On Good Friday, Faith RXD (a ministry of SportsLife) led global efforts for the annual Passion WOD – an intense CrossFit® workout designed to memorialize the death and resurrection of Christ. Faith RXD Executive Director Mike McDonald and Chief Sport Officer Carl Perry were among the SportsLife Leadership team members who participated.

“The Passion WOD regenerates the purpose of what we’re doing at Faith RXD.” – Mike McDonald

“Our mission is to reach people for Christ and build the Kingdom. For me personally, the workout helped recharge my daily purpose.”

Created by Faith RXD founder Becky Conzelman and her team 10 years ago, the workout begins with 100 jump rope double unders, representing the whipping and lashes Jesus endured. Athletes then perform an 800-meter back rack walk, carrying a barbell of 95 pounds for men and 65 pounds for women, symbolizing Jesus carrying the cross and bearing the weight of the world’s sins. The Passion WOD concludes with 100 burpees, representing Christ’s death (squats) and resurrection (thrusts).

While the workout poses a significant challenge, McDonald emphasizes that it can never truly replicate what Jesus endured. The double unders may cause the occasional snapback of the rope, but they pale in comparison to the suffering inflicted by a cat of nine tails.

“With the back rack walk, athletes can stop and drop the bar if they need to,” McDonald added. “The cross was 300 pounds, and Jesus didn’t get to rest or have a drink along the way. We should be grateful because even our struggles are not as hard as what He endured.”

An estimated 2,000 Faith RXD athletes participated across 110 gyms, with many others in countries like Australia, Brazil, Canada, and Spain also completing the workout. A standout moment for McDonald was a video of 40 athletes in an African gym.

Unlike most workouts that feature hype music and verbal encouragement, the Passion WOD is performed in silence, accompanied by an Easter-themed devotional. 

“We encourage participants not to focus on their pain but on the symbolism and the reason behind their efforts,” McDonald said. “This workout symbolizes what Christ went through, but it is nothing compared to His actual suffering.”

Comparable to the Murph, a CrossFit WOD completed on Memorial Day to honor fallen military members, McDonald explained that the Passion WOD is effective only if athletes keep its purpose in mind.

“You can’t give up like you can in other workouts. Thinking about His sacrifice forces you to push aside distractions and focus on Him. My life is easier because of what He went through; I don’t have to bear the weight of sin because of the freedom He offers through His sacrifice.” – Mike McDonald

McDonald believes the reminders throughout each station create profound personal impact. 

“The workout is humbling,” he said. “It’s hard for us to live in daily gratitude, and this experience enhances our appreciation for what He has done. Even though it’s just once a year, it recalibrates our recognition of His sacrifice and inspires me to strive for better daily engagement with the Lord.”

From a ministry perspective, McDonald is humbled that a simple workout can foster spiritual unity. 

“It’s powerful to think about,” he concluded. “Thousands in the CrossFit® and Faith RXD community came together through the Passion WOD to honor Christ and show their commitment to His Kingdom.”