Today we’d like to introduce you to Keith.
Hi Keith, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Growing up in the greater Cincinnati area — actually on the Southern side of the OH river — I was always the kid trying to compete—whether it was racing around the house, seeing who could swim the farthest underwater, doing pushups in the yard, or playing sports year round. But what really fueled that drive wasn’t just the thrill of competition. It was the influence of one of the greatest mentors I’ve ever known—my grandfather, Papa.
Papa was born in 1917 and lived a life of selfless service until he passed away at 94. He was a servant leader in the truest sense—working tirelessly to support his family, uplift his community, and do good wherever he could. I spent so much of my life watching him work and wanting to help. He believed work was meant to be joyful, purposeful, and generous—and that left a permanent imprint on me.
When I was a kid, I’d often jump in to help with tasks I probably wasn’t ready for, and Papa would say, “You’re just a little short on the pushups.” I took that literally. I’d drop down and start cranking them out because I never wanted to be short on the pushups—not then, not ever. That mindset shaped me. It led to success as a collegiate athlete, in business, and ultimately in the way I build relationships and lead others. But in my life I’ve come to realize… it can be more than that. That mindset—of never being short on the pushups—is now the foundation of how I aim to serve others.
That drive to serve through excellence carried me into a career leading marketing and brand growth for companies like Procter & Gamble, CrossFit LLC, and a variety of startups. I’ve worked on marketing campaigns for billion-dollar brands and built scrappy direct-to-consumer brands alike. I’ve built and worked on teams that move fast, solve big problems, and punch above their weight. But, while I’ve loved those high-level strategy roles, I’ve always felt the most alive when I’m face-to-face with real people, helping them push past their limits.
My first coaching experiences were when I was still in high school, and I’ve coached basketball, soccer, swimming, cross country, and track and field. And, in 2022, I started coaching CrossFit for young athletes out of my garage, just for the joy of it. Watching them grow—physically and mentally—reminded me why I fell in love with fitness in the first place. After a couple seasons of a very crowded garage, my wife, Julianne, and I knew it was time to build something bigger. That’s how CrossFit Fairfield was born.
CrossFit Fairfield isn’t just a gym—it’s a home for people who want to live fuller, stronger lives. Our mission is rooted in everything Papa taught me: show up with purpose, work with joy, and pour yourself into making life better for others. We help people of all ages and backgrounds become the strongest, healthiest, most confident version of themselves—not just through workouts, but through community, discipline, and personal transformation.
And maybe most importantly—I want my kids to see this. I want my four children to grow up watching what it looks like to live with purpose. To see that success isn’t just about what you achieve, but about how you show up for others. I want them to understand that strength isn’t just physical—it’s how you treat people, how you lead, how you serve.
This story isn’t just mine—it belongs to every coach, every member, every person who’s walked through our doors and decided they’re ready to stop being “short on the pushups.” This is legacy work. And we’re just getting started.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I always find it challenging to look into the rearview and recount the bumps I’ve had to overcome. I’ve spent a lot of time in my life working to accept what might seem to be challenges as little nuggets of weirdly timed good fortune that make my present a gift. It would be a lie to say it’s always been easy, and it would be a lie to say it’s easy now. But, I’m so grateful for the work I get to do, and how everything that felt like an insurmountable obstacle in the past has led me down the path to where I am now. As a man of faith, I truly do accept that God has a little say in what hand we’re dealt based on where He’d like us to spend use the talent with which he’s blessed us.
When I left Procter & Gamble in 2020 I never expected the leadership role I’d taken at a small consulting firm would be eliminated because of a global pandemic just months before my wife and I were due to welcome our fourth child, but that eventually resulted in me being able to step into an absolute dream role at CrossFit HQ. Then, I never expected that role to be pulled out from under me just days before we were set to open CrossFit Fairfield. But, that led to me being able to pour more of myself into building the community that we’re now so overwhelmed with joy to call ours.
And, building a small business is not for the faint of heart. Frankly, my heart probably couldn’t handle it if it weren’t for my amazing wife Julianne and her ability to both push me and rein me in.
Despite the bumps that are pretty obvious to see when I look closely behind us, one thing that has always been steady is the support and love I get from Julianne and our four kids.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
CrossFit Fairfield is not a gym. Well, it’s not JUST a gym. It is not just a space with weights, a rig, and a timer. This is a movement—a place where the lines between fitness and life dissolve, where strength isn’t just measured in pounds or seconds, but in courage, resilience, and connection. This is a home for those who dare to dream bigger, live bolder, and trust in a purpose greater than themselves.
Here, we believe that fitness is the foundation, but it’s only the beginning. It is the spark that ignites transformation—not just of bodies, but of lives. We are here to challenge what’s possible, to push beyond the limits we once thought defined us, and to discover the extraordinary that lies within, guided by faith in our potential and the strength that comes from it.
We also embrace the power of recovery, and the beauty of balance. Through functional mobility work, contrast therapy, and stretching, we honor the importance of healing. And, through leadership training and lifestyle workshops, we prepare ourselves not just for the gym, but for the boardroom, the classroom, the home, and the world. We recognize that true balance is found when we connect mind, body, and spirit.
We are a community. Every name, every story, every triumph matters here. In this space, we celebrate the small victories as much as the grand milestones because every step forward is a step toward becoming our truest, strongest selves. We lift each other up, literally and figuratively, because together, we are unstoppable. We are united by our belief that we are part of something bigger—a shared journey that goes beyond our individual efforts.
But, we are more than just a community. We are all scientists in the laboratory of human potential. This is where ideas are tested, growth is cultivated, and breakthroughs happen. Whether it’s in the roar of a personal record, the stillness of a recovery session, or the transformational insights gained in a workshop, we are constantly evolving—refining not just our fitness, but our approach to living a full and meaningful life.
We believe in the potential of every individual who walks through our doors. No matter where you start, your journey is worthy. Your story belongs here. And your best is yet to come.
Welcome to the CrossFit Fairfield: where we are More Than CrossFit.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
Well, I’ve already talked a lot about Papa (he was my mom’s dad) and how the lessons he taught me drove me in so many ways. But one of my favorite collections of memories from my childhood that I think about more and more as a father myself was the thumbs up my own father used to give me before every sporting event I ever took on. My dad was one of my coaches in many of the sports I played when I was younger and my mom and dad made it to more sporting events than I could ever imagine trying to count from when I first started swimming as a five year old to today when they still come out to support me when I compete as an adult. No matter what event or game I was getting ready to take on, I could always count on my dad standing close by waiting with a big smile holding his thumb up. He could yell encouragement with the best of them, but it was the simple silent act of letting me know he believed in me that always gave me the confidence I needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.crossfitfairfield.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/crossfitfairfield
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/crossfitfairfield
