Don Faul

Our guest today is Don Faul, CEO of CrossFit.Don has a fascinating background where he’s been able to find success in environments as different as a combat zone and a corporate board room. After spending 8 years as a platoon commander in the U.S. Marine Corps, Don had stints at some of the most vaunted companies in tech, including Google, Facebook and Pinterest, the latter of which he served as the Head of Operations. It’s a really unique set of leadership experiences spanning very different cultures. In today’s conversation, he answers some burning questions like if micromanagement is always a bad thing, how to create a long-term company vision that genuinely gets people fired up about the future, and what folks tend to get wrong in their all-hands meetings. We also discuss what it takes to lead in this current environment, and how leadership looks different when things feel like they’re going off the rails, which plenty of startup folks are feeling right now. Don unpacks his biggest lessons on how to embrace transparency when things aren’t going well, and candidly shares his own experience of having to wind down a company. Read the article Don penned for First Round Review: The Pivotal Stories Every Startup Leader Should be Able to Tell.You can follow Don on Twitter @donfaulYou can email us questions directly at review@firstround.com or follow us on Twitter @ twitter.com/firstround and twitter.com/brettberson 

Don Faul, a former U.S. Marine Corps platoon commander and the new CEO of CrossFit, dives into his unique journey from military leadership to tech giants like Google and Meta. He shares insights on the impact of physical fitness on overall well-being and the importance of decentralized command in both military and corporate environments. Faul also discusses the challenges of adapting to a high-pressure tech culture, the transformative power of community within CrossFit, and how effective branding can elevate health products in a competitive market.

Don Faul, the CEO of CrossFit and a seasoned athlete, shares his transformative journey leading the brand. He discusses the passion within the CrossFit community and highlights the power of its unique affiliate model. Faul addresses challenges faced by affiliate owners, emphasizing the need for robust business practices and education. Looking ahead, he envisions engaging 30 million participants by 2030, aiming for a healthier global community. The importance of effective leadership and member support within CrossFit is a recurring theme in their conversation.