The CrossFit Podcast

Congrats on making it to the end of the 2026 CrossFit Quarterfinals, presented by Velites! Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks. — Jocelyn Rylee is leading the charge to bring nutrition back to the center of the CrossFit conversation. A longtime affiliate owner and Seminar Staff trainer, Jocelyn blends science, education, and deep experience in her approach to food and fitness.In this episode, Denise and Jocelyn dig into the foundations of health, the evolution of nutrition in the CrossFit world, and the difference between eating for performance and eating for longevity. You’ll walk away rethinking your plate and your pantry. Topics Included Why nutrition is foundational to the CrossFit methodology. The Zone diet and the early culture of CrossFit nutrition. The difference between performance eating and long-term health. Why we need to cook again — and how it made us human. Practical, simple, and realistic steps to address nutrition.

Congrats on making it to the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard!  Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy this episode with of our community favorites, Nick Wells and Gino Aviles.  — 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

From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed.  Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard. 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. 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

From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed.  Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard. Sign up at games.crossfit.com. 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

From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed.  Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard. Sign up at games.crossfit.com.  —- 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. Check out the latest content with Dr. Fatty Acid here.

We’re all in on prep for the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard. In the meantime, enjoy some of our favorite episodes, dropped in this feed every two weeks. We’ll be back after the Open concludes with fresh content that explores the latest research on a variety of topics in health and fitness with subject matter experts. Don’t forget to register: games.crossfit.com and we’ll see you on the leaderboard!

Dr. Kelly Starrett joins the CrossFit Podcast to look back on the early days of CrossFit and ahead to what the next 20 years can become. From finding CrossFit through a grainy GIF in the early 2000s to opening one of the first affiliates in the world, Starrett reflects on the ideas that shaped the methodology and the lessons learned through decades of coaching athletes, Olympians, and everyday people. This conversation explores durability over time, why pain is not a failure but a request for change, and how movement quality, range of motion, and basic strength set the foundation for performance at every age. Starrett and host Jocelyn Rylee dig into the future of CrossFit, from longevity and conditioning to the irreplaceable value of affiliates as places built around coaching and community. This episode is an honest look at what CrossFit has always been about and what it can become if we apply what we have learned. Topics Covered The early days of CrossFit and the original affiliate culture Mobility, durability, and reframing pain in training Why youth athletes need movement literacy before specialization Training for sport versus training only for fitness The future of CrossFit and longevity-focused strength and conditioning Resources Mentioned The Ready State Becoming a Supple Leopard by Kelly Starrett Built to Move by Kelly Starrett and Juliet Starrett 800-Gram Challenge Power Monkey Fitness The Anxious Generation Kelly on Social Instagram Facebook Tiktok X YouTube Community Highlight Kristin Savage grew up around autoimmune disease. By age 5, she was dealing with joint inflammation, and years later, she was formally diagnosed with lupus. She found CrossFit in 2012 and later trained and coached at CrossFit Gambit, where she was mentored by Kelly Jackson. Kristin earned her Level 1 and Level 2 Trainer credentials and now has aspirations to pursue her Level 4. After a severe flare-up forced her to reassess how she trained, Kristin shifted her focus to nutrition, recovery, and scaled training — learning to work in rhythm with her body instead of against it. Within a year, she qualified for Desert City. Today, Kristin coaches CrossFit in Las Vegas and spends much of her energy helping others navigate training and chronic illness — sharing what she’s learned through experience. Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.

CrossFit was born from curiosity, trial and error, and the willingness to test ideas in real time. In this conversation, host Jocelyn Rylee and senior content writer Stephane Rochet revisit the roots of that culture and explore why self-experimentation remains one of the most powerful tools for improving performance, health, and well-being. They reflect on the early days of nutrition inside CrossFit, the experiments that shaped their own training, and why results-driven thinking cuts through dogma. From zone ratios to carb backloading, fasting, fruit fasts, and the realities of changing needs across life stages, this episode highlights how paying attention, tracking outcomes, and staying open-minded can reshape your relationship with food and training. Topics Covered The origins of self experimentation within CrossFit culture How to define “what’s working” in training and nutrition Lessons learned from decades of nutrition experiments Adjusting habits across changing life stages Building life skills around food, tracking, and personal agency Resources Mentioned Barry Sears and the Zone Mark Bell Mike Burgener Jocko Willink Community HighlightAmy and Jim Gay have been part of CrossFit Adaptation for over a decade. Last year, they became the gym’s new owners and quickly faced a challenge. Located just outside D.C., many members were hit hard by recent federal job cuts. One by one, people were getting laid off and preparing to cancel their memberships. Amy and Jim didn’t flinch. They told them, “Just keep coming in.”Then a coach had an idea: start a sponsorship program. Now, members with the means can chip in — either once or monthly — to cover membership costs for others going through tough times. The response has been huge. When things got hard, the community didn’t shrink. It stepped up. Amy and Jim’s advice to other affiliate owners? Don’t treat your gym like a normal business. The real magic is in the details — staying close, listening, and showing up. Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.

This marks the tenth and final episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society.  Dan Uyemura, founder and CEO of PushPress, has a rare vantage point: data from thousands of CrossFit affiliates around the world. In this conversation, he breaks down what separates thriving gyms from struggling ones, why engagement matters more than marketing, and how technology can amplify, not replace, the human experience at the heart of CrossFit. From the “golden rule” for new members to the psychology behind retention, Dan and host Jocelyn Rylee dig into how affiliate owners can build stronger communities, smarter systems, and more sustainable businesses. TOPICS INCLUDED The data behind retention: what predicts whether members stay The connection between engagement, referrals, and sales How to onboard new members without making them feel stupid Using technology (and AI) to support, not replace, community Community Highlight The FDNY Barbell Club doesn’t just fight fires. They train like their lives depend on it. Founded in 2019 by firefighter Rick Roman, the department’s official CrossFit team blends competition, camaraderie, and accountability inside a firehouse gym outfitted with ropes, rowers, and barbells. They push through classic CrossFit workouts, monthly throwdowns, and competitions from local events to the World Police and Fire Games, where Roman and his teammates recently landed on the podium. For them, every rep has a deeper purpose: staying ready. In full gear, firefighters carry 60 to 130 lb into life-or-death situations, and CrossFit builds the strength, stamina, and grit they need when the alarm bell rings. “You want to do it right, do it hard, and make sure everyone goes home.” Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [[email protected]]

The CrossFit Podcast team is pulling back the curtain for this special episode. Get a look behind the scenes at what it took to restart the CrossFit Podcast, what we learned the hard way, and the top moments of the show in 2025.  Spend a little bit of your holiday season with us — Denise Thomas, Jocelyn Rylee, and Maggie Mullen. We hope this episode brings you some holiday cheer, ideas for what to binge next, and a bit of perspective on what matters most. From all of us to you and your family — both CrossFit and nuclear — happy holidays, and please tell us how 12 Days of Christmas (or whatever WOD you’re hitting) goes.  Topics Covered Why CrossFit brought the podcast back and what changed in 2025. The turning point episode: Has CrossFit Lost Its Soul With James Hobart. Why we do this podcast – the most meaningful moments. Top five episodes worth revisiting from 2025. Episodes Mentioned Top Five Episodes Worth Revisiting Dr. Chris Palmer Episode James Hobart Episode Dr. Fatty Acid Episode Dr. Allison Brager Episode Nicole Carroll Episode 1 Community and Culture Show Forging Elite Fitness The Standard Big Impact Nick Wells and Gino Aviles (Redemption Road; Episode) Helen Taylor (Core City Kids; Episode) Scott and Gwenna Bradley (Underground PDX; Episode) Angie Manson (Elevate Addiction Services; Episode) Sara Wilkinson (Step Up Foundation; Episode) Other Mentions Dr. Rhonda Patrick Episode Maggie Mullen Episode Resources Mentioned Nikki Boyer “Brain Energy,” by Dr. Chris Palmer Brian Little, Ted Talk on Introversion and Extroversion Community Highlight CrossFit PolFed RAC exists because one officer, Pierre De Pelsemaeker-Godart, kept sharing something he cared about. In 2010, when his team in the Brussels Federal Judicial Police moved into an unfinished government building, Pierre had just discovered CrossFit. With no gym, no equipment, and no dedicated space, he organized workouts wherever he could—outside in the park, inside the office, and eventually in an empty underground concrete room. Pierre led his colleagues in building a training space from scratch using pallets, cardboard, and bodyweight movements. More officers joined because the workouts were simple, consistent, and open to anyone. By 2014, a small sports room became their home base. They pooled money for second-hand equipment, competed in the CrossFit Open, and officially founded the nonprofit CrossFit PolFed RAC. Years later, the affiliate is still active, serving dozens of members, because one person believed training together could change his workplace — and did the work to make it real. Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [[email protected]].

In this episode, Denise Thomas sits down with Mark England, co-founder of Enlifted Coaching, to unpack the real meaning of “mindset,” not as a buzzword, but as the story you tell yourself. A former MMA fighter turned educator, Mark shares how injuries and failure led him to discover transformational wordsmithing: the process of changing your internal dialogue to change your life. He walks through practical tools that anyone, especially coaches and athletes, can use to rewrite limiting stories, calm their nervous system, and reclaim control through language and breath. This one’s part conversation, part masterclass. Grab a pen. TOPICS INCLUDED The link between words, breath, and awareness How victim mentality is formed and how to dismantle it The “soft talk” words that cause indecision and stress Real-time application: Denise and Mark’s live exercise on rewriting limiting beliefs RESOURCES MENTIONED Enlifted Coaching Mark England’s TED Talk Barbell Shrugged Podcast (Mark’s 2017 episode) Best Hour of Their Day Coaching Program CrossFit Paradiso (Venice, California) Community Highlight After two car accidents and a diagnosis of early-stage Parkinson’s, Becky Johnson refused to give up. Just days after spine surgery, she walked into CrossFit Loco Ocho — neck brace and all — to do her version of Murph. “Having a strong baseline of fitness prepares you for whatever life throws your way,” she says. “This is the sickness-wellness-fitness continuum in action. I got a devastating diagnosis, but I already had the antidote.” Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [[email protected]].

This marks the ninth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society.  Italy once held one of the lowest obesity rates in the developed world, but that’s changing fast. CrossFit Country Manager and longtime affiliate owner Matteo Pozzati joins the show to talk about the cultural shift in Italy, the rise of chronic disease, and how CrossFit is stepping in to rebuild true health from the ground up. Matteo shares his journey from coaching in Venice to teaching hospital workers how to move safely, leading Italy’s affiliate community, and fighting to preserve CrossFit’s identity amid the noise of mainstream fitness. He and host Jocelyn Rylee discuss why elite coaching matters, how education is the bridge to better health, and what it’ll take to connect CrossFit affiliates and healthcare systems worldwide. Topics Covered The decline of the Mediterranean diet and rise of chronic disease in Italy Bringing CrossFit methodology into hospitals and health care education Building bridges between affiliates and medical professionals Preserving CrossFit’s identity and elite coaching standards Nutrition, culture, and the return to traditional food practices The global challenge of connecting CrossFit to health systems Community Highlight For nearly two decades, Erin Richter has been fighting for health on the front lines — and refusing to give up. She opened CrossFit Old School in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in 2008, staying there, as she put it, “because this was the area that needed it the most.” Today, her affiliate serves kids as young as 3 and adults in their 80s. She partners with addiction recovery centers, supports people with disabilities, and helps those told they’d never squat again find their strength. She’s built nonprofits, raised thousands for local causes, and worked with the state to bring CrossFit into public schools. Erin doesn’t chase PRs or the spotlight, just impact. In a city dubbed the “Obesity Capital of the U.S.,” she’s quietly changing lives every day. Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [[email protected]].

This marks the eighth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society.  CrossFit Podcast producer Maggie Mullen steps out from backstage for a raw, unfiltered conversation about body image, nutrition, and the culture of CrossFit. From her early days as a competitor and fueling to perform, to finding balance, Maggie opens up about food neurosis, body dysmorphia, and an alternative view of diet culture. This episode digs into the tension between discipline and obsession, aesthetics and health, and what it really means to chase your best self inside the gym and out. TOPICS INCLUDED How CrossFit reshaped Maggie’s relationship with food and body image Body positivity vs. fat shaming — and finding a “third way” The role of CrossFit in building self-awareness and resilience CrossFit as moving meditation and mental health therapy RESOURCES MENTIONED M2 Performance Nutrition Community Highlight Duncan Seawell is a clinical psychologist and the president of Forging Youth Resilience (FYR), a nonprofit helping gyms open their doors to kids who otherwise couldn’t access CrossFit. He launched a Steve’s Club chapter in Denver in 2015 and helped shape FYR into what it is today: a network of 20 active clubs reaching thousands of youth, from foster care to incarceration to kids just trying to find their place. FYR partners with schools, gyms, and foster homes to deliver trauma-informed CrossFit, covering coaching, transportation, and nutrition. But its heart is FYR Camp, a week-long mountain retreat where kids train, hike, and sit in nightly circles to share their stories. “It’s sort of a group therapy light context,” Duncan says. “One kid says, ‘I’ve been through this,’ and another says, ‘Me too.’ The power of that connection is amazing.” As Duncan puts it: “Kids are growing unhealthier in all kinds of ways — physical, mental, metabolic. The solution is prevention. Our job is to make sure no kid is kept out of a gym because of money.” Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [[email protected]].

Dr. Nick (aka The Fittest Doc) joins Jocelyn Rylee to unpack how CrossFit shaped his approach to medicine. They dig into lifestyle versus pharmaceuticals, the role of identity in lasting change, and why doctors need to prioritize their own health. Topics Covered How CrossFit reshaped Dr. Nick’s discipline and medical practice Lifestyle-first vs. pharma-first approaches to chronic disease Performance as a predictor of future health Building credibility: Should doctors practice what they preach? The role of affiliates in bridging healthcare and community Resources Mentioned CrossFit for Health Summit Dr. Nick’s Website Community Highlight The Phoenix is built on one idea: recovery is stronger in community. Since 2006, they’ve reached nearly a million people impacted by substance use and mental health challenges — and CrossFit has become their most popular program. More than 100,000 people have found sobriety and support through Phoenix CrossFit classes, with 83% staying sober beyond the three-month mark. We spoke with Gavin Young, a Phoenix leader and longtime CrossFit athlete in recovery, who shared how daily progress in training — one more rep, one more pound, one more second — becomes a cornerstone in rebuilding lives. From Boston to Denver to Philadelphia, The Phoenix is proving what’s possible when fitness meets recovery: a resilient community built on hope, accountability, and shared struggle — one workout at a time. Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [[email protected]]

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.” Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [[email protected]] or complete our survey here. 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 [[email protected]] 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 –> [email protected] Follow us on YouTube to join us every Thursday at 10 am PT.