Holiday/New Year’s Blog

2014 is coming to a close, and there has been a lot on my mind lately.  It’s the time of the year to be really grateful for the people and things I have with me, grateful for the fact that I am doing something I’m passionate about for a living, and grateful that I have done so much with my life having just turned 30 this last summer.  It’s the third year CFD has been up and running, and to say that I’ve learned a lot and evolved many aspects of the business is a huge understatement.

I don’t like settling for mediocrity.  I entered this line of work and quickly realized that I wasn’t nearly good enough to be content with my capabilities as a coach.  Since the inception of CFD, I have taken it upon myself to reinvest everything right back into the business and scrape by with what many of you would consider to be a very minimal living.  So much time, effort, and money has been spent improving myself as a coach and an athlete so that I may lead from the front in both areas to the absolute best of my abilities.  I’m proud of how far I have come, but I am nowhere near satisfied.

It has taken me a while, but I have recently started realizing a hard-learned life lesson from hundreds of people over the last 3 years.  There is what people want, what people SAY they want, and what people need (or what would be in their best interest).  Those three things are, for the vast majority of the population, three very different things.  What makes CFD different is that everyone—I should say, everyone who lasts—understands that what may be in your best interest likely isn’t what you want or like to do the most.  Many times, it’s something you DISlike.  But, we do it because it makes us better at those things we dislike (and we dislike that which we aren’t proficient at).  What motivates us is the knowledge that working on a weakness fills in that chink of your armor and makes you better.  What gives us purpose is spending the time on our weaknesses and becoming better than we ever thought possible.

I strive to give people what is best for them with my program design based on their ability level and training age.  it’s what I do for a living, and I take my living very seriously.  What I ask of you all is very simple:  trust me.  Trust that I have your best interest in mind.  Trust that I offer the best balanced fitness program in the area, and if anyone doubts it, they can prove me wrong.  I’ll put my money where my mouth is—I have before and I will continue to do so.  Trust me when I say that the journey is worth it.  Trust me when I tell you that sometimes you’re going to have to fall 100 times at something before you succeed.  In the end, those hardest challenges are the most enjoyable when they are finally accomplished.

I built a facility that is over twice the size of where we came from less than one year ago—a supreme, ideal training facility.  The best in the area by a long shot.  I’ve traveled all over the US attending training camps, and spent lots of time and money on continuing ed courses, learning from the smartest minds in the field.  I’ve listened to you all for three years, and I’ve learned from many mistakes.  I will continue to do so.  Just trust me.  Stand with me through 2015 and beyond.  Give me a reason to continue to do my job to the best of my ability.  Without all of you supporting me every month, I have nothing.  Without Dubuque-area athletes seeking out the best training in the sport of fitness right here at CFD, I have a big empty box with a bunch of iron and rubber and nothing else to show for it.  I need you all to continue to be a part of our community, to grow our community, and to have longevity with your health and fitness.

I don’t settle for mediocrity, and neither do many of you.  I’m not asking anyone to quit their day jobs, I’m only asking you to do what I will gladly do myself—commit to yourself.  Don’t do it for me, don’t do it to impress anyone.  Just do it for you.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all of you who stand with me.

Have a great holiday season, and a fulfilling new years, everyone.  It is my pleasure to be alongside you all!

If you haven’t yet emailed Vanessa (vanessa@crossfitdubuque.com) to let her know you will be attending our 3-year anniversary party, please do so!  There is an event page on Facebook, but since not everyone has a Facebook account we’re going to keep track of our headcount via email!

—Coach Phil

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