SciCoh Family,
This isn’t a note I planned to write, it’s the one I needed to write.
I write this on behalf of myself as a man, my family, our Coaches, and our broader SciCoh family. I pray that I do all of us justice.
I’m not going to lie – I’ve consulted every Coach on our team and have been at this letter for over 2 hours and quite frankly it’s still not good enough.
Normally, I believe in my ability to adequately represent myself, our team, and our SciCoh family, but there is an overwhelming sense of inadequacy this time. I’ve written, rewritten, and rewritten again, but this is the best that I have to offer. Please judge not by its composition, but by its sincerity and content.
Here we go…
Holy s@#$% what a year. COVID-19. Racial injustice. Riots that affect policemen, their families, and our own CrossFit SciCoh family. And now, the leader of the CrossFit brand, Greg Glassman, has shown some interesting colors.
SOCIAL INJUSTICE
George Floyd.
Do I need to say anything else?
While “Black Lives Matter” seems obvious to most of us, it’s a necessary sentiment to communicate.
As a middle-aged white man, I can never fully understand what men and women of color face/have faced, but I can own the actions of what I do on a daily basis. There are so many ways to address this issue and for me it’s by continuing to create and lead a community of people to spread health, happiness, and joy to the world regardless of creed, color, or preference.
I’ve made many mistakes in my 7+ years as a gym owner, but if there’s anything I’ve done right, God I hope it’s spreading the message I claim above.
It’s sickening what some human beings do to one another regardless of, yet frequently based on, vocation, color, or economic status. If your time with SciCoh has not made it clear, this is not acceptable in our community.
I take pride in the fact that we are a group based on supporting each other, challenging each other, and spreading the love of fitness to our community. While not everyone fits in with what we do, that fit has nothing to do with external factors, including the color of their skin.
To be very honest, I don’t know how else to support this movement. If you think there is something more that I, we, or the SciCoh community should be doing, please let me know. I don’t know a lot of things, but I do know that I don’t have all the answers.
THE IMPACT ON OUR POLICE FAMILY
Somehow the recent events have led to divisive communication of supporting black lives OR police. To any sane individual, the correct word is clearly AND…especially if you are part of the SciCoh community.
Watching people all over the country gather to stand up for basic human rights is absolutely beautiful. It’s what makes us free, elevates us as a country, and fulfills the dreams of the forefathers that drafted our Constitution.
The violence that’s ensued against one another and our police? Abhorrent.
This violence completely compromises the critical message of combatting injustice and endangers the lives of activists, policemen, and their families across the country.
To be clear, the frequency of African American deaths at the hands of rogue officers is completely unacceptable. To take it a step further, there is most certainly a broader national issue. BUT, I know the majority of these people that risk their lives on a daily basis are genuinely good…especially in our SciCoh community.
We are so blessed to have officers and families of officers in our SciCoh community. Let me speak for all of them when I say, now is not a good time.
I’ve never had to worry if myself or my spouse would be harmed when we left for work. These families do and it takes a toll.
I’ve reached out to all of them to let them know the weight of the SciCoh community is behind them, but I ask you do the same.
CROSSFIT CEO MISSTEPS AND OUR REACTION
Because a national pandemic, racial injustice, and riots were not enough, the CEO of CrossFit, Greg Glassman, decided to add to the 2020 turmoil with his own insensitive tweet and email about the current environment. I suspect many of you don’t even know what I’m talking about and frankly it’s not worth your time.
All you need to know is that he made nonsensical, insensitive comments that made light of the current environment that in no way, shape, or form, represent the feeling of any of the 13,000+ affiliates worldwide including SciCoh.
It does however force me to ask the question, “Do I still want the name CrossFit to be associated with our gym and community?” The short answer is “we will see.”
If there is anything Greg has done well as a leader, it’s creating something that extends beyond himself.
Because of CrossFit I met my wife and found my calling. Because of CrossFit many of you have met life-long friends that will forever impact your lives. Because of CrossFit, 100s of thousands of people are in better shape physically and mentally than they would have been otherwise.
And you know how many of these people actually know who Greg Glassman is? Probably less than 1%.
In other words, the brand and its positive impact extends beyond one individual…for now.
Quite frankly, I think CrossFit has been the best thing to ever happen to the fitness industry and I’m not ready to cut bait because of the actions of one individual. That said, I am critically watching the response of the company and will not hesitate to make moves that are in the best alignment with SciCoh values.
Family, we are in a stressful time and the last thing you should worry about is the comments of a person you’ve never met. Let me worry about that and you simply focus on enjoying the SciCoh community and focusing on the fitness you need to be a better you.
As always, the team and I are here in whatever way you need us to be. We love you and can’t wait to see you more and more in person.
Mike
