Rory Mckernan Responds to Being Fired By CrossFit®

Rory Mckernan, a veteran CrossFit® staff member of 9 years, was one member within another group of individuals that was recently fired from the company. He was one of the most enduring faces of the CrossFit update show, presenter of the Open announcements and a regular commentator at events all around the world. You can read the full story here:

Rory Mckernan Has Been Fired from CrossFit® Inc

Rory released the following statement about his dismissal. 

Rory Mckernan’s Response

“Thank you all.

I am forever grateful to this amazing community of people. To my former employer and it’s founder and to the tremendous friends and mentors who have shaped and changed my life for the better.

I leave with a full heart, a lifetime of good memories and a burning passion to continue serving this amazing community in whatever shape they may take.

A few days after we were officially let go I met with my long time friend and colleague, Tyson Oldroyd. My tenure and Tyson’s ran in parallel. Once upon a time, we both operated Affiliates (Tyson owned his), earned the coveted opportunity to travel and teach on the Seminar Staff (best job in history) and then stepped through the door in the first handful of employees for the Media Team (even best-er job in history). For more than 9 years, we worked together in the same office, telling the stories of the Community. Your stories.

We sat overlooking the Monterrey Bay, over-caffeinating, talking fast and processing our thoughts. The spirit of our conversation is what I wish for my legacy at the organization to be. We weren’t crying, bitching or complaining. In fact, we laughed a lot as we re-hashed memories and ‘war stories’ from the, “good ‘ol days.” We celebrated his engagement to Mariah Moore and the new adventures that surely await us both. Tyson, like myself, is incurably optimistic and we mostly marveled at how truly lucky we all have been to enjoy this crazy ride.

The only sentiment that has consistently outshone the others is an overwhelming sense of gratitude. Seriously, I cannot shake it. I am so overwhelmingly thankful for the lifetime of opportunities, amazing people and good fortune I have been blessed with over 13 amazing years. This is where I am choosing to direct my focus and build the foundation I will build upon.

Since I found the program in 2005, my life has been consistently enriched by the individuals and organizations that are woven deep into the fiber of this community. I met the love of my life in an Affiliate, married her and raised our two children in the midst of this crazy tribe.

I have filled the pages of two separate passports and formed meaningful friendships with people from all corners of the globe.

I have been shown unfathomable kindness and mentorship from titans of coaching, business and sport. Through constant exposure to a higher caliber of human beings, my expectations have been elevated – both for myself and for those I surround myself with.

I’ve had the best seat in the house throughout the explosive growth of the Games. I’ve even been allowed to share the competition floor with the fittest humans on earth. I’ve been cheered to victory and supported in defeat.

More important than any of these things is the knowledge that I’ve gained. I’ve been a part of a revolution that changed the World and will forever carry pride in my heart for helping to grow something that truly matters. Sharing this passion has brought enormous purpose to my life.

I give my heart felt thanks to the founder for that.

We’ve all been handed the power to change lives and I’ve been given the opportunity to put that power to work, time and time again. I have felt the honor of true service to other human beings and assisted them in reclaiming their lives through fitness. I’ve come to believe that there is no greater gift you can give.

While my professional role will now evolve outside of the company I am still a supporter. I believe in the Affiliates and the power of this community with all of my heart because I’ve seen the magic that occurs there countless times.

I will not lie to you and say that I’ve been without sadness, disappointment and confusion. All of that and more has come and gone in waves. Watching friends struggle and feeling the pain of ending a decade long relationship is complicated, to say the very least. I’m a human, not a robot and I’d say these feelings are pretty normal given the circumstance.

Having said all of that, I wouldn’t change one thing. What a ride.

I could never name everyone who has aided me along the way, nor could I adequately thank this community appropriately for all that I’ve been given.

I’ll close instead by saying that I am excited for my next adventure. I am taking my time prior to making any decisions, but I will keep you up to speed on what is next. You can take for granted that I’ll be looking for new and creative ways to be at your service.

I have been overwhelmed by the amount of people reaching out to me. Thank you, it means the world to me. Please move forward with me by building each other up, not tearing one another down. There is nothing to gain from negativity or tossing insults. Anyhow, those things are not welcome here.

My family and I thank you all, from the bottom of our hearts.

Ro

P.S. For the record we tried to take a family photo for this, but between school lunches, new hustles, etc…. the struggle is real.”

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