The Coach Craig Standard
A little over 2 years ago, my kids met Coach Craig. What we thought was going to be a summer Crossfit Kids Camp at our Crossfit51 box became a twice a week class they’ve looked forward to for the last 2 years. For homeschool kids that usually don’t start school until around 9:30am…it says a lot that they don’t bat an eye at being at the gym at 7:30am twice a week!
Coach Craig has become a bit of a standard in our house…
“Do you think Coach Craig can _____? Coach Craig verses Superman without his flying powers – who would win? I bet Coach Craig could_____ faster than_____.”
The Coach Craig standard – all the time. Also flexing…flexing all the time.
When the class began our youngest wasn’t old enough to join in, so she would watch from the sidelines and mimic everything she saw the older kids do. Coach Craig often invited her to come join them in games, which always made her day, especially if burpees were involved.
Through his passion and creativity, Craig partnered with Chris and I in instilling a love for fitness, health, and hard work in our kids. He helped us teach them that being physically strong and coordinated is simply preparation for whatever adventure or task is set before them. Craig helped them learn the value of hard work, pushing themselves, encouraging each other, and not giving up when they would get discouraged. AND they have had endless fun with the friends in the process.
The fun part is a big deal to me. Adults, myself definitely included, can take fitness way too seriously. We work towards goals, which are good and often needed, but sometimes we forget to just have fun in the process. While pushing us to give 110%, Craig reminded me to have fun and he makes sure my kids did too.
This year my youngest finally got to join the class. Craig made sure she had just the right bar, weights and other equipment to safely set her up for success. It didn’t hurt that “her bar” was also her favorite color and our gym relocated to a huge new facility…with a rock wall.
Twice a week Craig teaches them agility, perseverance, mobility, proper form in fitness, age/size appropriate weightlifting, and a host of other things.
He puts a challenge in front of them, gives them the tools and skills to face the challenge and then pushes them as they tackle it. The life lessons they learn twice a week with Coach Craig are invaluable to me as a parent.
Today my kids will walk into their Crossfit Kids class and be welcomed by a new coach. Craig is pursuing a career as a P.E. teacher (any school or state that gets him will hit the jackpot). While we are so sad to see him leave, we are also grateful for his leadership even in this transition – pursuing his passion and gifts.
Thank you Coach Craig for inspiring a younger generation. Thank you for teaching them the joy of being physically active and strong. Thank you for pushing them to work hard to tackle big challenges, use their words to encourage others and to have fun in the process. You will be greatly missed!
I have no doubt the Coach Craig standard will live long in our home.
