Speak Up to Level Up: Why Communicating With Your Coaches Changes Everything

When I first stepped out of foundations and into regular CrossFit classes, I did what most athletes do: I showed up consistently, listened to the briefings, followed the warm-ups, and did my best to move well and keep up. But deep down, I knew I wanted more. I didn’t just want to finish workouts—I wanted to understand them. I didn’t just want to perform movements—I wanted to master them. And I realized quickly that if I wanted to grow faster, stand out, and truly improve, I needed to do more than just show up and work hard. I needed to speak up.

That became my personal rule: ask one question every class. Even if I already knew the answer. Even if it was something simple like, “Should I be feeling this more in my hamstrings or my glutes?” or “What’s the best way to break this set of 50 wall balls?” It wasn’t about needing attention—it was about seeking clarity. And over time, that habit did more than help me learn. It helped me connect. It built trust with my coaches. It turned me from just another athlete in class into someone they recognized, someone they checked in on, and someone they actively coached every time I stepped onto the floor.

You see, in a gym full of athletes, I wanted to be seen. Not because I wanted the spotlight, but because I wanted feedback—the kind of feedback that would help me move better, correct small habits before they became problems, and take me from average to intentional. Every time a coach gave me a cue, I took it to heart. I wrote it down. I applied it. And I made sure they knew I appreciated it. For me, every correction was valuable. Every pointer was a step forward. Especially as someone who was new to the sport, I saw every interaction as an opportunity to grow.

Looking back, I realize how powerful that one habit—just speaking up—truly was. It changed everything. It gave me confidence to build relationships with my coaches. It taught me that there’s no such thing as a stupid question in a learning environment. And most importantly, it helped me unlock progress that wouldn’t have happened if I had stayed silent. I’ve been the athlete who didn’t want to bother anyone. I’ve been the one who held back a question for fear of looking unprepared. But once I started communicating—once I started opening up about what I needed, what I didn’t understand, or what I wanted to improve—training became something more than a routine. It became personal.

I remember days when my name was called out in the middle of a workout—not because I was doing anything wrong, but because my coach knew I was working on something specific. “Keep those elbows high, Fritz! Remember what we talked about last time!” Those moments mattered. They reminded me that progress doesn’t happen in isolation—it happens in relationship. And that relationship starts when you make the choice to speak.

To this day, I still carry that lesson with me—both as an athlete and as a coach. I encourage new athletes to be curious, to ask, to connect. Because I know what it did for me. I know that if I hadn’t made the decision to be vocal, I wouldn’t be where I am today. Stronger, more confident, more educated in my movement—and more connected to the people guiding me.

So if you’re reading this as someone who’s new to training, or someone who’s been going through the motions but wants more: start talking to your coach. Ask questions. Check in. Stay after class. Share your goals. Let them know when something feels off. Let them know when something feels right. Communication is the secret sauce of coaching. It’s how coaching goes from generic to personal. From surface-level to transformational. I’ve lived it. I’ve seen it change not only my performance but my mindset. And if there’s one message I can pass along to anyone serious about getting better—it’s this: If you want to level up, speak up.