Michelle and Casey Crawford are a power couple to say the least. Both of their accomplishments in their short lives are far greater than most of us can achieve in a lifetime. Their drive is deeply rooted in their faith and their belief that by loving and valuing people, we can create a community that allows people the opportunity to become their best self. Read how Casey and Michelle reinvest in our community. These two prove that when God gives you a gift, you should listen and then become the change that you want to see.
Michelle Crawford:
Michelle Crawford is a graduate of University of Virginia where she received a full scholarship to play field hockey. Michelle went on to earn a spot on the US field hockey team; competing all over the world for four years at events like the Pan-American Games and the World Cup.
Michelle’s passion for winning has been a part of her spirit since she was a young girl. After beginning her CrossFit journey in 2001, Michelle became a competitor in the 2013 CrossFit Games where she earned 33rd world wide.
Coupling her passion for winning and what she believes was a calling from God, Michelle strives to create an environment of competitiveness and health through CrossFit.
In 2013, Michelle opened Rising CrossFit Ballantyne in Charlotte, NC, and strives each day to help ordinary people become their best version of themselves.
Casey Crawford:
Casey Crawford is also a University of Virginia Alumni and former American football tight end who played three seasons in the NFL with the Carolina Panthers and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
Casey is the Founder and CEO of the fastest growing private mortgage bank, Movement Mortgage.
Casey has been featured on CNBC’s Squawk Box and has grown his company into a multi-billion dollar business, but he doesn’t stop there. As a man of faith, and a true believer of social responsibility, Casey is the co-founder of the Movement Foundation. In short, the Movement Foundation believes that by reinvesting back into the community they can significantly impact lives of those who are spiritually, socially and economically underserved. The Movement Foundation was recently featured in the Charlotte Observer for their partnership in the upcoming Movement School (see video below). You can read more about the Movement Foundation and their mission here.
Where are you from?
Michelle: I am from Fairfield, NJ.
Casey: I am from Falls Church, VA.
How did you meet?
We met at the University of Virginia - we were both athletes (Michelle field hockey; Casey football and baseball) and had a lot of the same friends.
When did you marry?
We got married the summer after we graduated from college on July 8, 2000.
Where do you currently reside?
We currently live in the Ballantyne area of Charlotte.
How long have you been in the Carolinas and what brought here?
We have been in NC since 2000. We originally moved to Davidson, NC. It worked for us at the time because Casey was playing for the Panthers and I (Michelle) was attending law school at Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem. It was a lot of driving our first few years of marriage but we made it work.
What is your occupation?
Michelle: Owner of Rising CrossFit Ballantyne
Casey: Owner/CEO of Movement Mortgage
How did you get into your line of work?
Michelle: I went to law school and practiced in Charlotte for a few years before my first daughter was born. While working as an attorney, I was also teaching all sorts of group exercise classes at the local Y and I truly loved it. After stopping full time work to be at home with my daughter, I started doing personal training in addition to teaching about 20 classes per week. That then turned into an interest in CrossFit. When my youngest turned three and started pre-school, I opened Rising CrossFit and have been running it ever since.
Casey: While in the NFL, I was already very interested in real estate and the housing industry. In the off season, I obtained my real estate license and started flipping houses. When I retired from the NFL, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur and opened my first mortgage company, Greenbrier Mortgage, in 2006.
Tell us about your faith. How does it inspire you?
Michelle: I grew up Catholic and early on always felt a deep personal connection with God. When Casey and I got married, we started going to a Methodist Church in Davidson and that was really the first time I actually ever read the bible, talked about my faith with others, went to bible study, etc. From my experience, I believe, there is a definite cultural difference in regard to public expression of your faith in the North (where I grew up) and the South (where I have lived my entire adult life). It took awhile for me to be comfortable talking about my faith with others, praying in public, etc, but now it is something I enjoy doing and earnestly try to talk about with other people. My faith inspires me to try to live like Jesus told us to everyday. I fall way short each day, but it is something that is always on my mind with regard to my words, my behavior and my reactions.
Casey: I grew up in a Christian household. My grandparents and parents regularly demonstrated Jesus’ love and compassion for others. Early on, my dad set the example for me to love and value people by the way he ran his hardware store and how much compassion he demonstrated for his customers and employees on a daily basis. As the CEO of a growing company, my faith motivates everything I do each day. My company’s mission statement, “We exist to love and value people by leading a movement of change in our industry, corporate cultures and communities” is something I firmly believe in and something I strive to consistently live up to.
What is your proudest accomplishment?
Michelle: Snagging Casey as my hubby ;) And having our two great kids, Cadie and Josie.
Casey: Same answer of course. :)
What do you love about the Carolinas?
Michelle: The weather from October-May!
Casey: The great hunting and fishing spots!
What is your favorite spot in the Carolinas to visit?
Michelle: The beach
Casey: The mountains
What change would you like to see in the Carolinas over the next 10 years?
Michelle: Professional baseball team in Charlotte!
Casey: Whatever would make my wife happy. ;)
POTC: Good answer, Casey ;)