10 Years

It is hard to believe but it has 10 years since we opened Coyote Fitness.  March 4, 2013 will forever be a day that I look back on with pride.  There have been so many amazing memories over the years and so many people that I have met through Coyote that I thought it would be a great time to reflect on the last 10 years at Coyote Fitness.

When Coyote opened in 2013 I really didn’t have any expectation on what it would turn into.  I knew that I wanted to open up a CrossFit gym in Madison and believed that it would be successful but I never imagined it would turn into what it is today.  Looking back on the 27 year old who decided to make a leap of faith, I am sometimes blown away by the courage it took to do it and am so grateful that I did.  It never would have happened, however, without my three original partners-Dr. John Isaacs, Steven Sahler, and Blake Swanson.  These three men literally changed the direction of my life and I am forever grateful to them for believing in me and helping me every step of the way.

There have been so many amazing moments over the years at Coyote, and I look back at each one with fondness.  From competitions locally and all over the country, to Christmas parties and Charity balls, to outdoor workouts and birthday dinners, and all of the daily moments during and in between classes, I can honestly say that I have had many of the best moments of my life because of Coyote.  The workouts and the methodology are great, but what really makes Coyote special is the people inside of the walls.  We have had thousands of members of Coyote over the years and I am forever grateful to each and every one of them for trusting us with their health and fitness, no matter how long or short their stay was.  I have made some of my best friends, gone on countless trips, and done the last 10 years of my life with so many amazing people because of Coyote.  I wouldn’t trade these friendships and experiences for the world.

I want to give special recognition to each of the coaches at Coyote over the years.  We opened our doors with two part time coaches-McCray Buteau and Tait Hendrix.  I will forever be thankful for those two guys willing to help me out when I was trying to figure out how to run a business.  Tait-you are greatly missed.  Chris Allen came on a month later and was with us full time for almost 10 years.  Coyote wouldn’t be where it is today without him and his fingerprints will be on this place for as long as it is a gym.  I’m also thankful to each of the coaches who has been with us over the years.  Each of them has made a great contribution to this organization and has helped further Coyote to what it is today.  Finally, I want to thank each of our coaches with us today.  I am so blessed to be able to show up to work each day and work with such an amazing team of hardworking, good natured, driven, kind, compassionate, and hungry people.  Caleb, Tyler, Lauren, Lydia, Keaton, Zyra, Derek, Bryan, and Tyler T., thank you guys so much for going on this journey with me!

I want to wrap this up by saying we aren’t done yet.  I am amazed at how far Coyote has come and I am so grateful for where we are, but we have a lot more left to accomplish.  We feel like we have an obligation to help as many people as we possibly can and we will work tirelessly every day to do so.  I am so thankful for the last 10 years, but I am beyond excited for the next 10.  Here’s to many more years of Coyote Fitness!