Goodbye Invictus
Written by Invictus Charter Member Courtland Creekmore
How can I write a few paragraphs that encapsulate 4 1/2 years of being a part of family and say goodbye? It’s a bittersweet exercise that has made me tear up more than once, memories racing through my somnolent brain late at night and on into early anxious morning. Alas, the Bay area calls and the real brains in the family, my lovely and amazing wife Erika, has to go up to Stanford and show them how it’s done.
I met CJ at CF San Diego and right away knew he was something special–observant, measured, diligent and he spoke about training and workouts in a new and strange vernacular. I’d never thought about why someone would do a particular exercise or movement (other than to look good or get swollen). Function and purpose were, to my mind, things MMA fighters worried about. Olympic lifting? That was for big-bellied Soviets like Vasily Alekseyev (how they got a singlet on that guy I don’t want to know). A new way of thinking started to emerge and I wanted to learn more.
And then Invictus arose in that great mind of his and we were off and running. I helped lay and cut the mats for the gym and fit them around the racks. I was there for the first day’s workout and never looked back. I did not aspire to be an elite competitor; I just wanted to balance out the beers and the office/sedentary lifestyle that had crept up on me. I never expected to make such good friends and learn so much about myself and the things that people are capable of. Invictus has taken the best parts of training in the CrossFit style and mixed in love, family, friendship and shared concern for each other. People here care most about your well being. Split times, kilograms, protein servings–those are all important, but this place is really an incubator for human kindness and holistic growth.
I cannot thank CJ, George, Michele, Calvin, Nick, Nichole, Nuno, Shane, Sage, Katie Mac, Dave and Cody enough for all of their incredible dedication and interest in my health. The crew behind the scenes, Pops, Crazy K, Jen, Courtney, and a slew of visiting coaches and interns, have all been there for me always and made the experiences rich, fun and rewarding.
Having a team of talented, smart and good souls surrounding me has changed my life. I don’t take any medication at all (never have and hopefully never will have to). My blood pressure is regularly 117/70 and the blood sugar, LDL/HDL cholesterol levels and so forth are always in the good range. And though I am not an elite athlete, my resting pulse rate (55) puts me in the healthiest range for men 45-50. I credit the workouts and nutrition that I have learned about while at Invictus. Those who know me well also know that I epitomize the “see-food” diet adherent, so having informed and cutting-edge nutritional “guidelines” has kept me reasonably in check.
I have traveled a lot, seen a lot and trained in different ways over the years. Invictus tops them all by any measure. Take time to consider truly and fully how much knowledge and talent and experience you can draw from on any given day there. Don’t let it pass you by. Learn it all, train with enthusiasm and pay attention. Get your sleep and good food. Do different things and challenge yourself. Don’t sit around for too long–keep moving.
I will miss way too many of you to start naming names. I love you all and admire the crazy efforts I have seen from many of you. It takes guts to train at Invictus, where everything is out in the open and eyeballs are on you constantly. In the end that open-source transparency will be your best ally. Embrace it and be excellent to each other always.
Your friend,
Courtland
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CJ’s Note – I was asked by a coach of mine to define the ideal member of my community – the type of person that I want walking into Invictus and signing up. You might be tempted to think it would be an elite level athlete, and I certainly enjoy working with my athletes, but at the end of the day, Courtland epitomizes our ideal member. Long before we ever aspired to coach athletes in the sport of CrossFit, we were obsessed with helping individuals achieve their goals of leading healthy and happy lives. That is and what has always motivated us as a coaching staff. But we can only do that if our members place their trust in us as a staff and buy in to the culture that we have strived to create.
Courtland trusted me when I was still maturing as a coach, and was one of the first inside the building that would become Invictus. He seemed to understand from day one that the vision was not just to give people great workouts, but also to create a culture and community that was inclusive and respectful of everyone, regardless of their interests or abilities. He has always been welcoming and generous in lending a helping hand to members of the Invictus community. He has also been inquisitive and challenged me and many of the other coaches to better define our instruction – a much appreciated trait that forced us to stay sharp.
When Courtland says that Invictus “is really an incubator for human kindness and holistic growth,” I can only thank him; not just for acknowledging that we are on the path set out in the beginning, but more importantly, for being a catalyst and active guardian of that culture. It is individuals like Courtland who have defined what Invictus is all about and who have created what will always be our legacy – the Sea of Green, a group of individuals committed to supporting each other to be the best versions of themselves and to lead their healthiest and happiest lives.
Courtland, you will be missed, and always welcomed on your visits back to San Diego.
Courtland, you have come up to me many times and said its inspirational and fun to watch me come in there and crush workouts. Little do you know, it’s the other way around! Watching guys like you push yourself and continue to just have fun is what inspire and push me to be what I am! You’ve helped me grow as a person in the time we have known each other. Your a monster man! I’m not considering this a good bye, it’s a catch you later!
P.s now hopefully you can judge me next year! Haha
Big Rig, You have a great future in this realm if you continue to stick to the programming and trust CJ and the others. You’ve got the genetics and the mindset. Keep showing up and giving it your all. I can tell from your humble attitude and sense of humor that you will go far and maybe one day take the crown. Whatever happens, you have a big fan in me and many others.
Cheers my brother. Make it so.
Good Luck My Friend!! We will miss you so much!! I hope this next adventure brings you much sunshine and happiness!!
Tausha, We have known each other for four years and had a lot of good laughs! You are really kind and sweet and stronger than anyone would guess. It’s been a pleasure training with you and seeing you progress over the years. Keep up the great work and best of luck to you.
Courtland – you will certainly be missed around the gym!! Good luck in your new adventure up north!
Kim, You’re crazy strong and a fighter with a heart. I was impressed with your training and your performance throughout. I hope we connect in the future. In the meantime, enjoy yourself and continue kicking ass.
Good luck, Courtland! I didn’t get a chance to say hello at Regionals, but it looked like you were doing an outstanding job as a judge 🙂
Thanks Dan. I felt some pressure but enjoyed learning how that whole thing was orchestrated. Saw some unreal performances as well and hope to be able to do more of that in the future. Hope you are doing well and keep up the good training.
Cheers.
Courtland you’re definitely going to be missed my friend. I hope you’ll find a good CF Box up in NorCal, you’re an asset to any gym lucky enough to have you. Hope to see you a couple more times before you head north
Always a pleasure to see you, Drew. Thanks for the kind words and the good times at the gym. I hope you continue to train there and stay strong and healthy. Best to you and your family.
What a very touching goodbye, Courtland. Wishing you all the best, and rest assured that the national & global Sea of Green is very much alive and well, and you’ll be an important part of it. Thank you for making my Regionals experience that much richer.
Thanks Stephanie. You did some impressive work at the Regional games and I fully expect you to keep improving and crushing the training. Best of luck with your sabbatical and the book. I look forward to learning more of your exploits and achievements. Rock on.
Courtland it has been a privilege to work out with you, be judged in the open by you and see your encouraging Invictus spirit while you judged at regionals. I wish you the best of luck!
Thanks Bryan. You’re a beast and a gentleman. Stay healthy and strong and I look forward to catching up with you in the future and learning of your accomplishments. Best to you as well.
Courtland! I am going to miss your smart ass remarks as well as your kind words and gestures. Thank you for helping Invictus become such an amazing place. Good luck in your next adventure and please come visit!
I will take the “smart” part of that compliment Ali. You’re amazing and pull off some impressive workouts. I hope to see you around when I am back in the ‘hood. Big cheers.
Courtland, Barry and I have always been fans of yours. He especially enjoys comparing deadlift weights with you. 🙂
We’ll miss you, and won’t ever forget you.
I was unaware that Barry did dead lifts. Does his moustache comb interfere with complete hip opening?
You two are a great couple and I wish you both an abundance of health and good fortune.
Please tell Barry that there is no reason to search the trunk of my car. Nothing suspicious going on here.
Much love
It was great knowing you Courtland. Sorry I could’t make it out to Craft & Commerce tonight, but it was nice running into you in OB last night. Hope to see you around the gym or around town in the future and I wish you and your wife the best of luck!
Thanks Kyle. Train hard and enjoy the experience. Hope to see you soon.