I'll start right by saying this is by no means is financial advice, or are we telling you to quit your job, or invest in bitcoin…
For those that are familiar with our early days in 2009, you might recall me "suiting up" after the 5:30am class to race off to work. At the time, I was a Licensed Business Banking and Loan Officer for a local bank. I managed portfolios and wrote small business loans anywhere south of 250,000. I worked for large and small banks, as well as a division of the SBA.
I remember looking at hundreds of different business models, analyzing cash flow, debts, assets, and profitability. It was a fine job, and I could have easily made a career out of it. And yes, I looked at several gym models.
I took a leap of faith and I quit my job when I was 30. Trust me, I didn't think I was going to get rich. In fact, on paper, CrossFit gyms aren't worth much since they don't have contracts with their members (accounts receivables) and the equipment is worth 30 cents on the dollars once they're used. This means that banks are skeptical to lend to our type of model because it's considered high risk and there's not much to collateralize.
However, at some point in my late 20s, the light bulb went off, and decided to put my health first, which in the long run will pay off more than any dividend or stock. I was making plenty of money, but somehow it never felt like it was enough. I worked on shifting my thinking to view currency as better quality of life, feeling strong and comfortable in my skin, staying off meds, and living until I'm 100 (I mean it!). I didn't want a sedentary life, and at the time, CrossFit was new--I wanted to share the wealth with everyone!
As a Coach, I must ask you: what is your idea of currency? Do you value your health and is that considered part of your personal financial statement? Would you consider being fit an asset? Have you thought about your retirement and what that will look like if you don't have your health?
Some of you are on track both financially and physically to live a long healthy life. Many struggle to find the time because of work, or other obligations getting in the way. Many assume that they will always have the time. Try viewing your health as a currency and maybe this will incentivize you to make the changes that you need to make to be happy and live a life worth living.
Sidebar: If you are wondering how I would've valued Shoreline CrossFit, here goes: YOU are our assets; it's the relationships that we built in Branford and the surrounding communities for the last 13 years. That's what got us through Covid, and that's what's going to keep us going for many years to come.
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