Richard Essig

Growing up, I was the kid who never sat still. I loved to play or do anything competitive, and quickly fell in love with football and basketball. Those sports are skill-dependent, and the joy I felt practicing and playing is what led me to CrossFit. There's something so satisfying about improving at a skill, lifting or anything in life that requires hard work and patience. CrossFit requires that same focus.

When I was first introduced to CrossFit, I was struggling in several ways. I was struggling with body image, as I desperately tried to look a certain way, as the rest of my life was changing in ways I did not like and I wanted to control something. Working out was a chore to try to cling to a vision of myself that wasn't real. I was unhappy. CrossFit flipped a different switch. I had this moment where I realized the value of my body and my hard work was in the things I could DO, not how I LOOKED. I fell in love with improving my fitness and real health, and along the way, improved myself as a human even more.

I've always wanted to be a helper. Someone who lifts others. When I decided not to pursue my college degree further, it was due to realizing this path was my avenue to be someone who lifted up others. I find such joy in seeing people achieve their fitness and health goals: Better heart health, a first pull-up, 15lbs of weight loss, a competitive success, etc. I have seen over and over that anyone is capable of achieving what they hope for if they do the work and I offer the support. To play a part in people's journey is rewarding and fires me up every single day.