At CrossFit Diablo, earlier this month (Photo by Ali Samieivafa)
Dave Castro is returning to CrossFit HQ to serve in an advisory role to CrossFit interim CEO Alison Andreozzi as she works on strengthening CrossFit’s commitment to its affiliates, coaches, and the methodology.
“I am humbled and honored, appreciate the opportunity, and I’m excited,” Castro said during a company all-hands meeting on Thursday, June 9.
“I started working with CrossFit 20 years ago with Greg and Nicole, and we were very focused on training at the beginning, traveling to affiliates, teaching seminars,” Castro said of the years before his focus shifted toward the CrossFit Games.
From 2008 to 2020 — before launching and growing the Games from a small event on his family ranch into the gold-standard event and spectacle it has become — Castro worked side-by-side with CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman and Nicole Carroll to build a world-class cadre of coaches whose expertise makes them peerless in the field of fitness.
And while he enjoyed creating and growing the Games for the last 15 years, Castro admitted he felt something was missing for him.
“The affiliates and the Seminar team are significant parts of who I am and what matters to me,” Castro said, adding he wants “to give a little more.”
That passion and commitment are what’s behind Castro’s return.
“Dave embodies so much of who we are at CrossFit,” Andreozzi said, noting many key areas of the business “came from ideas Dave had.”
In his new role, Castro said he wants to help “take CrossFit to the next level.” The key to this, Castro said, is strengthening CrossFit’s core: the affiliates.
To that end, over the last several months, he has been visiting gyms around the U.S., meeting with owners and coaches, and listening to their thoughts on “where they’re going and what they’re feeling,” Castro explained.
CrossFit GM of GYM Gary Gaines said, “I couldn’t be more excited to have Dave back in this capacity. His commitment to CrossFit and more importantly, our affiliates, is undeniable. Leveraging his experience and creativity will help us support our affiliate owners and continue to build on what is already the strongest community in the world.”
Gaines and Castro will hold an Affiliate Town Hall next week to connect with affiliate owners and answer questions. Stay tuned for additional information.
Comments on Dave Castro Is Back To Support Affiliates
So, basically read this as; the new, woke, CrossFit is failing at retaining affiliates and not adding new members so they need help from what worked originally.
Happy Dave is back. Reconciliation is healing.
I am delighted that Dave is back. Reconciliation is healing.
Honestly, who cares how the firing happened or how the return happened! That info just serves our curiosity and nothing more. This is a big step in the right direction, that's what matters.
Can we be treated like adults, and get an explanation for the firing, and now the rehiring. Its also annoying how all use of Gregs name is always avoided. Stop trying to hide reality. Honesty is they only way you will keep this thing together.
So excited to have Dave back! I'm interested to hear details at the town hall.
This could be interesting. Waiting to see what goes on at the Affiliate Townhall meeting.
Advisor!
Would someone please just stand up and say "Hey, we made a mistake!" and just ask Dave to be CEO. Everyone makes mistakes, even Greg!
I didn't see this coming and I'm so grateful!! HELL YEAH welcome TDC!
I am happy and relieved about this news. I have been concerned about the direction of CrossFit over the last several months and the feeling of corporationization leading over methodology. Dave has always given his heart and soul to CrossFit and I was deeply unhappy about the way he was sacked with little real explanation. I am only an everyday recreational Crossfitter but this news makes me happy this morning.
CrossFit had lost it’s heart and soul. Though Greg is gone, the soul of CrossFit lives on through Nicole. Now, we have our heart back! Welcome home, TDC.
Welcome back Dave!!!
As an Affiliate Owner I am grateful to have you back in our corner.
After losing a little bit of faith, I am once again excited and hopeful for the future of CrossFit!
CrossFit Train 97333 in Corvallis, if you are ever in Oregon we would love to have you stop by.
This is welcome news! Thank you Dave for your loyalty and passion!
Bom regresso a direção! A sua participação vau agigantar ainda mais a CrossFit pelo mundo fora!... Estamos com grande expetativa das tuas ideas e acoes... Bem haja!...
Bom regresso a direção!... A tua participação vai agigantar ainda mais CrossFit pelo mundo fora! Estamos com grande expetativa das tuas ideias e ações!...
One step closer to Steve Jobs coming back to Apple. Oddly enough, this post is exactly two years after this was posted. (w/f safe)
Great news for sure! Congratulations Dave!
Dear CrossFit HQ, is anyone lobbying yet to have CrossFit as an Exhibition Sport in the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics or other future Olympics? Could be a good role for Dave Castro also.
Shocked and excited to hear Dave is back! Finally some good news!
So glad to have some grass roots crossfit people like Dave back… felt empty without him this year. Go Dave!
southern pines crossfit
toni Anne washington
This is great news, but it seems like they always visit the "core" affiliates, or the long time cronies of CrossFit. Seems they always leave the small guys in the Midwest out. Maybe Dave needs to get on the Affiliate FB groups and engage the rest of us?
Awesome.
A lot of house cleaning ahead for you Dave but if anyone can do it, it would be you. I am pleasantly surprised that there may be a chance for me to be proud to affiliate myself with CrossFit again. Coach, Nicole, and Dave… gotta get the band back together.
Welcome back TDC!
First order of business - hire the man in his spare bedroom.
Make the story magical again.
Welcome back, Dave!
I have a feeling this will be a town hall worth watching. Not just a bunch of corporate rehearsed PC jibberish.
Excited for this town hall.
This is great news. The last year has been filled with too much drama around HQ and this gets me excited again about CrossFit and being an affiliate owner! It’s time to get serious again!!
Bem vindo de volta.
Dave Castro Is Back To Support Affiliates
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