AFI | PRIMARY OBJECTIVE
Providing at-risk populations with a simple, elegant solution to the world’s most vexing problem. We leverage CrossFit, Community, and Mentorship to create meaningful change that leads to purposeful lives.
AFI | SECONDARY OBJECTive
Providing financial resources to CrossFit Affiliates. By providing membership revenue for AFI scholarship members, CrossFit Affiliates can serve their at-risk local communities without compromising their business health.
AFI | OBSTACLES
- Fundraising
- Creating meaningful, aligned partners in other CrossFit Affiliates.
- Cost of program. Many non-profit events want to create as broad of an impact as possible with the resources they have available. We see it differently. The per-person cost associated with a program like this is high. Yet, the opportunity for big-impact and truly sustainable change comes with this higher investment. It requires operating with a visionary, long-view perspective, but we know that deeper is better than wider. Inspiring true, lasting change in one person’s life produces a ripple effect on the world around them and on generations to come. Our goal isn’t to create a title wave through one massive event, but to slowly rise the entire tide by making extremely dense and potent investments into at-risk individuals.
OUR METHODOLOGY
CROSSFIT ACCESS + 5 FACTOR METHOD
We sit collectively in unique possession of an elegant solution to the world's most vexing problem.
CrossFit founder Greg Glassman
We wholeheartedly agree. Through years of experience with coaching hundreds of athletes across all walks of life, we have found no methodology more optimal or effective in changing lives than that of CrossFit. We live within broken systems that keep sick people sick. Whether that sickness be mental, emotional, or physical we believe that the true way forward is to empower individuals with both vision and agency to change their situation. Rather than reacting to their illness we want to be proactive in their wellness.
Regardless of the sickness, our part in the solution is simple.
Give people the power back.
Lead them to purpose and provide the tools necessary to build their life around that purpose.
Whether it be physical, mental, or emotional; The Always Forward Initiative is about doing the work, but never having to do it alone.
Regardless of the sickness, our part in the solution is simple.
Give people the power back.
Lead them to purpose and provide the tools necessary to build their life around that purpose.
Whether it be physical, mental, or emotional; The Always Forward Initiative is about doing the work, but never having to do it alone.
FINANCIAL SUPPORT
As our team considered how we could make a larger impact through the methods and models we've developed
we recognized a huge barrier. Finances.
Everyone should have the opportunity to grow, heal, and recover. While CrossFit is something everyone can do and is something we believe most people should do, we also realized that many people face a financial barrier of access to this type of training and coaching. If everyone should do it, everyone should have access to it. Not only do we want to use our model to empower people towards change, we give them the opportunity to access these tools through financial support.
We organize events and opportunities to raise funds for this exact reason - to bring this life changing methodology to everyone,
not just the class of people that can afford it.
we recognized a huge barrier. Finances.
Everyone should have the opportunity to grow, heal, and recover. While CrossFit is something everyone can do and is something we believe most people should do, we also realized that many people face a financial barrier of access to this type of training and coaching. If everyone should do it, everyone should have access to it. Not only do we want to use our model to empower people towards change, we give them the opportunity to access these tools through financial support.
We organize events and opportunities to raise funds for this exact reason - to bring this life changing methodology to everyone,
not just the class of people that can afford it.
CROSSFITCrossFit is constantly varied functional movements performed at high intensity. This program is designed for anyone and everyone, making it the perfect application for any committed individual, regardless of experience.
The CrossFit ethos is built around the affiliates that make up the global community. The beauty of the affiliate is found in the way that everyone is able to belong. For someone at-risk or in recovery, this sense of support and belonging is unparalleled. The combination of high-intensity, functional movement, high-level coaching, and highly-supportive communities makes up the life-changing environment of our Always Forward Initiative. |
5 FACTOR METHODThe 5 Factor Method is our life coaching system. By taking control of 5 primary factors we believe that individuals can discover a better way to live.
Eat | Eat real food, including plants, and not too much of it. Enjoy food, don’t be a slave to it. Don’t diet, practice discipline. Move | Movement is medicine. We follow the CrossFit prescription of high intensity, constantly varied, functional movements 5-6 days per week. Regularly engage in and learn new activities. Think | Practice a growth mindset and positivity. "As you think, you will be.” You won’t be fulfilled or make progress if you’re miserable in the mind. Connect | We were made for one another. Do more than just tolerate others, celebrate them. Life is about the people you share it with. Connect with others and the world around you. Recover | Recovery is primarily focused on healthy sleep habits, but there are other things such as body work, stretching, and supplementation to be considered as well. |
BECOME A PARTICIPANT
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?To become and remain eligible for the Always Forward Scholarship individuals must meet the following requirements:
>> Meet the description of one of our target demographics. >> Meet the financial requirements to be categorized as an underserved demographic as specified by the local state Department of Health. >> Prove a barrier of entry to membership due to financial circumstances. >> *At the moment the Always Forward Initiative is only available to participating affiliates in TN. |
PARTICIPATION AGREEMENTTo remain within the program, members must:
>> Attend a minimum of 12 CrossFit classes each month >> Engage in monthly one-on-one assessments with a coach to set goals and encourage progress. >> Maintain good conduct by living committed to the mission, vision, and core values of our organization. >> Members must also reapply each year to determine continued eligibility. |