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Nicole Carroll, Denise Thomas, and Craig Howard with text FORGING ELITE FITNESS IS BACK LIVE PODCAST thumbnail

[LIVE] Understanding the Return to Forging Elite Fitness® (EP. 048)

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On November 7, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

“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

Follow us on YouTube to join us every Thursday at 10 am PT.

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Thumbnail image of host Denise Thomas with Text #49 The Viral Teacher Who Tried CrossFit and small screen in screen image of guest Dr. Fatty Acid completing a deadlift at her gym

The Story Behind the Viral @When_Nerds_Teach – Meet Dr. Fatty Acid (EP. 049)

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On November 3, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

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.

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

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[LIVE] The Value of Competition (EP. 044)

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On October 31, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

Follow us on YouTube to join us every Thursday at 10 am PT.

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Jocelyn Rylee, Josh Plosker, and Zia Rohrbaugh with CrossFIt Medical Society logo and the words THE NEXT REVOLUTION

[CFMS SERIES] The Healthcare Revolution Starts in The Affiliate (EP. 047)

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On October 27, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

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.

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

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

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Seth PAge, Dave castro, and James Hobart featured behind text that reads Are the CrossFit Games and CrossFit Incompatible? LIVE PODCAST

[LIVE] The Relationship Between the CrossFit Games and CrossFit (EP. 046)

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On October 24, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

Follow us on YouTube to join us every Thursday at 10 am PT.

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Thumbnail image of Calley Means with an image of healthy foods surrounding a pile of pills and the CrossFit Medical Society Logo with the text Public Health's Cultural Awakening

[CFMS SERIES] Calley Means and the Fight to Fix a Broken Healthcare System (EP. 045)

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On October 20, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

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.

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[LIVE] Every CrossFit Gym Should Do This (EP. 042)

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On October 15, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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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Thumbnail image that features host Jocelyn Rylee and guests Nick Wells and Gino Aviles with the CrossFit Medical Society Logo and the words CrossFit in Prison

[CFMS SERIES] CrossFit Behind Bars: Freedom, Sobriety, and Leadership (EP. 043)

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On October 13, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

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.

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[LIVE] Inside CrossFit Programming (EP. 040)

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On October 11, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

Follow us on YouTube to join future livestreams.

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Thumbnail image of Jocelyn Rylee with Matt Souza and Jason Fernandez and logo of CrossFit Medical Society and text that says "It's not that hard"

[CFMS SERIES] Top Affiliate Owners on the No. 1 Limiter to Growth (EP. 041)

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On October 6, 2025

In The CrossFit Podcast

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

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.

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