Brute Strength Podcast

What goes into building a major fitness competition from the ground up? Dylan Malitsky, head of WZA Sports, joins the Brute Training Podcast to give us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to produce events like WZA Miami and WZA SoCal.From weather contingencies and building venues on the sand to managing hundreds of vendors, broadcast production, athlete experience, and the Battle of the Camps, Dylan breaks down the work that happens long before athletes step onto the competition floor.We also talk about:Dylan's journey from starting CrossFit in 2011 to becoming a key part of WZA.The differences between WZA Miami and WZA SoCal.How the Battle of the Camps came together and the rivalry it brings to team competition.The real costs and logistical challenges of producing a large-scale fitness event.Why WZA is expanding beyond functional fitness into a broader fitness festival.The role competition can play in motivating people to train, eat better, and pursue healthier lifestyles.The future of WZA, including potential international expansion.If you've ever wondered what happens behind the scenes of a major CrossFit competition, this episode is for you.

What actually takes an elite CrossFit athlete to the next level: more strength, better positions, or smarter programming?Jesse Bifano and Coach El break down a real athlete profile, looking at squat ratios, bodyweight, biomechanics, bracing, bands, chains, and the difference between training strength in the gym and using it under competition pressure.They also discuss why training age can matter more than biological age, when gaining size is worth it, and how small technical changes can unlock bigger numbers.A deep dive into the details that move the strength needle.

A bulging disc at L5 took Emma Lawson off the 2025 CrossFit Open floor and forced her to rebuild from the ground up.In this episode of the Brute Training Podcast, Emma sits down with Nicole Torres to walk through the reality of her comeback and what it looked like, felt like, and took to get to where she is now. They cover what the injury felt like in training, the decision to sit the season out, how they programmed around pain instead of through it, and what it took to get Emma back on the competition floor for the World Fitness Project.We get into:-The moment the back went and why it was ignored at first-What a real rehab plan looks like for a Games-level athlete-How to train hard without blowing up the same tissue again-The mental side of watching a season slip while everyone else keeps competing-The lessons Emma and Nicole would give any athlete currently stuck in the “I should be able to push through this” phaseIf you’ve ever been injured, coached someone through one, or you’re trying to come back without rushing the process, this one is for you.Brute Redmond Code https://living.redmond.com/discount/B...Which Program Is Best For You: https://www.brutestrengthtraining.com...

You’re probably not as “bad” at that movement as you think; you’re just avoiding the real weakness or training the wrong things. Comment the one thing you hope never shows up in a workout and how you plan to attack it going forward. The fastest way to improve isn’t chasing what you’re already good at, but getting honest about the limiter that keeps showing up on your scorecard.If your engine is huge but your strength lags, stop pretending it doesn’t matter.If you’re strong but die after 12 minutes, that’s not a personality trait. That’s data.The goal isn’t to become someone else. It’s to raise your floor without losing your best weapons.Training partners help too - not because you need to beat them every day, but because they reveal what’s possible.Maybe that’s the whole game.Brute Redmond Code https://living.redmond.com/discount/B...Which Program Is Best For You: https://www.brutestrengthtraining.com...

In this episode, Pat Vellner shares insights on his career, early retirement, injury recovery, and future plans, offering valuable lessons on resilience, mindset, and life after sports.Expect to discover:How to navigate the mental hurdles of injury and retirement without losing your identity as an athlete.The surprising peace that can come from circumstances beyond your control.Strategies to stay motivated and maintain a positive mindset during challenging times.Insights into the psychology of performance and how to cope with setbacks in any competitive field.This episode is not just for athletes; it’s for anyone facing unexpected life changes or grappling with their own limits. Vellner's story illustrates the universal struggle of letting go and finding strength in vulnerability.