The CrossFit Podcast

What is Fitness, first published in October 2002, has provided the lightbulb moment for thousands of trainers who had been working in the fitness space but had never found the results they were looking for for themselves and their clients. Take a moment to listen, or relisten, to this article that lays the groundwork for why we do what we do in CrossFit.

A good coach takes the time to learn about their athletes. While the principles of scaling and movement quality always apply, knowing more about an athlete and their condition can help to develop better coach/athlete relationships, and in turn, better results. Mike Giardina (CF-L4) sat down with Melani Dizon, CF-L1 and Director of Education & Content at the Davis Phinney Foundation for Parkinson’s, to talk about the disease and provide insight for coaching athletes with Parkinson’s.

Originally published in April 2007, Foundations: The CrossFit prescription is “constantly varied, high-intensity, functional movement.” No aspect of functional movements is more important than their capacity to move large loads over long distances, and to do so quickly. The methodology that drives CrossFit is entirely empirical. We believe that meaningful statements about safety, efficacy, and efficiency, the three most important and interdependent facets of any fitness program, can be supported only by measurable, observable, repeatable facts; i.e., data. We call this approach “evidence-based fitness.” The CrossFit methodology depends on full disclosure of methods, results, and criticisms, and we’ve employed the Internet (and various intranets) to support these values. Our charter is open source, making co-developers out of participating coaches, athletes, and trainers through a spontaneous and collaborative online community. CrossFit is empirically driven, clinically tested, and community developed.

Daniel Chaffey, International Director for CrossFit, LLC sits down with Stephane Rochet (CF-L3) to discuss the development and growth of affiliates around the world. Daniel also discusses the roles of CrossFit's Country Managers in the community and how they support CrossFit Affiliates.

Originally published in April 2002, Foundations is one of those articles that CrossFit coaches should read and reread frequently. In many ways, it’s the original “beginner’s guide” to CrossFit, and the nuggets contained within it will help every CrossFit coach articulate the finer points of our program to any athlete. Listen to the article on the CrossFit Podcast.

In this interview, Thomas DeLauer, Dave Castro, and Mike Giardina discuss performance on a low-carbohydrate diet and Thomas and Dave’s 35-mile ruck. The first part of the video digs into the appropriateness of a low-carbohydrate diet while trying to perform well in CrossFit. Dave Castro shares some of his own experiences training on a low-carb diet, explaining how his performance didn’t change much but he felt much better overall. Thomas DeLauer provides some strategies for using carbohydrates effectively to improve performance while on a low-carbohydrate diet, but he also explains that most people entering the CrossFit gym could benefit from strict adherence to a low-carb approach to improve their metabolic flexibility. The second half of the interview digs deep into Thomas and Dave’s 35-mile ruck while fasted and wearing a 35-lb pack. The two of them go back and forth as they discuss the dietary protocol prior to starting the ruck, the plan to avoid cramping, the science behind different “schools” of fasting, ketone production and its impact on performance, and some of the mental and physiological responses to doing an enduring event without taking in any calories. The CrossFit Podcast is also available on: iTunesGoogle PlayYouTube

Dive into the analytical mind of affiliate owner and coach Rubio Graciano (CF-L2) as he describes the level system he created to develop and motivate well-rounded CrossFitters at his gym. Overlaid with the sickness, wellness, and fitness continuum, this protocol helps athletes to identify weaknesses, stay focused on what matters, and objectively measure and improve their fitness for a lifetime. Watch Rubio's 225-lb Grace. The CrossFit Podcast is also available on: iTunesGoogle PlayYouTube

CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman describes the current health crisis as “The Mess.” With the addition of CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Courses specifically for health-care providers, “we’re making an impact,” Glassman says. Dr. Douglas Michaelsen attended his MD L1 last weekend in Aromas, California. As an avid CrossFitter and a health-care provider, Dr. Michaelsen understands “The Mess” and he wants to help. Learn more about "The Mess" here: • Greg Glassman: The World's Most Vexing Problem • CrossFit Podcast Ep. 18.41: Greg Glassman and "The Mess" Sign up for the Email of the Day here! The CrossFit Podcast is also available on: iTunes Google Play YouTube

Regan Doele boldly posted “We Cure Type 2 Diabetes” on a sign outside his affiliate, Octane CrossFit, in Phoenix, Arizona. CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman is on a mission to enlist doctors, medical professionals and affiliate owners who understand “The Mess." Doele and Octane CrossFit caught Coach Glassman's attention. CrossFit affiliates have and will continue to cure Type 2 Diabetes.

CrossFit transformed Eric Conklin’s life in more ways than he could have imagined. He was obese, diabetic, anxious and depressed. Two years ago Eric changed his lifestyle. He started moving and eating clean. He attributes the support of his MW CrossFit family for guiding him on his transformation journey. He has lost over 150 lb., and his doctor claims that he's cured of his Type 2 diabetes.

Ronnie Teasdale is back on the show. The crew covers a variety of topics, including coffee enemas, the Polaris Slingshot, drinking urine, practicing celibacy and more. Don’t miss the fun.

Fibromyalgia plagued Olivia Vollmar with migraines and back and joint pain. On top of the physical pain, Vollmar admits that she was also dealing with mental issues relating to depression and body image. “CrossFit saved my life,” she says.

Bryce Bennett is a member of the U.S. Ski Team. His specialty is downhill skiing, where you need sound technique, speed and physical fitness to be successful. Bennett began working out in the gym as part of his training for the U.S. Ski Team, but the training regimens with the team eventually led to injury. After developing a bulging disc, he decided to look into other options. A friend brought him into Park City CrossFit in Utah, and the rest is history. “I got absolutely smashed by a soccer mom,” Bennett says about his first CrossFit experience. At that point, he knew CrossFit training was something he needed to pursue. He started training in his hometown gym, CrossFit Blizzard, in Truckee, California. “This is how you train for any sport in the entire world,” he says.

Nicole Aucoin, founder of Healthy Steps Nutrition and author of “Nourish: Grow Your Nutrition Business From the Ground Up,” is on the show. Aucoin is a former hospital dietitian and decided that she needed a new outlet for helping people eat well. “I wanted to teach people to live to eat instead of eat to live,” she says. For more information on how to implement her nutrition program for yourself or at your affiliate, visit her website: https://growyournutritionbusiness.com/

You may recognize her from our CrossFit Journal feature, “Famished, Force-Fed, 450 Pounds—and Finally Fit.” Athena Perez once weighed 450 lb. and admits that she was terrified to walk into a CrossFit gym. After overcoming her fear, she has since lost over 200 lb. Now Perez says she feels completely comfortable at her box, CrossFit Lakeville. Read more about Athena's inspiring journey on her blog, "Bean There."