By Alan Shaw, Co-Founder and Head Coach of Rhapsody CrossFit
They say the days are slow and years are fast. At Rhapsody CrossFit in Charleston, my experience is that the days are fast and the years are faster.
The three of us can barely wrap our brains around celebrating our first anniversary. It seems like yesterday Trinity Wheeler, Stan Tsoy and I were trying to picture rigs and barbells in an empty block box.
365 days later, Rhapsody is one of the fastest growing gyms in Charleston surrounded by a thriving community of hungry, humble and happy members.
Aside from finding our feet as business owners, we set out to accomplish three things with Rhapsody in our first year: create community, innovate fitness and expand our reach beyond the four walls in Charleston.
Rhapsody is one of the fastest growing gyms in Charleston surrounded by a thriving community of hungry, humble and happy members.
COMMUNITY
From first-time CrossFitters to seasoned athletes, our dynamic community is made up of all fitness levels in a relentless pursuit of health.
Whether it was the college freshmen looking for her home away from home to the veteran triathlete building his strength for the next race, each Rhapsody member brought a distinct personality, passion and drive to this delightful mix of misfits, and I am nothing short of obsessed with how our Rhapsody community came together and continues to grow.
INNOVATION
Over twelve short months, in addition to CrossFit, Rhapsody rolled out more than six specialty programs including Rhapsody Sweat, Rhapsody Barbell, Adaptive Training, Corporate Wellness, Rhapsody Brain Trust and Rhapsody 101.
Admittedly, some days this sprint to originate and initiate had me breathing into a paper bag, but I am in awe of the dreamers and experts who have come into the fold and helped us create such a comprehensive health, wellness and mindset machine.
REACH
Somewhere along the way, Rhapsody’s reach transcended our gym – through friendships started, visitors from around the world, businesses connected and people becoming the best versions of themselves far beyond fitness, there’s a momentum that’s moving at the speed of light well outside of our walls.
When the three of us sat down to breathe (Hah! Who am I kidding…), took stock and looked ahead, we all landed on the same theme for year two – reach.
Spoiler alert, Trinity is all about upping our media game and growing our broader Rhapsody Fitness brand. From expanding our presence in the sport of CrossFit to launching Rhapsody Radio, we will continue to speak up and add to the health and wellness conversation in creative, compelling and unexpected ways. Stay tuned as we debut a few new things across IGTV, Rhapsody News and more.
For Coach Stan, this year was about finding his voice as a leader and renewing his passion for continued education. Looking ahead, he is all in on honing Olympic Lifting expertise and expanding the Rhapsody Personal Training program.
For me, the love affair with you, our members, started at first sight and has only gotten stronger. My goal for the year ahead is to spread the love by teaching the future teachers through our new Rhapsody Coaches Mentorship Program and cultivating elite athletes through the Rhapsody Athletic Department.
I am humbled by how far we’ve come, grateful for the family we’ve found along the way and can only imagine what the next year will bring. Onward!
If you have any questions about our current Rhapsody programs or would like to learn more about what’s next, grab any one of the Team Rhapsody coaches or visit us online.
If you are new to Rhapsody and a Charleston local, your first class is on us.
From first-time CrossFitters to seasoned athletes, our dynamic community is made up of all fitness levels in a relentless pursuit of health.
