The Real Reason I Opened CrossFit Bodmin
Here’s the cliché you might expect.
I always knew this is what I wanted to do. I have a passion for helping people. Health and fitness was always part of my life and something that fulfills me, something I wanted to inspire others to be part of.
This, is a big fat lie…
I didn’t have a clue what I wanted. I didn’t open because I was passionate and energized to create change.
Like a lot of people, true motivation came because I was miserable, frustrated and needed something new.
Let’s go to 2017.
Just over a year before I opened.
Working in a well paying job, as a Merchandiser, part of the buying team for a cool little company called Finisterre. I loved the people I worked with. I would go for beach walks on my lunch breaks, go check out the views, throw in the occasional sea swim.
I was good at what I did. I’m a numbers guy, spreadsheets were my jam. The company was growing, there were opportunities. I had the work life balance people crave.
But, I wasn’t happy.
I was irritable, always up away from my desk, I was stressed, I was frustrated with my life. I was depressed. I lacked something. On paper everything was good. But inside I wasn't right.
So I quit, forced my hand.
In a moment of desperation. I didn’t know what to do. I got a minimum wage job serving fish and chips and did my PT qualifications. Looking back, this was a great thing to do. Commit! Yeah sure, maybe not the advice for everyone, but if nothing changes, nothing changes, so.... lets change something.
Here was my situation though, I knew I enjoyed CrossFit, it was my hobby, my escape. I thought opening up a CrossFit gym was the only obvious option in front of me. But also had this fear that opening up my own gym would ruin my hobby and turn it into a chore.
I made the business plans, I applied for loans. I gained work experience working as a fitness instructor at a leisure centre, and I hated it!
Long days, waking up crazy early to take two spin classes back to back. By 8am I was knackered for the rest of the day. I felt unfulfilled there, I wanted to get people fit, they wanted to look at a mirror, have a chat, settling for mediocre results. I felt like I had no real influence on anyone. I wasn’t making a difference.
So I quit, again, I went back to the chip shop.
So, I was miserable, I tried working in the fitness industry and hated it, I had no options and the best idea I had, might well end up being a mistake by ruining the only escape I had.
You know how this story ends, so, yep I still went ahead.
But here’s what happened. I found out that when I have someone in front of me, and I can teach them cool things, get them to do stuff they didn’t know they could do. See the joy on their face and... here's the ego, know that I made that happen! Maybe I do have a passion for helping people.
I know I enjoyed CrossFit, it was my escape, being healthy, keeping fit, it kept me sane. When everything else in my life felt pointless and unfulfilling. CrossFit gave me a focus, a community, a way to keep my head up.
Now.... I get to bring the same opportunity to others, this thing makes a real difference to people lives.
I enjoy doing this because I get create a positive change for others. Maybe being able to bring a bit of inspiration to people is what I wanted all along.
Did I know from day 1 that I made the right choice? Fuck no. I question my decisions all the time.
Was it worth it? Hell yeah!
It’s not the motivational story you might expect.
But it's honest, and it’s how a lot of real change comes. I was miserable and frustrated. So, I tried something new.
That’s the punchline^, that’s the takeaway.
My motivational speech can be condensed down to 'F#*k around and find out'
Or, to give a bit of nuance. I leant into the things in my life that I valued. The things that felt obvious to me. The things that I knew made my life better.
I didn't ever know what I wanted and it definitely hasn't been an easy ride! I've questioned my life decisions lots of times.
But now I can look back and see where the path took me. By committing to something, I've experienced things I never imagined I would, I've gained a perspective that I wouldn't have had otherwise, I've made stupid mistakes, learnt my lessons, and its made me who I am today.
“Two roads diverged in a wood, and I—
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference.”
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