This marks the seventh episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. 



Olympian and Power Monkey Fitness co-founder Dave Durante joins the CrossFit Podcast to talk about the transition from elite competition to lifelong fitness. After representing the U.S. in gymnastics at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Dave discovered CrossFit, and it changed his life.



He shares how CrossFit helped him stay healthy and strong beyond his competitive years, the story behind Power Monkey Camp, and why gymnastics remains one of the best foundations for athleticism at any age.



TOPICS INCLUDED




Life after elite sport: finding purpose and health beyond competition



How CrossFit reignited Dave’s passion for training



The creation and evolution of Power Monkey Camp



Building bridges between gymnastics and CrossFit



The importance of play, curiosity, and community in adult fitness



Why gymnastics is the ultimate foundation for all sports




RESOURCES MENTIONED




Power Monkey Fitness



Power Monkey Camp



CrossFit Gymnastics Courses



“Weight of Gold” (HBO Documentary)




Community Highlight



After two decades studying cancer genetics, Dr. Jennifer Beebe-Dimmer wanted to give patients something they could act on today. That’s how the CAPABLE program was born, a free, 12-week, CrossFit-based intervention for cancer survivors.



Coached by Level 1 trainers, participants train three times a week and complete pre- and post-testing for strength, conditioning, and biomarkers. Since 2019, more than 275 people have gone through the program, most of whom had never done anything like it before.



The results speak for themselves: significant improvements in quality of life, body composition, sleep, and A1C, with cognitive function up next.



Beebe-Dimmer calls CrossFit the “secret sauce,” not just for the workouts, but for the coaching and community that keep people coming back.“



When I look back at my career, this will be the most meaningful thing I’ve done.”



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You’ve probably heard of the workout CHAD1000X (1,000 weighted step-ups for time) and The Step Up Foundation – the organization using fitness to raise awareness for mental health and veteran suicide prevention. 



In this episode, we get to know the selfless leader behind both: Sara Wilkinson. After losing her husband, Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson, to suicide in 2018, Sara turned grief into purpose, creating a global movement that’s brought thousands together each year to honor his legacy and support others who are struggling.



She opens up about what it means to carry grief, how community heals, and the importance of looking people in the eye and asking, “How are you, really?”



Topics Included




The story behind Chad1000X and its growth into a global movement



How Sara transformed grief into purpose through The Step Up Foundation



Compassion, resilience, and the power of community in healing



Suicide awareness, mental health, and the language we use around loss



The realities of military life, brain injury (CTE), and post-service transition



The importance of small acts of kindness and connection




Resources Mentioned




Chad 1000X



The Step Up Foundation



Home Base (Boston-based veteran brain clinic)



Sound Off (mental health therapy platform for veterans)



Veterans Exploring Treatment Solutions (VETS)



Boston Frogman Swim



988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline



Sara Wilkinson on Instagram



Willpower and Resilience, Live Big



Jocko Podcast



Cleared Hot Podcast




Community Highlight



Cory and Sara Fulana don’t just run two gyms — they run on purpose.



At Silk City CrossFit and CrossFit Hartford, service is part of the workout. Every month, they rally their community for something bigger — suicide awareness events with Uplift, women’s WODs supporting local female-owned businesses, Toys for Tots drives, marathon rows for the Boys and Girls Club, and Hero WODs that honor those who have served.



Their question is always the same: How can we give back?



Because for Cory and Sara, CrossFit isn’t just about fitness — it’s about using strength to serve others.



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CrossFit CEO Don Faul and Affiliate Council Chair Zia Rohrbaugh join host James Hobart for a pulse check on what’s happening across the company and the community. They discuss the role of CrossFit HQ and CrossFit affiliates, the importance of the CrossFit brand for affiliates, and how to support international communities.



Stay till the end to hear from special guests Troy Peterson of ValorFit and Mike Egan, as they preview their plans for Veterans Day. 



Support Mike in his effort to break a world record and raise money for ValorFit HERE.



Let us know what you think --> podcasts@crossfit.com



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“Forging Elite Fitness®” has been part of the CrossFit brand since 2003. And now, it’s representing CrossFit front and center once again after a few years of lurking behind the scenes. But what does it really mean? And what doesn’t it mean? And why are we bringing it back? 



In this show, Denise Thomas is joined by Nicole Carroll, Craig Howard, and Jocelyn Rylee to unpack the phrase that debuted its revival tour this week in our new “Forging Elite Fitness” video and accompanying article. They’ll talk about where the misunderstanding often lies: Is it only about Games athletes? Is “elite” too aggressive? Or does it perfectly capture what CrossFit does for anyone who walks through the door, from grandparents to Games competitors?



Let us know what you think --> podcasts@crossfit.com



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Dr. Fatty Acid, the viral creator behind @When_Nerds_Teach, joins Denise Thomas for a refreshingly honest conversation about finding CrossFit, battling fatty liver disease, navigating Wegovy, and rediscovering strength. A lifelong teacher, she talks about humor, vulnerability, and learning to love movement for what it gives, not how it looks.



Topics Included




Discovering CrossFit as a total beginner and overcoming intimidation



Balancing modern medicine (Wegovy) with lifestyle change



Teaching, burnout, and how CrossFit helps with decision fatigue



Managing body image, binge eating, and food anxiety




Resources Mentioned




Book: “Body Kindness" by Rebecca Scritchfield



Documentary: “Clemente” about Roberto Clemente’s life and legacy



CrossFit Tantrum (Dr. Fatty Acid’s affiliate)




Community Highlight



At just 16, Harrison Kennedy is already competing at the highest levels of CrossFit, but his story is about more than training.



After facing mental health struggles, Harrison found purpose again at CrossFit Delta Fox in northern England, a gym partnered with The 180 Project, which helps people rebuild their lives after prison, addiction, or trauma.



Now he’s giving back, coaching younger athletes and showing them the same thing CrossFit showed him: that community and hard work can change everything.



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James Hobart, Adrian Conway, and Craig Howard discuss competition within the fitness world. They share their perspectives on the role of rivals and how it impacts their community. The conversation explores both external competition and healthy rivalry among affiliates.



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This marks the sixth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. 



CrossFit affiliates are the force transforming how the healthcare system operates.



Zia Rohrbaugh of CrossFit Counter Culture and Josh Plosker of Invictus Boston have turned their gyms into full-service “health homes,” offering blood panels, IV therapy, and access to Community Care health plans — all built around CrossFit’s foundational principles.



In this conversation, Jocelyn Rylee explores how affiliates bring these systems to life, how members save money through HSA and FSA programs, and what it means for the future of CrossFit and community-based healthcare.



TOPICS INCLUDED




How affiliates are transforming into “health homes”



Partnering with the CrossFit Medical Society



Offering blood panels, IV therapy, and telemedicine in gyms



How Community Care provides affordable health coverage



Using HSA/FSA and TrueMed to make CrossFit memberships tax-free



The future of CrossFit as a global healthcare model




RESOURCES MENTIONED




CrossFit Medical Society and Community Care



TrueMed



CrossFit Counter Culture



Invictus Boston




Community Highlight



In 2011, Jaeho Woo discovered CrossFit as a college athlete in Seoul. What started as training for basketball became a lifelong passion — one that eventually took him to the most remote place on Earth.



After serving in the Korean military and coaching CrossFit, Jaeho opened an affiliate in Seoul — then shipped 500 lb of equipment to Antarctica to found the first CrossFit affiliate on the continent.



For 10 months, he’s coached his 18-person crew in a tiny gym surrounded by glaciers. When the endless dark set in and isolation hit hard, Jaeho kept showing up — knocking on doors, reminding his teammates: When you train together, you feel better, and you’re never alone.



As he prepares to leave Antarctica, Jaeho’s message is simple: Isolation is real. Resilience comes from connection. Wherever you are, don’t go it alone.



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Are the CrossFit Games CrossFit? 



How does the test for the Fittest on Earth fit into the grand scheme of CrossFit as a brand? Where are the pain points and synergies between the tip of the spear and the rest of the community? The sport expression of CrossFit is a vital one, but how is it best incorporated into the brand so it serves the entire CrossFit ecosystem?  



James Hobart, Dave Castro, and special guest Seth Page discuss this relationship and where they see the Games contributing to or detracting from the CrossFit brand.



Let us know what you think --> podcasts@crossfit.com



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This marks the fifth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. 



Calley Means is a former food and pharma lobbyist turned healthcare reform advocate. He co-authored “Good Energy” with his sister, Dr. Casey Means, and co-founded TrueMed, a company working to make root-cause health solutions like exercise and nutrition eligible for HSA/FSA dollars. 



In this conversation, Calley explains why our healthcare model is built to manage disease instead of preventing it, how CrossFit and lifestyle interventions are effective, and what policies and cultural shifts could finally turn the tide against chronic illness.



Topics Covered




Why the U.S. healthcare system is built to manage, not prevent, disease



The role of food policy, SNAP reform, and FDA guidelines in chronic illness



Calley’s personal journey from industry lobbyist to health advocate



The promise of functional medicine, biomarkers, and personalized care



TrueMed and making fitness/food eligible for HSA/FSA healthcare dollars




Resources Mentioned




Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means and Calley Means



Levels Health (continuous glucose monitoring)



TrueMed (Calley’s company leveraging HSA/FSA dollars for root-cause health)



SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) reforms FDA nutrition and food additive guidelines




Community Highlight



Nick Johnson founded CrossFit Liminal, a nonprofit affiliate outside Atlanta serving one of the most diverse refugee communities in the U.S. What started in his garage with five members from Syria and Nepal, has grown into programs for Afghan women, refugee youth training for free, and community events like “Ruck for Refugees.”



As Nick puts it: “Trauma gets you out of your body. CrossFit gets you back in it.”



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What does the ideal CrossFit experience look like?



In this livestream, hosts James Hobart and Denise Thomas break down the non-negotiables of a great affiliate, as well as stylistic touches that make each gym unique. From the 60-minute class to the full journey, the conversation explores what members should expect, what owners and coaches must deliver, and how the best affiliates create environments where people thrive. Whether you’re a coach, owner, or member, this episode will leave you with a clear picture of what the “ideal member experience” really means in CrossFit.



Let us know what you think --> podcasts@crossfit.com



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This marks the fourth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. 



Redemption Road CrossFit started inside Colorado’s prison system, where a small group of men turned CrossFit workouts into the first affiliate behind bars. Today, it’s a nonprofit changing prison culture through mentorship, accountability, and community — cutting recidivism to just 1.6% compared to the national average of 80%.



This week, we welcome Redemption Road CrossFit’s founder Nick Wells and founding member Gino Aviles to the show. Nick and Gino share their journey, from addiction and life sentences to freedom, sobriety, and leadership, and show how CrossFit’s methodology can transform not just fitness, but lives.



Topics Covered




Personal journeys from addiction, incarceration, and transformation



The origins of CrossFit in Colorado prisons



Building Redemption Road: the first affiliate inside a correctional facility



Overcoming stigma, violence, and systemic barriers through community fitness



Partnerships with CrossFit HQ and the broader community



Redemption Road’s measurable impact on recidivism and prison culture




Resources Mentioned




Redemption Road CrossFit – RF2.org



CrossFit Journal coverage of Redemption Road: Community Behind Bars and CrossFit in Prison



Morning Chalk Up articles on Redemption Road: Nick Wells and Mat Fraser



Books used in coach candidate curriculum: Overcoming Gravity,” “Becoming a Supple Leopard, “100 Days of Technique




Community Highlight



Troy Peterson founded ValorFit to connect veterans with CrossFit affiliates across the U.S.



For him, it’s personal. After serving in Iraq and earning a Purple Heart, Troy came home battling addiction, depression, and suicidal thoughts. At 300+ pounds and dependent on pills and alcohol, his wife gave him an ultimatum. That’s when he walked into a CrossFit gym and asked for help.



“I didn’t want to take the substances anymore because I wanted to go work out.” That shift changed everything.



Today, ValorFit covers six months of affiliate memberships for veterans — over 4,000 so far. The only requirement? Show up three days a week.



“Free breakfast on Veterans Day has never changed anyone’s life,” Troy said. “But showing up to the gym three days a week can.”



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Programming is one of the most debated topics in CrossFit. On this livestream, James Hobart and Denise Thomas sit down with the guys behind both mainsite and CrossFit Affiliate Programming (CAP), Joe Alexander and Spencer Hendel. Together, they’ll dig into the philosophy and practice behind effective programming. 



They’ll cover the charter of CrossFit.com, how CAP supports affiliates, what makes programming successful (and what doesn’t), and how intensity, volume, and movement selection come into play. 



Let us know what you think --> podcasts@crossfit.com



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