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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Join us LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m. If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

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.



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

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.



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



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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.



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



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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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Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

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.”



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

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.”



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

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



In this episode, Jason Fernandez, longtime coach, Seminar Staff member, and co-founder of Best Hour of Their Day, and Matt Souza, 12-year affiliate owner of CrossFit Livermore, join host Jocelyn Rylee to dig into the overlooked fundamentals of hospitality, first impressions, and soft skills in CrossFit gyms.



They share hard-earned lessons on onboarding, reducing friction, building community, and why trust is the ultimate currency. Understand the type of service top CrossFit affiliates provide and how that’s the road to reducing the intimidation factor. 



Topics Covered




Why hospitality is as important as coaching skills



How first impressions shape member retention



Onboarding systems that actually work



Reducing friction inside and outside the gym



Collaboration between affiliates and local businesses



Building trust as the ultimate foundation of community




4. Resources Mentioned




Level 1 and Level 2 Seminar Courses



AffiliateCon [Oct 24-26, 2025, Dallas, TX]



CrossFitLivermore.com (affiliate website example)



Will Guidara’s book “Unreasonable Hospitality”




Community Highlight



David Needham seems to do it all: full-time firefighter, owner of two CrossFit affiliates, contributor to WheelWOD and the Adaptive CrossFit Games, and mentor to other affiliate owners on business growth.



One of his biggest passions is serving on the Adaptive Athlete Foundation of Maryland, where he helps athletes secure life-changing prosthetics through insurance. Watching someone regain the ability to move and train is what drives him most.



And when asked what CrossFit means to him, David’s answer is simple … and very firefighter:“Because of CrossFit, I can save people from burning buildings.”



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

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



This week, we welcome Daniel Chaffey, a longtime leader in the CrossFit space. He owns CrossFit Louvre in Paris, one of Europe’s most established affiliates with over 3,100 members across three locations. 



He also founded the major European competition, The French Throwdown, and Operating With Excellence, a workshop platform dedicated to helping affiliate owners build thriving businesses. 



In this conversation, host Jocelyn Rylee dives into the essentials of CrossFit affiliates with Daniel: leadership, hospitality, and community. Chaffey, known for never mincing words, shares point-blank perspectives on everything from the future of CrossFit to the responsibility of affiliates in shaping that future. 



Topics Covered




The role of leadership in affiliate success and sustainability



The difference between service and hospitality in gyms



Building and maintaining community in CrossFit



CrossFit’s role in health across generations



Optimism, anxiety, and the future direction of CrossFit



The importance of education and HQ’s role in supporting affiliates




Resources Mentioned




Jordan Peterson/Peterson Academy (leadership courses)



Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (applied to member experience)



CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Courses



Affiliate gatherings/events (e.g., Banff, Canadian Affiliate Gathering)




Community Highlight



Saxon Panchik is having a full-circle moment.



With six CrossFit Games appearances, he’s now putting more energy into giving back to the community that built him.



His message:




Get into an affiliate and be active.



Uplift those around you.



Keep each other accountable.




“It is life-changing. We all have things we wish we knew when starting our fitness journey. Take a minute to share that with someone just beginning.”



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

Over the next few weeks, we’re rolling out something different: a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. Why? Because the CFMS isn’t sitting quietly on the sidelines. They are in the fight to cure chronic disease and put affiliates in the driver’s seat as the true health homes of their communities. This is a grassroots health revolution, and everyone should be paying attention. The mission is simple: empower affiliates, coaches, and members with real tools to reclaim their health and step out of the sickness economy. No quick fixes. Just CrossFit.



In this episode, Dr. Tom McCoy and Jenn Pishko, founders of the CrossFit Medical Society, join host Jocelyn Rylee to break down how affiliates can become the front line of community-based health care.



Recorded live at the 2025 CrossFit Owners and Coaches Conference and the 2025 CrossFit Games, the conversation digs into physician burnout, the launch of CommunityCare, and why the affiliate model is poised to be the future of preventative health.



Topics Covered




Burnout rates in primary care and why doctors are leaving medicine



How CrossFit affiliates can act as community health hubs



Launch of the CrossFit Medical Society and its goals



CommunityCare: a new model challenging U.S. health insurance



Biomarkers, bone density, and measures of health in CrossFit



Building trust between affiliates, coaches, and members



Shifting from “sick care” to true preventative health




Resources Mentioned




CrossFit Medical Society



CommunityCare program



Biomarker Hub



CEUs and CMEs




Community Highlight



Bobby Peters is the assistant superintendent of a rural California school district. He’s also an L2 trainer, a garage gym guy, and the founder of CrossFit Sierra Pacific, a nonprofit affiliate based in a public high school.⠀



It started small. A few local P.E. teachers got their L1s. Then came a weight-room renovation, a CrossFit course for students, and a 5 a.m. class open to any staff who wanted to move before the school day.



But Bobby didn’t stop there.



He helped launch a CrossFit program inside a juvenile incarceration facility. The setup is simple — bikes, sandbags, bodyweight movements — but the impact is massive.



“These kids didn’t talk to each other at first,” Bobby says. “Now they cheer each other on. They fist bump. They give feedback. It’s completely different.



”Bobby’s building confidence, leadership, and the possibility of a different path. His vision is clear: help these kids earn their L1s and reenter the world with something real.



He’s also pushing to get CrossFit recognized as a state-approved high school fitness curriculum — and he’s laying the groundwork to make it happen.



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

Nutrition is one of the most debated topics in health and fitness — and it’s central to CrossFit’s methodology. 



In this livestream, host James Hobart sits down with Jocelyn Rylee, Joe Alexander, and Jenn Pishko to talk nutrition. The conversation tackles CrossFit’s nutrition principles, how they apply in real life, and what the science actually says.



With so many competing voices in the space, we cut through the noise to address strategies for everyday CrossFit athletes, elite athletes, and those battling chronic disease. Expect honest discussion on food quality vs. quantity, calories in vs. calories out, the 80/20 rule, food addiction, and more.



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



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We talk about “the standard” in CrossFit all the time — but what does it really mean?



In this livestream, Denise Thomas sits down with Nicole Carroll, Chase Ingraham, and Adrian Conway to get real about what it takes to hold the standard in our gyms and on the competition floor.



The crew digs into where the standard came from, why it matters, and what happens when we don’t uphold it. They’ll break down coaching, defining fitness, and the ultimate goals of health and performance longevity. 



Expect a candid conversation about what “holding the standard” actually means, why it matters, and how we’re doing on hitting the goal. 



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



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Zach Long, DPT, better known as The Barbell Physio, joins Jocelyn Rylee to dig into the myths and realities around CrossFit injuries, mobility, programming, and long-term health. They unpack the latest research, expose scientific bias, and share practical strategies for athletes, coaches, and affiliate owners.



Read Zach’s point-by-point refutation of misleading CrossFit research here.



Zach brings his perspective as a physical therapist and longtime member of the CrossFit community to explain how to train through injury, why less is often more in mobility and programming, and how CrossFit has and continues to evolve.



Topics Covered




Is CrossFit dangerous? Injury data vs. public perception



How mobility training should actually work



Scientific integrity and fighting back against biased research



Training through injury vs. taking time off



Building medical-professional networks around affiliates



Programming pitfalls: volume vs. intensity and coaching time



Why complex skills (like the snatch) belong in CrossFit



Older adults as a critical growth area for affiliates



Zach’s advice for athletes, coaches, and the future of CrossFit




Resources Mentioned




Zach’s website: thebarbellphysio.com



Zach on Instagram/Facebook: @thebarbellphysio



CrossFit.com – Scientific Integrity Under Fire article



Zach’s YouTube channel: The Barbell Physio




Community Highlight



Trevor Pogue started CrossFit in 2020 with no lifting background and no plans to stick around. But it flipped everything.



He was working in medical research at the University of Florida, first in cancer, then anesthesiology, when he realized something: many of the problems hospitals treat could be prevented through lifestyle.⠀



In 2023, he bought CrossFit 1088, a small affiliate in Ocala, Florida that was about to shut down. The name comes from the gym’s youngest and oldest original members: 10 and 88. That spirit — CrossFit for everyone — is what Trevor is rebuilding.⠀



He took over with 32 members. A year later, they’re at 120 and growing.⠀



At their last anniversary party, Trevor watched 88-year-old Martha climb a massive water slide and fly down it while younger members stood by saying, “No way.”⠀



“That’s why we do CrossFit,” he said.



Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.



Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.

We’re sitting down to have an honest, nuanced conversation about Ozempic (semaglutide), other GLP-1 drugs, and their role in lifestyle intervention and health. We want to understand who benefits, who profits, and what the implications are for individuals, coaches, and the broader CrossFit community. 



The goal is not to provide all the answers or be the experts, but to create space for a thoughtful discussion around an important and highly visible issue, especially in light of GLP-1 provider Ro’s recent sponsored post featuring Serena Williams. 



Host Denise Thomas is joined by Dr. Tom McCoy, Jocelyn Rylee, and Joe Alexander. 



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



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