The Power of Belonging

I started my CrossFit journey in Providence, RI, right before COVID hit. When the world shut down, I went back to running and tried lifting weights on my own. After moving to Denver in 2021, I tried a few other gyms—including CrossFit—but couldn’t find the right community. I wanted to work out, learn new skills, and meet people in Denver. I was close to giving up on CrossFit after a bad experience, but I decided to give it one last try. That’s when I found Train. What made me choose Train over other gyms in the area was seeing pictures of the pride flag hanging in the gym.

Coming from the LGBTQ+ community, my experiences with working out and gyms haven’t always been positive. But seeing photos of the pride flag instantly put me at ease. I think a lot of times we overlook simple gestures – like hanging a flag – that can make a huge difference. Knowing right away that the gym supported me and the LGBTQ+ community helped me embrace CrossFit again.

I’m grateful every day for finding this gym and this community. The friends I’ve made over the past three years have become family. They’re the ones who’ve celebrated birthdays, new CrossFit skills, bachelor parties, and weddings with me. They’re also the ones who call me out for skipping class because I was tired – or hungover from tequila.

Topher Hebert