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Scott and Gwenna Bradley are the heart and backbone of Underground PDX, a nonprofit CrossFit affiliate that serves kids and families in one of Oregon’s most high-risk communities. In this episode, they open up about trauma, healing, and the power of love and consistency. 

Scott shares his personal story — from addiction and incarceration to ministry and coaching. Gwenna reflects on how structure, emotional regulation, and compassion allow them to reach kids dealing with poverty, violence, and instability. This isn’t just about workouts. It’s about showing up, building trust, and helping young people believe they matter.

Topics Included

• How Underground PDX began — and why Gwenna lets the kids choose their mentors.
• What Scott’s personal journey through addiction, abuse, and recovery taught him about serving youth.
• How Gwenna balances structure with compassion to reach kids labeled “too difficult.”
• The emotional cost of building trust — and why a hug might matter more than a PR.
• Why they’re now training the next generation of coaches from within their own block.

Resources Mentioned

• Underground PDX (https://undergroundpdx.org)
• Hope Center PDX
• CrossFit Grit 346
• Steve’s Club (now FYR)

Community Highlight: 

Erin Rees has owned an affiliate before. But this one — CrossFit Comeback — is different.

After hiding her own struggles with alcohol during her first run as a gym owner, Erin eventually hit a breaking point. With the support of her family and a treatment program, she got sober. And when she found her way back to CrossFit in 2022, it became part of her healing.

Now, she’s giving that same lifeline to others.

At CrossFit Comeback in Clinton, Mississippi, Erin and her husband run a free class specifically for individuals in recovery. They train for 30 minutes — then sit together and talk about recovery. Nine of those 25 participants have become full members.

As Erin puts it: “It’s never too late for a comeback.”

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Cristina Anderson’s journey from complete lack of self-belief to a Certified CrossFit Level 4 Coach and Seminar Staff member is nothing short of extraordinary. In this powerful episode, Cristina opens up to Denise about what it took to shift from self-doubt to service, and how she’s using her voice and experience to reshape what fitness looks and feels like.

She shares the hard moments — from imposter syndrome to the childhood shame that fueled her transformation — and the triumphs, including finding her place on the red shirt team and rewriting the story for her daughters. 

Topics Included

• Overcoming imposter syndrome 
• Redefining fitness and who gets to be an athlete
• Breaking family cycles of shame and body image
• The role of courage, mentorship, and motherhood in leadership

Resources Mentioned

• CrossFit Level 1, 2, 3, and 4 Courses
• World-Class Fitness in 100 Words
• Presidential Fitness Test (referenced from childhood)

Community Highlight

Vilma Gray isn’t just a coach — she’s a force for real change in Ocala, Florida.

A Level 3 trainer, GRID League athlete, and owner of CrossFit E-Fit since 2017, Vilma leads with heart and purpose. She builds true community, teaches members to own their health, and lives the CrossFit methodology every day.

From cancer and stroke survivors to competitive athletes, Vilma’s work is changing lives — one class, one conversation, one person at a time.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

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Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=014 

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Jocelyn Rylee is leading the charge to bring nutrition back to the center of the CrossFit conversation. A longtime affiliate owner, Seminar Staff trainer, and leader of the in-person CrossFit Nutrition Course, 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.

Resources Mentioned

• Nutrition for the Every CrossFit Athlete (New Course, led by Jocelyn) → https://www.crossfit.com/nutrition-for-the-everyday-crossfit-athlete 
• “What Is Fitness” by Greg Glassman (2002)
• CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Manuals
• World-Class Fitness in 100 Words
• “The Zone Diet” by Dr. Barry Sears
• “Humans as Cookingvores” (Scientific paper referenced)

Community Highlight

CrossFit Optimistic is owned by Mike Martinez in San Antonio, Texas. Years ago, Mike and his wife Angelina walked away from corporate jobs and big salaries in pursuit of something more meaningful. For Mike, an Army veteran still serving in the reserves, that meant giving back to the veteran community. In the early days, the gym focused heavily on charitable work and programs for wounded warriors and adaptive athletes. From training three adaptive athletes on their way to the Paralympics to hosting teams like the Korean Adaptive Sled Hockey Team, CrossFit Optimistic became a national haven for adaptive training. 

Looking back, Mike says the hard times were worth it. He makes a modest living, gets to coach alongside his now-adult kids, and isn’t chasing more. When we asked what’s next, he smiled and said, “What do you do when your life exceeds your dreams?”

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

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Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=013 

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Dr. Chris Palmer — Harvard psychiatrist, researcher, and author of “Brain Energy” — joins Denise Thomas to explore the connection between metabolic and mental health. He shares how his mother’s tragic mental illness shaped his path, why current treatments often fail, and how lifestyle interventions like CrossFit can be life-saving tools for people suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Together, they discuss the science behind epigenetics, mitochondria, and lifestyle medicine — and why people aren’t lazy, they’re hopeless. Palmer outlines how nutrition, sleep, exercise, and human connection can reprogram the brain, and challenges the CrossFit community to widen its doors to people battling mental illness.

Topics Included:

• The root cause of mental illness as metabolic dysfunction
• Palmer’s personal and professional motivation to reform psychiatry
• The role of lifestyle interventions, including CrossFit, in mental health recovery
• Hopelessness vs. laziness and how to meet people where they are
• The limitations of conventional medicine and the promise of functional approaches
• How the CrossFit community can better support people with mental illness

Resources Mentioned:

• Book: “Brain Energy” by Dr. Chris Palmer
• brainenergy.com – newsletter, case studies, and lifestyle tips: https://www.brainenergy.com 
• chrispalmermd.com – academic publications and medical research
• Nonprofit: The Phoenix – fitness-based recovery for people overcoming addiction: https://thephoenix.org 
• Theoretical Hierarchy of the Development of an Athlete (CrossFit)
• World-Class Fitness in 100 Words (CrossFit foundational nutrition philosophy)

Community Highlight:

David Guedin is a longtime physiotherapist in France who has dedicated his career to working with children who have motor function disabilities. After discovering CrossFit and experiencing its benefits firsthand, David was determined to bring the methodology to his patients. When his center required more evidence before adopting the approach, David took it upon himself to conduct a research study on high-intensity strength training for children with cerebral palsy. Today, he runs CrossFit Metamorphose, a program specifically designed to train children with disabilities using CrossFit principles. David is passionate about expanding access and encourages more coaches to step into this space, offering his support to anyone ready to get started.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

Share Your Thoughts: 

Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=011 

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Former Marine Brian “Tosh” Chontosh joins Denise Thomas for a clear-eyed conversation about struggle, comparison, and leadership. Tosh explains why morning routines are overrated, what it really means to be kind — to others and yourself — and how most people are chasing the wrong things. 

In this episode, Tosh and Denise dig into the mind’s mind, the lie of perfection, and why effort matters more than outcome. From his time in combat to ultra-endurance events and founding Crooked Butterfly Ranch, Tosh breaks down how to stop performing and start leading. 

Topics Included:

• Morning routines, self-kindness, and mindset
  
• Struggle with self-doubt, expectations, and comparison
  
• Crooked Butterfly Ranch and Diesel Day philosophy
  
• “Mind’s mind” and the left-hand check-in framework
  
• Leadership, effort, and growth through challenge and adversity

Resources Mentioned:

• “Chop Wood Carry Water” by Joshua Medcalf
• “The War of Art” by Steven Pressfield
  
• The “mind’s mind” and “left-hand check-in” frameworks (developed by Tosh)
  
• Crooked Butterfly Ranch
  
• Diesel Day
  
• Tosh’s podcast: The Crooked Butterfly Podcast
  

Community Highlight:

This week, we’re highlighting Louise Goodman, a coach at CrossFit Bytown in Ottawa, Canada, and the founder of Unbroken Recovery, a nonprofit offering CrossFit classes for people in recovery. The idea started seven years ago when Louise and a sober friend attended a Friday CrossFit night class that reminded them of an AA meeting. That spark led to the creation of a dedicated recovery class, which has since grown to 160 members and now operates out of multiple gyms. Louise hopes to one day open her own nonprofit CrossFit affiliate. 

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

Share Your Thoughts: 

Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=010 

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Helen Taylor, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer and fourth degree black belt, is the founder of Core City CrossFit Kids, a nonprofit organization in Detroit, Michigan, dedicated to transforming the lives of underprivileged youth through fitness, mentorship, and community.In this episode, Helen talks with Denise Thomas about the realities of running a nonprofit in an under-resourced community, the challenges of earning trust, and what it takes to keep kids engaged both inside and outside the gym. She also shares how Core City CrossFit Kids has become more than just a fitness program — it’s a space where kids find consistency, support, and leadership opportunities they don’t get anywhere else.

Topics Included:

• Helen’s background in martial arts and transition to CrossFit
• The origins of Core City CrossFit Kids and the challenges of starting a nonprofit
• The role of fitness in addressing mental health, depression, and food insecurity
• Building trust with youth in underprivileged communities
• Collaborating with local schools, law enforcement, and community leaders

Resources Mentioned:

• Core City CrossFit Kids: https://www.instagram.com/corecitycrossfitkids
• Core City Documentary: find it at @corecityfilm or here; special thanks to Shadow Creek Films and Corban Aspegren for a great film: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVyG_QdW0CY 
• Contact Helen: For donations, volunteering, or inquiries, email corecitycrossfitkids@gmail.com

Community Highlight:

This week, we’re highlighting Jessie Dudley, a former elementary school teacher who now runs Organización de Amigos, a nonprofit breaking down financial barriers to sports and fitness for kids and teens. Jessie has opened two CrossFit affiliates in schools with another in the works, aiming to expand across Washington County, Oregon. She’s currently looking for CrossFit coaches for paid roles.

Learn more at www.organizaciondeamigos.com or follow @organizaciondeamigos.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here: https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ

Share Your Thoughts: 

Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here: https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=008

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In this episode, CrossFit CEO Don Faul shares how he handles the pressures of decision-making at CrossFit HQ and why he’s still chasing improvement every year. Along the way, Don reflects on the energy of the community, where the company is heading, and his years of CrossFit before becoming the CEO. Don opens up on topics that matter to the CrossFit community — like the future of CrossFit. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his personal life — from being a dad and a CEO to trash talk at his 6 a.m. CrossFit class.

Topics Covered:

• The 2025 CrossFit Open 
• Decision-making as the CEO of CrossFit and managing community feedback
• Personal stories from his family life and military days
• The sale of CrossFit and state of the CrossFit brand

Resources Mentioned:

• Don’s appearance on The Jocko Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15Tw-jBFodc 
• Don’s competition dashboard → https://games.crossfit.com/athlete/767005 
• Kicking and Screaming, Will Ferrell as a soccer dad → https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UgLlssX0gBQ 
• March 2025 Affiliate Town Hall Recap (Affiliate Toolkit –  login required) → https://affiliate.crossfit.com/tools/home 

Community Highlight:

Brian Boucher and his wife, Gabby, opened MidState CrossFit in 2014 in Merced, California, with a goal to create a community so solid that it exists for decades to come. One of the ways Brian is making a lasting impact is through MidState CrossFit’s adaptive athlete program, which provides training for athletes with both mental and physical disabilities. His commitment to his members goes far beyond the norm — he’s known for handwriting birthday letters to all of his members. Brian’s leadership is rooted in connection, proving that CrossFit is about more than just fitness — it’s about creating a community where people build self-efficacy and find belonging.

Visit MidState CrossFit → https://www.midstatecrossfit.com/

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ

Share Your Thoughts: Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=007

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