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I pride myself on not being a "reactionary" person. I try to thoroughly and thoughtfully make decisions, often while seeking to understand the different perspectives present and how those decisions might affect all parties. In fact, I wrote this letter on Sunday evening, but felt it necessary to sit with the decision and consult my staff, friends, and gym community before making such a significant decision. That being said, I have to acknowledge this process, as all processes are, will be imperfect. In the same way, I, like all, are imperfect. I have read and reread this letter a number of times to make sure it's not written from a place of moral superiority. Every single one of us needs to do the constant and difficult work of self-reflection and we need to see the humanity in ourselves and each other. Maybe the lack of our willingness to engage this work is one of the reasons we find ourselves in the place we are today. I would ask that you read, not just scanning for things you agree with or the words you feel need to be said, but rather to hear the heart and understand the process.

Crossfit has been a significant part of my life for over 10 years. I have been a gym member, part time coach, competition judge, athlete, and affiliate owner. To say that I have given much of my life to fitness through the vehicle of crossfit is an understatement. It has become part of me. As an affiliate owner, I have valued the ownership model that has allowed me to take what I want and leave the rest. Dūrātus has adopted the methodology, the practice of community, the verbiage, and the relentless pursuit to health and wellness; but we have also found ourselves seeking to be different and even distance ourselves from the inflammatory and arrogant posture that has too often been associated with the brand.

Since opening in 2013, I have spent a lot of my time as an affiliate owner speaking to how Dūrātus, and its values, will be different than what is spoused from CrossFit™ HQ. The distance and lack of heavy handedness in local business operations has created enough space for me to live in the tension. I have found that much of life needs to be lived in places of tension and this was no different. We shared a name and adapted some practices, but lived these things out in our own way. We held it all in tension.

The recent comments coming from CrossFit™ HQ and the general posture exhibited over time is no longer acceptable to me or my team. We have consistent data points over the years of our diverging value set, but what has transpired recently is categorically antithetical to who we are seeking to be as a gym community. Racism, of any kind, will not be tolerated in our community. Due to these realities, the place of tension we have lived for the last 6 years is uninhabitable for us at this time.

Now, what's important about this and what I hope you have realized, is that no where in this writing nor in what Duratus has publicly communicated thus far names specific individuals. This is intentional. The issues we are facing today are far bigger than single individuals and their actions. We are dealing with systems and structures hundreds of years old, reinforced everyday by both overt racists and good hearted people. It is not our place to demonize individuals, rather to search for the humanity in all people. Duratus has worked hard to never completely write off people. This has lead us as a community into seasons of excruciating pain, but those that have been faithful to show up and deal with their own issues have seen growth, dare I say, restoration. The work of becoming a better person or community does not happen when you run away or hide from your problems. It comes when you are willing to learn, grow, look outside of yourself, and transform. It happens when you are willing to be a part of the answer.

We have not, nor will we be, a community that emotionally cancels over a series of statements from a singular individual. Loyalty is too important to me/us. As much pressure as I have felt to make a quick decision; I believe a thoughtful, value driven discussion and discernment process is the only appropriate navigational method forward. I have listened to our members. I have heard those outside of our gym calling for a response. I have discussed the complexity with local law enforcement. I have sat with people of color who have felt betrayed by a company they loved. I have processed with my coaching staff and family. Just as CrossFit is bigger than an individual, Duratus is bigger than an individual and this reality informs how we operate.

Although I am confident our decision will not be made without some individuals standing in disagreement, it is at this point that we are choosing to forgo our business affiliation with CrossFit™ as a company. This is not a move away from crossfit, as much as a move away from a corporation. It's critical we understand the difference. CrossFit™ is an international privately owned fitness, training and sport corporation. Crossfit is constantly varied, functional movement, performed at a high intensity. Crossfit is likeminded individuals seeking to better themselves and those around through fitness and health. Crossfit is a community that welcomes everyone. These things cannot be trademarked, nor can they be constricted to a specific corporation. Just like Dūrātus, the name - CrossFit™ - will eventually be forgotten, but I believe the methodology and ethos it brought to the forefront of our culture is lasting. I will always be thankful for the ways crossfit, as a fitness revolution and collective community, has influenced my life and understanding of wholistic health and wellness. As much as we desired to stay a part of and fight for this company, this move is founded in the belief that we are truer to ourselves and be better able to enact change outside of the affiliate network.

We live in a time where leadership is critically important. The health and forward movement of our families, businesses, communities, nation and world is fundamentally reliant on good people taking the lead. Good leadership is not simply the cult of personality. Good leadership is humble and self reflective. Good leaders care deeply for those that follow. Good leadership has a plan for replacement. Good leaders seek to serve, rather than be served. When there is a vacuum of good leadership, ambiguity begets indifference which begets dissatisfaction which begets destruction. Now, more than ever, we need good leaders. If we don't have them in our life, then we need to become them. Duratus wants to be a leader in the industry. A gym willing to live into its own identity and live out its unique values in ways that impact the community for good.

This decision does not come without trepidation. In many ways it means we are now taking our first steps into an new future. And as much as there are things unknown, you can be sure that Dūrātus will move forward. What you have come to love and expect from us will continue, but now we are poised to offer more. We will strive to extend a better way of life for all our members through fitness training and nutritional expertise. We will open our doors to anyone and everyone seeking to better themselves. We will value all people and their stories as equals. We will journey together toward health and wellness. Change takes time. Transformation is ongoing. We hope you are willing to link arms with us as we start this journey in a new and exciting direction.

-Kevin and the Dūrātus Staff