Today we’d like to introduce you to Ben Roberts.
Hi Ben, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Growing up I was active, played sports and that lead me to joining the U.S. Air Force right after high school. For the next several year I worked hard, but denied my health by eating fast food, doing minimal activities and only went to the gym to be social or work on the “glamor muscles” – back and bi, chest and tri.
When I was 35 I went to the doctor for my annual physical and weighed in at 304 lbs, I was 48% body fat and the doctor diagnosed me as “’pre-diabetic” and said he wanted to get me on the proper meds in the next few months. No mention of “diet and exercise”.
That was the “AH-HA” moment when I realized I needed to do something about my health. I ended up at the YMCA doing a “boot camp” style workout class – this was the beginning or my fitness/wellness journey.
Fast forward 4 years and fitness had not only changed my life but it also changed my career path. At the time I was living in Greensboro, NC where I started my first fitness/wellness business known as Foundation Fitness. After a few years of owning a successful private training studio an opportunity to work with a startup company in Raleigh presented itself.
Once I arrived in Raleigh, I was not working with any individual clients anymore and I didn’t have my own fitness studio at my fingertips. This is when I started training a local CrossFit affiliate. Here, I fell in love again with helping people, the methodology of CrossFit and seeing how it had such a positive effect on people was lifechanging. I couldn’t takt he CFL1 fast enough, started coaching and perusing the dream of owning my own CrossFit Affiliate.
During this pursuit, the startup business failed and I was now conflicted with the question – “What am I going to do?”. It was within a few months I came across a once in a lifetime change to move to the Middle East (Saudi Arabia) and become a full-time coach at a gym where I can learn more about how to own and operate a CrossFit Affiliate.
After completing my 2 year contract in Saudi Arabia, I moved back to the States for a job to run a local affiliate that had two locations. When I moved back, I was the Site Director/Head Coach for a local affiliate which we grew to be one of the largest affiliates here in the Raleigh/Durham area.
In 2020, I moved back to Saudi Arabia to start up another CrossFit affiliate but a road block was put in the way known as COVID-19 or as we refer to it now, “The Pandemic”.
When I returned to the US, one thing that stayed consistent for me was my fitness and wellness. Each morning I would meet two buddies of mine to do CrossFit. This time in life was amazing in so many ways – it brought me two of my closest friends – and it was also the beginning of Tobacco Road CrossFit.
Today, Tobacco Road CrossFit is a 2,000 sq ft CrossFit Affiliate that has athletes show up every day, change their lives for the better – not only through fitness – but through the friendships, comradery and consistent pursuit of longevity and a high quality of life.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Owning your own business always has the typical struggles but I think those conflicts that you go through are what make you successful.
All in all the road has been pretty smooth. Since day one we have had someone show up to workout with us and we are celebrating 5 years of health, wellness and fitness in March of 2026.
We’ve been impressed with Tobacco Road CrossFit, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
The Tobacco Road CrossFit brand believes in having a unique culture with strong core values on where the Athlete matters. We work with anyone who is willing to show up, work hard and plan on coming back the next day. With world class coaching and expertise in the CrossFit methodology, we will provide a safe, fun and an environment where you will get positive results.
We offer group classes 6 times a day during the week and also weekend classes. We will also offer personal training as needed.
Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I would probably describe “risk” as an Affiliate Owner more as a Visionary – someone who sees there is a way what I am offering can impact the world.
The Raleigh/Durham area is a fairly saturated market, but you have to be willing to set yourself apart. How you do that can be the “risk”.
Walking the walk every day, cultivate a culture that you hope others like, be willing to take chances in and out of the business, be resilient in your beliefs, take actions that are going to help spread the message of CrossFit/Health and Wellness and make decisions that can impact others.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://tobaccoroadcrossfit.com
- Instagram: @tobaccoroadcrossfit
- Facebook: Tobacco Road CrossFit
