Rounding out 2021, I'm joined by both Rachel & Karl Steadman. As UK & Ireland Community & Country Manager respectively, with well-over 25 years combined experience, I'm keen to get their insights on how affiliates & the community have developed over the years. We also chat more specifically about 2021 & get excited about plans for UK & Ireland CrossFit in 2022. As we cover a lot, I've included Chapters on this episode so it's easier to navigate. Chalking Fitnes...
Dec 31, 2021•1 hr 13 min
Christmas arrives one day early as I sit down with Aimee Cringle. We talk about finding CrossFit as a teen, juggling training & competing alongside a degree in nursing and now, with the degree complete, increasing focus on how far she can go in the sport. Since then she has topped the podium at The European Championships and qualified for the individual elite category at the Wodapalooza Finals in January and had more time to attend TAP training camps. She hasn't let those successes go to ...
Dec 24, 2021•35 min
This week we sit down with Reggie Fasa and reflect on his first year of going pro. From quitting the day job and moving from the North-East to Wigan, Reggie shares some of turning what was a past-time and outlet from work into a full-time gig. Like any full-time job, we talk about the importance of taking a break and how his training & relationship with Ste at JST Compete has evolved. Shifting to the competition floor, we also talk feeling like a pro athlete under the lights at the ...
Dec 17, 2021•30 min
Despite initially doing his CrossFit L1 simply to increase his understanding of the methodology, Matt Tucker has since gone on to attend and coach at a number of boxes - including CrossFit Nidus, which he opened with wife and business partner Aneta! Nestled between the M5 and the Cotswolds, the attention to detail and unwavering quality offered to their members is very apparent. We chat training as masters athletes, affiliates and the fun to be had when you're judging your other half and ther...
Dec 10, 2021•44 min
Fresh off the back of WIT SID Origins 2021, I sat down for a chat with Sandy Gibson, Co-director & Head Coach at Jolly Sailor Crossfit. Not only did Jolly Sailor Crossfit retain their crown, with the Invincibles finishing atop the podium, but this year they took three teams to the Finals in Bath. Now given Jolly Sailor operates on about 110 members, I was keen to understand more about the culture & community in Longdowns near Penryn. Thanks to Sandy for sharing insights from the weeke...
Dec 03, 2021•50 min
Sitting down with JST Compete's Jak Cornthwaite, I ask about his background prior to CrossFit and how that's influenced both his own competitive career and role as a coach. We then dig into, what is fast becoming the eleventh element of fitness, mindset and how important Jak sees that in helping athletes of all abilities and aspirations manage the demands of training & competition. Finally, we also talk about the future of the sport and more specifically work to grow the UK competitive sc...
Nov 26, 2021•50 min
As we approach what is undoubtedly one of the highlights of UK competition calendar, co-founder of Strength in Depth, Ollie Mansbridge, takes some time out from planning to chat all thing SID Origins. From the desire to create opportunities for more athletes to shine on the competition, to the added "on tour" experience that comes with taking such a big team on the road, we talk about what makes SiD Origins such a unique event. Ollie shares insights into how such an event comes together, so...
Nov 19, 2021•45 min
A great chat with one of the OG competitors in the UK CrossFit scene. Fran was taking to the Regionals competition floor before many had perhaps even heard of CrossFit! We reflect on how the sport has grown, the additional of dimensions of social media & how it was returning to the competition floor for the first time in 3 years with the Battle Cancer Team at CrossFest. As the Market Manager at Inov8, we also chat about rubbing shoulders with some of the biggest names in the space and how...
Nov 12, 2021•43 min
I'm delighted to help raise awareness of The 180 Project with this week's episode; a recovery programme in the North-east of England that is using CrossFit to help break the cycle of substance abuse, crime & prison. Taking a break from the last week of his 100 Triathlon Challenge, Pete Williams is joined by fellow CrossFit Delta Fox coach Fee to talk about the work of The 180 Project and how the stories & individuals it is helping are hoping to fuel Pete through his marathon of a chal...
Oct 29, 2021•31 min
Having initially discovered CrossFit for supplementary conditioning for football as a teenager, Evie has been training & competing for nearly decade. In that time she has been to the Games as teen back in 2013 & more recently making repeat appearances as an individual at Sanctionals whilst coaching at boxes here in the UK, Guernsey & the British Virgin Islands. We chat about the differences across these communities, how her competitive aspirations developed and how lockdowns in 20...
Oct 22, 2021•38 min
Evander Harewood jumps on the podcast fresh off finishing top of the team podium at the Midlands Fitness Games. With individual podium finishes at the European Champs & the Arnold Fitness Games, it'd be easy to think the 2021 season is been plain sailing for Evander. The slump around the Open that many had was there for Evander too but since then he's approaching qualifiers and live competitions alike we a revised strategy - that looks to be paying dividends. We also chat about his pr...
Oct 15, 2021•39 min
Fresh back from the Arnold Fitness Games UK, I sit down for a chat with Jamie Lowry. After hanging up his boxing gloves, Jamie found CrossFit as a teen before moving to Loughborough and juggling degrees in Excercise Science and S&C with training at CrossFit BFG. Now back down at Gain Line in Berkshire with new responsibilities, but a keen eye on competition too. Whilst Jamie had a good run in the Games season, only just missing out on Semis, the AFG didn’t quite go to plan - tune in to...
Oct 08, 2021•42 min
Despite only getting into CrossFit in 2019/2020, Georgia finished well with the global top-1000 of the 2021 Open and 11th in the Rx Division of the European Champs. We chat about how CrossFit only came about as an outlet to stay active after 15 years of training & elite competition in diving, however it's clear that plenty of both physicality and mental determination and transferred over into this new sport. It's fascinating to hear insights from someone with extensive experience in anoth...
Oct 01, 2021•39 min
From stumbling across CrossFit in New Zealand to stepping into ownership of Ore Fitness Community here in the UK, this episode is a fascinating chat with Kudders about his experience with the global community that has the CrossFit methodology at it's core. As a coach and affiliate owner, Adam shares his reflections on the changes in the brand over the last 15 months and what he got out of the UK Affiliate meet-up that took place in London back in August. Finally, we also discuss making space ...
Sep 24, 2021•42 min
Both before and after finding CrossFit in 2018, Cesca has experience working for and with brands in the fitness industry. In this episode, its apparent that the same passion that has seen her compete in body building, ultra running and functional fitness is also driving her to help pave the way for better athlete representation in our sport. We discuss the under-representation of women on both sides of the contract and what we, as both consumers and contributors in the sport can do to help gr...
Sep 17, 2021•52 min
It was great to sit down face-to-face with Spencer Whiteley for this episode. We chat about getting into CrossFit, his feelings about the significant differences between the methodology for the masses vs. competition and of course his experience over in Madison at the 2021 CrossFit Games! Spencer reflects on some of the workouts, how awesome it was to have a host of athletes representing the UK and the close-knit camaraderie between competitors that exists (especially within the Masters commu...
Sep 03, 2021•49 min
Building on a strong 2018 season, Helena found herself stepping out on to the competition floor with JST Compete at the 2019 CrossFit Games! However, this turned out not to be the ultimate goal with her focus turning to individual competition. Getting as far as the virtual semifinals in the 2021 season, Helena also qualified in 2nd for the European Championship - which are taking place Sept 3-5. Underpinning this all is a strong ethos of balance across business, training & parenthood. A g...
Aug 27, 2021•48 min
From finding CrossFit back in 2009 in Manchester, to opening the first box on the Isle of Man, this weeks guest is owner of CF IOM Dan Bonett. We chat about running an affiliate for nearly 10 years, branching out into multiple facilities & his focus now on coaching competitive athletes from the grass roots up. Support the show
Aug 20, 2021•37 min
It wasn’t until the Open that Elliot Young realised adaptive CrossFit was a thing & that more so, he was eligible for the Mens Lower Extremity. As the season developed, Elliot’s years of training & competitive drive culminated in a trip to Madison for the 2021 NoBull CrossFit Games! From handstands in the garage to handstand walks on North Park, we chat about experiences on & off the competition floor, including event wins under the lights of the Coliseum and a third place p...
Aug 13, 2021•40 min
Bringing you some bonus content and sharing Episode 33 of Plate Stack Chat. Jason, Sam and myself as regular co-hosts are joined by guest host Matt Whieldon to chat all about the recent 2021 CrossFit Games. Sharing our favourite moments and stand-out performances, it no doubt reflects conversations across our community. If you like it, be sure to check out Plate Stack Chat on your preferred podcast provider where the full back-catalogue has more of the same with a great range of guest hosts. ...
Aug 06, 2021•48 min
We sit down to talk team with Owen Roberts, individuals Sanctionals athlete who made the move to go team with The Athlete Program in the 2021. The sacrifice and dedication of moving to CrossFit Aylesbury was worth it as Owen and the Team are now on their way to Madison for the 2021 CrossFit Games! We chat about being approached to join the team, the shift in mindset around the Open & Quarterfinals and final preparations as some of the Team Events are released. Support the show
Jul 23, 2021•27 min
Box Armour started in 2016 when founder Tom, with a head for e-commerce and a passion for fitness, saw a gap in the market. Tom shares his journey in growing the brand from its Buxton beginnings, through having to a stand at its first competition and how shared values with customers and ambassadors is key when the space is a lot busier with brands than it was in 2016! Box Armour have a whole wardrobe of new lines available and will be at the UK first major live comp this weekend (Saturday Jul...
Jul 09, 2021•47 min
As the world slowly starts to move again I've loved dropping in a boxes again. Back in May a finally made the trip down to the home of CrossFit Battle Cancer, the Move Forward Gym. After enjoying a drop-in with the 9:30 class I sat down with Head Coach Tommo for a quick chat about his settling into the role at MFG after leaving the Marines & leaning on that when putting the NOCCO team through their paces on Dartmoor. Taking the pod on the road is great, but it comes with background noise!...
Jul 05, 2021•12 min
In 2019, Masters Athlete Kelly Marshall made the decision to go "all in" with the goal of making it to the Games. It wasn't a decision made lightly, but made with the support of her wife and recognition of the commitment & sacrifice it would require to combine work, life and the required focus on training to make it to the Games. However, as a sports therapist and founder of The Body Clinc, Kelly is more than aware of the phyisical toll sustaining training at the required level can ...
Jun 25, 2021•49 min
With week three of the CrossFit Games Semifinals complete - which includes the European virtual events - I'm joined by host of Coffee, Pods and Wods, Peter White to discus the highlights as the season hots ups. If you dont know about CPW be sure to check it out, not only does Peter host incredible guests from across the CrossFit space, but his knowledge and passion for the sport is truly infectious as well. Follow Peter here: https://www.instagram.com/coffeepodsnwods/ Support the show
Jun 18, 2021•46 min
With three trips to Regionals under her belt, Aneta Tucker is no stranger to progressing beyond the first stage of the CrossFit Games Season. However, since opening her own affiliate, Aneta would be first to say individual competition has not been her priority. That said, things are coming together nice this season. Initially unsure whether to enter the Open, Aneta qualified for both QFs and Semis before joining the JST crew in Wigan and storming to 2nd Worldwide in the AGOQ - sitting s...
May 28, 2021•42 min
Busy prepping for the CrossFit Games Semifinals, Marth Cook took time to chat about her journey so far. Different to many, Marth started working with a coach & a personal program very early on - with a goal to get as far as possible in the sport of CrossFit! Now co-owner and coach at Impact Bicester, Marth has temporarily moved to Wigan to join the JST Compete training camp and we chat about how different that is to training predominantly alone for the last year! Support the show
May 21, 2021•36 min
A regular Masters Competitor here in the UK, we sit down for a chat with Rob Walker. Rob shares his own fitness journey and how the competitive elements of CrossFit really drew him in to the sport. We also discuss the continuum of life and trying to keep the balance right between enjoying training and competing in CrossFit and other responsibilities in life. Unfortunately injury prevents Rob competing in this years AGOQ but we still chat out what we expected at the masters community at large....
May 14, 2021•52 min
For the landmark 50th episode we go back to where it all began and welcome Jason Croxon to the podcast. Jason, who hosts the CrossFit Bath podcast, joined me way back for episode 1 and 2 of the Chalking Fitness podcast and helped me find my feet in the podcast world. This time I make sure to ask him questions about his own fitness journey and juggling it as part of family life in the beautiful city of Bath. Without preaching to the choir too much we also discussed the value of pod...
May 07, 2021•35 min
This week we’re joined by 2021 45-49 division UK champ, Lianne Thomas. With both regionals team experience and multiple AGOQ qualifications, we chat about competing as well as the frustrations and realities of injuries. We also talk lockdown, the challenges and opportunities it brings, whilst also touching on some of the additional realities of being a female masters athlete. Support the show
Apr 30, 2021•35 min
