Harrison Bell is co-owner and coach of Motion Training, the home of CrossFit Surbiton. We talk about how Harrison first discovered CrossFit through the Marines and how a love for training with good people ultimately led to the labour of love that is Motion Training. Housed in an old building in Surbiton, London, it now contains an incredible facility that is home to an awesome community. Harrison is also part of Team Motion, a team born in the Austrian Alps that is now all training together t...
Apr 23, 2021•37 min
As the individual quarterfinals were coming to a close, I sat down with Mike Catris and Maddy Harris, two members of Team TAP, who having finished 21st in Europe in the Team Division, very much have their sights set on the Team Quarterfinals. We discuss the one-and-done approach to the Open this year, watching the individual quarterfinals from the sidelines and the benefits that have come from co-locating to be eligible for the affiliate cup under the new format. We also touch on the addition...
Apr 16, 2021•41 min
Founded in 2011, supplements grounded in science are at core of Blonyx. In the is episode, I chat with Rowan, CEO of Blonyx about these principles, serving those with athletic ambition and where supplementation sits in the wider balance of life and nutrition. A hot topic right now is beta-alanine so we dig into that in abit more detail before finally, as a fellow CrossFitter, we had to share our thoughts on the Open. Support the podcast & channel here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/Cha...
Apr 09, 2021•33 min
For many, including myself, CrossFit and coffee are near-synonymous; with a good day requiring a dose of both. This week Duncan, the founder of Cannonball Coffee, sits down to talk about his quest for a high caffeine coffee that doesn't compromise on taste. We cover the basics and not-so-basics of good coffee and as a fellow CrossFitter how he's worked & continues to work with a number of boxes around the south and south-west of England. Check out the coffee on offer over at: https://can...
Apr 02, 2021•43 min
Injured in 2012 whilst serving in the British Army in Afghanistan, Luke's rehab journey took him into Paralympic swimming - competing in the British champs as well as the Invictus Games on three occasions. Like many of us, a friend introduced Luke to CrossFit, and safe to say he was pretty hooked from the outset. We discuss the what it likes for an adaptive athlete to do CrossFit, the welcome introduction of adaptive divisions to the CrossFit Games Open and the accessible nature of numerous c...
Mar 26, 2021•30 min
For Brian, what started as a personal passion has grown into opportunities to work and travel for CrossFit, Sanctionals events and regularly contribute to the Morning Chalk Up. With a self-confessed head for names, numbers and placings in the CrossFit space, Brian and I discuss how following the data can help to find identify the lesser-told stories. We also discuss his thoughts on the current format of the Games season and who we might see rising to the top throughout the three-week Open. Su...
Mar 19, 2021•43 min
If you’re in the CrossFit Games Open this year, it's very likely circumstances are very different to previous years; coupled with the disruptions of the last year, it could be a bit lost on how to approach it. Alex Conroy, CF-L2, affilate coach and experienced programmer, provides some great tips for preparing physically and mentally to give an Open workout (or any WOD for that matter) a fair representation of your fitness. We also talk about how this new format of the CrossFit Games and wide...
Mar 12, 2021•39 min
As one of the longest running events in our community, in it's eleventh year, the Lowlands Throwdown has been selected as a CrossFit Games Semifinal. Previously a Sanctionals event in 2019 before having to cancel in 2020, the team are excited to deliver a qualifying event for Madison whilst ensuring they continue to serve the community of the Benelux region. I talk to Robbin Stalma, Event Director of the CrossFit Lowlands Throwdown about what athletes can expect from the event, how they're pr...
Mar 08, 2021•22 min
As the creator behind Make Wods Great Again and co-host of Make Pods Great Again, John Wooley is more than au fait with both the light-heart nuances of the CrossFit community and the more important topics that sometimes divide out community. Coupled with that, John is a 10-year CrossFitter so brings some maturity in approach to the methodology. We dig into the motives behind the memes and the addition of the mic before both advocating for the effective use of workout scaling to ensure t...
Mar 05, 2021•40 min
Coffee, Pods and Wods started in 2019 and host Peter White had a mission to speak to those from across the CrossFit sphere with a desire to ask the not-often-asked questions. What followed is 100+ episodes with some of the biggest names in CrossFit with a hosting style that’s produced great conversations time and time again. Peter is modest and straight-shooting, we talk about his different approach to questioning, on the frustrations of been a (relatively) small podcast and how for hi...
Feb 26, 2021•1 hr 3 min
This week’s guest is Jay Bright, owner of Wodable. Jay shares the passions and the principles that have driven the start-up and continued growth of this UK business. It was fascinating to hear how Wodable have brought the majority of their design and manufacturing process in house; giving them agility and freedom to break the mould. Thanks to Jay for allowing us to go “behind the brand” with a UK staple. Support the show
Feb 19, 2021•32 min
This week with sit down with Vicki Finn, competitive athlete and coach at CrossFit All Out. No stranger to the competition floor and top ranks of the leaderboard; we talk about her successes to date and the focus of her training, specifically targeting the CrossFit Games AGOQ. With a background in athletics and career as a PT prior to finding CrossFit, Vicki new she'd like CrossFit and when she walked in the CrossFit All Out six years ago, she hasn't looked back since! Thanks for an awesome c...
Feb 12, 2021•45 min
We complete the Simba Sessions with part two, talking with Chris Hughff about finding CrossFit and a career in the commercial fitness industry. Currently General Manager at GymBox, Elephant and Castle, we discuss some of the difference between your typical commercial gym and a CrossFit Box. We round out by looking at how Simba got into MC'ing and a small nod to his other activities on social media.... Support the show
Feb 05, 2021•38 min
Many will recognise Chris Hughff (or Simba) from competition floors across the UK and further abroad with either a barbell or, more recently, a microphone in hand. However, despite being on the CrossFit scene for 10 years now, his fitness journey started well before this; with a wealth of junior sport, time in the military and then decathlon and javelin at an elite level. Part 1 focuses on this and be sure to tune in for the next episode for part 2 where we talk CrossFit and picking up the mi...
Feb 01, 2021•44 min
With the recent early-release and upcoming general-release of the latest version of Reebok's functional fitness training shoe, we welcome Paul to the Chalking Fitness Podcast. Paul is curator of ReebokNanoNation, a fan page for the archetypal CrossFit shoe. We chat about how he got into CrossFit and the passion for trainers that sees him both maintain a fan page and substantial collection of trainers. With the release of the Nano X1 we share first impressions of the shoe and how Reebok have y...
Jan 25, 2021•40 min
A bumper episode with Ellie Geldard this week as we cover her journey in to CrossFit and how her passion for coaching is growing beyond the box into nutrition as well. Many will recognise Ellie as a familiar face on the UK competition circuit; we discuss her love for this, individual vs team and how that sense of community is always there regardless. We then get into Ellie's development as a coach and more recently expanding into nutrition with EllieGeldardNurtrition. We then wrap up with s...
Jan 16, 2021•52 min
We kick of 2021 with another cracker, speaking with Ollie Mansbridge. Memory lane is where we start as we look back on the opening of CrossFit Bath back in 2009 but also how the pillars of methodology, coaching and community can transcend a facility of any standard. Ollie is also the UK Country Manager for CrossFit and he shares how that role is evolving with the new leadership at HQ before we have some timely discussion on the format of the 2021 CrossFit Open - with new divisions and format...
Jan 08, 2021•56 min
Prior to London and the south entering tier 4 and gyms having to close again, I swung by Priority 6 to catch up with Simon Greenwood. Simon has over 10 years experience as a coach and PT; with the last 7 years spent growing a business as co-owner of Priority 6 in Abingdon, Oxfordshire. After discussing how an athletic youth has evolved into a career in fitness, Simon shares his insights into how his perspective and priorities have evolved over the years both in terms of coaching, being ...
Dec 28, 2020•50 min
Four weeks post abdominal repair surgery, Lois Smith joins us for Episode 30 of the Chalking Fitness podcast. We look back on her 2020 season, competing both on a Sanctionals team at the NCC, individually at Crossfit Strength in Depth and discuss the differing elements of competing in each division. We then get into Lois' reasons for surgery, her focus through rehab and aspirations for next season and beyond. Thanks to Lois for a great chat and wishing her the very best in recovery - lo...
Dec 14, 2020•49 min
This week we sit down with Richard Hill; athlete, coach and box owner at Gritstone CrossFit. After talking about the challenges and opportunities offered by lockdown and lockdown 2.0, we go on to discuss the illness, wellness, fitness continuum with respect to mindset and mental hygiene. Thanks to Richard for taking the time to share his insights, be sure to give him a follow on Instagram @_tricky_ricky Support the show
Dec 04, 2020•46 min
Nicole Crouch is no stranger on the UK competition scene - and has made the podium at a range of events. Nicole shares how she first got into CrossFit and her approach during competition to focus on the controllables and capitalise on adrenaline. Despite training restrictions this year, we talk about her recent introduction to Team TAP; both in terms of programming and training with likeminded and inspiring individuals. Support the show
Nov 27, 2020•46 min
This week we chat with Will Griffiths who is Retail Manager at WIT Fitness in London, UK. From being a regular customer at the small shop in Clapham, to now working for WIT at their flagship store in the heart of the City, its fascinating to hear Will talk about his passion for fitness & retail and how WIT (as both a brand and destination) has grown over the years. As a fellow trainer geek, we talk about Will's mammoth Metcon collection but also not forgetting the WIT Nano X! Cheers Will....
Nov 20, 2020•39 min
James St Leger is a seasoned UK athlete and coach, competing at both Regional and more recently Sanctionals level. Since 2019 James has competed in the 35-39 division and we discuss his win at Crossfit Strength in Depth earlier this year before also delving into the success he had in the Crossfit Games AGOQ. Beyond this James shares his top tips for training as a master athlete, managing the many responsibilities in life and how to maximise the benefits of the restrictions imposed during lo...
Nov 13, 2020•41 min
Sarah and Simon Sorkin are both integral members of the Battle Cancer Team. We discuss their extensive involvement in the growth of these incredible events and how, more recently they’ve also personally invested to enable the MoveForward gym to open. Sarah shares how and why she met Scott Britton before even the first Battle Cancer event whilst Simon provides insights into the importance of fitness in relation to living with a diagnosis of MS. Talking with them both it’s clear how passi...
Nov 06, 2020•50 min
This week's episode is with Luke Backhouse, owner of Hence. As well as discussing Hence Green Stacks and CBD++ pods, we get into the the origins of his business, his uncompromising approach to nutrition first product development and partnering with other brands to offer the best products to his customer base. Luke's passion knowledge & passion is undeniable and is a clear driving force for the principles on which Hence has & continues to grow with strong support from athletes and amba...
Oct 30, 2020•35 min
This week we speak to Martin Thwaites, who’s life-long passion for fitness has taken him from body building, then Muay Thai boxing and has now found functional fitness & the CrossFit training methodology. Martin documents his dedication to training through his Instagram profile @50fitnfunctional and has also competed in a number of Master competitions as well as taken part in both the Battle Cancer London events. We share our experiences of the Battle Cancer events before Martin explain...
Oct 23, 2020•38 min
This week we talk to Will, Matt & Sam about the Renegade Games. Founded by Will in 2018 to provide a platform to test competitive athletes in the Cambridge area, the event has strong values & links to the military. Matt joined Will as General Manager to help execute the vision & ensure the values could remain as they look to grow the event year on year. COVID restrictions have limited events this year but the pair proactively responded and will be delivering an i...
Oct 16, 2020•52 min
Fresh off the back of Stage 1 of the 2020 Crossfit Games, we sat down with President of Loud and Live Sports, Matt O'Keefe. We talk about the evolution of his career in athlete care/management to the merger with live & Loud Events to grow (initially) Wodapalooza. We also hadd to get Matt's insights into Matt & Tias performance in Stage 1 of the Games but also more broadly the commitment it takes from all athletes to consistently perform at the elite level. We then turn our head...
Oct 09, 2020•45 min
We sit down with Hat Hewitt, sports therapist & head coach at Crossfit Watford to talk about MAP Online. Through MAP Online Hat seeks to share her passion & expertise to enable the wider community to improve their range of movement & simply move better - irrespective of their fitness goals. We also talk about how Hat transitioned into Crossfit from high-level rugby and the love she has for competition, especially in a team, that sees her regularly appearing on the Sanctional &......
Oct 02, 2020•26 min
This episode we sit down after some weightlifting training with Chloe Ralph, a competitive weightlifter come functional fitness coach who is also a familiar face on both the decks and arena floor of the competitive circuit! We talk about her journey first into weightlifting and then functional fitness as an athlete, before discussing how her passion for helping individuals of any standard move better has influenced her coaching career. Having previously done group coaching, Chloe now focuses...
Sep 25, 2020•37 min
