18 Feb Everyone Hates a CrossFitter: The Power of Self-Identity
How do you know if someone does CrossFit? Don’t worry, they’ll tell you. And then they will tell you again. And then somehow bring it up in a conversation about what kind of milk you buy.
CrossFitters get a lot of flak for this—the endless updates about their Workout of the Day, their paleo meal prep, or how they’re somehow both lifting weights and doing burpees faster than the speed of light. But here’s the thing: the annoying part about CrossFitters is also the genius part. By constantly talking about it, they’re reinforcing something powerful: their identity.
When you repeatedly tell the world you’re a CrossFitter, it’s not for attention (well, not just for attention). It’s because saying it out loud makes it more real. Declaring “I’m a CrossFitter” influences what they do. They show up to the gym, they push themselves, they meal prep, because that’s what CrossFitters do. Their self-identity shapes their actions.
Now, let’s shift gears a little. Imagine you want to start running. You lace up your shoes, go for a jog, and it’s…fine. Maybe you’ll do it again tomorrow. Or maybe you’ll decide Netflix is more appealing. That’s because you’re thinking of running as an activity, not an identity.
But what happens if you say, “I’m a runner”? It’s a subtle but seismic shift. Runners run. That’s what they do. And if you’re a runner, skipping that jog feels like betraying yourself. Who you continuously say you are influences what you do.
What is more powerful: running until one day you decide you’re a runner, or deciding you’re a runner and then running because that’s what runners do? I’d argue the second one wins every time. It’s easier to act in alignment with who you believe you are than to act in hopes of becoming someone new.
This isn’t just about fitness. The same principle applies to everything. Want to be more confident? Start saying, “I’m confident.” Want to save more money? Say, “I’m a saver.” Want to be more compassionate? You guessed it: “I’m compassionate.”
Now, let’s be real—you’re probably not going to wake up one day and instantly become a version of yourself that’s 100% confident, financially savvy, and jogging marathons before breakfast. But declaring your identity plants the seed. It gives you a framework for your choices and actions. And before you know it, you’re running, saving, and being more compassionate like it’s second nature.
Maybe the next time you meet someone who can’t stop talking about their CrossFit, cut them a little slack. They’re onto something. Annoying? Yes. But also, inspiring. They’re living proof of how powerful it is to decide who you are and then act like it.
And who knows? Maybe tomorrow you’ll wake up and say, “I’m a CrossFitter.” Just be prepared for people to hate you a little bit.
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By: Wesley Armson, Canadian Certified Counsellor and Registered Counselling Therapist, MACP
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