Chalking Fitness

On the podcast this episode is Kelly Friel, who's season - after a painful start - now sees her returning to Madison in the 40-44 division for the fourth time. Actually the fifth time she has qualified in the same division - a feat not matched by any other age group athlete!We chat about her journey into CrossFit, as a methodology & a sport, taking to the Regionals floor in 2018 as 40 y/o Individual athlete before heading to Madison as Masters athlete for the first but far from the last time.We also discuss the role masters athletes play in the sport and more broadly the community - often coaches & box owners, with added family responsiblities - Kelly shares her thoughts on what could improve experience for these vital age groups.Support the show

Celebrating 10 years of The European Championships, we sit down with Carl Saville - taking a look back and look forward to one of the household names in UK competition.From humble beginnings in a sports hall to making the move to the Motorpoint Arena in Nottingham - it was special to understand what makes Carl tick when it comes to events and the quest to return the UK scene to a colesium style venue.The 2022 TEC Live finals will by on August 16-21st, including Day 1 held off-site at Holme Pierre Point Water Park - where spectators are free. Grab a spectator ticket here and watch 480 athletes throwdown over 3 days!Support the show

Prior to SemiFinals, I sat down to chat with Ste Fawcett of JST Compete & High Performance CrossFit.We discuss the changes in the sport since Ste's first trip to the Games in 2015 & how competitive programming can help to create structure, focus & reward outside of the changing landscape of the Games.With JST Compete in their new home of High Performance CrossFit, we chat the intent of that centre and what it means for his daily coaching & training experiences.Finally, as a man with many hats & plates to spin, we talk managing his own expectations, transitioning from a full time athlete to coach, business owner & father whilst still finding reward & release whilst training with some of the best in the UK.Support the show

Wrapping up the SiD mini-series down in London at Motion Training - home of CrossFit Surbiton. Affiliate Co-owners Harrison & Grace not only went to the Games last year but finished 4th in the process. This season was looking different with no firm plans to compete but went new blood showed competitive potential, things evolved from there!Support the show

This week we're running a SiD mini series as we fast approach CrossFit Strength in Depth - a CrossFit Games SemiFinal taking place in London at the Excel.Now we head down the A1 and chat to the team from CrossFit Witham. Making it as far as Regionals/Semifinals was a long-standing goal for the affiliate - which they achieved last year & its awesome to see them repeating that achievement now we're back to live events.Speaking to the team its very apparent that whilst 4 take to the elite team floor, its a squad and even community effort that makes it possible. Watch out for the 3 CrossFit Witham teams in the Community Cup as well!Support the show

This week we're running a SiD mini series as we fast approach CrossFit Strength in Depth - a CrossFit Games SemiFinal taking place in London at the Excel.Today we chat the team from Dauntless Fitness (CrossFit Blaydon) who are making the trip down from the North-east. We chat about final preparations including worm rigidity of all things!Stay tuned for short chats with more UK teams this week.Support the show

What better way to mark the Episode 100 of the podcast than to welcome Sam Briggs!With over a decade a the pinnacle of the sport, Sam is in her last year as an individual and is soon to be heading to CrossFit Strength in Depth to try and secure another trip to Madison.We take time to reflect on the evolution of the sport over the last 10 years but also focus on this season, spending time training here in the UK and get excited to take to the floor with a ticket to the Games on the line one last time in front of a home crowd!Support the show

Back with another episode from the CrossFit UK & Eire Affiliate Gathering. This time sitting down with Shortz of Flow State & Gavin Hesleton of CrossFit Glasgow.With only 1% of trainers obtaining the credential, we chat about the intent of the Certified CrossFit Level 3 Trainer and how it helps to further develop a trainers knowledge.  Beyond this we also discuss the importance of continual development through a trainers journey, from giving & receiving feedback to how things differ when you step from the gym to the competition floor.Chalking Fitness is sponsored by BoxMate, a UK leader in Gym Management, Member Engagement & Performance Tracking Software, that also offers Team Up integration! Head to boxmateapp.co.uk and use the code CHALKING2 to get 2 months free.Be sure to follow Chalking Fitness on Instagram & sign up for the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for more podcast insights & UK centric competition news & articles.Support the show

Following a trip to the Games in 2021, Georgia Radley made the move to JST Compete. But more than that, she made the move to Wigan and a focus on training full-time.We chat about her journey with CrossFit, the journey to Madison and some of the frustrations with competitive CrossFit when you're giving your all day-in-day out.Be sure to follow Chalking Fitness on Instagram & sign up for the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for more podcast insights & UK centric competition news & articles.Support the show

Recording on-location at the CrossFit® UK & Eire Affiliate Gathering, we're talking with affiliate opening & ownership with some of the newest affiliate owners in the UK & Ireland.Roice Gummer, of CrossFit Thurrock, along with David Marks & Rebekah Thompson of Avenge CrossFit, Northern Ireland, share their experiences of opening during the last couple of years. From finding a premises to welcoming new members, there's plenty to cover!Chalking Fitness is sponsored by BoxMate, a UK leader in Gym Management, Member Engagement & Performance Tracking Software, that also offers Team Up integration! Head to boxmateapp.co.uk and use the code CHALKING2 to get 2 months free.Be sure to follow Chalking Fitness on Instagram & sign up for the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for more podcast insights & UK centric competition news & articles.Support the show

This week we're chatting with Tara Watkins & Max Camozzi of Team ShireFit. Along with team mates Hannah Morton & Jack Turner the team are heading to the CrossFit Lowlands Throwdown in just a couple of weeks time.As well as chatting about how their fitness journeys brought them both to ShireFit West Yorkshire we talk about the dynamic of team training and making the commitment to each other to make team the focus.Be sure to follow Chalking Fitness on Instagram & sign up for the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for more podcast insights & UK centric competition news & articles.Support the show

Josh Al-chamaa is no stranger to the competition floor, with multiple Regional & Sanctionals appearances as an individual plus a Games invite from Wodapalooza in 2020.We reflect on the 2021 season, which went from an uncertain start to the Last Chance Qualifier & Fittest in the UK! On to 2022, Josh shares how it is to be doubling down in San Diego with Team Invictus with sights firmly set on Madison.Josh's is known for his energy & this is apparent as we chat about the excitement of the team competition & the continued growth of UK CrossFit on the international scene - ambassador for Blighty indeed!Chalking Fitness is sponsored by BoxMate, a UK leader in Gym Management, Member Engagement & Performance Tracking Software, that also offers Team Up integration! Head to boxmateapp.co.uk and use the code CHALKING2 to get 2 months free.Be sure to follow Chalking Fitness on Instagram & sign up for the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for more podcast insights & UK centric competition news & articles.Support the show

Joining us on the podcast this week is Ste Beckett - co-owner of The Defiant Co. More than just an apparel company, we chat about the motivation to not own set up The Defiant Co but also nurture a community around it that includes an impressive ambassador team as well.If this wasn't enough, and reflecting that larger community target, after two postponements in the last 2 years, we'll see The Defiant Games taking place at the Institute of Sport in Sheffield on May 14th. On behalf of the organising team, Ste shares some insight into what competitors & spectators can expect at this sell-out same-sex 3's event.Check out The Defiant Co range here and be sure to follow them on Instagram @thedefiantco and @thedefiantgamesSign-up to the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for all the UK-centric community & competition news: http://eepurl.com/hPNI8j Support the show

We're joined on the podcast this week by Tim Green of Team Up and take a membership journey - from first inquiry through to an established & engaged member that is an essential part of the community in any facility.We talk about the importance of a virtual store front to attract new members, tracking attendance, navigating membership pricing and how software can offer automation to enable coaches & business owners to focus on the human interactions that matter most.Head to goteamup.com to learn more about the features offered & check out their free resources for gym owners.Chalking Fitness is sponsored by BoxMate, a UK leader in Gym Management, Member Engagement & Performance Tracking Software, that also offers Team Up integration! Head to boxmateapp.co.uk and use the code CHALKING2 to get 2 months free.Be sure to follow Chalking Fitness on Instagram & sign up for the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for more podcast insights & UK centric competition news & articles.Support the show

This week I'm joined by Polly, Madi & Sarah - three of the team at Eleiko UK. As women in sport - both professionally & personally - we talk about their individual journeys with sport & how they coalesced to all be working for a world leader in strength equipment. We chat about the importance of role models, facilitating participation as well as performance and some of the exciting partnerships Eleiko have with the likes of BeaverFit & here in the UK, JST Compete.Finally, we discuss the evolution of training & by association training spaces, acknowledging its not simply throwing equipment in a room, but creating a welcoming & accessible environment that reflects the values of your facility.Be sure to follow Chalking Fitness on Instagram & sign up for the Chalking Fitness Newsletter for more podcast insights & UK centric competition news & articles.Support the show

Lorna Heyes opened CrossFit West Dublin back in 2011 when there were only a handful of CrossFit affiliates in Ireland. In 2021, she made the tough decision to sell her 10 year affiliate and move north to Ballycarry on the Antrim Coast, Northern Ireland.However, this was never going to the end of affiliate ownership for her & she has since opened CrossFit Livin - right next to where she now lives. A decade of coaching & affiliate ownership have allowed her identify what she enjoys - and it's certainly coaching. Moving from a box with over 100 members to 15 at CrossFit Livin is certainly smaller, but she feels just as welcomed & supported by the wider affiliate community.This series of episodes is sponsored by Eleiko. They're offering an exclusive discount code to subscribers of the Chalking Fitness Newsletter - with on subscriber winning an apparel goodie bag at the end on March 2022. If you're not signed up already, subscribe to the Newsletter here.Support the show

With lockdowns halting Emily's ability to earn & a desire to retain her independence, she decided to realise the dream and took the opportunity to become owner of CrossFit 13 2021. We reflect on the last 11 months of ownership and the lessons learnt in that time.We also chat about female role models in CrossFit, at the affiliate level and across the UK, and how this can help individuals to identify and strive for healthy, realistic goals.This series of episodes is sponsored by Eleiko. They're offering an exclusive discount code to subscribers of the Chalking Fitness Newsletter - with on subscriber winning an apparel goodie bag at the end on March 2022. If you're not signed up already, subscribe to the Newsletter here.Support the show

When CrossFit Nottingham opened in 2011 there were less than 40 affiliates in the UK. Whilst the CrossFit methodology hasn't changes, in that time Katie & the coaching team certainly have adapted to ensure their affiliate remains successful.We also chat about Katie's own journey into CrossFit, both as a competitive athlete & coach. Here the demands have also changed over time as Katie reflects on adjusting training when becoming pregnant and juggling parenthood with being a passionate business owner.This series of episodes is sponsored by Eleiko. They're offering an exclusive discount code to subscribers of the Chalking Fitness Newsletter - with on subscriber winning an apparel goodie bag at the end on March 2022. If you're not signed up already, subscribe to the Newsletter here.Support the show

As Div 1 softball player & scholar at Georgia Tech. Sarah MacDonald was no stranger to an athletic lifestyle and pursuing her goals. When family brought her to Scotland CrossFit certainly rekindled that fire & ultimately led her to opening her own affiliate, CrossFit Haddington.We chat about her own journey with coaching and supporting others with a coaching development pathway before rounding out talking about plans for the future, particularly for teens and providing increased structure & support in the methodology & sport of CrossFit.This series of episodes is sponsored by Eleiko. They're offering an exclusive discount code to subscribers of the Chalking Fitness Newsletter - with on subscriber winning an apparel goodie bag at the end on March 2022. If you're not signed up already, subscribe to the Newsletter here.Support the show

We continue our Female Affiliate Owners Series, sponsored by Eleiko, with Oakley Woodhouse, owner of Forrest Flow CrossFit.Finding CrossFit at a relatively early age, Oaks' competitive aspirations were clear and she sacrificed a lot, along with the rest of the CrossFit JST team, to make the CrossFit Games in 2017. We talk frankly about that opportunity, how she has moved on from that achievement as an athlete, member of Seminar Staff & since early 2020, owner of Forrest Flow.Forrest Flow certainly isn't your typical affiliate - sitting in the remote woodland of Wyresdale Park - many cautioned it couldn't be done. However Oak's persevered and has created something rather unique & special at Forest Flow!This series of episodes is sponsored by Eleiko. They're offering an exclusive discount code to subscribers of the Chalking Fitness Newsletter - with on subscriber winning an apparel goodie bag at the end on March 2022. If you're not signed up already, subscribe to the Newsletter here.Support the show