ANNOUNCEMENT - IT'S DECISION TIME...

Hello all,

I'd like to start this post by congratulating you all as a whole for the tremendous progress that has been made since the start of the new year. That goes for both the veterans as well as the youngbloods. We've had a lot of new faces and a lot of new energy, and in an effort to ensure everyone keeps moving in the right direction, a few issues need to be addressed. By the way, I'm sure I'm going to ruffle quite a few feathers with this one, but that's perfectly fine because that was my intended purpose.

Now before the heads start rolling, please take a minute to read these two articles just to remind yourself why you are here:

http://www.crossfitcaliforniacity.com/2009/04/12/why-do-you-crossfit-why-do-i-crossfit/

http://crossfitdowntownwinston.com/2009/07/02/what-we-look-for-in-crossfitters/

So, I haven't posted anything in quite a while but I think that it's about time for a few people to receive a reminder that being a member of our crew is a privilege, not a right. Bad attitudes, general lack of effort, and inconsistency WILL NOT be tolerated... When you walk through our door, you are expected to leave your personal baggage behind, treat everyone with respect, and give your all until the last second. If that is too much to ask, then you might as well stay home...FOR GOOD. I, along with the founding members of this program, have worked too long and too hard to build this amazing community to have anyone come in and pollute our air.

I think some of you take for granted what we have here... The support of your comrades, the quality of instruction, and most importantly the undeniable results will not be found elsewhere. If you have any doubts about that statement whatsoever then you should not be here. You are welcome to go anywhere at any time and test those words.

Now without getting into the specific details, I was recently made aware of an issue between a few members stemming from "bad manners" that has the potential to get out of hand very fast. After addressing the situation individually, I'm going to issue one and only one public warning to all: SHOW RESPECT TO EVERYONE AT ALL TIMES. I don't expect all of you to be the best of friends, but in my presence and in our common areas you sure as hell will be civil. You will greet one another, you will smile, and you will be courteous or you will be asked to not come back.

The second issue at hand is effort. Take a good look at Mike, Andrea, Tom, and Jeanne. Watch them carefully. Talk to them. Seek their advice. Why? Because they are what you need to be. They are all older than you, they all have had pre-existing (and continually) nagging injuries, they all have their own set of personal issues outside of the gym, and they all started at the same place you did when you first walked in, yet between the four of them they pretty much own every damn record on our board. Again, why? Because even though they have a million more reasons to bitch, moan, complain, or stay home than you do, they don't...that's why. For the past year they have been here 5 days a week, they have literally left blood and tears on the gym floor, and I have never heard an excuse, never heard a complaint, and have never seen them give in to defeat on any level. On the other hand, there are young, able-bodied individuals with limitless potential who let it all go to waste by half assing their workouts, cheating their range of motion, and miscounting reps. Here's a newsflash for you...if you fit into one of those categories I just mentioned, I'm tired of looking at you. You have two options: serve yourself a huge helping of toughness before your next session or disappear.

Lastly, inconsistency is a killer. We all "have lives" and we all "have issues", but going MIA for two and three weeks at a time is absolutely unaceptable. You are not doing yourself any good and you definitely are not doing me any good by showing up sporadically. If you can take two weeks off from this program without legitimate reason and think nothing of it then clearly you don't "get it". If you believe a new "celebrity diet" or DVD workout program is superior to what we do then clearly you do not understand why you are here. For every one of you who has been absent with an excuse, there has been someone present who has the same exact "problem" you have yet they found it important enough to figure out a way to solve it. I have consistent members with three or more kids, I have consistent members who travel from CONNECTICUT three times a week, I have consistent members who work two jobs...so please understand that your issues are NOT unique. What it comes down to is your dedication to purpose. I'm not saying that every one of you who has not been around for a while is full of sh*t, but what I am saying is that every one of you who has not been around for a while has a decision to make. Either you want to pay your dues and be a part of the movement or you don't.

Furthermore, from here on out, admittance into this program will only be granted with 4, 8, and 12 month commitments. The monthly breakdowns are the same, but I am requiring a longer term commitment. Click here for the updates.

So, I think that just about covers it all... Now, let's see who's who and what's what!!!

And as usual, your messages of praise or hate are equally encouraged to be shared in the comments section or via email. Thank you!!!