5/20/24 WIR - watched a recent hiller video, my response to it.

[@hillerfit]

“Watched a video of Dave watching a video. Here’s my response to it.” -Hiller in about two minutes

[@DavidWied]

Oh well😂

[@jcmusn]

He talks about how he’s OK with criticism, but just not your criticism.

[@ramblr5900]

INCEPTION!

[@2010broncos1012]

🦇🦇🦇

[@delafemichell]

Dave has a huge ego! How Hiller dares to criticize CrossFit HQ. 😂😂😂 Hiller is very useful in the space! Hope Dave considers giving Hiller a press pass, or Dave’s ego wouldn’t allow it? 🦇 🦇 🦇

[@bryaneadamson]

Hiller hasn’t been wrong. And he does talk great about the sport - froning interview and letting Hayley adams tell her story

[@liz9147]

He's wrong regularly.

[@mistameanor1]

He HAS been wrong. Lots of times.

[@Diggittey]

He just told you how often he is wrong. Factually. Denial much?

[@leshlycook5068]

Hiller is cool..big loss to CFHQ not to give him a pass…he’s the only one not kissing a$$ and putting bland content out there…he always gives a fair account and unbiased comments … eg he went after bill leahy and now they are friends…he’s not wrong - he has a following, are we, those who follow him wrong? His short docos on Hayley and Mayhem were outstanding..

[@mistameanor1]

@@leshlycook5068 “unbiased” my ass. He goes after certain athletes and gives others a pass. He’s as biased as they come.

[@michelbarakat1026]

Well Hiller said that the programming for the semifinals was great so that’s a start 😅

[@chrisgregory1389]

Talking about JR's premise how people are getting so defensive when others are critical of them like analysts of crossfit. Chase Ingram had a great take this weekend during the European semifinal. During the broadcast Chase's co-host mentioned how as fans we shouldn't put pressure on athletes for the athletes mental health and Chase (in my opinion) corrected her by stating if we as a community want to professionalize the sport as so many people say they want to do, then with that the athletes need to professionalize themselves and handle the pressure that comes with that. No one is forcing anyone to compete at the elite level so if you chose to do that then be prepared to be scrutinized for your performance, movements quality, etc.

[@RogueCylon]

When a leader is not a leader. Don’t blame a KZbinr for the factual shortcomings of CFHQ. Hiller has done more for Crossfit than CFHQ Media has done in all the years since you fired the media team.

[@MariahHopper37]

Dave I was waiting for the "SEAL in the Marines" to be brought up and you didn't disappoint LOL. I too cringed a little when he said that 😖

[@taylorself113]

Dave... I am commenting this on Monday the 20th with the presumption that you in fact did not come to the house to hang out with me, J.R. Howell, Souza, Sevan and the infamous Will Branstetter while we were all in Carson to bring the best media coverage in the space to Semi-Finals. It would have been fun and I am disappointed in advance.

[@lifequestbeauty9299]

🤣

[@kenneth1559]

Dave embrace criticism. It’s where we grow. Even when it’s bullshit. Hiller isn’t the problem.

[@RobMackay-nb4yn]

This response is weak. “He’s mean to us….so we aren’t going to let him play with us” The hard truth is that Hiller is right most of the time. HQ is struggling for growth in affiliates, coverage and profits. Great businesses work with people from all points of view. Hiller is positive a lot Don’t be so sensitive.

[@SMinzy]

Hiller's your biggest fan! He was crying the entire time you were in exile. I understand where you're coming from but you're giving him a gift. This video is what he wants. Remember, keep your enemies closer.

[@DenseUpdates]

I am a fan of Hiller’s content. It was only a matter of time before someone would occupy that space of pointing out all the mistakes & inconsistencies that have plagued the sport for many years. With that being said I am also a huge TDC fan, Greg Glassman is a legend, and Sevan of course is the media genius behind CrossFit for so many years. Dave the way you have lead the community since I started in 2010 has definitely changed lives and instilled accountability and integrity. When I have personally been frustrated with CFHQ it’s more because I am so passionate about the standard of excellence that had been set & maintained for so long. I don’t view Hiller’s content as a negative for the sport it’s just a different approach to addressing the accountability aspect. His content is not entirely tone deaf.

[@kenneth1559]

Well said. Castro needs to listen a bit more to Hillers message and not be so sensitive to the reality of HQ’s BS and faults.

[@peterlin6419]

I'm here for the Castro vs. Hiller content. It's great.

[@jasonkelly7827]

Hiller is living in HQs head.

[@bodycvc]

rent free

[@erica9563]

I'd say so

[@Jason-yb4gz]

Looking at it purely from a numbers stand point, you probably should consider including Hiller as an avenue to grow the viewership of the sport. I would be scratching my head less seeing Hiller on the sidelines than I was when I saw Monster at the finish line.

[@stevecrawford6958]

3:14 what line did hiller cross? dave's entering a fight with little to gain. 'they drew first blood, not me.'

[@crossfitmastersgymtainment7661]

Hi Dave, it would be great if some CF media would specifically address issues related to the general community consensus that CF is dangerous and only for the super fit. Today in my work place "all" the fit young staff I work with express the same concerns about joining a CF Box. There appears to be an integral conflict between media that promotes the CFGames and the Fittest on Earth and CF as a primal requirement for health. Maybe a Social media marketing expert could navigate around that conundrum for affiliate owners. Haven't heard anything from Jay Decooons on this topic?

[@TheOriginalSteveMiller]

Damn. Hiller living rent free in Dave’s head.

[@Diggittey]

I think the “taken” reference was a tipping point. It was dumb and he let him know.

[@jakechapmancf]

Mr Castro. Have you read Jocko’s kids books? The Warrior Kid’? In the second book the protagonist Marc encounters a boy named Nathan who is seemingly mocking him. Marc’s uncle Jake teaches him to study Nathan and try to win him over to join his path. It’s a great read and I think Hiller could be your Nathan.

[@rickmcguffey9881]

I love that Dave straight up told Hiller why he didn’t get credentials. He’s not wrong. When Hiller approaches individual athletes like paparazzi to celebrities trying to catch them flat footed… that’s not the kind of press coverage I want at the games.

[@Therealkevin87]

I Love that Sevan does a review of your WIR but what I love more is you doing a review of Hillers video 😂 Hiller definitely isn't playing the victim just covering crossfit news which is " Crossfit HQ denies largest crossfit content creator in the space access at semi's as well as the games" or "CrossFit trying to kill the CrossFit media AGAIN"

[@michaelaavang1938]

Dave - Criticism is good. Also Dave - refuses to respond specifically to any Hiller criticism.

[@Dwizzle77]

Watching Dave handle criticism so poorly in the last couple months has really made me lose my respect for him

[@mikeandridge9641]

Lovin' the guest programming. That's a good thing HQ has done. Plus soooo much more...

[@swat486]

I’m a Hiller fan and a Dave fan. Support Dave’s decision, makes sense

[@muellerChad]

Dave's opinion makes total sense... The Hiller KZbin Keyboard Army is big in the comments

[@joelbourchier7735]

Hi Dave, the WIR is great, awesome to have some of your insights. In addition the 2024 open, quarter and semi finals workouts (in my opinion) are excellently programmed, pure classic CrossFit well done to you and your team. I am interested to hear, As someone who worked closely with Greg Glassman, what lessons or values do you believe CrossFit should uphold from his tenure (apart from the methodology), and what aspects do you think need to evolve or change for the community to thrive in the future? Is CrossFit as a whole worse off without the influence of Glassman?

[@arnezzy]

Attendance at semifinals has continued to be drastically different between the U.S. and elsewhere (America East TBD). The attendance in Carson was actually quite embarrassing. What gives? The international fan base seems incredibly engaged in the sport. Is the Games being in the U.S. causing Americans to choose between a semifinal and the Games, and most are choosing the Games? It's looking like Europe is more than ready to host the Games, and I'll be interested to see how this year's Rogue Invitational plays out in Scotland. Thanks for all you do, Dave!

[@CarolPasquali]

I bet he would give some credit for the international department. I think that department deserve some good highlight btw.

[@DonnaG]

Hi Dave, Crossfit fan from England.. Question: When is Crossfit media going to sort out the live streams on KZbin. Why can't we have just one view of the whole floor and if the media dept. want to focus in on an athlete, have a split screen whilst keeping the whole floor coverage. Why am I watching an athlete bent over or laying on the floor at the end of the heat when there is a race to finish line for 2nd and 3rd place etc and it all gets missed. The Crossfit games dept. do a good job on floor layout etc so you know where each athlete is, It gets hindered by the media coverage, when you can not see the races going on within the heat. You would not see this other sports......

[@therealchadcall]

For the Games broadcast this year can there be more variety to the CrossFit ads that appear during breaks? The clip of Scott Panchiks gym played repeated throughout the week last year. How about letting the affiliates produce their own 30 second spots highlighting their box and CrossFit and run the best one’s throughout the Games broadcast this year?

[@devinjones7797]

Before I opened my Affiliate, I watched any and all videos of GG talking about anything or everything. I fell in love with his unapologetic defense of his beliefs that rubbed so many people the wrong way. Hiller’s passion, approach, logic and honesty reminds me a lot of Greg. You’re a busy dude and I wouldn’t expect you to give Hiller much attention at all, and that’s fine, but I wouldn’t write him off as a simple troll. He’s certainly not on Greg’s level (he’d say the same), but the same visceral reaction that you might have to him is similar to how the exercise world reacted to Greg/CrossFit in the early days.

[@johnstrout7706]

4x400m sprint for teams during an Olympics year would be awesome!

[@hclaessen]

Dave, without Hiller, you wouldn't have been hired back at CrossFit.

[@dana4dayne]

So true... Sevan and Hiller were the only ones defending Castro.... All those other channels were happy Dave was gone.

[@kenneth1559]

Brutal truth!!! Love it

[@Dwizzle77]

So true

[@BeaHendricks]

Damn. So true. This needs to be the top comment.

[@neilclarke1916]

Dave, can we have your top 10 CF HQ positive moments please? No methodology, no Hiller, no cf games. Many thanks 🙏

[@TG3Podcast]

Dave knows damn well he gave Hiller a homework assignment to stay up all night. That’s a seal instructor move 😆

[@wooleymemeth69]

Why weren’t the CrossFit affiliates being promoted during semifinals coverage?

[@edal1179]

Dave, while yes Hiller can be a bit too “aggressive” deep down passed the bull poop both you and Hiller want the same thing. For CrossFit to be better and bigger for the world. He just goes about it his way. Thanks for sharing.

[@italiaryan35]

Dave is getting worse ever since he came back to CrossFit under this new regime. I see not once of leadership from you in this video but an old military dude looking to piss off everyone. Hiller has been more pro-CrossFit than anyone else I know in this sport. Check out the “commercials” he’s made since HQ won’t do them. Check out his Games videos last year and how much the athletes enjoyed it. Check out his Haley Adams and Mayhem videos which has hundreds of thousands of views. The problem is guys like you Dave can’t take the heat for the mess ups or for being called out.

[@BarryMcCockinerEsq]

Spot on

[@RogueCylon]

Waiting for a Hiller/Castro interview.

[@BillCamp-yn5hz]

I total agree. Hiller is in this just for the views and people like to hate. So Hiller just creates some hate.

[@Xxxtra_Sloppy]

Dave, after the health summit (awesome) Rhonda Patrick hired a CrossFit coach (Zia Rohrbaugh) as a person trainer, and she has even been posting clips of herself doing what is obviously Crossfit on IG. Also, Thomas DeLauer has been having on guests from within the crossfit space and even talking about his own crossfit training, too. My question is, is crossfit working to build a professional relationship with these people (and others), and of not, why? it seems like such a no brainer slam dunk to get them in front of a camera endorsing crossfit. thanks!

[@jayb1108]

THANK YOU FOR THE CONTENT AND OPEN VIEW - I like it a lot! In terms of comments and view of Hiller: I can understand your stand, especially given your military background BUT I do think a more open approach even to the critical content would be STRONGLY preferable.

[@codyaustin5182]

His criticism is valid. His approach is tactless. I appreciate the transparency on your decision which is good for the sport as well. I also think the programming funnel has been the best this year ever so good job Dave.

[@conserve_climber]

Tactless because he says things…whine much? Suck it up buttercup

[@JudyRead]

My daughter (15) has been taking Crossfit Teens for about a year now and interested in taking her L1. I saw that she needs to be 16 to take the class and 17 to take the class and test. Can you explain the reasoning behind having to wait till 17 to test and earn the certificate? Thanks Dave!

[@tebonebone]

Hi Dave, I was at the Lyon Semifinals this weekend and it was awesome to see in person. Thank you to you and the whole team. Comment though: I noticed that the youtube livestream was only one view from the top, far above, while for those inside the area, the main screen above the workout area had a more entertaining/close-up view of the athletes. Why can't this same footage be broadcast on youtube? is it because of the ESPN2 broadcast?

[@stevedoane2037]

I love Dave's professionalism about how he handles the criticism from CrossFit content producers.

[@conserve_climber]

What, he dismisses criticism WTH dude?!?!

[@rxopie64]

Great job Dave you are the freaking man!

[@tommypayne6821]

I enjoy Hiller, but he needed to hear that.

[@TanyaSchmidt-jr2yh]

Great video Dave!!!

[@BarryMcCockinerEsq]

Only letting certain media people with credentials who say positive things is not the way to go. You need to learn to take feedback and lean into the things Hiller is saying. Hiller actually gives a shit about CrossFit and wants to see it improve. If you are looking for everyone to play nice, this sport will never make progress.

[@elizabethbutler9423]

No one should have been surprised Hiller didn’t get credentials

[@MrJustinBurch]

Yep. Hiller and that squad were the only ones surprised. Not many outside of that circle were.

[@amba-energy]

Dave and Hiller need to sit down and have a chat face to face to air things out.

[@CFPound]

Spot on Dave. I agree 100%

[@cfnyheter]

7000+ sold tickets at the European semifinal! Imagine if there was two of them 😉 anyway, I absolutely LOVED the atmosphere that was the European semifinal, a great success if you ask me! Great job from you guys and from French throwdown!

[@pesach539]

Dave, Thank you for your support. Love the sweatshirt.

[@TheRealDjBlake]

Dave - SWEET HAT!!! Are those up for sale??!! Love the updates!!!

[@stephenpliler5983]

Exactly what value does Craig Richey bring to CrossFit? Kinda shows how out of touch Dave is with the media landscape around the sport of CrossFit. "I don't watch any videos from anyone because I don't have time"

[@ThirteenSquid]

So I watch CrossFit and Hiller content … if there wasn’t two sides it wouldn’t be as captivating.. I am really happy Dave addressed the creds. Explanation makes sense BUT I enjoy his content and would like to see his take on specific athletes at the Games. His Athlete specific coverage has been very good. Surely there is a middle ground while he fills a gap that CrossFit cannot? Why not play the long game and give Semi final access and then let him walk the line of losing it!

[@Bossman_aus]

The NSCA make up lies and say CrossFit is dangerous, your new affiliate dude that, at the time didn’t have his L1, Decoons says CrossFit is dangerous. Can’t Hiller make a video on it? So when the open announcement has the wrong weights, Hiller can’t say anything. So when there is leaked semi final workouts in back to back years Hiller can’t say anything. When there is so much inconsistency in the judging of workouts standards, Hiller can’t say anything. It’s not Hillers fault that HQ keeps making mistakes. How about your team does a better job and stop giving him softball throws to make videos on.

[@katecfwf645]

Thank you Dav! I look forward to your WIR’s. Makes my day.

[@conserve_climber]

And it also feels like Dave’s bosses have told him to stay away from Hiller. He went crawling back after all. This is why I don’t respect Sevan, he wears knee pads for EVERYONE.

[@GrantGilmour]

Hey Dave, love the week in reviews and glad to have you back running the games. Swimming is a part of fitness but has only been front crawl stroke. Are there any plans to have the athletes swim the individual medley and teams do the medley relay?

[@CanyonMoody]

Hiller should have a media pass… him and sevan are the only reason I care about the sport anymore.

[@TheCheerio27]

Dave. Have you thought of doing a promotional workout for the games that is partnered with NSW/NAVY? Im thinking of a PST format, But “2.0” version. so it would be something like 500m Swim, MAX PUSHUP 20lb vest, MAX SITUP GHD+VEST, MAX STRICT PULL UP 20lbs vest+2” PULLUP BAR, 1.5 mile run. Would be interesting to see how those scores turn out and help promote MIL enlisting

[@didif4791]

I also been toying with the idea that have a military unit like 75th, NSW… etc, be represented at the Games by having a workout designed around them in one of the final days… that focus on the grind Something along the lines of a long workout like a 30k ruck swim/run with stations along the way where the competitors perform smaller and MUCH quicker CF workouts at those stations Can’t claim Fittest on Earth and have athletes that can’t go beyond that 20min workout 🤷🏽‍♂️

[@jusmertz]

Hiller needs to go to a CF Summit. HQ has done some awesome things to improve the affiliates reach into health & wellness. Greg was always about the methodology being directed to combat sickness, never really about the sport it as become. Hiller became who he is because he does see flaws in the competition sides of the sport. I agree with several things that has come up in the past within that area. But this doesnt help the affiliates, it only helps the sport. Until he digs deeper into what HQ has been helping us with, him and his following will never understand what the affiliates want. We want the world to know we have "an elegant solution to chronic disease" which more of the world needs then whether or not an open wod wasnt judged correctly which only feeds into the egos of the sport, which is NOT what Greg wanted.

[@kenwalters5165]

I love HLLER but its fitting that during TDC Hiller Talk his boy DOUG is giving the show an ass view. Its like Dougs saying yeah what my dad said your being an ASS! once TDC is done a few seconds later Doug walks away. Priceless timing

[@TwigsNDigs30]

Love Dave Castro, but also love Hiller. I don't know what Hiller does behind the scenes, but from the outside--he's good for the growth and visibility of CF

[@RyanzFindz]

Dave is there anyway we could raise the open cost and include tshirts for everyone who signs up?

[@RJvanVeen]

I totally agree. There's a difference between giving feedback and just being an **shole. And good on you sticking to your opinion and following through with consistent action. That's integrity.

[@marshalliize]

Your sport. Your business. Your rules. Well said DC. Victim mindset resides in too many today. Hiller is the same in this instance

[@crossfitbilly]

I like Crossfit, and Dave Castro and Andrew Hiller. I agree with everything that Dave said in this video in reference to Andrew Hiller..

[@lifequestbeauty9299]

Dave used to be elusive and mysterious and now he's going on a "half-rate podcast" to call Hiller an asshole.

[@jasonyale4647]

I am watching the semi finals "coverage" friday for carson. An issue that has been happening for years now is the commentating. They talk so much nonsense and do not talk about athletes and their positions. Play-by-play of what is going on would be awesome. Who is in last? Who is doing well? We should hear each athletes names in each heat at least once during the event. We are not getting good play-by-play commentating right now. (Imagine if during a basketball game the commentators talked about how much the athletes are sweating and fatigued but not mention who is scoring and what the score is).

[@garyenglish6269]

So, you want to control what people report on about Crossfit? It sure seems that way. So, Transparency is scary for you? You want to sensor all the info that is posted about Crossfit? It sure sounds like the changes are good for Crossfit HQ and not Crossfit the sport.

[@BeaHendricks]

Dave: “I don’t consume your content on a daily basis.” Dave in the next breadth: “and what I only hear about is the negative shit you say” Okay. So. You don’t consume his content but your conclusion is it’s only negative. Furthermore, you don’t like criticism, so you’re going to remove Hiller’s access and essentially cancel him? I think what Dave is missing here is that Hiller has a large following because a lot of the ppl in the community agree with him. I don’t agree with 100% of what Hiller does and says, but I definitely agree with roughly 75% of it. He’s the voice of the little guy. I think maybe Dave should try having a conversation with Hiller instead of this weird, “let me post a video and call Hiller out” nonsense.

[@byronsmith4919]

Wow!!! Coming in hot against Hiller!!! I can't wait for his response! This is great content!!!

[@terpgomer]

So you're calling Hiller's "SEAL in the Marines" comment a criticism no-rep?

[@conserve_climber]

Yes let’s talk about Hiller.

[@andrewsten1623]

Hiller talks so much shit about CFHQ and while I believe he does want to make CF better, he shouldn't be surprised he was denied a media pass. I'm sure he EXPECTED it to happen and it gave him another reason to make a video.

[@harrar8]

CrossFit died when the wokies decided to cancel Glassman.

[@darrylbenny2060]

Great response Dave, you had me at “asshole” ☺️

[@mattburns7234]

Thanks for doing these Dave! Would you entertain a sit down interview on the porn couch at Sevy's with Hiller? Also is it true Sevy gave lice to everyone at Greg's? Thanks a bunch!

[@TheOriginalSteveMiller]

The pretty girl Doug present at the very start. Making my job easy this week.

[@raejoy87]

Love how she heard his lead in & immediately was like, “nope I’m out” 😂

[@fernandodreamvacations-rentals]

Dave, I wanted to extend my congratulations to you for your awesome rebuttal video addressing the criticism from Andrew Hiller regarding the denial of a press pass. I watched that video and like you I said to myself, “self what the fuck did you think was going to happen Hiller! Your response was articulate, insightful, and shed light on the valid reasons behind the decision. It is clear from your explanation that Andrew Hiller's actions and intentions did not align with CrossFit HQ. Denying him a press pass was a necessary measure especially since, like you, I often think Hiller is being a Dick to be Dick. It’s clear to me that Hiller's videos are super bias against CrossFit that’s why Hiller won’t be able to put together a highlight praising HQ and because sadly what he is selling is negativity because it sells. He definitely is trying to be a genuine journalistic with unbiased integrity. It is crucial to distinguish between individuals who seek to contribute positively to the community and those who aim to exploit opportunities for personal gain or attention. Thank you for your transparency and for reminding people that no ONE and I mean NO ONE is entitled to shit. Keep up the excellent work in leading by example and for being a strong voice for CrossFit HQ. Sincerely, Fernando David

[@conserve_climber]

Stop running away from criticism Dave.

[@conserve_climber]

Because he would make you BETTER DAVE.

[@garyhobbs249]

Hiller is the MAN!!!!

[@conserve_climber]

And you never defended when he was cancelled

[@babisandes]

Was embarrassing how empty WCC was. Looks like in US the people just yellig at CF and has no interest to watching it.

[@conserve_climber]

Why should he HAVE TO SAY GOOD THINGS?!?!

[@babisandes]

Nice that you responded to the Hiller staff. He has a small community that trying to pushing him. His comments and videos are something entertaining and sometimes so bad. He is going after people as you said.

[@shawnquigley639]

Dave, it seems odd that you have such a strong opinion on hiller and his videos while simultaneously saying you don’t consume his content… perhaps you and the decision makers for media passes should sit down and actually watch his stuff before condemning him for being overly critical.

[@anthonykious202]

It hurts my feeling when people call out my bull shit too Castro. But then I think about it and usually try to be better. You do you boss man double down. You're wrong but who am i..... oh well

[@conserve_climber]

You should watch him. You’d be better.

[@Ryanl1333]

Salty Dave

[@TheSurgeonsRoadie]

He rage farms to get views and occasionally says positive things like a toxic ex.

[@TacticallyFitOfficial]

You should let Hiller run the Open or games for one year and just see what shit show comes from it 😂

[@MikeySwooshOne]

"A Seal in the Marines." 😂😂 Haha a seal is a marine animal maybe thats what he meant hahaha. Glad you are holding the Media to a high standard like the athletes.

[@avera9636]

Dave, you and Boz are the face of CF HQ that CFitters can relate. Unfortunately, your ships are now tied to a private equity anchor . . . not Glassman's genius. Your loyalty to the brand and Glassman is being wasted on private equity owners who do not give a shit about CF, other than what they hope to make in selling the brand to the highest bidder. In other words, you are fighting a losing battle.

[@alexanderbozenhard3224]

Hey, maybe if you think he’s only saying negative things; there’s too many bad things happening and negative things to say…… Would love to know if you’re capable of saying anything critical of crossfit and owning any serious screw ups or if you think we are stupid enough to believe you guys are perfect and do everything right and don’t ever screw up royally. Hiller didn’t get a pass cuz he embarrasses you guys and makes you look bad and you get your feelings hurt over it. Just like how you block anyone who trolls you. Your organization is corrupt and you’ve always tried to get away with whatever you wanted. He’s the best thing that’s ever happened to the sport because he’s the first one with a platform big enough and not afraid to say what everyone else thinks

[@AaronBuley]

Dude. Dave. You’re giving him exactly what he wants… Why are you making this? 😬