Why I Opened CrossFit Fiend: My Journey to Building a Fitness Community

When I started working in fitness, I wasn't a gym owner or a coach. I was a janitor, showing up early in the morning to clean locker rooms, mop floors, and wipe down machines. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., my life revolved around the grind of keeping things clean. I'd take a short break and then work the front desk from 5 p.m. until midnight, greeting members, answering questions, and doing what I could to keep things running smoothly. It was exhausting—12-hour days on my feet, often delivering furniture on weekends just to make ends meet. But I knew this was part of a bigger picture.

When I started working in fitness, I wasn't a gym owner or a coach. I was a janitor, showing up early in the morning to clean locker rooms, mop floors, and wipe down machines. From 7 a.m. to 3 p.m., my life revolved around the grind of keeping things clean. I'd take a short break and then work the front desk from 5 p.m. until midnight, greeting members, answering questions, and doing what I could to keep things running smoothly. It was exhausting—12-hour days on my feet, often delivering furniture on weekends just to make ends meet. But I knew this was part of a bigger picture.

Even during those long days, one thing kept me going: my belief that fitness can change lives. The reason I stuck with it, despite the hours and hard work, was because I knew I wanted to help people live healthier, better lives. CrossFit had transformed my own life. It didn’t just make me stronger physically; it saved me mentally. I’ve been through dark times where I felt stuck and unsure of myself, and CrossFit helped me pull through. It gave me a sense of belonging, a community, and the belief that I could overcome any obstacle.

That's when I realized I didn’t want to just work in a gym—I wanted to create something more. I wanted to build a place where people could come, feel seen, and know they weren’t just another membership number. I wanted to foster a supportive community that would empower people not only to reach their fitness goals but also to grow mentally and emotionally. That’s where the vision for CrossFit Fiend was born.

Starting wasn’t easy. It took a leap of faith, long days, and hard work to open the doors of CFF. I’ve done every job in the gym—cleaning, programming, coaching—because I know what it takes to build something from the ground up. But that’s what I wanted to create: a space where everyone knows they’re valued and part of a tribe. My mission was never just about fitness; it was about creating a place where people could thrive, both in and out of the gym.

CrossFit Fiend stands for more than just workouts. It stands for perseverance, community, and growth. I believe that fitness can be a vehicle for so much more—confidence, friendships, and even life-changing transformations. That’s why I wanted to build something special here.

Our goal at CrossFit Fiend is to meet people where they are, help them realize their potential, and inspire them to be the best versions of themselves—not just in the gym but in every aspect of life. That’s why I still show up every day to coach, interact with members, and make sure that CFF is a place where everyone feels they belong.

I didn’t just open CrossFit Fiend to create a gym; I opened it to change lives—because CrossFit changed mine.