Well, in truth I have been working my butt off this summer. So what have I been doing? After the Spring semester was over I went home for a few days R&R to hang with some friends. I was anticipating getting to do a little coaching while back home because of course that is where I started all of this. I never imagined that there would be such a demand for a good fitness program.
So, after a week I had a few great people start spreading the word that I was back and interested in doing some small group sessions. Thanks Steph, Nick, Mario, Paula, Lee, Ginger and all the rest that have spread the word. I was able to sub-lease about 500 ft in a grappling studio for a great rate and presto the CrossFit Gym was in full force in about 7 days.
I am starting my third month and things are going better than expected. I work early and late, but every weekend I have off. I am teaching in a small group format to get things started. I know that I could have bigger classes in some hours and down the road I will, but as I have stated, the quality of the training will suffer if the groups are to big while everyone is learning the ropes.
What about school? It is my intention to finish. I have 30 hours to go and I have been working on this for a few years now. The local university doesn't have KINE classes so I am going to try and take an online approach. Hopefully, I will be able to finish that way. But long story short, I am going to finish.
Another change that I am going to make is the webste address. I originally started out as CrossFit Uvalde but didn't want to put that on the main site because I knew that I was going to go to San Angelo and would change my name at that time. Now I am back in Uvalde and am listed as CF San Angelo. See the problem? After giving it some thought I am going with the name Functional Training Systems-Elite Athletics, F.T.S.-Elite for short. The reason being that CrossFit is a big part of what we do, probably the biggest part of what we do. However, there are other things that we do as well and I think this name will speak more to our end desire and that of course is an increase in work capacity. The new website will be www.fts-elite.com. I haven't parked there yet but will soon.
Some other things that I am doing is working with Street Chaos Fight Team doing their conditioning 2 days a week. I get to put them through extremely difficult CrossFit style WODs and these guys do not quit. They are a great bunch of guys and have tremendous heart. Nick Castano is the owner and instructor at the Chaos Fight Gym and is an incredible coach. This past weekend 5 fighters fought in a tournament in San Antonio at the Power Team gym. Four of the guys took home medals and some were fighting in their first tournament.
Chaos will have a sub page on the site where we can highlite the fighters and post upcoming events and tournament results. As the gym grows there are plans to expand into a MMA school with more striking classes offered.
As is true to the the CrossFit tradition we are also laying seige to the fitness industry. I am consulting other gyms in surrounding towns that are interested in CrossFit affiliation. I am also trying to get the first responder community to learn and build onsite facilities for their personel. If nothing else we are giving people the knowledge and information that they need to see the results that are so elusive under previously offered conditons.
I am also finding that advertising is best done through word of mouth. I haven't put out a single add anywhere and rarely a day goes by that someone doesn't call, come in for a free workout, or sign up. I remember watching Coach Glassman talk about this and now I have gone back and revisited those lectures, only to agree that the free market rewards excellence. I am truly humbled and grateful and it is why I applied to be a CrossFit Affiliate a year ago. That is what F.T.S. is all about, high quality and an affordable price where a person builds their knowledge base, as well as, their work capacity.
I am only in my third month here but things are going better than I anticipated this early on. I have made or exceeded every goal I have set and it is because of the people that want a great program, without them I would not be here and doing what I love.
Street Chaos Fight Team
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