What CrossFit taught me about business

Here are 3 simple words I NEVER thought I'd say: I'm into CrossFit!

Seriously though, 3 months ago, I would be cringing at my new self. I'm a yogi! I don't DO CrossFit! Alas, here I am – 2 months in and I admit, I'm hooked.

However (and this is a big caveat), it's not just because of the fact that I'm finally feeling my muscles resurface and am socializing with people IRL outside of my family. It also doesn't hurt that the gym's 3 minutes from my house and after 45 minutes of grunting and sweating, I'm home before 7:30 ready to start my day. But no, that's still not the real reason I continue to show up 3 times a week. It's all because of one person: the owner, who we'll call Jake.

Remember, I knew NOTHING about lifting weights or how to properly hold a kettlebell (remember, yogi here!), but since day 1, Jake's shown me nothing but patience and kindness. And ya know that idea of CrossFit you have in your head of dudes all testosterone driven, chest-pumping each other and competing over who can do the most pull ups? That couldn't be further from the truth with this place. At first I wasn't sure if it's just where we are (small New England town), but no, I don't think that's it. Everyone's kind and uplifting and there to truly just do their own personal best and cheer each other on.

But then I heard a story from another gym-goer (let's call him Fred) that totally epitomized why this business is so successful.

Basically, Fred and his wife had been going to the gym for a while. Fred's wife got too busy and stopped going to the gym. Several months later when Fred thought to do something about this, he mentioned to Jake that he should probably just cancel her membership, to which Jake responded,

“I already did that months ago.”

He WHAT!?! Take a moment to let that sink in. Without any request from Fred or his wife, Jake took it upon himself to cancel her membership. He very easily could have let the money continue rolling in on autopay and said nothing (which is probably what most business owners would have done in that scenario!) His integrity here speaks VOLUMES about how he leads his business and what kind of person he is.

By the way, do you have any idea what I had to go through years ago when I tried to cancel my Equinox membership? I had to fake an injury, ask my Uncle (who happens to be a pediatrician) to write a letter stating I was unable to work out anymore. And they still wouldn't let me cancel! Granted, one is a small independent gym while the other is a conglomerate business, but still!

This made me realize two very important truths about business.

1. The experience your customers have working with you
   IS your super power.
2. Everything (energy, morale, attitude) trickles down from the top (leadership).

And then I saw this quote that just about sums it up:

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“Bad leaders care about who is right. Good leaders care about what is right.”

SIMON SINEK

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The experience of CrossFit has also reminded me another important lesson, which is that when you observe or experience before you judge, you open yourself to possibilities. You acknowledge that your opinion is not a fact. It’s how you choose to see the world. I made a generalization about CrossFit based off what – a few IG posts or other people's opinions? That couldn't have been further from MY experience, but first I had to be open-minded enough to allow myself to try something new. Get uncomfortable. Take a risk. After all, isn't that what entrepreneurship is all about?

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