Upper East Side

Hey folks,

Today is a very bittersweet day. After just under 2 years at EVF I am resigning from my position as Head Coach. This is by far one of the hardest things I have ever had to write.

Upon much thought and angst, I have decided to embark on an adventure and accept an opportunity to continue to coach CrossFit overseas. I will be moving to Kuwait and will be joining the team of Circuit Plus CrossFit.

My last day holding the position will be Oct 18th. I leave to Kuwait Nov 1st.

I know it’s crazy. My mom thinks I’m nuts. I will answer all of your questions. Do me a favor and continue to read this entire post. Its a bit sappy so bare with me.

This has not been an easy decision by any means. Even now I struggle to put these words together as the relationships I have built with each of you mean so much to me.

Over the last year and a half I have put my heart and soul into EVF and truly love everything that the community has become. Every one of you are unique, and bring something special into these walls which makes the community as strong and amazing as it is.

The community is bigger than just one person. It is greater than any one coach, any one member or any piece of equipment we use. It is not about me. It is about you. Each of you make it special and make it the great place that it is.

Yes I have helped mold it and shape it . Yes I have been there to help guide it in the right direction. Now it is time for me to move forward and to watch it blossom with out me.

It is time for the coaches that are here to shine on their own. The time is now for the coaches we have to prove how amazing they are and to feel empowered to lead this community.

I will be apart of the transition and to help make sure the expectations that we put forth are continued in my absence.

I ask that you trust myself and ownership, to allow us the time to go through this process to put the right individuals in place to continue to lead this team, the two facilities and the entire community.

I ask that you be open minded and give our coaches the chance to prove how amazing they are. Words cannot express how proud I am of each of them and how they have grown into true full fledge professionals. I would go into battle with anyone of them and fight to the end for all of them.

They deserve the chance to step in and prove that they can be even better than I was. The talent and the commitment is there, now all they need is the opportunity. Please rally and support them as they have supported each of you.

Saturday was proof at how amazing this community is. We showed NYC exactly who we are and why we are one of the strongest committed affiliates out there. Not just in NY but within the greater CrossFit community as well. I am damn proud of that. I will own that and can leave knowing we are at our strongest point.

I want to see it continue to grow and become even stronger. I want to see and hear how awesome each of you are doing and when I visit, know I will be able to see you.

Thank you for allowing me into your lives. Thank you for trusting me and believing in what I wanted for this community. Thank you for coming in everyday and allowing us to give you the service that you expect and beyond. Thank you for smiling and laughing at all of my jokes, some good most bad.

Thank you for allowing me to be myself and to coach each of you the best I knew how. Thank you for letting me become your friend and I am grateful to the relationship we created together.

Thank you for carrying out my vision of what a strong community should be. Thank you for saying hi and introducing yourselves to new or unfamiliar faces. Thank you for not gossiping or creating unnecessary drama. Thank you for being coachable and trusting in me. Thank you to making this place greater by participating in events and by being ambassadors for us.

Thank you for working hard and leaving with a smile. Thank you for always making our decision to be coaches the best damn decision we have ever made.

Thank you to our team of amazing coaches. (past and present.)Thank you for choosing to be apart of this great community and for allowing me the chance to work with each of you. Thank you for the effort each of you put forth each and everyday. Thank you for the commitment, the energy, the preparation and the professionalism that you put into every class. Thank you for the camaraderie and friendships. I wish you all the best and much success.

Thank you to our management and support staff. If you only knew at how much I drive them crazy. You get to leave after your hour, they have to deal with me hopped up on multiple Kill Cliffs all day. Not an easy task.

To Julia, my sister. We did it kiddo. No one can ever say we didn’t. We did it together. Without you this doesn’t happen. You made it happen! You were there with me every step of the way. We fought, we laughed, we cried, we hugged it out, we overcame and we won. When there was darkness, it was you who pulled me to the side and kept me strong. It was you who I finally listened to about cursing too much (sorry I still let a few slip every now and then). It was you who told me I could be the professional I am today and I listened and you were right. You’re always right and thank you for always letting me know that. I wish you nothing but love and success.

To Allie,
Thank you for everything that you do. It has been awesome watching your progress from a member to now a bona fide leader for this community. Thank you for always helping me, listening to me and for never getting too mad for having to chase me for all of my work.

To Tonie
We’ve been together for a long time. You have been always been a strong support to me. I was excited at the opportunity to work with you again and I finally got to watch you be shine and do your thing. Words cannot express enough gratitude for our relationship and our friendship. Most of things you do go unnoticed and that’s because you’re that great at them. I notice it all and am truly thankful for everything.

To Eric and Debra

It has been a great ride. Thank you for the opportunity to grow within your walls and outside. Thank you for the trust that you stowed before me with this organization.

You gave me the shot. I will always be deeply indebted to you for that. Thank you for all of the tutelage and wisdom you have always shared. Thank you for always cleaning up after my messes in the office and coach’s desk in the early days. Thank you for the battles we had which in turn challenged me to be better. Thank you for allowing to me into the comforts of your home and into the sanctity of your family.
Thank you for allowing me to be apart of EVF.

Lastly I look forward to continuing our friendships. I love you all and will miss each one of you. You can stay connected with me via social media and I promise to come back and visit and WOD it up with you.

If you have any questions, please feel free to email me at jamesqfitness@gmail.com or Eric@evfperformance.com

There is so much more I’d like to say. I’m doing my best to write this as we speak. Actually I’ve been staring at the publish button for over an hour.

“Life is all about creating relationships and investing your self into them so that they have meaning. We have but little time to create the life we want by establishing true friendships and by making invaluable amazing memories. “ JQ