From Fire to PHNX. How Our Rebuild Changed the Way We Coach and Care for Members
Our fire did more than take a building. It transformed how we coach, how we serve, and how we see our role in the lives of the people who walk through our doors. Moving into The PHNX Collective in 2025 was not just a fresh start. It was a reset in purpose, standards, and how we define community.
In May 2023, flames took the space we had called home since 2008. What followed were more than 100 weekends of setting up and tearing down equipment inside a church. Every Friday, we turned a sanctuary into a gym. Every Sunday, we restored it back. It was exhausting, inconvenient, and unforgettable. Yet it reshaped us. Members became family. Coaches became anchors. And the mission became clearer than ever.
By the time we opened our doors at The PHNX in 2025, we were not the same gym. We were stronger in every way that matters.
What “rebuilding” really meant for our coaching
Coaching became more intentional than ever
Training in a church meant no extra equipment, no room for clutter, and no wasted movement. Coaches had to teach with clarity. Every cue had to count. Every warm up had to be purposeful. Every workout had to fit a space that changed every week.
That season sharpened our coaching team. Today, inside our 13,000 square foot home at The PHNX, we coach with the same precision. Nothing is random. Every class is structured so beginners feel safe, experienced athletes feel challenged, and everyone moves with confidence.
Safety became a non negotiable standard
When you train in a space that has to be rebuilt every weekend, you learn to pay attention. You see everything. How someone squats. How they hinge. How they move after a long workday.
That attention to detail stuck with us. It shows up in how we scale workouts, how we teach fundamentals, and how every coach watches the room with intention. Our coaches come from physical therapy, nursing, first responder work, college athletics, and high level competition. Their job is simple. Keep you moving safely while building real strength that lasts.
How rebuilding changed our culture
People started taking care of each other
Carrying rowers into a church at 9 pm builds bonds you cannot manufacture. Week after week, members stayed late, moved equipment, encouraged newcomers, and refused to let the gym slip even when circumstances made it difficult.
That culture followed us into The PHNX. Today new members walk into something special. A room full of people who show up for each other. Celebrate wins. Welcome beginners. And understand that community is not a buzzword. It is a choice people make every day.
We learned what “Better Every Day” really means
It is not about perfection. It is about showing up even when the situation is far from ideal. Training through setbacks. Progressing one small step at a time. And trusting that resilience leads somewhere meaningful.
Our fire season taught us that progress comes from consistency. Not convenience. That mindset lives in everything we do now. From CrossFit to ReBoot to Legends to nutrition coaching, our goal is the same. Help you move forward, even on the hard days.
How the PHNX changed the member experience
A space designed with purpose
When we rebuilt, we did not just replace what we lost. We rebuilt the gym we always dreamed of. High ceilings. Open floor space. Smart storage. Airflow. Lighting. Entry flow. Everything was chosen to make training feel better, safer, and more energizing.
All programs under one roof
CrossFit, ReBoot, Legends 55+, CFT Kids, personal training, dietitian led nutrition coaching, and on site physical therapy now work together as a single system. Members get one home base for strength, health, support, and results. No more bouncing from gym to gym to fill the gaps.
Coaches who understand the journey
Every coach here lived through the fire season. They coached classes in hallways, under low ceilings, and with half the equipment. They know discomfort. They know resilience. They know how to keep people moving when life feels heavy.
That experience changed the way they connect with members. They do not just coach reps. They coach people.
A simple next step
If you want to see what this new chapter looks like in person, the easiest place to start is a Free Intro. You can meet with a coach, talk through your goals, and see why our rebuild created something special.
You can start with a Free Intro here:
https://www.crossfittrussville.com/join