Karl Steadman took the CrossFit Level 1 Trainer Course about eight years ago at CrossFit Brand X in Ramona, Calif.

“We emailed Jeff Martin and said, ‘We’re coming out. Can you recommend any places to stay? He’s like, ‘Holy shit, you’re comin’ all the way from the U.K.? You’re staying with us,’” Steadman recounts of the CrossFit Brand X co-owner. “It was something that never stopped—this idea of paying it forward.”

The act was quintessential CrossFit, explains the owner of Reebok CrossFit 3D. It’s easy to relate to others—no matter where they live on the planet—when you have a common bond, Steadman adds.

“Everybody knows that the 15s of Fran suck, but if you can get through them, you get a fast time. So you immediately have this instant connection no matter where you are in the world,” says the Level 1 Seminar Staff member. “Accents can change, faces change, CrossFit doesn’t.”

Today, Steadman draws his identify from CrossFit. His wife, best friends and even his 2-year-old do CrossFit.

“It’s not just what I do,” he says. “It defines me.”

Video by Mike Koslap.