From Splints to Strength: How Getting Fired Launched My True Calling

Back in 2008, I landed my first “big kid” job as a medical sales rep. Brady and I had just moved to Sacramento, and I was hustling hard, selling splints to folks suffering from plantar fasciitis. Glamorous? Not exactly. But I took it seriously and worked my tail off—eventually becoming the top sales rep in the entire western division.

But while I was winning awards in the medical world, something else was stirring.

I started interning at the local CrossFit gym. Something about the intensity, the community, the transformation—it lit me up. What began as a side hustle turned into a full-blown passion. I developed the kids program, took on personal training clients, and started coaching classes. I loved every minute of it.

Eventually, I scaled my sales job down to two jam-packed days a week. I was still crushing my numbers—but I was putting my heart and energy into coaching. And that didn’t go unnoticed.

One day, my boss called my gym. Pretending to be a potential personal training client, she was really just trying to confirm her suspicions. A week later, I was fired.

At the time, I felt like a complete failure. I had worked so hard, and it ended with me losing a “real job.”

But that moment turned out to be the best thing that ever happened to me professionally.

I had no backup plan. No cushion. I had to go ALL IN on coaching and training. So I did.

I coached 7 days a week. I trained more and more clients. I learned, failed, refined, and grew. I built experience and confidence by the hour. It wasn’t easy, but it was mine.

When we eventually moved away from Sacramento, I knew I was ready.

Ready to build something of my own. Ready to open a gym that focused on empowering people to rediscover themselves through fitness. A place that challenges you to do hard things, not just to change your body, but to transform your life.

That firing? It was the spark. I went on to open CrossFit Train in Corvallis, Oregon and sold it to one of my coaches after 4 great years before making our way back to Denver to start again!

And now? It fuels the fire we bring to Train Denver every single day. We have now been serving the Denver community for over 10 years!

If you’re feeling stuck, off-course, or like you were made for more—you probably are. Sometimes, the push you need is disguised as a setback.

And sometimes, your greatest failures are the gateway to your life’s true mission. I’m so glad it happened.

Keep Squatting-

Brooke