At 22 years old, Jonah Jones has already competed in 5 Sanctional events - two in the 2019 season & 3 in (what existed of) the 2020 season. Over the last 6 years Jonah has wholeheartedly committed to training & an aspiration to make it to the Games. We discuss how being young helps to facilitate this focus & reflect on some of the amazing experiences he’s had at competitions so far. Recognising his decision to make a career out of CrossFit (both coaching & competin...
Sep 18, 2020•36 min
This week we speak with Elaine Ennis. A well-respected judge at CrossFit/functional fitness competitions on both sides of the Irish Sea & founder of Irish Fitness Judges. After sharing her own path into fitness & subsequently judging, Elaine shares her tips on how to an effective judge whilst making sure you still have fun in the process. Recognising the critical role judges play, especially at the Sanctional level, we discuss the need for more targeted & accessible ju...
Sep 11, 2020•52 min
Heading back over the Atlantic this week and taking it all the way back with one of the masters of media in the CrossFit-space, Tommy Marquez. As well as sharing insights into where his own CrossFit journey began, Tommy also shares his insights into how media grew within Crossfit HQ and then has subsequently evolved independently with many platforms, including Talking Elite Fitness Support the show
Sep 04, 2020•42 min
This week we sit down with Jay from REPS. a relatively new company offering gymnastic grips to the U.K. fitness community. Jay speaks honestly & openly about what has driven him to set up REPS., the extensive research & work with athletes refine the designs & the challenges posed by the COVID-19 lockdown. Coupled with the products it’s very apparent REPS. are keen to offer support to the community in enabling optimum hand care, protection & training. Suppor...
Aug 28, 2020•25 min
Chris stepped into the world of competitive CrossFit relatively recently; however not as an athlete, but rather a manager with years of experience in rugby and keen to enable athletes to qualify & complete as a team on the CrossFit Sanctional circuit. With lockdown easing in the U.K., I sat down with Chris to talk about the formation of Nasty x Saxons and his role as manager of a team that consisted of a number of U.K. athletes. As an relative but informed outsider, Chr...
Aug 21, 2020•25 min
The 2020 COVID-19 lockdown has taught us all the importance of being able to train from home. However, for some, that comfort and/or convenience of training from home remains post-lockdown or has always been there - underserved. I sit down with athlete, coach, mother & co-founder of MVMNT Box, Becky Pykett, to discuss how this new business seeks to deliver all the values of a functional fitness training community to the comfort of your home. Becky is a passionate expert with over 15 years...
Aug 14, 2020•27 min
Our third and final episode of our “Women in Fitness” series is with Helen, and it’s a great one. Currently “in theatre” with the RAF, we share the CrossFit coolaid before talking more at length about mindset & acceptance of change & uncertainty. Helen is also the founder & drive behind BoldBraveBadass, a movement & business seeking to empower individuals & address the wastage inherent in the fast-fashion culture. Find Helen on Instagram either @helenmelyn or @boldb...
Aug 07, 2020•50 min
For this second episode in the “Women in Fitness” series we sit down with Sophie, who is the creative mind behind the YouTube channel “Just Doing This Now!”. With a background in professional theatre production, Sophie has brought that passion for sharing creativity with her into the CrossFit sphere. We also talk about the benefits that having a channel has offered during lockdown and make it clear that you don’t have to be a professional to starting creating - if you have that itch, jus...
Aug 05, 2020•23 min
Carrie shares her experiences of competing as a individual at both Crossfit Strength in Depth & the Australian Crossfit Championships in the 2020 Sanctional season. Beyond this (and sharing top-tips on the best training music!) we discuss her approach to training and competing, how she is not overly competitive and what the plan is going forward in to 2021. Thanks to Carrie for a great chat & kicking off the “Women in Fitness” series! Support the show
Aug 03, 2020•30 min
Sitting in your typical industrial estate nestled in the heart of the Cotswolds, England. Crossfit Cirencester, whilst unable to run its typical 12-person classes during lockdown, has been far from quiet. I talk with David and Anna about how they responded to the Government-imposed lockdown; from launching a pre-prepared online program, to delivering fitness to wider Cirencester community. This provided opportunity to engage with their local MP and further showcase the role our CrossFit® gyms...
Jul 31, 2020•19 min
Following Episode #6 where Chris Hinshaw provided expert insights into Adam's incredible achievement of running a sub-5 minute mile and squatting 500 lbs in the same day, it was only proper to get Adam himself on to reflect on both the feat and the lens under-which Chris presented it. Adam provides fantastic insights into his training methodology to reach this level of all-round fitness and the shear grit that was required to deliver the sub-5 minute mile run. We round out the episode with so...
Jul 27, 2020•23 min
This episode I’m joined by UK vlogger Jack Simmons (aka. An Average Crossfitter). After talking about what got him into CrossFit and blogging we get our heads round the 450 km bike ride he’s training for to raise money for Cancer Research UK. We round it out with some excitement about the Midlands Fitness Games - which is targeted an event date at the end of August. Support the show
Jul 24, 2020•23 min
On July 13th, 2020, Adam Klink successfully completed the Castro Challenge of running a mile in under 5 minutes and back squatting 500 lbs (227 kg) in the same day! I was honoured to speak with Chris Hinshaw, international endurance coach and CrossFit® SME on aerobic capacity. Chris provides his insights into what's required to achieve a sub-5-minute mile, he breaks down Adam's time to further quantify the achievement and explains how the addition of the 500 lb back squat really showcases wha...
Jul 20, 2020•1 hr 1 min
As gyms can now target reopening on July 25th, it was great to sit down at The Athlete Centre in Oxford with James Shields. We talk about what inspired him to get into health & fitness and now sees him as founder of a business with multiple facilities, including one in the heart of Oxford, online programming and a wealth of classes & coaching expertise. We also talk about their decision to disaffiliate from CrossFit Inc & what the focus will be as doors reopen later thi...
Jul 17, 2020•27 min
I’m joined by Sam La Roche, aka. Papa Bear, aka. The Dancing Judge & host of the FollowtheBear Podcast. We talk about the importance of community in membership retention & what drives Sam to essentially be a serial judge/volunteer at numerous amazing events around the core. With volunteers being the life blood of our events circuit we also discuss what makes a good event experience for all involved. Support the show
Jul 10, 2020•56 min
The Athlete Program have a confirmed invite to Mayhem Madness in Cookeville, TN, and I sit down with TAP Head Coach, Mike Catris, to discuss the amazing Sanctional season that proceeds it. TAP made four appearances across the 2019 & 2020 season, finishing on the podium on each occasion. We reflect on both performance and experiences on & off the competition floor, how he balances his role as both coach & athlete on the team and what preparation for Mayhem Madness looks like for th...
Jul 03, 2020•48 min
In the wake of the reduction in scope of the 2020 Crossfit Games, Crossfit Mayhem announced their intent to host a teams event in Cookeville, TN, in August. Teams previously winning Sanctionals would receive an invite with a further three invites available via an online Qualifier. With qualifiers complete but invites not confirmed, Jason and Tom dare to speculate who we might see on the competition floor. We also talk about how Super Teams make the team season so much more interesting & t...
Jul 01, 2020•38 min
In the midst of the 2020 COVID-19 global pandemic & associated lockdowns, Rogue Fitness delivered a logistical masterpiece to enable elite athletes from around the world to compete live but remotely. Jason Croxon, host of the Crossfit Bath Podcast, joins Tom to discuss what happened to the 2020 competitive calendar, what's left and could be expected and an overview of the format deliver by Rogue for their 2020 Invitational. A full two-hour discussion is available as a vlogcast on the Chal...
Jun 26, 2020•28 min
