After losing his job at CrossFit HQ, Keith Knapp decided to stay active in the field as a gym owner.
Last updated: February 22, 2024
Keith Knapp and his wife Julianne found the perfect location to open a small CrossFit box in Fairfield, Ohio. Two weeks later, CrossFit headquarters fired Keith from his job.
In addition to their full-time jobs, the two wanted to open a gym. Still, when Knapp learned his role as marketing director would be eliminated, he quickly pivoted to spearheading the gym's construction.
“At some point, I have to accept reality and move on and continue to give my all to promotion. [CrossFit] I've believed in this methodology for 16 years,” Knapp told Morning Chalk Up.
CrossFit Fairfield gym will officially open on Saturday, February 24th.
- “I live and breathe everything about that role.” The methodology that I have and the methodology that we are trying to promote. And once the role I had was gone, I was like, 'Wait a minute, this seems kind of interesting,'” Knapp says.
- “The company has a CrossFit headquarters; There's a methodology called CrossFit, and I don't necessarily have to support my company's CrossFit HQ. But that being said, I believe that everything they are doing right now is the right thing to do. ”
[Related: The Guide to CrossFit Gym Etiquette: It’s More Than Just Lifting]
Knapp, who served as CrossFit's director of marketing for 19 months, added that he has no animosity toward the company's decision and instead sees it as an opportunity to focus on the gym and his family.
- “[CrossFit is] Trying to support affiliates [make] They do better business. We are trying to encourage the improvement of the level of instructors, and I think this is very important. They’re trying to make sure the experience within CrossFit affiliates is better than overall,” Knapp says.
- “They're trying to introduce more people to their local CrossFit gym. I think that's really important. I mean, everything they're doing right now is something I also agree with, and I believe in what they're doing, so I don't have to do much legwork to find a reason to support the company. . ”
For the time being, Knapp plans to teach morning classes and youth classes at the gym until he finds his next step professionally. He originally hosted classes for kids, did training, and ran an affiliate business out of his home garage.
The new gym is just an extension of the gym Knapp has already built, but it will open it up to more of the community and bring in other coaches from the area.
- “We have an office. There is a small lobby area, which we call the family room, with a couch, TV, and lots of children's toys. Many of our members are parents, so we also provide a little playtime for the kids,” says Knapp.
- “We have five. [part-time coaches] Everyone has more than one child now. Family is a big part of what we try to do. [my wife and I] I have four children. Family means everything to us, so we wanted to enable our community to support those customers. ”
- “People from all corners of the CrossFit world You have been incredibly kind to me and my family during this time. So the support from literally everyone has been really amazing. And that support honestly comes from within our headquarters. ”
When something big happens, such as losing your job, it's easy to ask yourself, “Why?” and “What if?” But Knapp says these questions are of no use.
“The best question I can ask is, 'What's the best next step?'” Knapp says. “That's the question I've been asking myself every morning when I wake up and every action I'm taking right now, whether it's taking action to continue to build networks within this ecosystem. .I'm trying to open a gym to build relationships with business owners in my community, and that's the next step I can take.”
detail: The gym's grand opening will feature giveaways, food and drinks, and an opportunity to meet the coaching staff. If you are in the area and are considering registering, you can do so here. Or visit the gym's new website to check it out.
Featured Image: Keith Knapp
