Honoring Chad Peyton: Paddle-Out and Community Workout

The CrossFit community mourns the loss of Chad Robert Peyton, a beloved husband, father, son, brother, and friend. Chad, a U.S. Army veteran with 10 years of military service, struggled with depression and anxiety. He took his own life on May 17, 2021.

Chad received a Congressional nomination to attend West Point, where he graduated with a B.S. in May 2003 before being commissioned as an aviation officer in the U.S. Army.

Chad became a UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter pilot and served in Germany during Operation Iraqi Freedom II. He was subsequently promoted to Captain and stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, from 2006 until 2009, when he was transferred to Fort Bragg, North Carolina. During his military service, he was awarded the Bronze Star and many other awards and commendations.

In 2012, Chad was honorably discharged from the Army and relocated to Santa Cruz, California, where he became a beloved member of the local CrossFit community. He and his wife, Nicole, were married in September 2014.

When he wasn’t flying helicopters as a first responder, Chad enjoyed spending time with his family, doing CrossFit, hiking in the forest, surfing, traveling, and helping his friends and fellow veterans.

Chad is survived by Nicole, who works on the publishing team at the CrossFit Home Office; his two children, Isla, 5, and Ellis, 3; and many other friends and family members.

If you or someone you know is struggling with PTSD, anxiety, or depression, call the National Center for PTSD hotline right away: 1-800-273-8255. All calls are completely confidential.

Related:

A CrossFit Pregnancy: Healthy Mother, Healthy Child
At 35 weeks pregnant, Nicole Peyton, an avid CrossFit athlete of more than four years, was still doing CrossFit. Though she’s aware of the stigma that often surrounds pregnant women who do CrossFit, Peyton, 30, says she never considered giving up the fitness regimen.