How Justin Medeiros and Crew Revived a CrossFit Road Trip
Ten years ago, three friends with magnetic personalities – Sun Chang, Zacq Hale, and Bob Daniels – took a road trip to connect with the CrossFit community.
- They called it the “Relish Project,” an opportunity to blend community, culture, travel, and CrossFit.
A decade later, that mission was renewed with another friend, two-time CrossFit Games champion Justin Medeiros. Also joining them was Medeiros’ videographer, Dallas Hamm.
- I had a unique opportunity to experience the trip firsthand, following along in my own van full of camera equipment, boxes of Gymreapers custom shirts, YETI water bottles, and R.A.D shoes to give away along the route.
After weeks of preparation, we were ready to hit the road with two vans, a tent, a loose plan, and a shared goal: to celebrate everyday athletes doing extraordinary things.
The Setup
We gathered at the Medeiros residence in Lodi, CA, where the family’s signature warmth was on full display.
Justin’s parents, Shanna and Anthony Medeiros, set the tone for the trip, along with his sisters, Jessica and Megan, and a troupe of friends and extended family.
- We ate, talked, laughed, packed, and ate some more (no one goes hungry at the Medeiros household).
Papa Medeiros, while supportive, was clearly skeptical about the timing. With Reign Body Fuel flowing through his veins at 9:00 p.m., he questioned the idea of a rugged road trip just days before the next major competition.
But he’ll tell you there’s nothing harder than talking Justin out of something once he’s made up his mind. It’s a mix of persistence and stubbornness that’s fueled much of his success, just like his old man.
- So the rest of us promised to keep him fueled, rested, and out of trouble. And no one mentioned the possibility of backflips off pull-up bars.
Medeiros knew the trip wasn’t ideal prep for TYR Wodapalooza SoCal, but he was equipped with confidence and the excitement of a kid on Christmas morning.
- And his performance ultimately didn’t suffer; on the contrary, he PR’d his clean and jerk, helped his team win the TYR Cup, and wrapped it up with the Lazar Đukić MVP award.
The Route
The plan included three specific stops over three days, but beyond that, we knew we’d fill in the gaps as we went – dropping into gyms along the route, attending classes, and trying to connect with as many people as possible.
Day One: Roots and Reflections
The journey began at Fulcrum CrossFit in Lodi, where a young Medeiros first walked through the doors in 2012. His mom had taken him there to support his wrestling and football training.
- The rest, as they say, is history. He received a standing ovation from a packed house, along with hugs and photos galore.
From there, the crew stopped at Excel CrossFit in Manteca, where an 87-year-old member named Leita joined class as part of her regular Monday routine.
- Watching her perform the same workout as athletes a quarter her age was humbling, inspiring, and a perfect example of CrossFit’s “fitness is for everyone” ethos.
At Seabrite CrossFit in Santa Cruz, emotions ran high. A longtime coach was finishing his final workout at the gym – a workout he programmed for his last hoorah. After class, a talented member created a tattoo design that Justin would later have inked back home.
The crew tucked in beside a local park for the night, exhausted but eager to do it all again the next day.
Day Two: Legacy and Laughter
After an early start, we hustled over to The Ranch. Dave Castro greeted the crew and guided a tour of CrossFit’s birthplace, sharing stories from the early days of the Games.
- A special warm-up included a tour of the property, with Castro and Medeiros sharing their perspectives on memorable moments from past Games; it was a truly unique experience.
At Atascadero CrossFit, seminar staff coach Dustin Virgil, who led the previous class at The Ranch, welcomed us to his home gym.
The interval-style workout allowed for plenty of cheering each other on, and the energy was contagious. Some members had already done the class that morning but returned after hearing Medeiros would be there.
At CrossFit Inferno in San Luis Obispo, Bill Grundler’s affiliate exemplifies the balance between competitive fitness and community warmth – a trait that sets some of the best gyms worldwide apart. The old-school vibe felt nostalgic.
We camped that night at Pismo Beach. Gathered around a campfire in the fog, we reflected on the first two days, puzzled by how quickly time seemed to fly. Day one felt like it had been a week earlier.
Day Three: Sand and Celebration
CrossFit Santa Barbara brought a change of pace. A small 9:00 a.m. class was unfazed by a CrossFit celebrity dropping in. No fanfare, just people working hard on a Wednesday morning.
Then came Muscle Beach, where the strict class structure relaxed into a more casual vibe. The crew swung from rings, climbed things not meant to be climbed, and just moved for the sheer joy of it in the gymnastics area on the sand.
The final stop was Huntington Beach, where the “Relish Project” ended with a community workout on the sand. Medeiros guided us through air squats, pushups, and sprints, with strangers and friends high-fiving along the way. We finished our trip with a group swim in the Pacific Ocean.
And like that, the project was complete.
More Than a Road Trip
Three days. Seven affiliates. Nine workouts. Over 500 miles.
The Relish Project wasn’t about workouts or distance. It was about people:
- An 87-year-old redefining limits.
- A coach saying goodbye to his gym family.
- A tattoo that became a story.
- Rekindling old friendships and creating new ones.
Coaches, Games athletes, and everyday members all connected by one simple thing: showing up and giving your best in that moment.
For Medeiros, it was also a reminder that balance doesn’t mean standing still. You can pursue community and competition simultaneously… and excel in both.
Bottom Line
For Justin Medeiros, this trip was about giving back to the community that shaped him, visiting affiliates where everyday athletes grind just like he once did.
- Each stop served as a reminder of why CrossFit matters: the people, the shared effort, the laughter between lifts. I was truly honored to be part of it.
Medeiros hopes to take more trips like this in the future. There are plenty of gyms to visit, stories to hear, and connections to build.
In the meantime, watch for the documentary to drop on YouTube later this fall, and remember to cherish the moments that matter.
Featured image: Justin Medeiros
