Affiliates: MONDAY 100208

February 8, 2010

MONDAY 100208

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Jaime Arashiro (kneeling in photo) of CrossFit Peru steps into the CrossFit Affiliate Snapshot.

Affiliate since: September 2008
Location: Lima, Peru
Sq Ft: 2000 sf. (Half for gym, half for bathroom and offices.)
Number of members: About 50
How many times have you moved your affiliate location? Once. At first we worked out of my house. Then I rented a space in a gym and painted it blue. This is what we now affectionately call "The Blue Box".
Greatest joy as a CrossFit affiliate: The opportunity to change the world by changing others lives by changing mine.
Biggest worry as a CrossFit affiliate: The possibility that the CrossFit name gets a bad reputation because of false CF instructors in this part of the world. I know that the position of CFHQ on this subject is to do my job well and people will choose quality . . .

Read the rest of the CrossFit Peru snapshot . . .

While I share this view, unfortunately, the "copy cat" phenomenon could be very big in some countries. For example, language barriers can exacerbate CrossFit knock-offs as clients may not have access to authentic CrossFit information in their own language. That's why I feel strongly that we affiliates have a responsibility to "spread the gospel" through our websites. Even worse than being copied, is the possibility that CrossFit's reputation could be tarnished by certified instructors who do not keep up with a constant learning process, as should be the case in any field.
Do you Facebook? Yes.
Do you Twitter? No.
If you had Coach Greg Glassman's ear, what would you ask him? There is a big Spanish-speaking community in several countries that would be receptive to CrossFit if they could understand it . . . unfortunately, there is a language barrier. Good efforts have been made from CFHQ, i.e. the tutorials of Maggie Dabe at the CrossFit Journal. There are a handful of CF L1 certified instructors in Latin America, native Spanish speakers who speak English, such as Carlos Andrade from CrossFit Guayaquil (a nutritionist), Raul Lagar from Cuba but living in Ecuador (master degree in Sports), Joel Fridman from CrossFit Brasil (an oly-lifting specialist), Pavel Sáenz from CrossFit Santiago (a media expert). They form a small, but very active group, are committed to CF, and eventually they could be great coaches or assistant coaches for CF seminars in Spanish. What do you think?
If you could give new CrossFit affiliates one piece of advice, what would it be? Be part of a great community while building your own "tribe" - in Seth Godin´s words. Tell them a good and honest story, do it with passion and intelligence, have fun, and, if you want, you can make a living doing one of the most rewarding jobs ever. Trust in the advices that the chicas y chicos of CFHQ tell you. They have experience and they want the best for you.
What does your gym need more of? Just knowledge. I get a good deal of high quality information from the CFJ and from other CF websites and blogs around the world - even from CrossFitters visiting us on their travels through Peru. The CrossFit certification seminars are difficult to access, since they are usually hosted so far away from us. It would be great if we could host a CF Kids cert, a CF Football cert, and others, in South America. Personally, I need longer days to be able to translate more CFJ articles and and all the interesting content of CF affiliate websites into Spanish!
What does your gym need less of? What we have, we need.
Chalk? Or no chalk? Chalk. Why not?

Posted by Lisbeth at February 8, 2010 12:05 AM

Comments

How cool,Crossfit Peru....If I ever find myself there I will be sure and look you guys up!

Comment #1 - Posted by: merle at February 8, 2010 2:45 AM

Nice words Jaime, always a passionate CFter.
Vamos todos juntos hacia la luz!!!

Comment #2 - Posted by: Joel Fridman at February 8, 2010 4:12 AM

Hey- CF Peru- Jeff from BTB here. We had a crew of a few guys visit you all last year during a trip, and they really enjoyed meeting you guys. Also, just last week we had a visitor from you up at our gym, Esteban. Great dude. We sent back a few pull up bands with him to help out the ladies in your gym. Keep it up!

Comment #3 - Posted by: jeff at February 8, 2010 5:28 AM

Excellent Jaime! You are doing a very good job!

Comment #4 - Posted by: Roberto at February 8, 2010 6:45 AM

Jaime your gym is awesome! Dani and I cannot wait to come back and visit again.

Comment #5 - Posted by: Sean B-H at February 8, 2010 9:00 AM

We are VERY lucky to have a coach like Jaime in our box, who is absolutely empassioned by Crossfit and by changing our lives. He regularly goes above and beyond, and is like a machine of innovation and creativity for how to keep things fresh, how to keep the community active and involved, and how to instill pain and suffering in the most efficient ways. :)

Some of Jaime's ideas in recent months include: an adopt-a-kettleball painting contest, where members had to paint kettleballs and we voted on the best designs; a "What Crossfit Means to Me" essay writing contest; and has helped motivate and organize the participation of members of our group in local sporting events.

He is the best, we love him and are proud to have him, and Crossfit couldn't have a better ambassador in South America.

Comment #6 - Posted by: Stephanie Molina at February 8, 2010 9:08 AM

VERY well said Jaime. CF Peru is indeed an awesome place, amazing group run by veru smart people.

Comment #7 - Posted by: Pavel Saenz at February 8, 2010 10:42 AM

Jaime is a VERY DEDICATED CF instructor! I have never seen anyone so passionate about their work and who takes great pride in it. He doesn't give 100% but 10 times that! Thank you Jaime for teaching me all that I know today about CrossFit and keeping us so involved and up to date! Excellent job!!!

Comment #8 - Posted by: Mary at February 8, 2010 1:42 PM

we are very lucky to have Jaime as instructor and to be part of this community. You are doing an excellent job!!!! Congratulations!!!

Comment #9 - Posted by: Mariana at February 8, 2010 4:05 PM

I could honestly say many things. From here and there and back... the Blue Box in Peru is just more than a place to be; its a place of respect.
Jaime, what you do there is Superb. Bringing your constant dedication and perseverance daily - Thanks so much.

Comment #10 - Posted by: JC at February 8, 2010 4:37 PM

Jaime, we all LOVE YOU!!!! you always give us as much as you know and you can. Everyone of us enjoy every minute we spent in our blue box, and it is because you are doing an excellent job!!!! keep it up!!!

Comment #11 - Posted by: Giselle at February 8, 2010 8:28 PM

We couldn't have definitely a better coach than Jaime. He has accomplish to transmit us his passion and enthusiasm for Crossfit to every member of CF Peru. With his motivation, we end each wod wanting to repeat it to make a better time, to improve our technique or to have more fun than we just did. Even though there are different classes during the day, Jaime has managed to integrate all of the CF Peru members, by comenting in our web site each wod or post, creating teams in our local games, talking between classes and gathering as a "tribe" we already are. Thanks Jaime!

Comment #12 - Posted by: Nella at February 9, 2010 5:52 AM

Congratulations Jaime. Thank you for your dedication, and for the great crossfit community you have created in Peru.

Continue the excellent work, and I wish you the best.

Comment #13 - Posted by: Axel at February 9, 2010 6:40 AM

We couldn't have definitely a better coach than Jaime. He has accomplish to transmit us his passion and enthusiasm for Crossfit to every member of CF Peru. With his motivation, we end each wod wanting to repeat it to make a better time, to improve our technique or to have more fun than we just did. Even though there are different classes during the day, Jaime has managed to integrate all of the CF Peru members, by comenting the wods and posts in our web site, making teams in our local games, talking between classes and gathering as a "tribe" we already are. Thanks Jaime!

Comment #14 - Posted by: Nella at February 9, 2010 6:41 AM

Gran trabajo Jaime, vale la pena cada trasnochada y cada trabajo para llevar las cosas al pentagonito... quien te manda!!! pero trae sus frutos.
Un saludo fraterno a todos los crossfiters!!!

Comment #15 - Posted by: Manuel Bonilla at February 9, 2010 9:52 AM

As Latin American CrossFit brothers, the CrossFit BRIGA (Panama City, Panama) family would like to thank Jaime for being such a great friend. He has always been there for the rest of the Latin Affiliates, always with kind words and to help everyone be their best!

Jaime, you rock man!

Comment #16 - Posted by: Ory Ortega at February 9, 2010 9:54 AM

Jeff I have just got the bands, they are our first ones!!
Oriel, imperdonablemente olvidé mencionar a CF Briga, creo que debemos interactuar más seguido, al menos por mail.
The job here is possible thanks to the CF Peru members and the support of CFHQ. Muchas gracias a todos por sus palabras de aliento.

Comment #17 - Posted by: Jaime at February 9, 2010 11:53 AM

I think there is not much left to be said about Jaime as a CF instructor and as a person from all prior comments. He is great! He has definitely forged the CF community in Peru and has been able to transmit his passion to all Peruvian Crossfitters! I am proud to say I train with Jaime. Keep up the great work and the great vibes!

Comment #18 - Posted by: Raúl at February 11, 2010 1:49 PM

Aloha Crossfit Peru,
I am a member of the crossfit community in Hawaii.
I am interested in building me CF gym/garage in Samoa and was wondering how and where you obtained your equipments. Can you give me brief info on how you built yours? I am worried about shipping cost too! Mahalo and look forward to your reply.

Rob

Comment #19 - Posted by: Rob at April 7, 2010 1:18 PM

Hola Rob, I have just read your comment. I bought some equipment to The Garage Gym Store and C2. Will send you an e-mail.

best,
Jaime

Comment #20 - Posted by: Jaime at April 9, 2010 11:48 AM

I will be working in Lima on and off the next couple of years and plan on checking out the "Blue Box". I am still weak on my spanish, can any of the trainers speak english? Also, how much for a drop in workout? The duration of my visits will be anywhere from one week to one month at a time.

So glad to map out your location and find out you are 2km from our company house.

Comment #21 - Posted by: BP at June 23, 2010 12:00 PM

Hey CF Peru,
I didn't even know there was a gym in Peru! Thank god for this site and the relvolution that is CF. My wife is Peruvian and we visit twice a year. I will be in to see you guys soon. Keep up the good work!

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