Meet Davionn Johnson | Owner, CF-L1

We had the good fortune of connecting with Davionn Johnson and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Davionn, how do you think about risk?
There are risks in all aspects of life. There is no need to be afraid of risks, instead, it is more important to identify potential risks and apply some sort of risk mitigation to reduce the chances of risks actually occurring. Similarly, drivers purchase car insurance to reduce the risk of paying out of pocket for repairs in the case of an accident and consumers purchase extended warranties on devices to mitigate potential replacement costs for defective devices. In life, I have applied the same concept and forged through risks typically avoided by most. I have a high tolerance for risks as they tend to be accompanied by high rewards. My ability to identify risks, apply a risk mitigation plan, and conquer the task has been beneficial. I took chances on changing jobs for promotion potential, I started a nonprofit organization with only a dream & passion to help others, and most recently I purchased CrossFit Ridgeback to help others along their fitness journey. All of these risks have generated great returns and much excitement along the way.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I recently purchased CrossFit Ridgeback located in Commerce City. At CrossFit Ridgeback, we pride ourselves on helping individuals achieve fitness goals and live healthier lives. We offer 5-6 CrossFit schedules a day all led by certified CrossFit coaches and a Thursday evening barbell club schedule led by a certified USAW coach. As of January 2023, we will be implementing a new high-intensity interval training (HIIT) program to provide a new fitness program to a wider range of athletes who might not be interested in moving large loads involved in CrossFit. Additionally, I am working on providing yoga (vinyasa yoga) designed to increase strength and flexibility. My hope is to create a fitness space to meet any and everyone at their current fitness level and help them move towards a state of fitness. My biggest challenge is convincing the public to invest in their personal fitness, but once we get new athletes in the gym, they love the program and the fitness journey. One method we use to overcome the challenge of getting new athletes in the gym is providing a free trial. This is beneficial to help potential athletes’ psychological adaptation so that they can accomplish the training and start a new fitness journey. I hear a lot, I cannot do CrossFit, I cannot keep up with a high-intensity workout, and other hindering remarks that stop potential athletes before their actual attempt in our program.

As a retired disabled veteran, I want to continue serving my community, but this time through fitness.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I am a Colorado native and I do not typically go far outside the Denver metro area. If I have a friend visiting Denver, I would start by touring the scenic downtown area. I love riding scooters along the Platte River which spans across all major sports stadiums, I would go to Rifle, CO to visit the Rifle Falls which I have been craving to witness, I would hike one of our many hiking trails, and I attempt to find new restaurants to explore. Depending on the time of the year, I would either go ATV’ing or snowmobiling. I like to be outdoors, but I do not always make enough time to do the things I enjoy so I would most definitely prioritize time while a friend was visiting my city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I give all thanks to God first and foremost. I learned a lot from many mentors who have taught me many things. I would like to give a special thanks to my family for constantly supporting me, my prior supervisor Jennifer Sherman for being more than an employer but also a friend and mentor, all the supporters who’ve donated or volunteered with my nonprofit Humanity Still Exist, and my many friends who love me dearly. My late grandma was my biggest supporter and I wish she was still here to witness my new accomplishments but I know she is watching over me.

Website: https://www.CrossFitRidgeback.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/crossfitridgeback/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crossfitridgeback

Image Credits
CrossFit Ridgeback