without tackling the nutrition as well? There's plenty of examples to prove that the conventional calories in - calories out theory is unsuccessful and ineffective for long term weight control.

  So if you don't like the advice, then don't listen. If you don't like the comradery and compassion that you'll find at the Fort, then don't come. Trust me, you won't be missed! There are plenty of others that appreciate the solid straight forward advice and love the competitive, fun loving nature that can be found at the Fort.

  My personal opinion
  Garth

• Brian
  August 17, 2009, 12:45 pm
  

  I think there's a fine line between espousing the positives of Crossfit and ramming it down people's throats to the extent that they get sick of hearing it and think we're all part of a cult.

  My parents are a good example. At first, when I started, they thought it was a bit odd that I spent 45 minutes driving each way to the gym, radically changing my previously high-carb diet, and basically throwing away 12 or so years of one way of training (distance running, little to no weight lifting) for Crossfit. The transition to paleo and the periods of 5,000 cal/day were met with raised eyebrows and a few comments, but overall, they've seen the positive changes Crossfit and diet have made in my life and they accept it. They don't act surprised that I don't eat grains or that I eat a couple pounds of meat a day. I like to think it's inspired both of them to start going to the gym a bit more consistently (or in my mom's case, to start going).

  I don't preach about eating clean or working out to my parents, or anyone, really, unless they ask. I just go about doing it and try to always learn more about refining my workouts and diet from the other people at the Fort and the literature I've found or been recommended. It's hard not to talk constantly about something new and great in your life (like getting Nintendo for Christmas when I was 6), but eventually, you realize people don't want to constantly hear about it because:

  A. They already know they should be working out and eating healthy, and this is a constant reminder of the fact that they aren't doing so.

  B. You're taking on a moralistic tone about the diet, which, even if the science really backs up what we say, nobody likes being wrong and nobody likes being condescended to.

  C. People are generally resistant to change and we've been conditioned to believe that any change in lifestyle has to demonstrate visible results within 7 days or it just isn't worth doing. Crossfit and the diet, be it paleo, primal blueprint, zero carb, or whatever, is hard, it takes time, and results don't show themselves in a week.

  Besides, there's the old Abraham Lincoln/Mark Twain line: "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt." We should be constantly learning and on guard against the notion that we’ve got all the answers because, invariably, we do not.

  This post has gotten unintentionally lengthy, but the point is, be glad you’ve found it and explain the benefits of Crossfit to people if you think they’ll be receptive. Then shut up, eat some (a lot) grass-fed beef, throw some heavy weights overhead, and get down to the business of selling yourself on Crossfit every day. Your results will be a better selling point for Crossfit than any lecture or scientific study that makes everyone’s eyes glaze over after one paragraph (Bill excluded).

• Garth
  August 17, 2009, 12:47 pm
  

  PS - Are you part of a CrossFit affiliate? Doesn't sound like it. If you are, I'm surprised since CrossFit corporate is all about nutrition. They recommend meat and vegetables, nuts and seeds, some fruit, little starch and no sugar. Did you see the latest post on the main site that included Gary Taube's seminar on nutrition that was an hour long? Or the follow up post that included a Barry Sears seminar?

  If you aren't part of the CrossFit scene, I encourage you to check it out. There's a lot to learn and I absolutely guarantee that you'll see results. Their advice is solid, both on fitness and nutrition

• Bill
  August 17, 2009, 1:23 pm
  

  Donny -

  Contrary to what you obviously think, this post was not intended to be a recruitment tool. You see, we actually cater to the likes and needs of our current members instead of solely focusing on those who have yet to sign-up. We are not a globo-gym and refuse to model ourselves after one.

  I can only speak for myself, but I encourage others to check out CrossFit because I want to share with them something that I truly love and enjoy. I don't know exactly what you mean when you say you don't have to "rope people in", but if the members of your "gym" aren't telling others about its awesomeness, then I would begin to question whether it truly is something to be proud of.

  As for our members, they are proud to be a part of the CrossFit Fire family and try to spread the word as often as possible so that others around them may also experience the same level of success and enjoyment that they have. In no way does this minimize or detract from their individual successes nor does it infer that we are in some way strong arming others into joining.

  CrossFit Fire has never, in any way, judged or intentionally disrespected another individual for the way they train and/or eat. Do we goof around, poke fun at, and play up the cult aspect at times? You bet your ass we do and if that bothers you, CrossFit Fire probably isn't for you. That's OK though because we aren't trying to cater to everyone. What we offer is a niche. The Fort isn't just another place to go and workout. The Fort provides an opportunity for building new friendships with like-minded people, devoted in similar ways to improving one's health and fitness.

  If one truly wants to achieve good health, nutrition will have to be addressed. Without proper nutrition, health, as well as fitness, will suffer. This is why we offer such "rigid" nutritional advice. We truly believe it to be necessary if one is to be successful. It is unfortunate that you have yet to accept this connection between sound nutrition and athletic performance.

  It is also quite unfortunate that you are such a sheep, blindly following the rest of the flock. If I understand you correctly, you want to argue that eating grains will help prevent teenagers from eating disorders. I challenge you to try to become a critical thinker and analyze the available information for yourself. If at that point, you still want to believe in the almighty grain, then be my guest. I can't fault stupidity. Don't get all high and mighty on us though and begin to think that you know how to best raise our children. Again, I refuse to be one of the sheep just so I can fit in. I will continue to raise my child as I see fit and any loathing from the flock will only serve to strengthen my resolve to do so.

• Brian
  August 17, 2009, 1:52 pm
  

  I knew I had met Donny somewhere from before:

  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MjYJ7zZ9BRw

  "Donny, you're out of your element!"

  Come to think of it, with that bandana on, Walter kind of resembles Zach...MARK IT ZERO!

• stacy
  August 17, 2009, 2:22 pm
  

  Zach, are you Donny? It would not surprise me if that were you raising controversy on your post.

• Jennie
  August 17, 2009, 2:38 pm
  

  Great to have you on our website Donny! We cherish the
  Opportunity to have people from other “gyms” ridicule, criticize and
  Find fault in the way we raise (but more specifically FEED) our children.
  Unbelievable that you have read our website every day for at least a month, and you
  Chose this post as your first debut. I want to set the record straight on a few things.
  Kit-Kat bars and bagels are NOT an essential part of a person’s diet. Now, I’m sure
  Your Doctor, and your 5th grade science book will say differently. Believe me,
  Our daughter isn’t STARVING. And how DARE YOU pass judgment on
  Us?! Ass. She eats meat, vegetables, fruit, nuts and seeds to her heart’s content, and she
  Really enjoys it. She feels better throughout the day, has more energy, and even
  Sleeps better. Secondly, you want to know about our drop-out stats? Let me
  Enlighten you. Yes, we have people leave the Fort; but not on bad terms.
  Life sometimes pulls people in different directions, and that’s just the way it goes.
  Frankly, I’d like to know the stats on the number of people at your “gym” that pay their
  Dues, stop showing up, and nobody even notices. We care about each and every
  One of our members, and when they leave it’s sad for us. And believe me, we
  Notice when people leave. We make SAD VIDEOS about them, and reminisce about the
  Nights we spent together sweating, and busting our asses. So don’t ask ME about my drop-out rates.
  Yours in training – Jennie Yundt

• Matt L
  August 17, 2009, 3:04 pm
  

  Where's TommyMo the referee when you need him.....?

  Donny, this video and post was put together by none other than our beloved prankster and respected Coach Zach "The Mayor" Mitchell, and it was simply just a way to get a smile out of our current members and poke fun at those who tell us we are part of a cult because we eat, breath, and sleep Crossfit due to the fact that is so addicting.....I think you may have misunderstood "The Mayor's" sense of humor....I recommend reading crossfitshenanigans to make sense of his (and our)personalities...

  Since I have joined CrossFit, I have been introduced to some of the most courteous people in my life, almost to the point that I believe they teach proper manners and etiquette more than functional movements at all those Certifications.

  With that said, I am confused as to why there is all this negative chatter on a CrossFit sponsored website.....not to mention that I think criticizing someone for how they are raising their child is a bit off color, don't you think?

  We respect your opinions and welcome you ideas, but please be careful what you post....it may come back to bite you like that bitch Fran did to me not too long ago...

• zach
  August 17, 2009, 6:55 pm
  

  URGENT MESSAGE TO ALL CROSSFORTERS!!

  Pay NO attention to this Donny character! ::waves hand in front of your eyes:: He is trying to sway your conviction to CrossFit Fire! ::waves hand in front of your eyes:: Nothing is wrong with the Fort! ::waves hand in front of your eyes:: We will help you wash ALL your troubles away! ::waves hand in front of your eyes::

  He is wrong. At tomorrow's classes we will have a special drink for everyone to re-affirm our commitment to the almighty Greg Glassman and our allegiance to the Fort! You will come to the Fort! ::waves hand in front of your eyes::

  Don't be late...

• Garth
  August 17, 2009, 7:44 pm
  

  I just watched that video and I'm ready for that drink now! Here here Zach

• zach
  August 17, 2009, 9:27 pm
  

  We can have a chugging contest, Garth!

  You guys are great and I am sorry Donny pooped on our parade. Everything you have responded with is evidence that Donny has absolutely no insight to what the Fort offers and what (more importantly) it's members offer it.

  Thank you.

• Ryan P
  August 17, 2009, 9:58 pm
  

  Damn Donny! Seriously? Don't you know that grains elevate your blood sugar levels amazingly fast and causes your pancreas to produce lots of insulin to metabolize it. Humans are not adapted to eat such amounts of concentrated carbohydrates and the pancreas (and adrenals) aren't fit to the job.

  Over time one will develop insulin resistance, hypoglycemia, diabetes
  II. Another problem is that the immune system crashes when your
  blood sugar levels increase to high levels. It takes *hours* for the
  the immune system to recover fully.

  Don't you think that this kind of prevention is GOOD for your 12 year old? Do the research before you make uneducated comments! Hey how did you come up with a 12 year old? Seriously? Who do you know that told you that 12 year old kids are being starved of grains anyway?

  Donny you need to "GROW UP" ... do more legitimate CLINICAL research on grains. Plus, you need a bit more maturity when it comes to posting on some website you have no affiliation with. We are a group of mature individuals that are intelligent and serious about being healthy.

  Hope your Crossfit experience is better than you portray... The point of this post is that as people trying to live a healthy lifestyle we encounter social bantering from our friends and family. For the past thirty years the US government and media has pounded "Carbs for workout and energy" and "Grains for regularity" which is partially true but NOT totally true... making way for drug companies, medical facilities, politicians and health insurance companies to benefit from our cancers and diseases.

  Crossfit Fire is the best work-out experience for me... I have tried to be committed to the paleo lifestyle as much as I can... I have lost 16 pounds in three months and probably gained 10-15 pounds in muscle mass. I am as fit as I was in high school or even better. Hopefully when I am 60 I will be on the road to living another 40 years!

  Peace!

• Mark R.
  August 17, 2009, 10:46 pm
  

  Wow I feel like I have to comment as a voice of reason here, as Tommy the ref's calming words are inexplicably absent. I should say that personally Stacy may have nailed this one and 'Donny' is really Zach's alter ego and doesn't exist in the real world.

  So Donny if you exist independent of Zach's twisted brain let me tell you that CFF is the furthest thing from a cult-like, agenda driven environment, where only their views on nutrition and fitness are accepted, this website included. In fact from a business standpoint their the least pushy I've seen. I've been a member at 5 other gyms and worked for another and can say that when I came to check things out Bill gave me a brief rundown and a free workout, no strings attached!! In the fitness community that is unheard of, there are always free guest passes, follow up calling, and special offers 'if you join to today there is no enrollment fee.' The fact is the product does speak for itself and as others have pointed out it's more of a labor of love for Bill and Jennie than probably anything else, i say this because they train people 6 days a week, and always have a great attitude. Not to mention that they are open to discussing dissenting views on both fitness and nutrition, as I'm not a complete believer in their total philosophy but I see consistency and commitment in their approach and respect that a great deal.

  Finally, the best thing about the Fort is the cast of characters, you should come check it out sometime. Join the GYG and see Tom melt his hands off on the rope, Garth's got his shirt off @ 5am, and Pete is deadlifting a small country. There's tons more too, between Super Dave, Boyd, Dad, and some of the most competitive ladies you'll meet I could write a sitcom on this crew and that's not even getting into Zach and his multiple personalities.

  It really is fun, come check it out...I dare you.

• zach
  August 18, 2009, 8:04 am
  

  If I was going to come up with a name for one of my alter-ego, it sure as shit wouldn't be a gay name like "Donny".

  I would use another Backstreet Boys' name! Maybe Marky Mark?

• Mark R.
  August 18, 2009, 8:58 am
  

  Looks like I was wrong on the alter ego, and I hate to correct you on your boy band knowledge but I believe Donny was in the New Kids, not Backstreet, I probably just lost any and all respect from guys at the Fort for knowing that, but I figured you needed to know

• Boyd
  August 18, 2009, 2:58 pm
  

  i've been eating like shit lately, guys. i need to be punished.

• Brian
  August 18, 2009, 10:03 pm
  

  Boyd, that sounds like something you should take up with your dominatrix, not your fellow gym-goers...