When Diogo Monteiro and his wife, Stephanie, opened CrossFit Black Edition in Alcabideche, Portugal, they were coaching almost every class. But as the community began to grow, the duo grew from coaches to leaders.
The affiliate led the charge in 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, registrations, with 517 of their members participating. Because of this, they were selected to host the live announcement of Open Workout 26.2, presented by Velites.
In this article, Monteiro dives into the creation of CrossFit Black Edition and what he has learned as an affiliate owner.
Q: When did you start CrossFit, and how did you discover it?
I started CrossFit over 10 years ago. I discovered it through friends who were training in a way that was different — simple, intense, effective.
What stayed with me wasn’t just the methodology. It was the shared effort. The fact that everyone — regardless of level — was working hard side by side.
You are responsible for your own work, but you are supported by the people around you. That combination of accountability and community made a huge impact on me.
Q: Why did you decide to open a CrossFit affiliate with your wife, Stephanie?
Steph and I wanted to build something meaningful together. Not just a gym — a space where people grow.
We both believe in leadership, standards, and hard work. But we also believe deeply in accessibility. We wanted a place where someone can walk in for the first time and feel welcomed, not judged.
Fitness is the vehicle. Community is the outcome.
And building this together as husband and wife makes it personal. The values we teach inside the gym are the same values we live at home.
Q: What were the first few years of CrossFit Black Edition like?
Hard. Very hands-on. Personal.
We coached almost every class. Cleaned. Sold memberships. Had conversations after hours.
In the beginning, it felt like one tight group — everyone knew everyone. That closeness built the foundation.
Those early years taught us that leadership means doing the work first. Setting the standard. Being present.
Q: How has the affiliate grown over the years?
As we’ve grown, something really special has happened.
Instead of one single group, subcommunities have naturally formed within the affiliate — different class times, different age groups, competitive athletes, beginners, parents, early-morning crews, evening crews.
Each class has its own identity. Its own energy. Its own friendships.
Our responsibility as leaders is to nurture each of those subgroups — to make sure they feel seen, included, and important — while still protecting the unity of the whole.
We have grown, but we’ve worked hard to care for all the subgroups as one community.
What we love most is seeing friendships form inside each class. Business networks forming. Social connections outside the gym. Athletes finding not just fitness, but belonging.
Q: What has been your greatest challenge as an affiliate owner?
Evolving from coach to leader while staying connected.
As you grow, it becomes easy to step back and manage from a distance. But community doesn’t survive at a distance.
The challenge is maintaining standards, building systems, and developing a team, while still walking the floor, still talking to athletes, still knowing what’s happening in each class culture.
Leadership means staying close.
Q: What has been the most rewarding part about being an affiliate owner?
Seeing athletes grow in confidence.
Watching someone who was once unsure become consistent, strong, and proud.
Seeing subcommunities form organically, early mornings supporting each other, competitive athletes pushing standards higher, newer athletes finding encouragement from more experienced ones.
And knowing that even as we grow, people still feel valued individually. That’s the reward.
Q: You are about to host the live announcement of Open Workout 26.2, presented by Velites. What are you most excited about? What should fans expect?
The Open represents everything we believe in.
Effort. Vulnerability. Unity.
It brings all the sub-communities together under one challenge. The 6 a.m. crew, the 9 a.m. parents, the evening competitors — everyone stands on the same floor.
Fans should expect intensity, professionalism, and atmosphere. But above all, they’ll see connection. Athletes pushing themselves and supporting each other.
Q: How is your affiliate running the 2026 Open each week?
We run it with structure and intent.
Clear standards. Organized heats. Dedicated judging.
But the priority is experience. We want every athlete — whether it’s their first Open or their tenth — to feel included and important.
It’s not just about scores. It’s about participation and pride.
Q: What is the culture like at CrossFit Black Edition?
Driven but supportive.
We value effort over ego.
We expect professionalism and hard work — from ourselves first — and we encourage athletes to raise their standards too.
At the same time, accessibility matters deeply to us. No one should feel intimidated walking through the door.
We’ve grown into multiple sub-communities, but we operate as one. Everyone belongs.
Q: What advice would you give to other affiliate owners?
Lead from the front.
Do the hard work early. Build systems, yes, but build relationships more.
As you grow, protect the smaller cultures forming inside your affiliate. Nurture them. Stay connected to them. Make every athlete feel seen.
Community doesn’t scale by accident. It scales through intentional leadership.
If you can grow without losing connection, that’s when something special happens.