A few days ago I was contemplating the pickle we find ourselves in. The pickle being the beef between HQ, the media, the PFAA, and the anarchist just trying to burn things down to watch the fire. It got me thinking: is there a way to harness this friction, build bridges, and unite these fragmented factions?
The image of Scotland’s William Wallace rallying the clans against a common foe came to mind. Could we, in the CrossFit community, find a similar unifying moment? Could we gather disparate groups and foster genuine progress, even amidst the animosity?
The Ghost of the “Black Box Summit”
This idea led me to recall the infamous “Black Box Summit.” For those unfamiliar, this 2009 event was billed as a forum for CrossFit affiliates and trainers to exchange best practices in business, training, and community-building. The lineup was a veritable who’s who of CrossFit legends, featuring names like Greg Glassman, Dave Castro, Robb Wolf, James “OPT” Fitzgerald, Greg Everett, and Russell Berger.
However, what began as an ambitious gathering quickly devolved into a heated spectacle. During a session on Olympic Weightlifting led by Greg Everett, a comment was perceived by Dave Castro as disrespectful to HQ. Tensions boiled over, culminating in the eventual dismissal of both Everett and Robb Wolf from CrossFit’s inner circle. What could have been a historic meeting of minds instead became a cautionary tale about the costs of conflict.
A New Vision: The “White Box Summit”
Despite its rocky history, the concept of a summit still holds promise. What if we spun the idea? Enter the “White Box Summit.” The term “white” symbolizes religious atonement—a chance to mend fences and reset relationships.
CrossFit HQ finds itself in a critical position. It needs to be seen not only as the governing body but as a partner invested in fostering the community and sport. Imagine this: representatives from HQ, the PFAA, the and media gathered in a party neutral box. The tension and anger would be palpable, but so too would be the potential for meaningful dialogue.
Yes, this is a crazy idea. Yes, it seems impossible. But the best ideas often are. Just getting these groups in the same room would be an achievement, let alone inspiring them to engage in honest discussions and take steps toward real movement forward.
If recorded and shared with the community, this summit could become a galvanizing moment—a “Hail Mary” attempt that breaks down barriers and inspires a collective step forward.
From Summit to Survival
While pondering the logistics of such a grand event, I stumbled upon something that sparked another idea: Barstool Sports’ “Surviving Barstool.” This game show, inspired by the iconic reality series Survivor, pits Barstool’s top content creators against each other in team-based challenges, with dramatic alliances, betrayals, and moments of raw honesty.
What if the CrossFit community borrowed this concept? Imagine a “CrossFit Survivor,” where rival factions—HQ, PFAA, media members, and even outspoken critics—are forced into teams. Through challenges and proximity, they’d not only compete but also communicate. The inevitable drama could break down barriers and foster unexpected camaraderie.
Would this be a far cry from CrossFit’s foundational ethos? Absolutely. But sometimes, unconventional methods are necessary. Like chemotherapy fighting cancer, the idea might feel extreme, but the results could be transformative.
Dreaming in the Clouds
In all likelihood, these ideas will remain fantasy. But that doesn’t make them any less compelling. Whether it’s the White Box Summit or a CrossFit spin on Survivor, these concepts represent a way forward—an opportunity to unite a fractured community and generate the kind of content and discussion we haven’t seen in years.
At the end of the day, this will likely never happen, but man would I want to see it. With out a doubt The White Box Summit or CF Survivor would produce more content and discussion than we have seen in 10 years. Do I want C
rossFit to turn into trash reality television? No! But used once, could be worth the poison. Chemo cures cancer.
Anyway, back to living in the clouds.
