This Top CrossFitter Just Came Out As Gay

In an Instagram post, a high profile Crossfitter has come out as gay.

"There's been something on my mind that I've been wanting to talk to you guys a while about now," Alec Smith said in a video that he captioned "Took a DNA test, turns out I'm gay." The line was likely an ode to a Lizzo lyric.

"So I'm gay," he said. "I'm at the point in my life now where I'm OK with that. I've accepted it, and I'm happy with where I am." In the video, Smith admitted that he's always known that he was "different" and that he's been attracted to men since the age of 12. "I hated myself for being attracted to guys," he continued.

Smith first competed in the prestigious CrossFit games in 2017. This year, he took home a second place medal.

In the video, Smith went on to say that he initially began playing sports in order to distract himself from his identity as a gay man, but it became too much. He had long told himself that he would continue to hide his sexuality, but over time he slowly began coming out to close friends.

"I'm still figuring it out now," he said. "I still don't know who I am. And that's OK!"

Smith also said that moving to New York City and finding accepting friends there has helped him be ready to continue his coming out process.

"It takes some people a month," he said. "It takes some people 26 years, but just focus on yourself and what's important to you. When that time comes, you'll know." Notably, Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson, who came out in a recent newspaper op-ed, said his was a 40 year process.

"This past year I've been able to be myself," Smith continued. "It's truly been one of the best years of my life."

The athlete intends to compete in the CrossFit Games again and hopes to win. The sport seems to run in his blood, as his brother Ben Smith is a CrossFit Games winner. YouTuber Tyler Oakley and Australia's Strongest Man 2019 Champion Rob Kearney both chimed in with messages of support.

"Happy for you," Kearney wrote.

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