Episodes

  • “There's No Going Back. Things are Only Moving Forward.” – James Hobart on the Future of CrossFit (EP. 025)

    “There's No Going Back. Things are Only Moving Forward.” – James Hobart on the Future of CrossFit (EP. 025)
    Jul 29 2025
    James Hobart has been part of CrossFit since the early days. He’s competed at the Games, demoed for CrossFit’s movement videos, worked on Seminar Staff, and spent nearly two decades watching the culture evolve. In this episode, he sits down with Denise Thomas to talk candidly about the state of CrossFit — and whether it’s lost its soul.

    From what it felt like to walk away from competition, to the mindset shift required to keep training into middle age, James opens up about what keeps him coming back to the gym and why he still believes in the methodology. They discuss the difference between nostalgia and stagnation, why CrossFit's messiness is part of the magic, and what it really means to "teach yourself out of a job.

    TOPICS COVERED
    • Has CrossFit lost its soul?
    • The evolution of CrossFit.com and community norms
    • Competing as a masters athlete
    • The shift from performance to purpose
    • Letting go of dogma and embracing change
    • Making peace with "CrossFit Grumpy"
    • Why small goals matter more than big ones
    RESOURCES MENTIONED
    • James Hobart's podcast: Podcast of the Day
    • CrossFit Mafia in Erie, Colorado
    • CrossFit.com
    • Ruck Race League
    COMMUNITY HIGHLIGHT
    Mark and Dana Harris are the founders of Equip Products — a company based in rural Illinois that’s making CrossFit more accessible for adaptive and neuro athletes around the world.

    It started with a conversation at the CrossFit Games. Kevin Ogar mentioned the need for better gear to train from his wheelchair, and that led to their first product: the lap mat.
    ⠀
    Today, Equip offers nearly 150 tools that help athletes train safely and independently, regardless of ability.

    For Mark and Dana, this isn’t just business — it’s a way to make sure no one hears, “That’s it. You’re done.” Their message is simple: You’re not done. You’re just getting started.

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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • "It's About More Than You" — Adrian Conway on the Engine That Props Up the Sport of CrossFit (EP. 024)

    "It's About More Than You" — Adrian Conway on the Engine That Props Up the Sport of CrossFit (EP. 024)
    Jul 22 2025
    Adrian Conway has competed at the highest level of CrossFit, coaches athletes of all levels, is a Seminar Staff member, and a CrossFit Games commentator. In this conversation with Denise Thomas, he explains the symbiotic relationship between the CrossFit Games and CrossFit affiliates.

    Adrian offers a perspective on how the sport has evolved and how the professionalism of the sport depends on the very athletes who participate in it. This episode is about the future of CrossFit, the spirit of the community, and bridging the gap between the sport and the affiliate.

    Topics Included
    • Adrian's evolution from competitor to coach, and what he learned in that transition
    • The cultural evolution of the CrossFit Games
    • How competitors can help their own future by integrating with their affiliates
    • How competitors could gain an advantage through an understanding of the methodology
    Resources Mentioned
    • The CrossFit Games
    • TTRU Fitness
    • The Barbell Spin
    Community Highlight
    Carolyne Prevost is a three-time CrossFit Games athlete (four times after this year), a former pro hockey player, an 11-time national champion across four sports, and a full-time high school teacher in Sarnia, Canada. But what sets her apart isn’t just the accolades. It’s the impact.

    In 2018, Carolyne launched CrossFit GAGE — an affiliate inside her school — to teach students how to move well, take care of themselves, and build real confidence. She’s proof that being elite doesn’t mean being out of reach. It means showing up, coaching, and leading by example.

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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • This Rehab Has a Secret Weapon: CrossFit (EP. 023)

    This Rehab Has a Secret Weapon: CrossFit (EP. 023)
    Jul 15 2025
    Angie Manson is the CEO of Elevate Addiction Services, a residential rehab program that integrates CrossFit into daily life. In this conversation with Denise Thomas, Angie opens up about her own recovery, what CrossFit gave her, and why every coach needs to understand addiction.

    Angie explains how EAS operates — from an on-site CrossFit affiliate to community classes to post-rehab support — and what she's learned after helping thousands of people rebuild their lives. This episode is about fitness, but it’s also about humanity, hope, and second chances.

    Topics Included
    • Angie’s story of addiction, recovery, and finding CrossFit
    • How Elevate Addiction Services integrates CrossFit
    • Why structure, challenge, and community matter in rehab
    • The coach’s role in supporting people in recovery
    • Building trust, habits, and a new identity
    • How affiliates and coaches can get involved
    Resources Mentioned
    • Elevate Addiction Services (Santa Cruz + Tahoe)
    • CrossFit EAS (on-site affiliate)
    • The Phoenix
    • Narcotics Anonymous (NA)
    • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA)
    RESOURCES FOR ADDICTION

    Elevate Addiction Services – https://elevaterehab.org/

    Immediate Help
    • SAMHSA National Helpline (U.S.): 1-800-662-HELP (4357)
      Free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information.
      https://www.samhsa.gov/find-help/national-helpline

    Treatment & Recovery Resources
    • Substance Abuse Treatment Locator (SAMHSA):
      Find nearby treatment facilities for substance use and mental health issues.
      https://findtreatment.gov

    • Shatterproof:
      A nonprofit focused on science-based addiction resources and stigma reduction.
      https://www.shatterproof.org

    • Partnership to End Addiction:
      Offers support for families navigating a loved one’s substance use.
      https://drugfree.org

    Peer Support Communities
    • Alcoholics Anonymous (AA):
      https://www.aa.org/find-aa

    • Narcotics Anonymous (NA):
      https://www.na.org

    • SMART Recovery:
      A secular, science-based alternative to 12-step programs.
      https://www.smartrecovery.org

    Community Highlight

    Tammi Saunders is the head coach at The Barbell Saves Project — a nonprofit CrossFit affiliate in Phoenix, Arizona, offering free classes to anyone in recovery.

    The only requirements: 48 hours sober and a commitment to keep showing up.⠀Every coach on staff, including Tammi, is in recovery. They run five community classes a day, plus sessions for sober-living homes and treatment centers. But fitness is just the beginning.

    What they’re building is trust, discipline, and integrity – under stress, in community.Tammi has helped develop seven Level 1 trainers through the program, many straight out of prison or early sobriety. She’s built a trauma-informed culture rooted in empathy and consent.

    She still remembers walking into a gym for the first time: smoking two packs a day, struggling with disordered eating, unsure what came next. Now she’s a Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer, trauma-informed, and a Masters Games athlete.“If I can become this version of myself,” she says, “anyone can.”

    This is what it looks like to hold the door open for the next person.Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.

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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • The Female Factor: What Your CrossFit Training Is Missing With Dr. Stacy Sims (EP. 021)

    The Female Factor: What Your CrossFit Training Is Missing With Dr. Stacy Sims (EP. 021)
    Jul 1 2025
    Dr. Stacy Sims is an exercise physiologist, nutrition scientist, TEDx speaker, and the bestselling author behind the viral phrase "Women are not small men." In this episode, she joins Denise Thomas to unpack what we really need to know about women’s physiology — and how most training and nutrition advice completely ignores it.

    They get into the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, postmenopause, and how to train through it all. Stacy explains why women lose power during certain phases, how training affects the brain, and what female athletes should do differently when it comes to strength, conditioning, recovery, and stress. They also break down cold plunges, sauna use, and why CrossFit coaches and gym owners have an opportunity to lead the way in changing the narrative.

    Topics Included
    • Biological differences in training, recovery, and metabolism
    • Power, hormone shifts, and the menstrual cycle
    • When and how to modify workouts
    • Why fasting and cold plunges don’t affect men and women the same way
    • How to feel and perform your best during perimenopause and postmenopause
    • Raising the next generation of girls to understand their physiology for performance
    Resources Mentioned
    • Dr. Stacy Sims’ TEDx Talk: Women Are Not Small Men
    • Book: “Roar” by Stacy Sims
    • Book: “Next Level” by Stacy Sims
    • DrStacySims.com
    • Proov or Oova (hormone-tracking tools)
    • OsteoGains app
    Community Highlight

    Arielle Loewen is a household name in CrossFit — fierce on the floor, kind in every interaction. But behind the scenes, she’s also quietly mentoring the next generation.⠀Last year, she supported eight teenage CrossFit Games athletes, checking in weekly to discuss the mental aspects of elite competition. One even flew out to train with her in person.

    Arielle’s leadership comes from lived experience. In 2013, she couldn’t afford her first competition — someone else covered the entry fee. Now, she pays it forward. She designs and sells “Strong Mom” shirts to help other moms cover local competition costs.

    Her message is simple: “When you think you’re done, you’re not done.”Arielle’s a bright spot in the CrossFit community — and we’ll be cheering her on at the 2025 CrossFit Games.

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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • The Story Behind CrossFit’s Celebrity Trainer (EP.020)

    The Story Behind CrossFit’s Celebrity Trainer (EP.020)
    Jun 24 2025
    Conor Murphy has worn many hats: Navy serviceman, CrossFit Games athlete, Seminar Staff trainer, and, now, head of Big Night Fitness and affiliate owner in Boston, Massachusetts. In this raw and real conversation with Denise Thomas, Conor opens up about the moments that nearly broke him — and how CrossFit gave him a second chance.

    From losing his shot at a military career, to training celebrities on tour buses, to building a space where community comes first, Conor reflects on the power of mentorship, growth through failure, and what it means to truly live your values. His message to aspiring coaches and owners? Focus on people, not optics. Do the work. Stay humble. Keep showing up.3.

    Topics Included
    • Military injury and finding direction through CrossFit
    • Competing at the Games and becoming a Seminar Staff member
    • Coaching celebrities vs. everyday athletes
    • Building community at Big Night Fitness
    • Lessons in leadership, ego, and growing up
    • Launching an affiliate with purpose and perspective
    Resources Mentioned
    • CrossFit PB (Pacific Beach)
    • CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course
    • CrossFit Seminar Staff
    • WOD on the Waves
    • Big Night Entertainment Group
    • CrossFit TILT
    Community Highlight

    In 2023, Ernesto Reyes saw a gap: no CrossFit events in Mexico offered adaptive divisions. So he decided to change that.As the owner of CrossFit Cholula, Ernesto didn’t start with experience in adaptive training — just a love for competition and a drive to make the sport more inclusive. He visited a local rec center and invited adaptive athletes to try CrossFit. Over 20 showed up. A few kept training. That first competition changed everything.

    Now, he coaches more than 10 adaptive athletes regularly. And the mission has become clear: this is his calling.As his late father once said, “Maybe Ernesto found the meaning of life — helping people.”This year, his gym is launching Personas con Determinación, a fundraiser to support competition costs. Together, they’ll hike one of Mexico’s highest peaks to prove a point: accomplishment doesn’t require perfection — it requires determination.

    Follow the journey. Or join the climb.

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Your Sleep Questions Answered With an Army Neuroscientist (EP.019)

    Your Sleep Questions Answered With an Army Neuroscientist (EP.019)
    Jun 17 2025
    Dr. Major Allison Brager is a neuroscientist, a two-time CrossFit Games athlete, and one of the military’s leading experts on sleep and circadian biology. In this episode, host Denise Thomas and co-host Jocelyn Rylee dig in to what happens in the body during sleep, how your chronotype affects your performance, and the importance of sleep for recovery.

    They also unpack strategic caffeine dosing, sleep myths, and the direct impact sleep has on your hormones, recovery, mood, and even long-term health risks. Whether you’re training hard or just trying to function better day-to-day, this conversation will change how you think about rest.

    Topics Included
    • What actually happens when we sleep
    • Chronotypes, circadian rhythms, and ideal training times
    • Sleep banking, shift work, and real-world application
    • How sleep affects hormones, mood, and injury risk
    • The impact of caffeine, alcohol, and blue light
    • Strategies for better sleep: environment, timing, and habits
    Resources Mentioned
    • Dr. Brager’s book: “Meathead: Unraveling the Athletic Brain”
    • Power Monkey Camp
    • CrossFit Open
    • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy for Insomnia
    • Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire
    • National Sleep Foundation
    Community Highlight

    Jeff Winchester is a middle school counselor just outside of San Diego, California. In 2024, he launched CrossFit La Presa — a nonprofit school affiliate created with full support from his district and school leadership.

    La Presa Middle School serves a largely underserved community, where many students face challenges outside the classroom. For Jeff, this program isn’t just about fitness — it’s about offering strength, structure, and connection to kids who need it most.

    The results are powerful: students are gaining confidence, teachers are rediscovering their health, and kids who once stayed on the sidelines are now trying out for sports. Jeff says launching CrossFit La Presa has been one of the most meaningful moments of his 15-year career in education.⠀

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    1 hr and 4 mins
  • The Case for Prevention: Why This ICU Doctor Believes in CrossFit (EP.018)

    The Case for Prevention: Why This ICU Doctor Believes in CrossFit (EP.018)
    Jun 10 2025
    Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng is an ICU doctor in Ottawa who spent the pandemic treating some of the sickest patients in Canada. In this conversation, he explains how his experience in the ICU during COVID changed the course of his life — and set him on a mission to keep people out of his ward.

    In his episode, he talks candidly about what it’s like to deliver bad news to families, what we’re getting wrong about chronic illness, and how fitness and strength training save lives. Dr. K is also the author of the book "Prevention Over Prescription" and the host of a podcast by the same name. This episode is a rallying cry for coaches, affiliate owners, and anyone trying to improve the health of their community.

    Topics Included
    • What an ICU doctor actually sees and does daily
    • Why COVID changed the way he views chronic illness
    • How strength training impacts patient outcomes
    • What most doctors get wrong about metabolic syndrome
    • The case for simple, empowering lifestyle interventions
    Resources Mentioned
    • Book: “Prevention Over Prescription” by Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng
    • Podcast: “Prevention Over Prescription” (hosted by Dr. K)
    • 2024 CrossFit Health Summit presentation
    • Jason Fung’s work on fasting and diabetes reversal
    • Dr. Chris Palmer’s research on mental health and metabolic health
    • CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Course
    Community Highlight:Mike and Katelyn run Chalkdust CrossFit in Powell, Ohio — a 10-year affiliate built from grit, loyalty, and a lot of long nights.When their old gym closed, they started over, training a few loyal members in the park before opening a space of their own. In the early days, they slept at the gym just to keep things afloat, coaching late into the night and first thing in the morning.

    Now, Chalkdust is known for balance. Most members compete locally and move with sharp technique — but they also show up for “Self-Care Saturdays,” a weekly blend of yoga, breathwork, and reflection.That mix of intensity and recovery has become the heartbeat of their culture.

    Mike and Katelyn keep it simple: they just want to help people “be more awesome.”

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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • Dr. Rhonda Patrick on High-Intensity Exercise and Health (EP.017)

    Dr. Rhonda Patrick on High-Intensity Exercise and Health (EP.017)
    Jun 3 2025
    Dr. Rhonda Patrick is a leading researcher in nutrition, aging, and metabolic health. She’s known for translating complex science into practical tools for longevity and performance — and now, after a year of doing CrossFit, she has new insights to share. In this episode, Rhonda joins Denise to break down the cellular mechanisms behind high-intensity exercise, why lactate is more than a waste product, and how CrossFit helps train your brain, not just your body.

    They cover topics like VO2 max, mitochondrial repair, post-meal inflammation, aging muscles, and the science behind "exercise snacks." Rhonda also shares her personal transformation from intimidated beginner to committed athlete — and why she believes CrossFit may be one of the most powerful tools for lifelong health.Topics Included
    • Why Rhonda started CrossFit — and how her perspective shifted after a year of training
    • What lactate actually is and why it’s a powerful signal for brain and muscle health
    • How high-intensity exercise triggers mitochondrial repair and neurogenesis
    • The relationship between sedentary behavior, inflammation, and cancer risk
    • The research behind exercise “snacks” and how to use them throughout your day
    • The benefits of CrossFit for aging adults, and Rhonda’s vision for senior fitness

    Resources Mentioned
    • Dr. Patrick’s website and podcast “Found My Fitness”
      • Dr. Martin Gibala podcast episode
    • Rhonda at the CrossFit for Health Summit
    Community Highlight

    Kenny Kane has been coaching since 2005 and took over CrossFit Oak Park in 2015.When the Los Angeles wildfires hit, nearly a third of the gym’s members were displaced — and 20 lost their homes.

    In the middle of it all, priorities shifted. First: safety. Then, helping people meet basic needs. Running classes came second.What stood out most to Kenny wasn’t the hardship — it was the response. The Oak Park community came together fast. Members organized donations, raised money, and supported one another in every way possible.

    For years, Kenny poured everything into building that community. In return, they showed up tenfold.CrossFit Oak Park has always focused on helping people live well outside the gym. In a moment of crisis, that philosophy held strong.This is what the CrossFit community looks like.

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    1 hr and 3 mins