Story By Kylee Boone

Chasing a check instead of chasing a dream is a dilemma that many people in corporate America face each and every day. Married couple and owners of CrossFit Brigade in Chattanooga, Eric and Emily Griffith, made a decision many would never dare to do. They quit their corporate jobs to follow their shared passion for fitness.

“My husband and I both went with a very conventional path. We both graduated high school, we both went off to college,” said Emily. “I got a business degree and landed a really great job in the investments area where I worked for twelve years.”

Emily and Eric realized this career path was not made for them. It tied them down from chasing their passions and feeling fulfilled as individuals.

Their relationship started when they met at a local pub while Eric was working as a doorman. They would go out to bars and happy hours, which was a catalyst to heavy substance use within their relationship and their social life. According to Emily, her experience started in childhood.

“I started using drugs and alcohol at a very young age, dating back to as young as 12 years old with heavy drinking and binging, very scary stuff,” said Emily. “It became a part of the culture that I put myself into for probably a couple of decades.”

After picking up a month’s membership at a silent auction, Emily found her love for CrossFit and loved how it made her feel in comparison to other workouts. The social environment and the workouts themselves changed Emily’s outlook on what she wanted out of life, causing the substance use to take a back seat. 

“Partially, it’s the social connection and also the endorphin release and the thrill of achieving things is a trade for other thrills we may get from getting high,” said Emily.

Not only was Emily helping her clients better themselves, but surrounding herself with the CrossFit community was helping her in her own transition to a healthier social life.

“The biggest catalyst for me getting away from that lifestyle had a lot to do with the community I surrounded myself with,” said Emily. “They say show me your friends and I’ll show you your future.”

Now with 11 years under their belt since quitting their corporate jobs and opening CrossFit Brigade, Emily and Eric have dedicated their lives to helping others achieve their physical health and strength goals. Along with this, they also tested their limits in CrossFit competitions early in their career. Emily even qualified to go to regionals in 2011, 2012 and 2013 as an individual and also competed on a team at regionals for Crossfit Brigade in 2014 and 2016.

With their competition days behind them, the Griffiths go on to strive for the betterment of themselves and their community. They host classes every day and have continued to improve themselves at their craft as the years go on. 

To this day, Emily and Eric have never looked back to traditional corporate work. They have created a community within their passion for CrossFit and have sparked a fire not only within their marriage, but in countless members of the Chattanooga area.

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