The 2025 CrossFit Games Open at Diablo in 4 pictures:
Community. CEO (Judging!). Families. Motivation.
Thank you, Diablo Family, for making this yet another unforgettable Open.
Craig & Yvonne.
“If you can change your mind, you can change your life.”
William James
CROSSFIT IS FOR SALE. (meh..) On Wed, CEO, Don Faul announced that the current owners of CF, Berkshire Partners (NOT Berkshire Cap Mgt), has contracted with a professional advisory firm to sell CrossFit. They have owned CF for 5 years which, in the Private Equity world, is about average. Thus, the sale of CF is not unexpected. There is a lot of speculation about who might acquire CrossFit, but at this point it’s ALL rumors. The sale of a large entity like CrossFit requires a significant amount of due-diligence on both sides of the table: valuation verification, certification of accounting, validation of the buyer’s assets, and importantly, alignment of values and interests.
CrossFit, especially the affiliates, will be fine. I spent 25+ years in the investment & finance world and have significant experience in mergers, acquisitions and business sales. I also have long-standing relationships with many of the principals within CrossFit. The affiliates are the most valuable asset, thus a drastic disruption to affiliate operations would be foolhardy. In fact, I am very encouraged by the opportunities that a change of ownership may bring to CrossFit and the affiliates. Our Private Equity owners were most interested in a relatively fast return on their investment rather than having a vision for the longterm growth potential of our brand, methodology and business.
CrossFit It is a unique entity that thrives upon the cohesive affiliate community and incredibly effective methodology and training. And, because CF is measurable, observable and repeatable, it allows for competitions – online and in-person – the sport of CrossFit. But, it is the affiliates that are the foundation: supporting the training department via demand for coaching certifications, and providing athletes, fans and followers of the sport, ultimately creating sponsor interest. Creating more opportunities for affiliates would lead to more affiliates, more coaches, more CrossFitters, more athletes, more fans, and most importantly, more lives transformed. It seems very logical that a new owner would work to preserve and grow the affiliation revenue while also seeking to strengthen revenue from training & sport. There remain many opportunities to do both, including advertising, leveraging affiliate best practices, creating a killer app for ALL CrossFitters, educating owners, reaching more people online, creating career & business ownership opportunities for young entrepreneurs and people seeking an encore career – and many more.
Finally, at the end of the day, Diablo CrossFit is going to be just fine. And, yes, I have anxiety about the sale, but I sincerely look forward to the possibility of an exciting future with new, highly motivated owners.
#itsup2us
DIABROS VS. SHE-DEVILS – After TWO weeks, the Bros & the She-Devils are only separated by 17 points! Scores are posted on our website and will be updated by Wednesday at 5PM.
Congratulations to 25.2 Spirit of the Open winner, Coach Jamie Lee and the DiaBros for his amazing SMASH BURGERS!
SMURPH CHALLENGE Summer is coming and so is Memorial Day Murph, and we want to be ready for both! So, beginning this week, we’re launching a daily SMurph Challenge (Summer / Murph). Just check Train every day for the SMurph challenge accessory work that will include some nutrition challenges. We’ll be focusing on improving your bodyweight exercises and getting tight with our nutrition. Just click on “Smurph Challenge” and post your result at the end of the day.
MAR EVENTS
- MAR 27 – THU: 7:30PM – Breath Work Techniques for Improved Performance and Mental Health – Richard Blake, PhD.
PRSALLDAY PODCAST
- We’re Back! We’ll be back on Thursdays at 11AM. This week we’ll be talking “Open Recap” – what worked and what needs work.
A LITTLE BIT ABOUT DIABLO...
Our veteran member, Brad Barnett, is the COO of the Price Family Dealerships – serving Northern California since 1976. He’s also the GM of Toyota Walnut Creek! He’s married with 4 awesome daughters and is passionate about CrossFit. He, the Price Family and Toyota Walnut Creek have sponsored several CrossFit Games athletes over the last 8 years, providing much needed help for travel and training expenses. And, Brad and TWC sponsor Diablo and CrossFit community events every year – like the awesome taco truck for our End of the Open Celebration on Friday.
Even better, Brad and his team at TWC have served our member community very well for our new (and used) car needs. The Diablo community has likely purchased more than 25 vehicles from Brad and his team over the last few years – for good reason: its cool to do business with our Diablo family AND, Toyota Walnut Creek is a great place to buy a car: including their customer service, no dealer mark-ups, and fantastic inventory.
Fun fact: in October, 2019, Diablo hosted an official CrossFit Games Open Announcement for the 2020 Open – and Brad was chosen as one of the Diablo athletes to do the workout after the Games athletes went! And, at that Open, Brad and Toyota Walnut Creek awarded CASH prizes to the 1st and 2nd place athletes who did the workout at Diablo – the first time that the Open Announcement athletes had ever earned prize money.
PRSALLDAY THIS WEEK:
March Focus: Primary – Back Squat; Secondary – Oly Power Lifts; Skills – TGUs.
- Mon: 3rnds EMOM x 4 – BMU, Burpees, S2OH, Rest (#95/135)
- Tue: Hang Clean. Metcon: Amrap 6m 12KB, 12SA FR Lunge
- Wed: Back Squat. Metcon: 400m Run, Rest 2m, 400m Run
- Thu: WOW! 3rnds: 6HSC (#95/135), 4 Strict HSPU, Rest 2m, 3rnds: 4HSC (#105/155), Rest 2m, 3rnds: 2 HSC (#125/185), 12 BFBurpees
- Fri: 30 Box Step Ups, 400m SB Carry, 900/1000m Row, 10BSU, 200m SBC, 450/500m Row, 10BSU, 100m SBC, 250/300m Row
- Sat: 5RFT – 9 PSnatch, 12 Pull-ups, 18/25c Bike (#65/95)
- Sun: 2RFT – 400m Run, 15DB HSC, 15STOH, 15 Thrusters, 400m Run, Rest 2m
- YT: Diablo Open Announcement Featuring Coach Rick & Joy Nolley – This was SO FUN to watch in person. We’re still working on not talking over our floor announcer (Coach Herald), but this format is here to stay for Diablo and the Open! Rick & Joy trade the lead back and forth until the end – and it is exciting. Oh, and try to guess when Coach Rick takes his shirt off!
- IG: Coach Herald’s Instagram Clip Of Coach Rick & Joy Went Viral...
- Shell Ridge: 3/5/7 Mile Loops.
> Park at the end of Whitecliff Rd (680 to Rudgear to Whitecliff) – Enter immediately at Whitecliff (to the right) or follow the path to the left for the Rockspring Trail Entrance. Head East and up to the saddle (between the two hills), then turn right and follow the single track South up and over the two peaks then back down and West back to Whitecliff. It’s pretty simple but bring a phone to help you stay on course. The full loop is about 5mi.
> Park at Indian Valley Elementary School (Ygnacio to Homestead) and get a 6-7mile loop on the same trails. - Lafayette Ridge Trail – Briones Access! (680 to Pleasant Valley) – This is all uphill with incredible views of Mt. Diablo and Walnut Creek. It’s about 1.5mi to the top, then unlimited access to Briones.
- Lafayette Reservoir – Loop and Upper Loop (24 to Acalanes) – This is a great one for strollers – we used to do it every Sunday with our daughter. At the end of the asphalt lake loop (3mi) there’s an amazing playground and play structure for kids. And if you want a legit hike, head to the upper loop and get your vertical climb – 6miles-ish.
- Daily Quickie – Sugarloaf – (680 to Rudgear). This one is right off the freeway but is blocked by the hillside so it’s quiet and scenic. It’s a beautiful little hillside park with a 3-5mi loop trail and a fantastic cookout and bench area.
Make it an awesome week!
Craig
