CrossFit has lost a legend.
“CrossFit is deeply saddened to share that a legendary member of our CrossFit community, Rob Orlando, died on April 6, 2026, at the age of 50.
On Jan. 20, 2025, Orlando was diagnosed with Stage 4 cancer, affecting his lower jaw and lymph nodes in his neck. Just a day prior, he achieved a personal best powerlifting total, lifting 1,525 lb.
Orlando was the longtime affiliate owner of CrossFit Hybrid Athletics, running the gym for 15 years. He achieved legendary lore as a strongman and athlete when pitted against some of CrossFit’s toughest workouts, where he would intentionally up the load. Orlando shared his passion with the rest of the community, creating the CrossFit Strongman specialty course, which introduced legions of CrossFit athletes around the world to Atlas stones and a myriad of techniques in service of variance in programming and “regularly learning and playing new sports.”
In 2009, Orlando made his CrossFit Games debut in the Individual division, qualifying three years in a row. He returned to the Games in 2016 in the Masters division. Notably, Orlando designed the infamous “Pig,” a large, heavily weighted box, weighing between 300 and 500 lb, used at the CrossFit Games since 2013.
Orlando was a true pillar of our community, and his kindness and dedication to CrossFit will be greatly missed. Our thoughts are with his family and loved ones.”
Diablo hosted Rob’s Strongman Certification back in 2012(ish). Several of his “Hybrid Athletic” stones can be found out back at Diablo. As a result of Rob’s influence strongman movements & skills remain a part of our programming – check out OUR programming on Thursday and Sunday this week!
Thank you, Rob. Rest easy.
(Click on the pic above to watch his tribute video)
“Do not wish for an easy life. Wish for the strength to endure a difficult one.”
Bruce Lee
OUR MISSION
In a recent Hiller video, Andrew asked the question: “what is CrossFit’s mission?” His point was that CrossFit’s mission isn’t really known. But, when I heard him, I immediately thought about the words painted on our wall at Diablo: “to make people fit beyond expectation.”
And, the more I thought about it, the more I realized that’s not just Diablo’s mission—it’s really our method. The deeper mission of CrossFit is bigger than fitness. CrossFit brings people together and makes them better humans. Yes, it makes people stronger, healthier, and more capable. But that’s not the end goal—it’s the vehicle. A stronger, healthier, more disciplined person is usually a better parent, a better spouse, a better provider, a better leader, a better friend, and a better caretaker. Fitness doesn’t just change bodies; it changes how people show up in life.
That’s what great affiliates do. We don’t just run classes and count reps. We create a place where people are challenged, supported, held accountable, and connected to something bigger than themselves. The barbell builds strength, but the community builds character. Over time, people discover they can do hard things, keep promises to themselves, and become more resilient than they thought possible. That’s why CrossFit matters. It doesn’t just make people fitter—it makes people better.
And at Diablo, our promise is that if you stay with us, we’ll do both. We’ll make you fit beyond expectation—and in the process, help you become a better human than when you walked in.
#itsup2us
SEMI-FINALS.. OFFICIAL LIST
The leaderboard has been officially finalized – and 10 Diablo athletes have qualified for the next level of competition! Beginning Thursday, May, 7th CrossFit will announce 4-5 workouts that must be completed by Monday, May 11th. We’ll announce the scheduled workout times for our Semifinalists in case you want to come watch, cheer, or help! We’re going to need judges with the Advanced Judges certification along with video monitors and plate changers.
SPRING DATES TO REMEMBER
- BRING A FRIEND DAY: Sat, April 18th, 11AM. These are partner workouts and always a blast. Sign up on the app (and your friend too!)
- RUN BETTER CLINIC with Coach Monica – Sat, April 25 at 11AM. Limit 8 people per clinic. Register on the app: “Events”
- MURPH! – Memorial Day, Monday, May 25th. Coach Stef will be making killer breakfast tacos for finishers!
PROGRAMMING THIS WEEK:
- Mon: Back Squat & DB Bench Press. Metcon: Amrap 8m – 200m Run, 8 RA Strict Press, 8 LA Strict Press
- Tue: DL-T2B-BURPEE-ROW – E5MOM (1m Rest) x 4: Buy In: 10 DL, 12 T2B, 15 Burpee over Bar, then Max Cal Row. (155/225#)
- Wed: Balance & Core Stability, Metcon: Amrap 10m – 5 HSPU, 10 FC Reverse Lunge, 15 BJumps #35/50
- Thu: Loaded Carry Complex. Metcon: Amrap 8m – 15 KB Swings, 15 Strict Sit Ups, 15 Ab Mat Sit Ups
- Fri: CrossFit Benchmark: “CINDY” – Amrap 20m: 5 Pull-Ups, 10 Push-Ups, 15 Squats
- Sat: ROW!: 2K Row, Rest 3m, 900/1k Row, Rest 2m, 450/500m Row, Rest 1m, 250/300m Row
- Sun: SB Clean – SB Carry – Rope Climbs: 3RFT – 12 SB Cleans, 400m SB Carry, 3 Rope Climbs
- Craig’s New Shoes (on sale!): Loving these Born Primitive Savage 1 shoes. They’re sturdy, stable and flat with a wide toe box. The color combos are cool and they’re on sale now for $85!
- Yvonne’s New Shoes: Just picked up the RAD One V2 and she loves it for rope climbs!
Make it an awesome week!
Craig
