Hidden Gems: Meet Lawrence Evans of Crossfit Controlled Chaos

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lawrence Evans.

Hi Lawrence, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My journey started in 2009. Training gave me structure, discipline and a place to channel the pressure of becoming the best version of myself I can be. What began as personal growth soon turned into a calling.

Over the years I earned multiple certifications in CrossFit, weightlifting, corrective exercise and athletic performance. More importantly, I built a reputation for coaching with intensity, clarity and genuine care. My classes and 1:1 training were known for being tough, smart and welcoming. People came to me because I could push them without losing the human side of coaching.

That path eventually led me to co-own CrossFit Controlled Chaos in Colorado Springs. With many different business partners along the way and learning who would be the right fit for the vision and mission, I am blessed to say that Bill, Amber and my wife have been the combination I’ve been searching for. Under our leadership, the gym has grown into a community built on effort, accountability and belonging. We helped design programs for every level. Volume X for advanced athletes. Chaos Kids for young athletes finding confidence. On-ramp systems that remove fear for beginners. The goal has always been the same. Help people build a stronger version of themselves.

My faith and my family anchor everything I do. Being a husband, a father and a business partner shapes how I lead and how I show up. The work I do inside the gym mirrors the work I do at home. Growth, honesty, discipline, love and the belief that people are capable of more than they think.

Today I see fitness as the platform, not the finish line. I continue to innovate, create new programs and invest in the community we are building. Our gym story is still being written. It is a story of resilience, service and the belief that changing your body can change your life when you commit to the process and the people around you.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road. Building a gym and a community takes more than passion. It takes sacrifice, late nights, early mornings and a willingness to keep going when everything around you feels heavy.

I have had multiple business partners over the years, each bringing different strengths and challenges. Anytime you mix vision, responsibility and pressure, you are going to face some friction. Learning how to lead, delegate, stay united and still protect the culture we were building took patience and humility on my part.

Then Covid hit, and that was a battle I will never forget. We had high rent, a shut-down order and no guarantee that the gym would survive. If it wasn’t for the members that stuck with us and continued to pay their membership through that time, Chaos would have just been a lost dream. There will never be enough thank yous in my bucket to those members who continued to stick with us through that time and believed that Chaos was more than a gym, but a family and community of good people.

The hardest part has always been balancing the work, family and friends. Running a gym means weekends and vacations disappear. There were times when I missed moments with close family, my wife and kids, my close friends that I would see every weekend, all because I was pouring everything into the business. That guilt stays with you, and it forced me to grow as a leader so I could show up better in both worlds.

But every struggle shaped me. The financial stress, the uncertainty, the partner dynamics, the long hours, the fear of losing what we built. All of it taught me how to lead with honesty, faith and persistence. It made the wins sweeter and the mission clearer.

The road was not smooth, but the bumps are what built this business. They are the reason we fight so hard for this community, and the future we are building at Chaos.

As you know, we’re big fans of Crossfit Controlled Chaos. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
CrossFit Controlled Chaos is more than a gym. It is a community built around hard work, accountability and real relationships. When someone walks through our doors, they are not just signing up for workouts. They are joining a culture that pushes them to grow in every part of their life.

What sets us apart is the culture. People feel seen when they come in. They feel challenged in the right ways. They feel like they are a part of something. We do not water down expectations, but we also do not let anyone feel alone. That balance is rare, and it is the heartbeat of our brand.

We specialize in taking complex training concepts and making them simple, effective and repeatable. Whether it is Olympic lifting, gymnastics progressions, conditioning pathways or long-term strength development, We build programs that guide people step by step so they can train with purpose. We are known for designing tough but smart workouts, and for coaching in a way that pushes people without breaking them down.

Inside the gym we lead everything from beginner on-ramp programs to advanced tracks, youth development through Chaos Kids and specialized strength and skill sessions. Outside of the workouts, we focus on community building, member experience and creating a brand that stands for discipline, effort and growth.

Brand wise, I am most proud of what CrossFit Controlled Chaos represents. It is a brand built on effort, honesty and growth. There is nothing fake about it. Chaos is gritty, disciplined and welcoming at the same time. It reflects real people putting in real work and changing their lives through consistency and community.

CrossFit Controlled Chaos is a brand that stands for accountability. When someone walks in, they know they will be coached, challenged and supported. They know they are not just paying for access to equipment. They are investing in a standard. A standard of coaching, a standard of culture and a standard of personal responsibility.

What makes our brand special is the balance we create. We are intense, but not intimidating. We are competitive, but still family oriented. We demand effort, but we also develop people. The Chaos brand is shaped by loud music, tough workouts, high fives, kids running around after class, early mornings, late nights and a community that actually cares about each other.

I am proud that our brand feels alive. It has personality. It has depth. It has a heartbeat. People know exactly what they are walking into when they see our logo or hear our name. They expect hard work, real coaching and a culture that will push them to be better. And we deliver that every day.

What I want readers to know is simple. CrossFit Controlled Chaos is not just a place to train. It is a place to grow. It is fitness, family, faith, community and resilience all under one roof. That is what our brand stands for and why I am proud to carry it forward.

We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
Something that might surprise people who know my work or the Chaos brand is how introverted and reflective I actually am outside the gym. I pour out a lot of energy when I coach 1:1s and lead classes, I motivate people, I build programs and I stay fully present for my members. But when the lights go off and the gym is quiet, I am a pretty private person. I think pretty deep. I drive A LOT, which helps me reflect, and I pray constantly so I can show up strong the next day. Also I’m a huge fan of golf, go carting, softball and some good ol video games to reset what other things can’t.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://CrossfitControlledChaos.com
• Instagram: @crossfitcontrolledchaos
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crossfitcontrolledchaos

Image Credits
Credits go to all coaches, members and friends