Building Strength for Life: The CrossFit Cleveland Journey – Bill Russell
At CrossFit Cleveland, we set out not just to build a gym, but to create a space where people could become stronger in every sense—physically, mentally, and emotionally. As I was approaching my 40s, I realized I needed to make a change. I’d been living a lifestyle that wasn’t sustainable, and I knew that if I could turn things around, I could help others do the same.
When Staci and I decided to launch CrossFit Cleveland in early 2007, we were stepping into the unknown. The economy was struggling, and fitness was often viewed as a luxury. But I’d discovered something powerful in CrossFit: a community and method that helped me build grit and resilience. I knew others could benefit from it too.
Starting with Saturday morning workouts in the Metroparks, we watched as people began showing up—then coming back. We created an atmosphere where members could push through challenging workouts, building the strength to endure both in and out of the gym. And as they tackled these physical hurdles, they also built mental resilience and emotional grit.
What makes CrossFit Cleveland unique isn’t just our workouts; it’s the environment we’ve nurtured. Everyone, from beginners to seasoned athletes, finds their place here. Most people don’t exactly love exercising, but they keep coming back because they feel they’re part of something that matters. We don’t just offer a fitness routine; we offer a long-term program they can stick with, where every session makes them stronger for life.
Today, in our new facility, that mission continues. We’ve grown through economic downturns, COVID shutdowns, and the ups and downs of business ownership. Yet the passion that launched us remains the same: helping every member become the best version of themselves, now and in the years to come.
But how did this all start? Here’s a little more about the journey that brought us here…
Our story didn’t begin as a polished plan. It began as a simple idea over drinks and a napkin sketch in a local brewery. Back in 2007, Staci and I thought, “Hey, maybe this CrossFit thing could help more people feel the way we do.” We’d seen the benefits firsthand—feeling stronger, more capable, and just…better. Why not bring that to others?
So, we launched. First, we tested it out with free workouts in the Metroparks, and to our surprise, people showed up. They even came back! We knew we had something special on our hands, so we started looking for a real space. It took some luck and the right landlord, but we eventually found an old retail space that had been empty for years—bare walls, concrete floors. Perfect for a CrossFit gym.
Over time, what we offered went beyond fitness. We built a place where people actually want to be, even though most would say they “don’t really like exercise.” Everyone here supports each other, beginners and athletes alike. We’re not just running through routines; we’re helping people build strength that translates to every part of their lives. The grit and resilience they develop in here—sweating, pushing, lifting—carries over when they step out the door.
Fast-forward through 18 years, two moves, and a lot of learning curves (not to mention plumbing surprises at our first grand opening), and here we are in our third facility, still doing what we love. Our new space has a layout that works better, looks more inviting, and lets us keep growing this community. People walk through our doors looking for fitness, but they stick around because they find something that matters. It’s the best decision we ever made, and we’re excited for the next chapter.
Here is a link to a much longer version of our journey, originally published about ten years ago, “How and Why We Started CrossFit Cleveland”
