Love

Very, very Good 

Hell yes.

I was traveling this week and got to work out at a well equipped non-CrossFit gym. I was able to do almost everything in my programming (Olympic lifting, full WOD's, accessory work, etc.). As I finished up my second day of training there I was struck by how few people spoke to or even acknowledged the other people in the gym. Second, I realized that I was the only person in the entire gym gasping for air. I had forgotten how moderately most people trained. Gasping for air, surrounded by other people doing the same thing, people you know and talk to before, during and after working out, focusing on improving your technique as you try to lift heavier weights, etc. This is all just part of the "gym" experience (the CrossFit experience) that I often take for granted. It was a good reminder of everything Nicole discusses above - things that are a part of our everyday CrossFit life that the vast majority of people won't ever experience (but they should).

Thank you Nicole. This is brilliantly written. As I read I repeatedly said “YES!” to myself.. (and “FINALLY!”). I plan to make this required reading for my coaches. It will also be included in our welcome email to all new members. 

❤️

Thank you! We need more of this. THIS is what I feel in love with when I first found CrossFit nearly 10 years ago. I want to shout from the top of my lungs how amazing this methodology is and how impactful it can be. As you mentioned, it's been a bumpy couple (18?) of months... So I'm happy to have this type of ground swell back behind us coaches and owners. 

Your words mean more than you know. Thank you, Nicole. 

Such a wonderful reminder of the beauty of CrossFit. Thanks for writing this, Nicole! 🙏🏼

Vídeo ótimo, comecei a treinar faz mais ou menos 4 meses e obtive resultados ótimos!

You could not say it any better.  That is exactly what CrossFit is--magic.

What a brilliantly written intro into what promises to be a fantastic series into the elements of the CrossFit formula. 

So having this come directly from Nicole give a ton of weight to this in my opinion - and I'm sure a lot of other people's opinion as well. There are some things I'd like to point out, but a little more timidly than usual because deferring to Nicole on matters of CrossFit culture is probably a good idea. Again, my perspective is as an outsider.

On a random note, the first picture has been hanging up at the Champions Club for the last 6 years and change. I did a double-take when I saw it leading this article
When I read this quote... "As we sought to evolve the business to promote growth, many of us grew anxious that if we were not careful, our outward expansion could come at the high cost of a collapse at our core. So in response to this challenge, we looked for new ways to articulate and thereby protect that core." I keep thinking of subtracting vs. adding; and it seems subtracting unnecessary things usually works better than trying to add things. If rapid outward expansion is the concern, wouldn't slowing "growth" down be a more efficient and effective solution than trying to add good stuff on top of that? Adding Nicole Carroll to any problem immediately makes that thing less of a problem, but it will always be there. I'm sure this is way easier said than done, obviously.
Interesting thought behind the formula. It doesn't come off as groundbreaking to me, but neither did CVFMHI or IWCABTAMD until years and years of having it in my head and thinking of it while coaching; I have a feeling this formula could have the same effect. Makes a lot of sense either way.
The Ethos section mentioned... "We did not sit in a room to determine our values. We did not survey fitness fanatics at large and ask, “What do you value?” or “What’s important to you?” Our ethos did not emerge from a focus group or a marketing strategy session; it developed organically and authentically from the methodology." But that's exactly what happened last year! We got sent a survey asking the same kinds of questions. Earlier in the post, an emphasis was made on CrossFit being a founder-led company in its first 20ish years, and it's hard to imagine anything other than that model being the answer.

Either way, this was my favorite part of it:
This challenge is shared by all of us: CrossFit HQ, CrossFit affiliates, coaches, gym members, and garage-gym devotees. Rising to this challenge is, in my opinion, the most important thing we can do — as a business, as a brand, and as a community. It is collective work. Work that, if we align behind it as a team, will benefit all of us as well as the world around us.
I'm with that and with CrossFit wherever it goes. Looking forward to reading the next pieces!

For the good of the company, the affiliates, the methodology, and the athletes, present and future, it's imperative to take this lesson, the formula, the magic, and spread the message far beyond the CF subscriber list. We have something that can go to market, and succeed, in a sustainable, authentic and organic way. Please.

Love this! Reading this is reminiscent to how I voraciously read through CFJs and watched loads of videos! Nicole delivering the first bout of magic this time around brings back that magic. Thank you CrossFit! 

This was a great article.  I started my journey in CrossFit back in 2010 and instantly fell in love with it.  Last year I have earned my L1 and I am looking for a coaching opportunity at my local affiliate.  The formula is what makes CrossFit for me the most potent part and almost impossible to enjoy other fitness modalities. 

Well said Nicole. When you spoke of the force multipliers of the formula: coaches and community, I believe the formula would more fully show its power; its 'magic' by being written as: 

Methodology X Ethos (coaches + community) = CrossFit. 

That truly denotes the sum is significantly greater than its parts.

I look forward, eagerly, to reading more on the 'magic' and the future of CrossFit.

Nicole nailed it. "It involves an appreciation for hard work, accountability, courage, and service in support of others. It is what makes us us."

Awesome! I love this :-)