Coaching Mary and Dan and Steve and Mark during my last class at what was CrossFit Watertown.
Four years ago, we started working out in my garage — me and Mary. Melissa and others joined soon after. CrossFit Watertown was born. And, now, CrossFit Watertown has ended. It’s been an absolutely fantastic, thrilling, wonderful, sometimes heartbreaking, but always so worthwhile and full of love ride.
We birthed a bunch of affiliates from this place (CrossFit 203, CrossFit Nor’Easter, CrossFit Strongtown, CrossFit Reload and others) but much more importantly, we made better people. That was always the goal of CrossFit Watertown, right from the start: Community. If we only made better athletes, then we failed. We were trying to make better people. I think we succeeded. I think you guys succeeded. I’m proud of all of you, present and past members. You came in, you worked hard, and you gave everything you had, and then some. I loved watching you grow, and could not have loved this time more.
But, change is the only constant in our lives, and it’s time for this change. I coached my last class last night and in 10 days, I hop on a plane with my boys and we head to California, to start a new chapter in our lives. My work with CrossFit Headquarters will now be my sole job, but my focus will still be on building better people: that remains the same.
We’ve got a few things coming up on the schedule before I head off on the plane into the sunset (literally, we take off in the evening, ha!) so come on out and have some fun. Well, fun in that sick sort of way that we all enjoy at CrossFit.
Mon, July 4th: 9 am. We’re doing “Murph”: Run 1 mile, 100 pull-ups, 200 push-ups, 300 squats, run 1 mile. Come out and join us!
Sat, July 9th, 1pm: One class only that day. A team workout to say good-bye to someone (me!), then some meat on the grill and some libations. Everyone is welcome. Come on by.
So, that’s it! Thank you all. I couldn’t have asked for better companions on this journey. Amazing what a group of nutcases can accomplish with a pull-up bar, some kettlebells, and some bumpers. Thanks for letting me be the chief nutcase. I love you all.
July 2nd, 2011 at 11:52 am
Lis,
Thank you for transforming me into a better person. Not only making me stronger physically and mentally, but also for giving the confidence and perseverance to tackle any challenge that life has thrown at me. Your wittiness will be sorely missed. Your friendship will always be treasured. I wish you only the best for your future which is sure to be full of exciting adventures. Try not to get into too much trouble although we know that you will. Know that your CrossFit Watertown family will always be here for you. And don’t forget that you promised to run The God forsaken Tough Mudder with us next year! We will hold you to it! Love ya Bitch!
July 2nd, 2011 at 12:13 pm
Lis, thank you for creating such a wonderful community, it sounds cheesy but CrossFit has truly changed my life. Thank you for believing in me as an athlete, a coach, and now an affiliate owner. Your guidance has been great, you will be missed!
July 2nd, 2011 at 3:50 pm
Lis, if you never created the wonderful community that was (is) CFW I don’t know where I would be right now. CrossFit and the people I’ve met through it have transformed me and my life for the better! Not sure if I’ll be back from vacation in time to make the sendoff WOD but if I don’t… Good luck in Cali!!!!
July 2nd, 2011 at 5:26 pm
I remember the first time we walked through the door at CFW, it was a Friday night, Lis said “come on up, the more the merrier” we join in the wod. Matt and I both thought “ah this is the community we were missing” we felt totally at home. It was the first of many visits. I wish you the best in Cali (I’ll see you there soon).
July 2nd, 2011 at 6:43 pm
Lis, you have changed lives!!! I know that was always your goal. You changed mine and saved my ass more than once!!! For that I’m truly thankful and will always be.
BTW I think you should sing the “National Anthem” to open the CF Games, just sayin
July 2nd, 2011 at 9:48 pm
I’ll put my verbosity aside and just say.. Thank you. I can count on one hand the people that have had an influence on me in any capacity and you are one of them. I hope we stay in toch
July 2nd, 2011 at 9:52 pm
Thank you Lis for pouring your heart and soul into CFW and the CrossFit Community. I’ll get in line with everyone else and say CFW and CF has changed my life. Hell half my friends on facebook are because of CF. lol. Go Get’em out on the West Coast.
Enough with the pleasantries. Now, Rich is talking. Singing the National Anthem! It wouldn’t be the last post if the comments totally didn’t go in another direction. I’m sure some folks would pay good money to see that. The other half would pay good money to not see that. It’s a win win for everyone. DO IT!
I am also trying to decide if I am going to wear my CFW apparel anymore. They are now collectors items. If money ever gets tight, ebay anyone…
July 3rd, 2011 at 8:33 am
Lis,
Great to have met you on so many occasions through the last 4 years! Change is GOOD, Change is GOOD, Change is GOOD!!!
You put the W in CF!
Best of luck to you and your family in the BIG move!!!! You have changed so many lives and will be missed terribly.
Until we meet again GF!!! Stay strong and healthy
<3 Suzi
July 3rd, 2011 at 3:05 pm
Lis, I know it’s already been said but the CFW community has changed my life in so many ways. Not only has CF made me stronger physically, it has also made me stronger mentally and emotionally. My life has made such a positive turn because of the wonderful people I have met through CFW. I finally found people that are “crazy” like me.
Good luck in Cali!!!!
July 4th, 2011 at 5:40 pm
First off, thank you all. It truly has been my pleasure to serve you all. Keep doin’ what you’re doin — you guys rock.
Second, I am NOT singing the National Anthem at the Games. I’m sending Marcy in my place. Start warming up those pipes, sister.
July 5th, 2011 at 12:16 pm
I saw this post the other day and help off on posting because I could not come up with anything poetic enough that fit the bill! Is it perhaps that words cannot describe? I think mostly! You and CFW are responsible for so much positivity and change in so many peoples lives, including mine!
Heck, I remember when GG called you and offered you a job with HQ – I think I was there? If not, I was there soon after for an old school CFW beatdown with some of the CFW OG’s (OG = original ganstas’s – reminder, be sure to brush up on your street talk for Cali – they talk funny)!
One thing is certain, it has been one helluva ride and you will be missed here on the eastern coast!
Thanks for everything!
July 5th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
All the best to ya’ Lisbeth–great stuff at CFW!
July 7th, 2011 at 11:22 am
Great to be able to meet you Lis. You are a wonderfully motivating person. Glad to be able to throw some mouth back at you over the last three years and possibly motivate you right back I have immensely enjoyed WODing w you on occasion over the last 3 years. Best of luck to you.
July 7th, 2011 at 12:24 pm
N8 — the man behind the blog wizardry! Only you could take my crazy visions (“I’d like that to be less “gal with hooters at the bar doing shots” and make it more “blonde by the window with chardonnay”) and make them into something visual! Ha! Muchos gracias for making this site AND CrossFit Lisbeth hum over the years! One last question though — do you sweat as much when you type as when you do KBS?
Duffy — good, good times. You got me to that last thruster in the Open WOD. I’ll never forget that. You ever need anything, just holler.
July 7th, 2011 at 12:25 pm
And by visual, I meant metaphorically. Not really visual. Although N8 does do very nice work with black velvet. Visit fine Shell stations everywhere to get a glimpse of his handiwork.
July 8th, 2011 at 7:50 am
BEST OF LUCK!
Your passion for what you do will always shine through!
Hope to cross paths again with you soon.
You rock!
July 10th, 2011 at 8:51 am
best of luck to u Lis