Whoa.
Since Robb Wolf kind of threw our name out there last week as someone he’s referring nutritional counseling clients to… that made our lives crazy six ways to Sunday. I mean, we’d talked about this, and I knew it was coming, but I was still unprepared for the volume of email traffic this announcement would bring. But I’m getting ahead of myself… here’s a little bit about what’s going on with our nutritional consulting business.
We’d been talking with Robb about his nutritional counseling practices and the work we’d been doing in that area. So when Dallas and I went to California last month, we spent a lot of time talking to Robb and Nicki about their business, and the direction we’d like to go with our nutritional consulting practice. And during these conversations, Robb mentioned he’d be publicly recommending Melissa as one of his “approved” nutritional counselors. From there, everything just sort of clicked into place, and our business design began to take shape. Dallas and I decided to focus our private business around nutritional counseling. What we’re doing is a lot more than just talking blocks and carbs… you can read our Manifesto on the home page. We plan to provide on a bigger level a service that the CrossFit community needs (clearly, based on the volume of emails I’ve been getting) – help finding the right balance of diet, training, active recovery, sleep, stress management and a whole host of other factors that all add up to optimal health and fitness.
I am confident that we can carve this niche out for ourselves. There is room for us here. There’s a NEED for us here. We won’t run you through a team “Fight Gone Bad”, but we’ll help you nail down your nutrition and recovery so you stomp that workout heavier and harder than you’ve ever thought possible. We won’t hold a kipping clinic, but we’ll give you some ways to reduce inflammation and get those overworked shoulders to open better. We won’t customize your Starting Strength program, but we’ll share with you why we don’t love the concept of a gallon of milk a day.
What do you think? You’ve been following the blog, which has taken a serious delve into nutrition. And you’ve been writing to us with questions about everything from nutrition to strength training to physical therapy and injury rehabilitation. Do you see the value in this shift in paradigm for us? Post thoughts to comments.
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Rock on with your bad self. SUPER exciting!
Most of my work is done virtually… why shouldn't CrossFit be, too. The last two years have proven that the mental component of CrossFit is as important as the physical… and you don't need a physical space to talk and think and get your noggin in line.
I think it's an awesome idea. Crossfit as a community will not maintain any sort of credible status long term without people willing to *gasp* specialize. We need the presence of Tucker, and Robb, and Burgener, etc. to inject the quality that will keep us viable. The only problem is, there are so many of "us" and so few of "them" they can't possibly help everyone. I really hope that we will see more people follow your lead. You and Dallas have incredible gifts, and making them available as a service to the community as a whole is, as Tucker would say "a high calling."
Brilliant move. There is a lot of room for a weekly nutrition podcast from someone, also.
There is definitely a place for this. Good luck, I think you will be very busy. I still remember when Robb first referenced your blog on his, that was an exciting day!
I'll still come back to this blog, gym or no gym. I value what you have to say, and if you still dish out 603 WODs then I'll do 'em :-) I'm not going anywhere. You and Rob are permanently on the bookmarks bar of my mac.
Roelant
MTL, QC
I'll start with the negative. I think you guys may have a lot of work ahead of you with the possibility of very low return.
That being said, I think a virtual box is just as deserving as a physical box for affiliation. I know I value both you and Dallas' training and nutritional advice much more than my current trainers (unfortunate, but true nonetheless). If I had a garage gym and trained on my own, I would absolutely use the services you propose. Actually, I would prefer it.
Best of luck.
Yes, please!! I have learned so much from this blog in the past several months, this is a very logical next step.
You are stepping into a gap that really needs to be filled. I agree with the podcast suggestion as well!
I can't wait to see what's in store.
Since I work out exclusively at home, I rely completely on the advice and tips I get from sites like yours. If this means I get even more of that, I'm all for it.
The fact that Dallas is from Brunswick, Maine is just an added bonus. I went to Wiscasset High School. Brunswick was the big city!
This is going to be such a breath of fresh air!! And I admire your guts and candor in all of your postings. My hubby is a trainer at a box, but I wo at home. It's the nutritional info that I need the most.
Thanks for all your hard work and generousity. It will pay off, hopefully sooner than in the long run.
I spent a lot of time gymless and think it's probably a great idea to be "virtual." I mean I love the fact that I have a space now and I like teaching people to squat, but as a business model, having something that you can do via the web has a much higher return on investment. I think you'll kick much ass.
I've been taking nutrition advice from you for the past 5 months and results have been great. No reason to change that now. Interesting concept too. Gym without a gym…sounds a great deal like how I first got into CF (just checking the website and spending ALOT of time getting griped at by gym attendants).
Melissa,
I agree that there is a need for a go to place on the nutrition recovery side of crossfit. Most of us could just about shake our MD's silly when we try to tell them the food pyramid is a death paradigm – okay a diabetes model.
That said, just like CF affiliates need to deal with liability insurance, you will need to crack that nut for your virtual affiliate. MD's typically don't diagnose or treat virtually, just because it is too easy to miss something. Not sure if a disclaimer would cover it or not.
I would love to see this succeed. In the past 3 years I've solved more health problems talking to more regular people with a common sense approach to science and a willingness to read, than I have ever accomplished with the revolving door of MD's that socialized medicine has offered.
Get some! (organic veggies that is)
I think there is certainly a need for this type of service in the CrossFit community and I'd definitely be interested in it!
Best of luck and I will be watching my RSS feed for more info!
We've been homeless and w/o a box since June. We've still run clinics and offered our coaching to different boxes across the US and New Zealand. If everyone ran their business the same way, it'd be a dull, dull world.
good luck, sounds like a good idea.
I think this is a terrific idea. Someone has to have the bright ideas and break out of the 'box'. :) I see this as taking what you are good at and passionate about and using it to make a difference. It just doesn't get better than that. I think you and Dallas will do very well with this idea. And the great part about it being a 'virtual' box is that you can do it from anywhere. If I were you, I'd be doing it from the beach in Playa del Carmen, Mexico. :)
I don't Know if it will work or not but you are a great writer and that must be worth something. I look forward to your concept developing and I am a loyal fan of your work.
Miss Urban,
I think it's a great idea! Especially for abroad little meeee. I lack a gym as well, hahaha. Well, I have a gym.. but — yeah you get it, hah. You are needed in this community. At least by me!
As saying before, I'm abroad and literally have been using all the information from your blog not to end up 200 lbs and face-first in dutch cheeses.
I regress, I love chocolate. Thank heavens.. it's dark chocolate. Also. I've succumb to the lifestyle and have not wanted to socially alienate myself and have chosen wine as my drink-o-choice when friends want to "go out." I'm more of a "go to bed early, wake up, train, cook, do the music thing, write, repeat" kinda gal… but I've been told I'll "miss out on the experience here" — so I'm trying to be socially active.
Anyway. As for nutrition and your blog.
I'm RIGHT NOW going to follow 603's programming (as best as I can in a GLOBO) and, of course, am as paleo as I can be. (which ends up being paleo+wine+dark chocolate.. honestly)
I believe the thyroid problems are fixed and maybe with your help + the help of the blogger community I can get into decent CF shape before my return back to the states.
I'm sorry for blabbing. I love the whole virtual idea. I wish more people would do it!
Best of luck to you Miss Urban!
As usual, I'll be reading.
And I've said no to quinoa. Hah.
xoxo,
Samantha Aurelio
Have you given any thought to the insurance aspect of using an affiliate to primarily offer nutrition advice?
I know at the LI this weekend, Lisbeth seemed to indicate that nutritional advice from an affiliate was in that "gray area" of coverage in regards to insurance. There wasn't a ton of discussion there, so I can really offer much insight, just something else to consider.
Good luck.
Jack
Good luck Mox….Now you can help people with their peanuts instead of their snatches.
You knew it was coming.
Thanks for the comments, and the support. As for the subject of insurance, we're working on it. A disclaimer is probably a fabulous idea, although I know that doesn't do jack for protecting us legally. Still, it's always a good idea to remind people that my posted general recommendations aren't gospel, and a little common sense goes a very long way.
The services industry is one of the only ones still seeing solid growth. One only need look outside to see that people are getting more unhealthy by the minute. They have nowhere to turn, MD's know less than most experienced trainers about nutrition and in my experience most alternitive MD's while having a solid grasp on nutrition, know very little about training and it's effects on the body. Someone has to fill the gap.
Awesome, go for it.
Urban, personally i think this is a great idea. There are several people offerring advice on the net but not many of them are Paleo/Primal/Crossfit friendly nor do they have a sniff about real nutrition. Ther are tons of people looking for somebody to tell them what to eat for breakfast.
As far as the gym goes, you could still maintain a small, well outfitted, garage gym with a few dedicated clients who will coach and motivate each other.
Mox –
I think this is a great idea! You know I've been following the 603's programming from the desert wasteland here, and with a follow-on assignment taking me back outside of the country again next year I'll still feel like I'm getting the same "tough love".
The nutritional advice is perfect, and when I get back to being able to control what I can eat and how it's cooked, I'm really looking forward to bombarding you with the questions I come up with in regards to eating Paleo/Primal. In the meantime, with the lack of programming on the 603 I'm back to alternating between the main CF page and Gym Jones.
And I'm still looking forward to getting in the gym for a day or two in a couple months!
I literally just started crossfit last Monday and I've relied on this blog and the 603 for good information and feedback. One of the most important thing I've already recognized is the need to adjust my diet to fit the routines. I think you guys will fit a nitch with growing importance as crossfit continues to gain credibility all over the states.
Moxtastic-
Normal is boring. Think outside the box and go for it. You know I heart you and really isn't that all that matters??!?!?! ;) Clearly you already have a following… I think it can only continue to grow once you deal with the legalities of it all… regardless, I will still come whine to you about my inability to stay away from the ice cream and I will allow you to lovingly boot my butt back to CFOT…. :)
While I will sorely miss Dallas's programming I think that this is an awesome idea.
Best of luck with this and everything else in the future.
Jeff
This is teh awesomesauce and I'm going to let my readership know alls about it. CONGRATS!
Melissa, your tremendous critical thinking and writing abilities, your knowledge of nutrition and access to R. Wolf all will make for a fantastic effort.
We'll be linking folks to you soon. Good luck!
SS
CF Marina
A literally outside-the-box box… CFers have a natural tendency toward being iconoclasts, so this sounds PERFECT!
If you and Dallas can make eating right as cool, fun, and interesting as your wod programming, I am ALL OVER IT.
The way I see it, this is a HIGHLY valuable resource to every other affiliate, too. While I can get by explaining the basics, I would much rather refer one of my athletes to someone like you for specific counseling.
If we utilize you correctly, what you will do will make all of us better.
Melissa,
I think it is Fantabulous. While I follow the main site WOD, I checked the 603 out ever day for buy-in and cash out ideas and learned lots. So I will reallllly miss the 603 daily WoD (how about a weekly WoD :O) ?)
I think you are wise to funnel towards what you are passionate about and where the most help is needed. You earned a large following with your 30 day challenge and many of us are still following a strict Paleo lifestyle with scheduled treats. There doesn't seem to be much out there resource-wise and I know I hate to bother people that I know already get a million emails about other things so I don't even ask my questions. So I think you'll do well. There is a need, people will come and you'll do well.
Good luck with all of the changes, and please give us little hints as to what is coming in the near future.
Melissa,
Well I actually belong to a box….sooo your new idea and the niche you are carving out for yourself sounds great to me. As a guy who is trying to dial in his nutrition right now this sounds like a wonderful plan. And a recommendation by Robb sure goes a long way…
Are you going to post cost and services here ???
Shawn
Moxy Boss, if anyone could make it work it would be you. I'm really looking forward to what all you two come up with! You've helped so many people already with the nutrition advice and community you've created, I'm sure there's lots more awesome to come. Keep up the good work!
Jesse
I -love- this idea. While my box is filled with awesome people and leadership, they are a little lacking in the nutrition department so I rely a lot on this blog to keep me on track. That is until I can kick my trainers' butts in gear and further spread the paleo-word to my fellow addicts at Ultimate Crossfit.
I think this is a good move! I have been paying someone to help me plan and balance my nutrition/stress/supplements/etc because it's
all a bit overwhelming and then frustrating when you think you are doing the right things but your body just won't respond. I can't wait to hear more about your plan. Good luck to both of you!
I also think it's a good move… Why not focus more on the things you are passionate about? Your knowledge and writing ability have attracted a ton of people in a short amount of time and I can see that number continuing to grow. Also, there are still so many people (including myself) that are not affiliated with a gym that could use the personal attention of a trainer/coach and I believe that can be done virtually.
My hope is that you would be able to figure out a solid price/revenue system that would reward you for your efforts and establish the value of your services. There is definitely a market for nutritional counseling and with the PR you're already getting, I would think you could get plenty of referrals from people and boxes all over the country.
Another idea would be for you to handle the east cost Nutrition Certs or at least team up with Robb to get the word out.
Keep following your passions…
Great Idea Melissa. I wish you the best and I will certainly keep following your blog. Thanks!
Whoo, just finished another 30 days and had an epic cheat, though not really that satisfying. Another 30 days starts tomorrow!
I think it's a fantastic idea. Like you said, there is a need for someone to do this kind of work. And since you can do it from anywhere, for clients who live anywhere, you've got an enormous potential (as your inbox will attest) for explosive growth.
Good luck, and I will certainly be one of your future clients =)