What Friday Night Lights Can Really Be

February 9, 2024

I don't plan on stopping talking about Friday Night Lights anytime soon!

Done right, it can be one of the most exciting things to ever happen within a CrossFit Box.

Have you ever been to a local competition before to watch and cheer on your friends when they do a workout? Well imagine that, but imagine being able to do that for ALL of your CrossFit friends who you sweat and grind and compete with day after day!!!

The Open is only a few short weeks away and to really get you all aware of what Friday Night Lights *COULD BE* I am going to share some videos from Youtube of Boxes doing their own versions of Friday Night Lights.

What you are gonna see is a lot of people working out and friends cheering them on. Crazy outfits and people hitting PR’s. You will see people trying their hardest to do something challenging and the rewarding feeling they get when they finish their Workout. Take the time to watch these videos because I promise that after watching these things you will be CRAVING for some intense Friday Night Lights action. The one catch - I NEED you to be there for it! I can only do so much myself, it comes down to you, the dedicated life and blood of Evansville CrossFit, to turn this dream of mine into a reality! Please help me!!!

These are only a few examples of what Friday Night Lights can really be. As you can see it isn’t only about working out.

Yeah yeah that is what the Open is “3 workouts over a 3 week period to begin the process of finding the fittest athlete” but you can see that gyms turn it into a big celebration.

A party, a hang out with friends and an environment that fosters support while we try something new and scary.

(Our 2024 Evansville CrossFit Open T-shirts have arrived!!! What do they look like?!?! I guess you will have to come to Friday Night Lights to find out)

With your help by showing up on Friday Night we can have our own special Friday Night Lights and turn it into an event that you will not forget!

So, are you ready to do this thing? I know I am!

To help us get hyped and get prepared for this, sign up to do 24.1 during Friday Night Lights HERE and get access to our 2024 EC CrossFit Open T-Shirt!! If you only want to judge and not do the workout you can sign up to judge on the same sign-up sheet. With that you will also get access to the T-Shirt And don’t worry, if you can’t make it the first week there are still two other weeks to do it! So don’t feel like you are missing out if you miss this one (even though you kinda are) because there are still other chances waiting for you!

Haven’t signed up for the Open yet? Go HERE and follow the buttons to sign up for the 2024 CrossFit Open!

More Recent Posts

By Sharon Gonzales January 27, 2026
Member Spotlight: Braylee & Ellis Stronger Together — Inside and Outside the Gym One of the most impactful things we see at Evansville CrossFit is what happens when people stop trying to do hard things alone. This month’s Member Spotlight features Braylee and Ellis, two nurses whose friendship, accountability, and commitment to showing up have fueled both their fitness progress and personal growth. Braylee’s Story Braylee joined Evansville CrossFit in August 2024 after moving to Indiana and looking for a new hobby—and new friends. What started as something unfamiliar quickly became a place of confidence, growth, and belonging. Since joining, Braylee has made PRs and performed lifts she never thought were possible. One of the most important lessons she’s learned is that slowing down and scaling is not failure—it’s often the key to long-term progress. As a nurse working long, exhausting hours, Braylee treats the gym as something to look forward to—an hour on her days off that’s just for her. The motivation comes from coaches who genuinely care and workout partners who make training fun and encouraging. Trying CrossFit was a leap outside Braylee’s comfort zone, but it sparked confidence that extends beyond the gym—creating motivation to try new things in other areas of life as well. Ellis’ Story Ellis officially joined Evansville CrossFit in July 2025 after a few drop-ins, balancing a demanding schedule as an ICU nurse, working weekend night shifts, and pursuing a second bachelor’s degree. Despite limited time and a constantly changing schedule, Ellis has already hit new personal records in the deadlift, clean & jerk, and snatch. The biggest challenge wasn’t physical—it was consistency. Long shifts, school responsibilities, and everyday life made it easy to find excuses. That’s where Braylee made the difference. Ellis intentionally fits fitness into life by blocking out 3–4 hours per week, sometimes training before night shifts, sometimes squeezing in a class between schoolwork and evenings, and occasionally doubling up on classes when schedules are packed. Beyond physical strength, Ellis has noticed a significant improvement in mental health. Between the emotional demands of ICU work, school stress, and an irregular sleep schedule, the support of coaches and the EC community helped Ellis through a difficult season—often without them even realizing it. Stronger Together What makes Ellis and Braylee’s story special isn’t just their individual progress—it’s the way they show up for each other. From accountability texts and shared classes to encouragement during tough workouts, they represent what Evansville CrossFit is built on: community, consistency, and support. Their Advice for New Members Ellis: Just start. No matter where you begin, you can grow with the help of the coaches here. Everything is scalable, and they’ll help you reach your goals. Braylee: You don’t have to be perfect—just committed.
October 21, 2025
Meet Robbie — our October Spotlight Member! Outside the gym : Robbie is a District Director of Audit Operations for the State of Indiana. When he’s not at the gym, you’ll find him golfing, playing pickleball or kickball, and hanging out with friends. When Did You Start at Evansville CrossFit? : February 2025 — After talking with a friend about wanting to try CrossFit. I loved the idea of combining weightlifting with cardio. Goals Already Crushed : Robbie has lost 15 pounds and ran a 5:50 mile this summer! Biggest Challenge : Learning technique and letting go of the mindset that lifting heavier always means better. With coaching and scaling guidance, his form and strength have improved tremendously. What Is Your Motivation? : “Getting to know people and not having to plan workouts keeps me motivated. The community and class schedule make it easy to stay consistent.” What Advice Would You Give To Someone Interested in CrossFit? : "Everyone is friendly and motivating — it makes showing up easy.” “Give it a try! It might feel intimidating at first, but the coaches and members help make it enjoyable.” We’re so proud of your hard work and progress, Robbie! Thanks for bringing such great energy to the EC community!
September 10, 2025
Member Spotlight: – Meet Cindy September 2025 This month, we’re highlighting a true example of what long-term commitment and community strength look like. Meet Cindy, a registered nurse and a consistent presence at Evansville CrossFit. What She Does Outside the Gym When she’s not crushing workouts, Cindy works as an RN in the Newborn Nursery at The Women’s Hospital. How It All Started “My first time at EC was during a Bring a Friend workout in 2019 — and I was hooked from that moment on.” Fitness Wins So Far Since that first class, Cindy has accomplished some seriously impressive goals: ✅ 250# Deadlift ✅ 125# Bench Press ✅ Very close to her first strict pull-up! Staying Motivated “For me, motivation is easy with CrossFit. Nothing makes me feel better or stronger than working out.” “If something is important to you, it becomes a priority. If you get off track — just show back up. You’ll gain it back quickly.” Advice to New Members “Scale everything in the beginning and stay consistent. And listen to your coaches!” It’s not about doing it all — it’s about showing up, giving your best, and letting the progress build. How the EC Community Supports Her “I’m 62 and not slowing down. I love the programmed workouts, and I learn something from the coaches every week.” Whether it’s encouragement, education, or connection — the EC community fuels her journey. Favorite Thing About EC “I love hitting strength goals… and laying on the mat after a killer cardio session, knowing how much good it’s doing for my health. And the friendships at EC? They’re unmatched.” Life Beyond the Gym Even with a demanding schedule, Cindy says one of the biggest benefits she’s noticed is her energy. “Despite working 12-hour shifts, I have amazing energy. CrossFit helps me feel strong, positive, and ready to take on anything.” Final Words from Cindy “Be consistent. Don’t get discouraged if you feel like you can’t keep up. Progress comes with time.” Thank you, Cindy, for being such a strong and steady light in our EC family. Your dedication is a reminder that consistency, community, and heart are the real foundations of fitness.