Working at Oner Active may appear to be a dream opportunity, but in reality, it was the most challenging and disheartening experience of my career. Initially, the prospect of working closely with Co-Founder Krissy Cela seemed exciting, but it quickly turned into a nightmare.
The work environment is unbelievably tense, and staff are frequently subjected to verbal abuse, belittled, and overworked. It's not uncommon to be made to feel incapable of performing your role - sometimes explicitly told so. In one particularly demeaning instance, I was even asked, “Are you stupid?” This kind of treatment fosters fear, as employees brace themselves for the next outburst, creating a volatile and toxic atmosphere.
Morale plummets whenever Krissy is present. Unfortunately, management appears unwilling or unable to intervene, likely due to fear of becoming her next target. Krissy's behavior is manipulative, and she often plays favorites, building some team members up only to abruptly tear them down, leaving them feeling demoralized and inadequate. These mind games, combined with an overwhelming workload and unrealistic expectations, leave employees drained, undervalued, and emotionally devastated.
Krissy is not who you think she is from what she portrays on Social Media, she's all about female empowerment when in reality, tearing other women down makes her feel powerful. The lies and fabrication of her personal story is endless and concerning.
It’s apparent that Krissy is aware of the negative feedback shared here. In a recent Instagram story, she attempted to justify her behavior, claiming, “I’m not a chilled person. Some people might describe me as aggressive, but I’m just blunt. It’s part of my Albanian culture; every Balkan woman I’ve met is the same, it can sound like we're arguing with you but we're just talking.” Let me be clear: being emotionally abusive and manipulative is not a cultural trait — it’s a leadership failure. Being a narcissist is not a cultural trait - it means you need help.
Throughout my career I've never cried so much and been put down so many times. When I left, I was so affected by my experience that I slipped into a depression and was left feeling completely incapable of any job I was offered. It took me 8 months to recover and when I finally found a new job, I was left with PTSD and was constantly worried that I would be screamed at at any moment.
If you value your mental health, I strongly advise avoiding Oner Active. The toxic environment starts at the top, and without serious change (Krissy leaving), it’s unlikely to improve.
