Ryan J Johnson

I grew up shying away from sports except martial arts, devoting most of my free time to from the ages of 8 to 21 to learning from every style and art I could to blend and understand all strengths and weaknesses.

‍

After that I tried everything from body building and power lifting, calisthenics, biking and finally crossFit and I learned that none of these are perfect but all provide something amazing and the best one is what ever you enjoy to keep you disciplined and moving.

‍

Everyone walks in those doors for one reason or another but at the end of the day they leave with the intent on bettering their lives so as a coach, I find it my responsibility to emphasize their accomplishments and efforts.

I had just started CrossFit and had only been attending for a few months when my mother passed away, I was also in the process of a separation so being a new single father was hard through all of it. I had left CrossFit as I mentally was not on a good path when I received a beautiful card from the staff and members of 696.

‍

Being such a new member it blew my mind that these strangers seemed more attuned to what I needed at that moment then the people in my life. It wasn't the constant "I am sorry for your loss".

‍

But the "we can't wait to see you again" and that told me then and there I had found a family who fights the pains of life together and comes out stronger.

‍

I signed back up and never looked back. Even making it my goal to become a coach.

I love working with athletes to provide them all the tools and guidance they need to crush their goals. Accomplishment always feels more satisfying to me when you can look yourself in the mirror and say, "That was me, I did it."