The Rise and Fall of Craig Richey

[@gerrarddw]

I will be honest, I never missed an episode in 2019-2022 time, loved the content. I just don’t follow that closely anymore because he doesn’t create the content he used too. I now seem him as a distraction to CrossFit, I now consume videos like yours, and the Mayhem media is my go to.

[@hillerfit]

I pinned this comment for anyone who wanted to get 22 minutes in 3 sentences.

[@jeffro2886]

@@hillerfitI’m the same as @gerrarddw. Watched him until end of 2021. The video with Mat Fraser was my last one. When he just kept going to the big names and using them for views not creating content for CrossFit but for himself.

[@thatguyforsure7819]

The problem is Craig quit on CrossFit and stopped making any content that was compelling. Then he quit supporting CrossFit after the games. Now he's just making mid content to sell shirts.

[@IsaacBurgis]

@@hillerfitThankyou my internet was being slow, I’ll watch later 😌

[@IsaacBurgis]

@@hillerfitThankyou my internet was being slow, I’ll watch later 😌

[@br3npatterson]

Isn't this just the rise and fall of CrossFit? People (myself included) used to care... we no longer do.

[@serginho6837]

Good take

[@Ron7644]

Crossfit died with Matt Frasers last win

[@rkls2921]

EXACTLY. Hiller < TeamRichey 💯

[@firestara4830]

Sevan and Glassman were WRONG disrespecting Lazar by calling him "what's him name" and laughing. What has Lazar ever done wrong apart from loving the sport? I felt dirty just watching it. You have a critical mind, be critical of your friends too instead of being an attack lapdog

[@damienmarktaylor]

That was real? I thought it was AI. Can’t be real

[@hillerfit]

I don't care about any of that. Everyone is wrong there.

[@villapoder]

​@@hillerfitjust became a guy that worships Sevan and midself, and is starting tondo the same With HQ, not brave enough to stand for the athletes and community

[@stevegaspar]

@@damienmarktaylor I would say you are as sharp as bag of marbles but that's insulting to the marbles.

[@g3nt00l1nux]

@@hillerfit Sorry, but no. Greg and Sevan were incredibly disrespectful (for more than one reason!). Craig was very close to Lazar, and his reaction was almost too kind towards those two...

[@brianscrazytalk]

I don't understand why so many people have a hard time with Craig and Jas using their channel to try and build up their clothing business. A lot of very successful content creators know that their YT ad revenue won't last forever - and they diversify as a hedge against that. Couple of examples - car KZbinr Doug DeMuro had over a million subscribers but built a separate business running a used car auction site - he still 'sponsors' his own car review vids with his auction site driving more business. (He recently sold some portion of that business to an investor for $37 million!) A bunch of 20-something fishing youtubers banded together to form their own fishing lure company, and now you can find their products at stores everywhere - and of course they used their individual YT channels to market the hell out of their product brand. It's usually a winning strategy, and I see nothing wrong with this.

[@Nic_134]

I don't know how others feel about this. He is like the Buttery Bros; they both stopped being CrossFiters and started doing something else, and people left, and you can't blame them. Their best content was being with the athletes, training, and diving into who the athletes are. I don't care to watch them become professional weightlifters or wanna-be bodybuilders.

[@Garrettismyname]

I don’t get that vibe from the buttery bros. They do a lot more “side project” type stuff but I think that’s mostly because content has to keep coming and there’s not much CrossFit outside of the season anymore.

[@wi11ialvl]

Been subscribed to the TeamRichey channel since 2017. This video, almost perfectly, describes my viewing relationship with the channel. I still like Craig, but my interest has waned due to many factors.

[@hillerfit]

🫡

[@selenaharmens]

Yep, feeling the same way about TeamRichey. I still watch his video, but more to have something in the background than actually watching it. Ever since he has gone on that weightlifting journey, his videos weren’t the same anymore. I guess it’s normal for people to change, but it’s a shame.

[@hardushelm6268]

Agreed

[@bryanwhisler4193]

Me too. I used to watch every video. Now I can't remember the last one of his I watched. It's been quite a while ago.

[@jamesveck2863]

I saw the title of the video and thought I’d be coming here to defend Craig, but after watching I pretty much agree with everything you said. Call it what you want, his content is far less interesting than what it used to be. Great video.

[@charlesbuchanan]

Another great video. Please don’t stop making this content as it’s great to see different perspectives presented in a respectful way

[@adammann2736]

As a CrossFitter and a fan of the sport I was along for the ride with Craig when he first started, but the longer I was involved with the community the more I matured in my consumption of content away from the buttery bros and Craig to other channels that actually covered the Company/Methodology with a little guilty pleasure of the games. Just the nature of life for most of us I think

[@craigsmith6312]

The incessant plugs and pushing the brand was too much for me. Also lack of posting regularly, moving away from crossfit. Also, sits on the fence and seems terrified to have a genuine opinion now. I stopped subscribing a few years back. They also became not very relatable. Not completely sure why, it just felt off and not genuine like the earlier videos.

[@YoutubeJell-yo]

The idea that you have to remain “loyal” to a person or a company just because they gave you an opportunity or you once liked them is so childish. You can like a person before you get to know them, you can support a company before it doesn’t align with your values anymore. You don’t owe them anything. Greg Glassman may have been the founder of CrossFit, but Craig does not owe him respect unconditionally. CrossFit may have been the basis for his channel, but likewise, he does not have to blindly support it till the end of the earth. It’s even more commendable to turn your back on something you have given so much to when it no longer aligns with you.

[@ELaryx4]

He isn’t a loyal man either tbh

[@YoutubeJell-yo]

@ explain

[@ELaryx4]

@ to his girlfriend

[@MattMorrissey1]

@ you must elaborate! You can start once my popcorn's ready

[@ELaryx4]

@@MattMorrissey1 he was messaging my friend on instagram and calling her etc

[@bazwillrunforbrownies]

This is a great video Andy! I have always followed Craig.. brought his clothes ( which are very nice by the way ) and will continue to do so as I’m a loyalist! but the message has clearly changed some and I find it hard to get through some of his videos as I can’t stand the sales pitch. Craig is my guy but you’ve summed his channel up perfectly. I hope this changes in the future:

[@strongbodystrongmiind]

We shouldn't hope for people to change for our own comfort. Allow Craig to change if he wants to.

[@bazwillrunforbrownies]

⁠@@strongbodystrongmiindfor my own comfort?? That’s hilarious 😆 I was thinking so he can “inspire as many people as he can” you know his goal? Dike

[@strongbodystrongmiind]

@@bazwillrunforbrownies Ok. Thanks for showing how immature you are in your response. All the best mate xx

[@HeatherPearson-nk4bb]

Agreed with all the opinions but would’ve liked you to show why Richey was negative about Glassman. Greg and Sevan laughing about not remembering Lazar’s name was disgusting to watch

[@cape2costa]

I could not give any less of a shit if he lost money by travelling to the games. Why would anyone care? He acts as if we owe him…very weird.

[@MrBeeMeR320D]

how exactly does he act that way? He's trying to make a business and the clothes are actually really good... In the end it's his channel an he can do with it whatever he wants... If you don't like ti, scroll past.

[@cape2costa]

@@MrBeeMeR320DI don’t have to scroll past, I don’t watch his channel anymore. I watch this one, and that’s where I saw the clip of him complaining. So I commented here. See how that works?

[@ramjee8211]

@@MrBeeMeR320D then craig obsessed about other channels, tells people not to do the open or you are a bad person...craig made this an issue. only craig

[@Kent_sykes]

Faye Richey worked as cabin crew, working on international flights. Craig flew business class at a heavily family discounted price. All airlines provide this to family members. He stopped flying because that discount went away

[@knowlescity]

Woah 😮... What government do you work for ???

[@Pedroflamengo97]

He’s working for Trump next year

[@Wanderlustkiddo707]

Ha! That makes sense when Craig was saying … it doesn’t make sense financially for us to fly. Cause you’re hookups aren’t there anymore 😂

[@jordan-kristina2014]

Not every airline offers good benefits to family. My brother is a pilot for United. All I get is standby tickets on domestic flights. Nothing international, and no discounts. Super disappointing

[@thehopelesscrossfitter]

So I am a huge craigh richey and team hslt made fan. Have been for the bettter part of 8-9 years now since I first found his videos. I will agree with you that he has fallen off. However, I think that there are some things that are being overlooked here. UK went through a major lock down at the beginning of 2021. They were locked down for about 4/5 months I believe. Travel restrictions were a major issue for them. If I am not mistaken this was the year that they had to travel to mexico and then to the us to get to the games. So this could have a large portion to do with the whole collabs and stuff. It was at this time that he shifted a lot of his mindset to the olympic weightlight aspect of things. I am not trying to defend the change of things but there is a bigger picture that I think that you are missing with some of the things. Lazar's brother Luka was a signed and i believe still is HSTL made athlete. The sevan podcast with greg and everything that greg "joked" about whether taken out of context or not was unacceptable. Both Sevan and Greg were laughing about it and I'm sorry that was just very disrespectful. I don't care if it was Greg, Dave, my mom/dad but anyone that makes those comments about a very close friend of mine yeah I would have reacted the same way. Now for the company and the money portion yes he lost a ton of money. But if you watched a recent video for the first time in 2 years they are in the black and progressively moving upward. Does that mean we could see some changes in the video aspect? Potentially. I think there are so many variables that you have overlooked that negate out some of your findings. Again just an opinion and i am sure I will get flamed or called an idiot for the comments but that wouldn't be the worse thing now would it.

[@michaelbreuer4987]

❤

[@ramjee8211]

the whole world was locked down..dumbest thing to write ever. zero relevance

[@thehopelesscrossfitter]

@@ramjee8211 it actually does hold relevance cause in the video hiller talks about the collabs that he was doing with people in the states and across Europe. the lockdown prevented that. His fall off on the videos was in 2021 per the states that were provided. now does it have to do with the promotion of the hstl made brand or the fact of the matter that he was locked down and travel was severely restricted. Also the US wasn't under as severe lockdown as the reset of the country. So yeah small things like that do hold relevance.

[@juditdomotor3445]

​@@ramjee8211you mean that it is irrelevant that a content creator who used to travel to create his content couldn't travel due to lockdown. Wow 😂😂😂

[@ramjee8211]

@thehopelesscrossfitter Hiller points out, Craig focus is on clothing and weightlifting and cares less about CrossFit apart from trying to cancel greg and dave... and the video numbers go down. It wasn't that hard to understand. 😂 🙄 🤡

[@ItssFootball]

Don't agree on the final point about Greg Glassman... actually it shows Craig is not biased and dtill criticised him. Plus it's horrible to dismiss the death of Djukic the way Glassman did.

[@vcebe13]

Craig is the Matt Frasier of You Tube. He no longer does CrossFit and really has nothing to do with the community except for to sell them merchandise.

[@J_Wolfe86]

🎯

[@taylorhymel5912]

Gotta be the dumbest comparison I’ve ever seen

[@vcebe13]

@ Let’s see you have two people that don’t do CrossFit, neither of them contribute anything to the community, and they both make money off of selling things to the people that actually participate in CrossFit on a daily basis. Makes perfect sense to me,

[@JaredHathaway]

this is one of the worst takes I've seen

[@danimal.94]

Fraser literally have an affiliate that he recently open up to the public lmao

[@tpamaster]

I started following Craig in 2016. Loved his content and he was inspirational in the CrossFit space when no one else was covering it on youtube. I met up with craig and Jas at the CrossFit games for food in 2018-2019. Thought they were nice genuine people. But in 2020-2021, I definitely noticed a drop off. He was all of the sudden low energy. Had a sad outlook on life. And he has yet to recover after 2021

[@ELaryx4]

@@tpamaster he’s not happy that’s why

[@Beth__]

This is really harsh and completely unnecessary. Yes his content has changed but he doesn’t owe anyone anything and is completely entitled to make the content that makes him happy and works for him currently, people still enjoy it. He has a company, of course he’s going to use his own platform to promote it. Greg was disgraceful and he was right to call him out, just because Greg was good enough to join him on a video years ago doesn’t mean he can’t be called out on something years later and Craig can’t change his opinion on him.

[@sagarsubedi98]

I don't know Andrew I am starting to like you even more now. Your honesty, and the way you articulate things are superior. Keep going mate! Love your videos.

[@shawvonjackson8767]

Babe wake up, hiller just uploaded a new video!!

[@lindenhart4837]

Found Craig and Jas in 2017 and was hooked! Watched all the videos I could. He always came across as a really great and humble guy. Then, I had a (possibly once-in-a-lifetime) opportunity to meet him at WZA in 2020. I unfollowed him before the weekend was over. That :30 interaction was enough.

[@michaelwright9101]

I met him at WZA in 2023 and I had the same experience. He was not friendly at all.

[@Hybrid_Strength]

@@michaelwright9101So his attitude and optimism in videos is not authentic essentially?

[@gray45374]

What did he do? Was it an attitude thing? I've heard someone else say something similar after meeting Craig. (Same person said Jas was pleasant).

[@michaelwright9101]

@ Jas was nice. I have a hard time walking up to people so I don’t have to feel like the 500th a-hole to bother someone when they’re out walking around, and decided I wasn’t going to say hi. As I was walking away, I saw Craig be nice to someone else so I changed my mind and decided to just walk up to him. He turned around and said “hey, what do you want”? while looking super annoyed. He did offer to take a picture, but it felt super awkward. I unfollowed him after that.

[@Hybrid_Strength]

@ that’s not ok to treat his “Legends” like that. People like you are the reason he is able to make a living.

[@taylorschultz9085]

The collaborative that is Sevan and his cronies are on a demolition course to blacklist anyone who doesn’t agree with the current landscape of CrossFit or doesn’t agree with the EXACT mindset that that group of people have. As soon as someone speaks up, you POUNCE.

[@gwyneth-ashleydickinson6846]

I completely agree, all this negativity is not very pro-community kumbaya, these personal attacks are just annoying. Craig Richey’s videos are all positive, Sevan can be so negative, just attacking people for likes, it’s just too destructive & cringeworthy to listen to.

[@PeteF64]

Did you actually watch the video, or did you just assume 'Hiller = Sevan = Must be bad'?

[@jlynnyay]

@@taylorschultz9085 your comment isn’t even relevant!! Did your watch the video? the numbers don’t lie dude. Hillers just pointing out where he is successful and where he’s not.

[@JoaoLopes-gi4kw]

In the case of the Sevan Podcast, we already know before any episode whether the people on the podcast will agree 100% or not with what is said about CrossFit. This depends on who said it, not what was said. They align themselves with people, not ideas. That’s one of the reasons I distanced myself from their content. It’s a shame; I thought they were doing a good job until the incident at the Games significantly radicalized their views.

[@hillerfit]

It's almost like you didn't watch the video

[@oscarsvideos2193]

Agree with this - watched Craig for years but in past couple have watched less. This explains why. Hopefully he takes note and turns it around again

[@johannesb6725]

Very good video, but you missed some points: 1. In the early years, Craig was basically the only big Crossfit KZbinr. There was no competition. That changed the last 3-4 years. 2. Craigs real passion has shifted to weight lifting. 3. Until recently, Craig was always positive about everything, especially HQ. Hardly any real critical words. This approach does not appeal today anymore to the masses. 4. Him being friends with many of the top stars in CF and showing that seemed more and more as a show-off to me. 5. I used to watch his videos for the CF news but now Barbellspin and known&knowable are much quicker and more thorough. Nonetheless, I still watch some of of his videos because I think he is a nice guy.

[@mccask]

Having met CR personally on three occasions, he's definitely not a nice guy.

[@jedidiahsnelson2924]

Met Craig and Jas briefly one year at WZA. Completely blew me off, and looked down on me(not just because I was in a wheelchair). They were completely put off that I approached them (even though they were by themselves in the athlete area not doing anything) and had an elitist attitude that was appalled I would even talk to them. Can’t say I have ever rooted for them.

[@theantgodfather1]

Obviously that is not a great first meeting but can’t make a complete judgement on someone over just seeing that person for a few seconds. Might have had a really shitty day. We can’t all be nice all the time.

[@theantgodfather1]

But also maybe he is bit of a dick!

[@juditdomotor3445]

I have met them 3 times. They were approachable and friendly to me.

[@Fitopoli]

I was on an aerobic capacity course with them, she was very friendly, I thought he was jet lagged. He seemed grumpy and quiet, but did talk to the better athletes in the group. I’m older and was recovering from 2 shattered knees so was struggling a bit. After the course I saw him interview Chris on YT, he was bright and chirpy. So I just assumed there’s a media Craig and everyday Craig. Mike Thurston and Matt were in our gym a few weeks ago. They were filming but seemed friendly and approachable to the other members, who truth be told left them alone. My wife was blown apart by how big they were, I thought TV added size. They looked more athletic, less bodybuilderish to me.

[@ilsefaber683]

He and his girlfriend annoyed me from the start, don't know why, some people just do. I never understood how they blew up so much.

[@DarkPsyence]

I unsubscribed to Craig a while ago and not because of the lack of Crossfit content or how to video's, it was the fact that it was just becoming a vehicle to sell HSTL products. Note to Craig, everyone hate's adds on KZbin.

[@AC-Later84]

Can’t fault him for promoting his brand, helps pay for his new house, pick up truck and HSTL products.

[@karolinamackiewicz514]

I used to be a loyal viewer and then CF Games 24 happened. Craig and Jas called the "community gathering" to "stay together during difficult times". I expected well, community gathering. We turned out only to wait in a long queue to take a photo with C&J and be encouraged to buy a t-shirt. And this happened twice - the first time we didn't even get to see them. His pals were there regulating the crowd. It was just stupid-stupid. Had nothing to do with a community gathering. And yes, the videos are super watered down. It's obvious his heart is not anymore there and he was open about his mental health / burnout struggles. But show must go on...

[@tdeeez]

Usually people have to pay for this level of market study.

[@hillerfit]

That is what I told Alexis lol

[@MistuhDabolina]

I like to think of this as the KZbin paradox. SO many of the channels I loved in 2015-2020 have just become uninteresting to me. Could very possibly be a me thing. However I notice this pattern with all of them. In the beginning it’s all about bringing the audience along with them, getting subs, passing milestones, making videos that are true to what started the channel by doing what every viewer dreams of. Then, at a point something changes. They get too much money, they get too much viewership, and with any good business, they need to scale up. They need to go bigger, make more money, have different income sources via merch. And then they lose their connection with the crowd. I think it’s a natural process. KZbin channels start from passion projects. However, passion is a flame that will slowly burn out over time. I think overcoming this paradox is by finding a new passion. Craig isn’t excited anymore, therefore the audience is not excited to watch his videos. When it comes to the Glassman situation, people’s perspectives and opinions change over time. Craig obviously just lost respect for him. He’s allowed to revere a person at one point and think they’re the scum of the earth at another.

[@AronParkerLIVE]

0:15 I've recently not been able to watch his videos. Just something about his vibe and energy I'm not feeling.

[@DavidGora]

Sounds like Craig isn’t HSTLNG HRD ENUF

[@beamsgr]

Stopped watching Richie when he started pushing HSTL and his channel became more about him than anything else.

[@Marklesfield]

On the way up, youtubers are so clear in their mission and have a glint in their eye that we all find relateable and endearing. As soon as their content turns into "look at my business, buy my stuff". Same for Christian Guzman. Follows this formula 100%

[@MrOMGWTFROFL1]

Nobody is safe. Genuinely seems like one of the nicest people in CrossFit though, albeit, never met him.

[@gymmingathomefitnessadapta2991]

I used to watch Craig Richie when I first found out about CrossFit but I haven’t watched anything from his channel in years

[@Vee-Ramdhial]

It's probably one of your best videos to date. When I started CrossFit in 2014, the only "Sick" content available was from crossfit media and then Craig. When crossfit media were dumped, it was Craig's to own. Through time as his interest shifted elsewhere, mine was and will always be on CrossFit. Instead of placing the blame on crossfit for the loss in viewership, rather take extreme ownership and figure out how to get it back on track.

[@hbombmac]

Andrew: I truly hope (but secretly believe) that Craig is watching this and analyzing your assessments… like he’s gifted at doing… and he comes to terms with the truths you presented. Craig is able, when he speaks from his genuine heart, to move people. You can’t “buy” that… it’s his integrity. But here’s the rub… no one can take away your integrity… only YOU can give it away. I miss those wonderful videos he used to make. From his heart. I hope he can escape the pacts he sold and return to his integrity… his poignant honesty and sincerity… that made us fall in love with his GIFT of sharing. ❤

[@alanland797]

Major issue with the HSTL channel was the daily vlogs became verbal diarrhea in the end. This made me stop watching the channel.

[@amorfati4927]

Yeah I watched some videos for a little bit when he was doing CrossFit stuff… seemed like scattered rambling pretty quick and moved on.

[@inegma]

i find the guy phoney, fake and awkward.

[@tylerrauch4655]

i used to be a crossfit guy, then covid happened and my gym went down hill.. community gone + crossfit drama of glassman resigning etc.. i dont think im alone on this one. but crossfit boxes messed things up after covid. IMO

[@paulhodges5403]

Absolutely spot on, I was following for years but unsubscribed after a video of a review on traveling 1st class on a plane ??? To much girlfriend and dog coverage and weight lifting.

[@jonathanschmitt1983]

Compare his dip in views/subscribers to Buttery Bros. They are another YT channel I watched religiously through 2020 and then fell off when it seemed they ran out of athletes to cover.

[@KeithGreenshields]

Nice breakdown, good job mate.

[@gregcurry4784]

It’s pretty obvious. He stopped doing what made him successful (CrossFit vlogs) and shifted all his focus to what makes him the most money (clothing brand) Virtually every KZbinr/“influencer” has merch cause the ROI on some t shirts is way higher than making videos. This is why I (and obviously hundreds of thousands of other people) stopped watching his videos a long time ago. Every video is just a HSTL commercial disguised as a fitness vlog.

[@regular-thing]

I don't agree with the Glassman take. Dismissing deserved backlash for bad behaviour as "cancelling" is such reactionary nonsense. It suggests that you don't care, so you project onto others that they must not actually care either & are just disingenuously "cancelling" people. Nah. And the idea that Craig should set aside his feelings because Glassman "put him where he is" is just such a weird mentality.

[@stattravels8109]

Andrew, you are so awesome with analyzing KZbin stats! This video was so good!

[@karlglynn3230]

Thanks

[@aj401]

I think you hit it 1000%. Content was awesome couple years back (visiting Fraser working out). But I check out when ppl are asking for handouts for their own choices hence 250k ish. Then talk about the next come up.. doesn’t seem genuine nor pass the smell test.

[@jcmusn]

you and Craig just posted videos pretty much at the same time. The views are pretty close together as well. Interesting to see how the views on these two new videos trend.

[@90DaysOfDevOps]

Be interesting if Craig responds to this as his video is nothing to do with this or Hiller

[@Craig-pk5cc]

I’ve watched Richey from pretty close to the start of his channel and still watch his stuff yes his focus has changed to weightlifting which is cool as I like that also. His viewer numbers actually match the fall of CrossFit to me when CrossFit started to decline so did his views.

[@SWales-Modernist]

A very reasonable piece, I assumed it would be a hit job but you presented your arguments well.

[@hillerfit]

Glad you think so. I did make an honest attempt

[@rw8871]

Expressing his honest feelings regarding Glassman’s abhorrent comments should be commended. Just because that clown gave him an interview once doesn’t excuse him from criticism regarding public statements he makes.

[@juditdomotor3445]

Completely agree.

[@rkls2921]

💯 at least Craig expresses his support to what matters and calls it out

[@mko1748]

Spot on. Describes my experience. Once I felt I wasn’t part of his journey (he never fully documented his Olympic lifting journey), I disconnected. Stopped watching because videos were too full of product plugs and talking about the dogs. Plus someone here said, there is just so much better stuff out there.

[@prescottosegie]

🔥🔥🔥Let go!!! Andrew keep up the good content dawg💪

[@jamesdimarzio3181]

Used to follow craig back years ago. It got me hyped for even more crossfit. Always being very upbeat and let's go attitude. In the past few years I haven't followed him much things changed imo.

[@passleycraig]

Craig Richey began with little competition in this media space. Over the years, more content providers entered this media space. Most new content providers create better content and they actual like 👍 CrossFit more than Richey. Richey is trying to create a brand in a space that he does not like or believe in. If he could leave this space today and keep and gain more followers, then he would move over to powerlifting social media platform (his true love) tomorrow

[@hillerfit]

Spot on

[@gwyneth-ashleydickinson6846]

Yet he has 345k followers & Hiller has 50k? TeamRichey is British & caters a lot to the European community, where as Hiller & Sevan etc cater to American public…each brings their own individuality to the space, respect to both😅 Watch what you wanna watch & stop competing with one another

[@nifer77]

I am European and I never liked TeamRichys channel. Sevan podcast on the other hand I loved since the beginning. I don't think this has to do with being European or American.🤔.​@@gwyneth-ashleydickinson6846

[@juditdomotor3445]

I think that you are mistaken in your belief that his clothing is for CrossFitters exclusively. It's for people who buy it.

[@selenaharmens]

We need something similar again like Road to the Games. That was amazing content as you would get to know the CrossFit athletes and get hyped up for the sport and Games season. I also loved your two athlete videos recently of Erica and Haley! I hope you’ll do more of those.

[@niallohagan1916]

Didn’t miss. Video for a few years. Now I’m not sure when I last watched a full one

[@GingerBear88]

Craig’s channel is still pretty good. It has changed over time. One thing the CrossFit community is lacking in general is good athlete profiles and stories. I’m hoping this world fitness tour thing will do a better job with this, I’m waiting for rogue, or WFT to take over the sport and grow it. CrossFit has crapped the bed a bit for the last few years. I used to love watching the games and knowing the athletes but it’s painfully lacking these days. It doesn’t help Craig’s channel that he’s built on top of that waning sport. I would be fine with more weight lifting instructional videos, athlete profiles from strong man, or weight lifting sports, or other crossfitters, I enjoy it all. If I want unhinged truth on the drama I’ll come to Hiller because I know he doesn’t hold back and the video lengths are nice too compared to Sevan who I don’t really enjoy listening to as a person. The mason startup channel is my favourite new channel in the space, I wish he would put out content more regularly because they’ve all been great.

[@CarburetedKilos]

Love the Terence Stamp snippets. A lot of people neglect Terence stamp in the CrossFit space, nice to see him.

[@brunoRobot]

I've stop watching his video since it was all about "hey look, we are bro with Mat Fraser", "Hey look I personally know this crossfiter too" and always shit on Crossfit HQ, with this kind of woke attitude and ultra positive mind with no personal opinion or courage at all. He just had nothing interesting to say about crossfit anymore...

[@anthonyadams4081]

Welp it’s official. Craig was the YT CF guy. Now Hiller is the YT CF guy. Keep on truckin Hiller, your vids are dope. Always interesting & educational. Appreciate that a lot.

[@reeceallawatt1551]

Good work, Hiller. Keep it up, my brother.

[@ericdouville]

20:21 Glassman may have provided the Craig some opportunities, but Glassman and Sevan were wrong when talking laughing about Lazar. I expect more of you Hiller in providing an objective look what happened on Sevan’s show. Craig was right to make that video. I can appreciate the research and work you do. I’m sure Craig could watch this and may want to interpret the statistics in a different way. I’d watch a conversation between you and Craig.

[@leonjohnstone9405]

I think you know that they were not laughing about Lazar. They were laughing about Greg's potential response to the tragedy as CEO, and how the athletes would have responded to that.

[@ericdouville]

@@leonjohnstone9405 no, no. Go look at the whole video and it starts at about 1:21:00 into it. Sevan started to talk about Jeffrey Adlers coach (Lambert) about the entitlement of CrossFit Athletes. They were ramping each other up about money that is owed to them, and then stuff about Lazar came up. You don't use this tragedy as a punch line.

[@tonyallen3138]

Dude wow, this was a phenomenal video and hope Craig takes inventory of everything said here, regarding his connection to his community, etc. There’s alot of valuable constructive criticism is this video. Well done Man.

[@jessiesmith2162]

I think this is valid. 2017-2018 was a great time for KZbin. A lot of influencers I followed did DITL vids, vlogs, mela prep vids, etc. Now I swear all of them have these huge brands and everything seems like an ad! From Craig Richey to Heidi Somers (Buff Bunny) and many more, they’ve all changed their tune. I don’t watch every upload like I used to.

[@franciscovenero7825]

I 200% agree with you! I didn't miss a CrossFit video from Craig, now I watch nothing, is way to boring, and the fact that CrossFit media shuts down, It should have been good for him, and capitalize on that! I would love to see a video a day again, like before! I really was addicted!

[@Overthewall787]

Agree with this video completely! Content was fun and watching there business grow was fun from a far was fun as well. I could give a fuck about Craig’s personal politics on Greg or CrossFit etc etc. I’m not gonna stop wearing or buying HSTL. Love the style, love the fit and quality as of the last 4yrs especially. He’s a nice dude, he sat and chatted with me an my wife at the games for over an hour.

[@gnagelschmied]

So much to unpack. Big fan of craig's channel. Not sure when that was but at some point he was featured by CrossFit that must have been around the time his views were at their highest. From the edit his videos were never gold. But that probably wasn't the goal either. The CrossFit athletes were what the viewers wanted to see and that was what generated the views. In my opinion, the characters of the CrossFit athletes were even more interesting back then, at least they were for me compared to today. It's not without reason that old CF Games videos are still being shown on the CF HQ channel and not those from the last few years. I personally like the weightlifting videos he does now but probably only because I've lost some interest in CrossFit and am now interested in weightlifting. About the glassman interview: in my opinion you are allowed to change your opinion about a person when you have more information about them. I wish Craig all the best, I don't know him but he seems to work hard for what he likes and believes in. And let's not forget that Ja's laughter is not annoying but, for me at least, refreshingly honest and not artificial. And hiller, you know how to create interaction. Nice one. :) (translated)

[@105commando]

It was so much fun when you were watching friends working out. Then there were vlogs coming out when there was a new drop of clothing and it felt like you were looking at a commercial.

[@bingers2]

Like many others in the comments, I like Craig and I’m a long time subscriber. I found him back in his very early days as he started CrossFit and enjoyed his content for years, but I have to admit, I rarely watch the videos anymore because he’s moved away from what I like, but it’s his channel so that’s up to him. The comment at the end about his opinions on Greg is a bit silly, what’s the point in having a mind if you can’t change it. A really good video though, I enjoyed watching.

[@jlynnyay]

So basically you’ve just given him a FREE business analysis showing him how to improve. “Stick to CrossFit, Richey, it’s your biggest draw!” He’s on the naughty list so he may not be able to recover.

[@hillerfit]

I JUST TOLD ALEXIS that Craig owes me $5,000 for this video hahahaha

[@Pedroflamengo97]

You should do a video with HSTL merch

[@Dwizzle77]

Let’s start a GoFundMe. Raise $1mil for Craig, Sevan and Andrew to do a podcast and bury the hatchet

[@hillerfit]

Bring back ruthless Ritchie

[@stiman1]

Do you think Craig will respond to you? Either in a response video or otherwise? Or has he already? I'd love to hear his take on this video of yours.

[@strongbodystrongmiind]

Love Craig! Awesome and genuine guy.

[@benturner9323]

Couldn’t agree more! I loved Craig’s videos and watched him for years as I felt like I could relate to his journey starting CrossFit. I liked the videos with froning and Fraser but after a while I felt like I couldn’t relate to him anymore and started to find him boring! Real shame as then I found the whole sport boring.

[@brentruther3006]

Been a fan because he was one of us. No longer watch because they have made it clear they are big as shit. They, both he and Jas, have appeared to become too enamored with themselves and the content is garbage at this point. It's sad. Loved them at the beginning. Another spot on analysis by the Peoples Champ..... ding ding ding Andrew Hiller. Oh and Craig I hate his music reviews and bangers

[@chrisgilesinaustralia]

Great video Hiller

[@romanoforsale]

This was insightful to watch because weirdly enough I wasn't into CF and found his channel from Zack Telander's videos so I only know him in this post era and funny enough I enjoy hist videos for different reasons. His more call wide smile british lad gives a very chill vibe like the kind of person you'd have a nice afternoon hanging around with. But it is interesting to see the progression and where everyone is coming from.

[@kyleb464]

Notice also how none of his little sidekicks stuck around. They looked like they had an abundance of friends, but they never really hung out with the same crowd for very long. I wonder why?

[@avera9636]

Andrew, I have a simpler view that summarizes Craig Richey . . . go woke and go broke. CF and Richey going down together.

[@aaronsloane2474]

I used to watch Craig and Jas from the start of my CrossFit Journey. Why? because he was really the only creator at the time putting out content around the games, athletes, and events weekly! I even bought into his brand and purchased clothes from HSTL. I met him one year at the Torian Pro, and you know what they say: Never meet your heroes.

[@whiterabit09]

This view count does correlate with the general publics interest in CrossFit.

[@marcavage]

This was very good. Well done.

[@MrSteveFlyHI]

Guys, just trying to make a bag $$ can't blame the dude for trying to create a brand and capitalize off his following. I am a Craig fan but I agree with your take, I don't see him as much as a CrossFit affiliated content creator as just a fitness/content creative now.

[@AndrewKuntzman]

I still like Craig. But this was interesting info

[@gommaardhulst]

The amount of work that goes into this video 🤯

[@tiffanysaylor6426]

I used to be a big fan of KZbin but have favored shorter form content the last couple years. I noticed a couple creators I used to follow on here get lower views despite great content. Are we sure this just isn’t people pulling away from KZbin in general in recent years?

[@reneortiz5965]

Breaking news: Greig Richey is now the official spokesperson for BowFlex.

[@paulagetsfit]

I like Craig and his videos, but i do agree with a lot of what Andrew is saying here. I actually really like their Hstl clothes, good quality, i own quite a lot of the tee shirts. The only thing that would stop me watching is the toxic positivity that his videos excude (just my opinion) and Jas's constant annoying laugh...it really grates on me.

[@tonydecuba]

He has no idea how much it cost what you just did right here in 21 minutes. I REALLY hope that if not him, someone around him gets that. Otherwise, 2025 will be his last year as a KZbinr

[@mattlivergood1356]

Need a Hiller video 72hrs with HSTL made… let’s see what Craig’s really about

[@lifeaccelerator]

CrossFit was dead the weekend the athletes cancelled Greg Glassman for his George Floyd post. You can still call it CrossFit but the worldwide community is hollow, the leadership is unauthentic, and we are left with the functional fitness that goes on at the local box...and Dave Castro. Cancelling Dave didn't work (Yet) but when they do, it will be the final nail in the coffin of CrossFit. Don't get me wrong, I loved the ride, and I still love the methodology and my local box, but there is almost no life left in it. Craig is just another example of people too woke to think critically about what is actually being said by Greg which was 100% correct. Better find a new sport Hiller, maybe Hyrox like everyone else.

[@JJ-zr6fu]

CrossFit died when they fired the media team. Glassman fired them. He killed the community way before 2020

[@shannonsteven3982]

I called this the day Richey uploaded the video being critical of Greg and Sven. I commented on it saying "can't wait to see Hiller turn this into a 20 min hit job on how shit Richey is while he gaggles on Castro's balls. Hiller, honestly, it's embarrassing watching you desperately trying to get on the inside circle with Dave and Crossfit HQ. Sad for a grown man to have 0 back bone.

[@kyleericludwig]

Amen

[@joshua_patterson]

Seems as if I'm alone in not really knowing who this guy is. I've seen his name mentioned before on Sevan's Podcast but I don't believe I've ever watched one of his videos. For context, I've been doing CF since 2008. Maybe when he came on the scene it was while I was a new parent so I missed his rise? I don't think he's entirely incorrect that CF (especially The Sport of Fitness) is waning a bit. When I first got started was just before it really took off (Reebok sponsorship). I miss the 2010-2014 era.

[@TheTinyOtter]

I used to religiously watch his content from like 2019-2021 but at some point it felt like he completely lost touch with his community. It was super awesome to have him interview Tia because it felt like one of us got to talk to the goat, but at some point it felt like he’s not one of us anymore. He just kept pushing his brand while he flew business class all over the world etc. While I’m happy for them, that they got all these opportunities, they somehow lost touch with their roots. I wish they had focused more on up and coming crossfitters, giving the underdogs a chance to earn a following and be introduced to a big audience. I mean ok cool the big star’s home gym is nice and everything but it’s so out of reach. I’ve heard from several athletes at semis etc Craig and others wont even look at them, cause they are so massively focused on the big stars and to the rest they are rude and dismissive. And all the big cf channels keep showing the same people and content over and over again. Focus on your community. I think that’s the same issue I have with the buttery bros (ok their bubbly over the top,always happy attitude also annoys the shit out of me, so i never really watched them) For me when I started in 2016, CrossFit felt like the average person can make it pretty far if they put the work in and there’s a huge very diverse community with people from all kinds of background, now it feels somehow elitist. If you don’t have a massive home gym, a cold plunge, a sauna, work out 3 times a day and always be happy and bubbly, what are you even doing?! And that’s I think how many people are slowing loosing interest in the sport and media like craig’s.

[@miken.8948]

People gonna do what people do so what: 1. Craig is making content he likes and doing things he wants...if it doesn't get the big views then so be it, I hope he's happy doing what he likes and wants. 2. Some of the comments you featured were saying he's too watered down and has no opinions...then he comes out with a not so popular opinion on Greg and you write the guy off, that's ironic. 3. And to you Andrew, it's clear you have infinite gratitude towards Glassman for creating CrossFit and the resulting ecosystem in which you live and thrive. That's all fine and good, BUT it doesn't mean Glassman has a blank check to do/say/act any way he wants and you need to defend him. Greg is a very articulate & intelligent person, he could have handled his Lazar comments differently, instead he came off as crass and indifferent. Craig calling for canceling Greg was too much, I still think Greg could have said it in a more respectful manner. Those are my comments..."MN, out!"

[@ramjee8211]

says someone WHO DIDNT WATCH THE GREG COMMENTS, lol

[@shuey134]

I hope Craig paid you for your research and recommendations like a high paid consultant.

[@KozysGhost]

I’m just done from a workout and am grabbing some popcorn. Let’s have the heavies get at it. ding, ding…round one!