Our Story

Our CrossFit journey began on September 11, 2010. This date has obvious meaning to all Americans, but it is only fitting that my CrossFit journey aligns with such an important date in history and with CrossFitters.  My story actually begins with my parents. Of course every person’s story begins with their parents, and here is mine.  I am the second of four sons in my family.  My brothers and I have always been involved in athletics.  Whether it was baseball, rock climbing, moto-cross, water-skiing or snow-boarding, every season had a sport.  My parents were always there to support us.  My dad coached us in baseball.  My mom taught us how to water-ski. But, I would never call either one of my parents athletes.  Then in July of 2010, they joined CrossFit. All of a sudden the only topic of discussion at family gatherings was their workout.  It was really annoying.  On September 11, 2010, my parents hosted a barbeque fund-raiser for Fight Gone Bad 5.  My wife and I attended the barbeque to be supportive of our parents.  The house was full of CrossFitters, all talking about their “WODs.”  As annoying as I thought my parents were, these people at the barbeque were even worse!  I listened to their stories of past FGB WODs and their stories of how CrossFit changed their lives.  I did not believe it, and actually argued with some of them about the value of CrossFit workouts.  I left the barbeque knowing that I did not want to be a part of the cult-like endeavor called CrossFit.

A couple of weeks later, the day before FGB 5, the owner of the CrossFit my parents belong to called me to invite me to participate in it.  I was surprised and intrigued to say the least, and thought sure that I would prove my point I made at the barbeque that anyone can do the types of workouts they were all talking about: that there was no magic to CrossFit.  I looked at the CrossFit web resources and researched a bit about what was involved in the FGB workout.  Three rounds, five skills, one minute each, plus rest; how bad could it really be?  Well, I did not come in dead last, my 45 year old mother was three reps behind me.  My dad beat me by over 100 reps.  I was humiliated.  Yet I was curiously drawn to the pain and challenge I had just experienced.  Even crazier than that, my wife, who only watched us, and who had not been in a gym for well over 12 months (even though we paid for it each month) was curiously drawn to what she saw.  We both could not get CrossFit off of our minds. 

In October 2010, we both joined CrossFit.  I completely immersed myself into it.   I worked out 5 days per week.  My wife was a little slower to start.  Although she felt great about CrossFit, she was completely intimidated.  She made excuses not to go all through November and December.  Consequently, we had long talks about our fitness goals and our commitment to our health. Through these deeply thought out conversations, we both determined that we really wanted to make CrossFit work for not only our lives, but for others’ lives.  We wanted our own box.  In January, my wife started back at CrossFit fully committed.  We started making plans to convert our garage into our very own box.  In February 2011, I received my Level I certification.  I started training my oldest brother, his wife, and in-laws. My wife and I completed a 30 day paleo challenge- with no cheats!  My wife has lost 30 pounds and has been converted.  She is strong, confident and is sharing her story.  She maintains a blog that documents her journey.

Since last July when my family first discovered CrossFit, our lives have changed.  My parents are now athletes, not just the coach and the team mom.  My two younger brothers are competitors, having participated in the Next Level Invitational competition.  My youngest brother is part of the team from our current box that has qualified for the CrossFit games regional competition in June.  My oldest brother works out in my garage with his wife and family.  Whatever the fitness and personal goals individuals have, CrossFit can guide the journey.  Whether it is becoming elite, competitive athletes as my brothers have become or a beast who kills the WODs like my mom has become, or a master who has Herculean strength like my father has become, or becoming a confident woman who has learned she has more strength than she ever imagined possible like my wife has done, I know in my gut that CrossFit is for everyone. The next step in this journey was to become a CrossFit affiliate, so I can share my passion and my story with others to Sheppard them to their goals.

CrossFit has changed our lives and we want to help change  yours!

Brad & Brittany Houston