The CrossFit Podcast

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 [podcasts@crossfit.com]

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 [podcasts@crossfit.com].

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 [podcasts@crossfit.com].

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 [podcasts@crossfit.com].

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 [podcasts@crossfit.com].

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 [podcasts@crossfit.com]

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 [podcasts@crossfit.com] 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 [podcasts@crossfit.com] 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 –> podcasts@crossfit.com Follow us on YouTube to join us every Thursday at 10 am PT.

“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.

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 Book: “Body Kindness” by Rebecca Scritchfield Documentary: “Clemente” about Roberto Clemente’s life and legacy CrossFit Tantrum (Dr. Fatty Acid’s affiliate) 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.

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.

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 CrossFit Medical Society and Community Care TrueMed CrossFit Counter Culture Invictus Boston 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.

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.

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 Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means and Calley Means Levels Health (continuous glucose monitoring) TrueMed (Calley’s company leveraging HSA/FSA dollars for root-cause health) SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) reforms FDA nutrition and food additive guidelines 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.

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 Follow us on YouTube to join future livestreams.

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 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 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.

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.

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 Level 1 and Level 2 Seminar Courses AffiliateCon [Oct 24-26, 2025, Dallas, TX] CrossFitLivermore.com (affiliate website example) Will Guidara’s book “Unreasonable Hospitality” 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.

This marks the second episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. This week, we welcome Daniel Chaffey, a longtime leader in the CrossFit space. He owns CrossFit Louvre in Paris, one of Europe’s most established affiliates with over 3,100 members across three locations.  He also founded the major European competition, The French Throwdown, and Operating With Excellence, a workshop platform dedicated to helping affiliate owners build thriving businesses.  In this conversation, host Jocelyn Rylee dives into the essentials of CrossFit affiliates with Daniel: leadership, hospitality, and community. Chaffey, known for never mincing words, shares point-blank perspectives on everything from the future of CrossFit to the responsibility of affiliates in shaping that future.  Topics Covered The role of leadership in affiliate success and sustainability The difference between service and hospitality in gyms Building and maintaining community in CrossFit CrossFit’s role in health across generations Optimism, anxiety, and the future direction of CrossFit The importance of education and HQ’s role in supporting affiliates Resources Mentioned Jordan Peterson/Peterson Academy (leadership courses) Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs (applied to member experience) CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Courses Affiliate gatherings/events (e.g., Banff, Canadian Affiliate Gathering) Community Highlight Saxon Panchik is having a full-circle moment. With six CrossFit Games appearances, he’s now putting more energy into giving back to the community that built him. His message: Get into an affiliate and be active. Uplift those around you. Keep each other accountable. “It is life-changing. We all have things we wish we knew when starting our fitness journey. Take a minute to share that with someone just beginning.” Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here. Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com] or complete our survey here.