In a recent conversation that’s sending ripples through the CrossFit community, Ben Bergeron—longtime affiliate owner, founder of CompTrain, and one of the sport’s most recognizable leaders—announced he’s officially stepping away from CrossFit as an affiliate.
After nearly two decades of running CrossFit New England, the move was both deeply personal and powerfully symbolic.
But this wasn’t a snap decision. In fact, it was the result of months of internal wrestling, hard conversations, and a tragic turning point that many in the community will never forget.
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A Tragedy That Sparked a Reckoning
Bergeron traces the beginning of this decision to August of last year, when athlete Lazar Đukić tragically passed away at the CrossFit Games.
“I was there,” he said. “My athletes were competing. It was heart-wrenching and tragic.”
Bergeron emphasized that his response wasn’t emotional or impulsive. Instead, it marked the start of a long, introspective process. He allowed time for leadership to respond, hoping for actions rooted in transparency, accountability, and compassion. But those expectations were never met.
“Trust takes authenticity, transparency, vulnerability, compassion,” he said. “None of those were represented.”
From Gut Check to Final Call
In the months that followed, Bergeron said he gave himself space—deliberately waiting through the fall to see if anything would shift. When it didn’t, his gut told him what he already knew.
“I told myself: values first,” Bergeron said. “And if those aren’t aligned, it doesn’t matter how much I love this thing.”
The comparison he used was raw and telling: like realizing a long-term relationship just isn’t right anymore.
“You think once you break up, you’ll feel relief,” he explained. “But man—there wasn’t any. Just sadness.”
Leadership in a Moment of Crisis
Though Bergeron made clear he wasn’t out to villainize anyone, he did reflect on what he felt was missing: strong leadership.
He wasn’t looking for perfection—but he was looking for courage, honesty, and direction. In his eyes, the organization failed to show up when it mattered most.
“This isn’t about getting everyone to understand,” he said. “It’s about building trust. And in those weeks after the Games, I didn’t see it.”
Bergeron wasn’t alone. He spoke with affiliate owners, top athletes, and people at CrossFit HQ. Many shared similar frustrations, but for him, it ultimately came down to alignment—or the lack of it.
“If we’re not seeing eye-to-eye in the way we handle moments of crisis,” he said, “then we shouldn’t be hitched to the same wagon.”
Not the First Fracture
This isn’t the first time Bergeron considered stepping away. During the controversial final years of CrossFit’s founder Greg Glassman, Bergeron nearly de-affiliated. He stayed only after Glassman sold the company and Eric Roza took over.
“I think Greg is a genius,” he said. “But not the person I would want leading my company.”
Still, nothing had hit quite like this. The tragedy at the Games—combined with the response—felt too close, too consequential to ignore. Especially for someone like Bergeron, who has always built his gym around character.
“One of our core values is strong character,” he said. “If I didn’t see strong character coming from the organization, we weren’t aligned anymore.”
What This Means for CrossFit New England
So what happens now?
Despite the official de-affiliation, Bergeron says the day-to-day for members of the gym won’t change much.
In fact, CrossFit New England—now simply New England—is already running programming that deviates from typical CrossFit standards. There are no high-skill gymnastics. No benchmark “Girls” workouts like Fran. No muscle-ups. Olympic lifts aren’t cycled heavily. And structured strength cycles are prioritized over randomized workouts.
“We haven’t done muscle-ups in three years,” Bergeron said. “We don’t do handstand push-ups. We don’t cycle Olympic lifts. We train for longevity and performance—into your 90s.”
The training follows clear weekly progression models. Four days of strength training (squat, bench, deadlift, pull-up), structured intensity formats (VO2 max, lactate threshold, anaerobic capacity), and intentional recovery.
“We want to create a family of humble, hungry, happy people who kick ass into their 90s,” he said.
CompTrain and the Future
It’s worth noting: CompTrain was never technically affiliated with CrossFit. While the competitive training brand was born in the sport, it evolved into something larger—a digital training platform focused on athletic longevity, not just sport-specific competition.
Interestingly, CompTrain once tried to affiliate but was denied because it lacked a brick-and-mortar location. Even after building one, they were still turned down.
“We weren’t mad,” Bergeron said. “We just kept doing our thing.”
That spirit—adaptable, independent, focused on mission over ego—seems to define where Bergeron is headed now.
A Model for Other Gym Owners?
While Bergeron doesn’t claim to speak for every gym, he does believe small business owners should build from personal values.
“Every small business should be a reflection of its owner’s values,” he said. “It has to be authentic.”
And his decision, while deeply difficult, reflects that authenticity.
“It’s not a threat,” he said. “We’re not saying, ‘Change or we’re not coming back.’ We’re moving forward.”
Still, he leaves the door open—slightly. If meaningful, lasting change happens, and trust is rebuilt, he wouldn’t rule out a return.
“But this isn’t about waiting and watching,” he said. “We’re moving on, and I’m at peace with that.”
The Bigger Picture
For those still in the community—athletes, owners, fans—Bergeron’s departure is both a personal move and a potential bellwether. A values-based decision made with deliberation and heartbreak, signaling to others that alignment and leadership matter more than logos.
As the sport continues to grow, fracture, and evolve, Bergeron’s message rings clear:
“In peacetime, we show our personality. In crisis, we show our character.”
