People Need People
I don’t care what anyone says—humans need connection. We thrive on interactions, from laughter and celebration to challenges and teamwork. These moments shape us, helping us grow and appreciate life.
I realized this truth more than ever after my days of playing team sports came to an end. In sports, you always have teammates by your side—your morning workout partner, your locker mate for conditioning, your entire squad pushing and supporting you. But once you hang up your cleats, stick, or ball, you’re left to figure it all out on your own.
Even for those who never played sports, starting a fitness journey alone can feel overwhelming. You want to get in shape, but where do you even begin? And who do you share the journey with?
Finding My Way (or Losing It) After Sports
When I first transitioned out of sports, I turned to running. I didn’t want to carry the extra weight I had maintained for my sport, and running was free. No gym, no equipment—just me and the road.
But there was no structure. No set distance, no goal pace, no accountability. I ran until I felt like stopping, tracked my weight loss but not my progress, and, eventually, I lost motivation.
Without anyone to push me, challenge me, or even just suffer alongside me, my fitness felt empty. As much as I enjoyed solitude, I craved camaraderie in my workouts. That’s when everything changed.
Discovering My First CrossFit Community
At work, I was invited to join a small fitness group that met at 5 AM three times a week. The workouts had a CrossFit-style approach, and from the very first session, I was hooked. I never missed a class.
The leader of the group mentioned he was opening a gym and encouraged me to check it out. That was all I needed to hear—sold!
In 2013, I walked into CrossFit Grove City in Pennsylvania, and from that moment on, I never looked back.
The Energy Was Different
From the second I stepped inside, I felt something special. The gym had a raw, unfiltered vibe—loud music, a little dust on the floor, and a group of people who felt more like family than gym members.
Nobody was in the corner with earbuds in, lifting alone. Instead, they were talking, stretching together, and strategizing about the upcoming workout. Then, something crazy happened—a coach actually led the class.
They walked us through a warm-up, cracking jokes and keeping the mood light. We moved into strength training, where people cheered each other on, celebrating even the smallest victories. Then came the workout—everyone suffered through it together and bonded over the shared struggle afterward.
The best part? They told me to come back. They said they’d be there tomorrow, same time, same place.
And they meant it.
It Was Never Just About the Workouts
Every class had that same electric atmosphere. The coaching was consistent, the support never wavered, and the friendships I built made me want to keep showing up.
Years later, when I moved to South Carolina for a new job, the first thing I did was find a CrossFit gym. And guess what? The experience was the same. I formed friendships that I’ll carry for life. In fact, some of the closest people in my life—outside of my wife—come from that gym.
Now, as a gym owner, I see it firsthand every day. No matter where I go, CrossFit is built on community. People encourage each other. They show up at 5:30 AM, not just for the workout, but because they know their friends will be there.
Yes, the fitness matters. But for most of us, it’s about something bigger—the people, the support, the shared experience.
And that’s what makes CrossFit Invigorate different.
