After nearly two decades as a CrossFit affiliate, Ben Bergeron, one of the most recognized gym owners and coaches in the CrossFit community, has officially left CrossFit HQ. His decision to deaffiliate CrossFit New England (CFNE), a renowned affiliate under his leadership, reflects a significant shift in his relationship with the organization.

Despite his deep-seated commitment to CrossFit’s philosophy and methodology, Bergeron’s departure is rooted in concerns about leadership, accountability, and values within the organization. The tragic death of Lazar Đukić at the 2023 CrossFit Games served as the catalyst for Bergeron’s decision, highlighting a perceived lack of transparency and responsibility from CrossFit HQ following the incident.

A Defining Moment: The 2023 CrossFit Games Tragedy

In August 2023, Lazar Đukić, an athlete, lost his life during the CrossFit Games. Bergeron’s critique centers on how the incident was handled by CrossFit HQ. Instead of addressing the tragedy with transparency, accountability, and leadership, Bergeron believes the response was defaced by a lack of humanity, compassion, and responsibility.

Bergeron emphasized that CrossFit HQ failed to recognize its mistakes or provide a clear path forward to improve athlete safety. This misstep starkly contrasted with the principles—humility, accountability, and care for others—that Bergeron ingrained into the culture at CrossFit New England.

“It’s not about who was responsible. That’s the issue—nobody took responsibility,” Bergeron stated, highlighting the core of his disagreement.

RELATED: 2025 CrossFit Open Registration Plummets by 40% Year-Over-Year

A Long-Standing Commitment to CrossFit

Bergeron’s departure is not a rejection of the system but a manifestation of deep disappointment with the organization’s leadership. His affiliation with CrossFit dates back to 2007, making CrossFit New England one of the longest-running affiliates in the world.

• He has coached elite athletes like Katrín Davíðsdóttir and Cole Sager.
• Through his training business, CompTrain, Bergeron has significantly influenced how athletes prepare for the CrossFit Games.

However, the issues surrounding the 2023 Games became insurmountable, compelling Bergeron to take a stand.

A Decision Rooted in Values, Not Business

Bergeron clarified that his decision was neither financially motivated nor antagonistic toward CrossFit’s training methods. He insisted that the move was driven by a fundamental misalignment with CrossFit HQ’s values.

Throughout his career, Bergeron has championed key leadership principles:

• Extreme Ownership: Taking responsibility for outcomes.
• Transparency: Open communication, especially in difficult times.
• Compassion: Prioritizing individuals over profits.

These principles are at the core of Bergeron’s belief system and were absent in CrossFit HQ’s response to the tragedy.

“Leadership failures like this one make it impossible to remain aligned,” Bergeron emphasized.

The Future of CrossFit and CFNE

Bergeron’s departure raises questions about the long-term sustainability of CrossFit and its affiliates. Several key issues include:

• Will other long-standing affiliates follow Bergeron’s lead?
• Can CrossFit HQ regain the trust of its community?
• What will this mean for the future of the sport?

For CrossFit New England, the gym will continue to operate independently, maintaining high standards in coaching, training, and community building. Bergeron acknowledged the challenge of redefining CFNE without the CrossFit label but expressed confidence in the gym’s ability to thrive on its own terms.

“Members have been overwhelmingly supportive,” Bergeron said. “They no longer need to deal with the stigma sometimes associated with CrossFit.”

“We’re still training hard. We’re still pursuing excellence. We’re just doing it on our own terms now.”

A Difficult, But Necessary Choice

Bergeron’s decision, though challenging, was ultimately necessary to align with his personal values. Rather than feeling relieved, he admitted to feeling sad, comparing it to ending a long-term relationship.

“CrossFit helped shape my career, but staying would have meant compromising on values that mattered most,” Bergeron reflected.

Bergeron’s departure underscores a broader sentiment in the CrossFit community: leadership and trust are as crucial as the training methodology itself.