Our History
For Greg and Mallee Amundson, CrossFit is fundamental to the way they live their lives. Greg Amundson was blessed with the opportunity to have been part of CrossFit since the early days in Santa Cruz, CA. Beginning in December 2001 under the coaching and guidance of CrossFit founders Greg and Lauren Glassman, the dream of CrossFit Amundson was born at the original CrossFit gym where countless hours were spent learning from the Masters. When Greg and Mallee met in 2006 at CrossFit Santa Cruz, it became a dream they strove for together. In 2008, right before they were married, the Glassmans graciously gave the Amundsons ownership of CrossFit Santa Cruz. Soon thereafter, the Amundsons founded the “new” CrossFit Santa Cruz on the Westside of town. Little less than a year later, however, work demanded that they relocate and they sadly left CrossFit Santa Cruz behind for a new life in the Southern California desert of Imperial Valley.
Since they had met, the Amundsons had never been without a gym to call home. When they went on vacation they took their workouts on the road and could be found daily lunging and sprinting on the sandy beaches of Kauai or visiting other CrossFit gyms that belonged to their friends. When they took road trips across the United States, they would pull over at rest stops to do Tabata squats and push-ups. Moving to Imperial was no different. The garage of their new home was left empty of boxes and old furniture. It was reserved for CrossFit equipment alone.
For a while, just the two of them worked out together. But, within a few months, brave co-workers and friends they met at the Navy Base swimming pool, at Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and boxing classes started to ask questions and inquire about working out and learning CrossFit. With their love for CrossFit and their passion to share the undeniable joy and health it provided, the Amundsons were unable to say no to anyone who expressed interest. Before long, CrossFit Amundson was born. The community that was created soon filled their humble garage with equipment and continued to show up regardless of the sometimes 115 degree weather. For the Amundsons, this was their dream come true; the heart and soul of friendship, service and giving back to those who wanted to learn. It was CrossFit at it’s purest.