Chasing Excellence - podcast cover

Chasing Excellence

Ben Bergeron & Patrick Cummingswww.chasingexcellence.email
Looking to build more than just physical fitness? Join Ben Bergeron and Patrick Cummings as they explore how daily practices create the foundation for lasting peace of mind. Through practical frameworks and honest conversations, discover how deep health unlocks the freedom to chase what truly matters. Learn the five essential factors - training, eating, thinking, sleeping, and connecting - that transform fleeting moments of clarity into a life of sustained fulfillment. If you're ready to move beyond quick fixes and build context-independent peace of mind, this is your guide.
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Episodes

3 Distractions Keeping You From Living With Passion (Fear of Uncertainty, Self-Doubt, & Comfort Seeking)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the key distractions that prevent us from living with passion and purpose, and how can we overcome them? 2. How can we develop awareness of our true desires and align our actions with our values to achieve a fulfilling life? 3. In what ways can we break free from busyness and numbing behaviors to create meaningful habits that support our health and happiness? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋...

Jul 01, 20251 hr 3 minEp. 444

Katrin: 'I Never Had Bad Training Days' - The Mindset That Built a CrossFit Champ

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can athletes effectively transition from competitive sports to new life stages while maintaining a healthy mindset and purpose? 2. What are the key lessons learned from high-level competition that can be applied to everyday life, particularly in terms of resilience and goal setting? 3. How does the importance of community and supportive training environments contribute to an athlete's success and overall well-being? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide h...

Jun 24, 20251 hr 6 minEp. 443

When You’re Just Trying to Survive (But Everyone Else is Trying to Thrive)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively cope with the challenges of personal safety and well-being while balancing work demands and relationships? 2. What strategies can we implement to redefine success in our lives, especially when facing significant personal obstacles? 3. How does vulnerability in our relationships enhance connection and understanding, and how can we leverage this to foster a supportive environment? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free ...

Jun 17, 202535 minEp. 442

Why This NOBULL Co-Founder Chooses to Do Hard Things (And You Should Too)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can embracing discipline lead to personal growth and a stronger sense of self? 2. What are practical strategies for incorporating hard challenges into our daily routines to foster resilience and character development? 3. In what ways can mindfulness practices, such as breath work and meditation, enhance our emotional and mental well-being? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excellenc...

Jun 10, 20251 hr 10 minEp. 441

Fatherhood vs Fitness: The Mental Shift That Changes Everything

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can parents balance fitness and family responsibilities without sacrificing their health and well-being? 2. What strategies can help parents maintain their training routines amidst the challenges of parenting small children? 3. In what ways can embracing the changing seasons of life enhance our understanding of identity and purpose as parents and individuals? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New ...

Jun 03, 202528 minEp. 440

3 Distractions Keeping You From Happiness (The Four Idols, Inner Judgment, & Living Others' Lives)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the primary distractions that prevent us from achieving true happiness and fulfillment in our lives? 2. How can we identify and overcome internal psychological traps, such as judgment and unrealistic expectations, that hinder our well-being? 3. What steps can we take to prioritize our own values and desires over societal pressures and external expectations to live a more authentic and purposeful life? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here ❤️‍🔥 ...

May 27, 202555 minEp. 439

3 Distractions Keeping You From Health (The Supplement Trap, Your Social Circle, & The Perfect Plan)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the common distractions that keep us from achieving our health goals, and how can we effectively identify and overcome them? 2. How do our social circles and environments influence our health behaviors, and what strategies can we implement to create a supportive network? 3. In what ways can we shift our focus from perfectionism and obsession with outcomes to a more balanced and sustainable approach to health and well-being? 👉🏼 Get the full Liste...

May 20, 202559 minEp. 438

Fighting Stress: Why the 5 Factors of Health Are Our Best Weapon

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can understanding stress impact our overall health and well-being? 2. What practical strategies can we implement to manage stress effectively in our daily lives? 3. In what ways does stress influence our pursuit of happiness and sense of purpose? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excellence? Start here! === 👋 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS 🔗 Momentous - High-quality supplements 🔗 Shopify...

May 16, 202520 minEp. 437

Scaling Back to Move Forward: How Modulating Intensity Creates More Fitness

The 4 Listener Questions We're Answering: 1. How do you maintain consistency in your fitness routine while scaling intensity? 2. How do you protect your health and wellness goals in a toxic workplace? 3. What's the smart way to start a fitness journey after a very long break? 4. Should you train for an unpartitioned Murph, and what's the best approach? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excellence? Start here! === 👋 THANKS TO...

May 13, 202534 minEp. 436

Less Training, More Life: How Cole Sager is Redefining What Matters Most

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How is Cole Sager transitioning from a high-level competitive mindset to a more balanced approach to fitness and life? 2. What lessons has Cole learned from years of intense training and competition that can be applied to our everyday life and relationships? 3. In what ways can we all prioritize our health and well-being while still pursuing our passions and responsibilities? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase...

May 06, 202554 minEp. 435

Values Over Vanity: Why Health Might be the Best Dating Filter

The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How can aligning on health and fitness values influence your search for a life partner, and what role should these values play in dating? 2. What strategies can you use to address physical imbalances that develop from transitioning to more rotational sports as you age? 3. Which supplements are truly essential for performance and health, and how do you identify high-quality options? 4. How can you transition away from tracking macros and weighing food while mai...

May 02, 202530 minEp. 434

April’s Big Ideas: Facing Fear, Why Teams Matter, & Daily Excellence

Something of an experiment this week: We’ve collected some of the best moments and biggest ideas from our April episodes. 👉🏼 Get the Episode Guide & all relevant links here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excellence? Start here! === 👋 THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS 🔗 Momentous - High-quality supplements 🔗 The Defender - Adventure-ready vehicle === 🤙 ABOUT US 📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain ...

Apr 29, 202543 minEp. 433

The Turtle Principle: Why Resistance Makes Fear & Anxiety Worse

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can understanding and addressing our fears improve our mental health and overall well-being? 2. What practical strategies can we implement to counteract the mind killers, particularly fear, in our daily lives? 3. In what ways can cultivating openness and vulnerability enhance our resilience against anxiety and stress? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excellence? Start here! === 👋 ...

Apr 22, 202556 minEp. 432

The Raised Hand Rule: How to Know Who You Can Help

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we navigate feelings of guilt and responsibility when a friend struggles with addiction or unhealthy behaviors? 2. What role does being present play in supporting friends who may need help, and how can we create a safe space for them to reach out? 3. How do we balance our own well-being with the desire to help others, especially when faced with difficult relationships? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chas...

Apr 18, 202521 minEp. 431

What Makes a Worthy Challenge? (The Truth About Goals, Growth, & Everyday Excellence)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What constitutes a "worthy challenge" in our lives, and how can pursuing these challenges contribute to our personal growth and development? 2. How can we transform everyday struggles into meaningful opportunities for character development and fulfillment? 3. How do ambition and the desire for achievement intersect with the pursuit of internal peace and self-actualization? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Cl...

Apr 15, 202543 minEp. 430

Why Your Motivation to Get Fit Might be Your Biggest Obstacle

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we transform our mindset around fitness from a place of punishment to one of celebration and empowerment? 2. What practical steps can we take to dismantle the victim mentality and foster a healthier self-image? 3. How can changing our language and the words we use impact our motivation and overall well-being? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excellence? Start here! === 👋 THANK...

Apr 08, 202557 minEp. 429

From Autopilot to Crash Landing: The 7 Habits of Highly Ineffective People

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the key habits that lead to personal ineffectiveness, and how can we recognize and shift away from them in our daily lives? 2. How can understanding the difference between being reactive and proactive enhance our overall well-being and effectiveness in different areas of life? 3. In what ways can collaboration and teamwork contribute to achieving our goals and creating a more fulfilling life, rather than relying solely on individual efforts? 👉🏼 ...

Apr 01, 20251 hrEp. 428

Your House, Your Rules: The Hidden Power of Environmental Design in Raising Active Kids

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively navigate the influence of technology and screens in our children's lives while promoting a more active and engaged lifestyle? 2. What strategies can we use to create an environment that encourages healthier habits, both at home and in social settings with friends and neighbors? 3. How can we foster open conversations with our children about nutrition and screen time, ensuring they understand the reasons behind our family rules and va...

Mar 28, 202523 minEp. 427

The 10-Minutes-Per-Decade Rule: Your Path to Better Range of Motion

The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively incorporate mobility and maintenance work into our daily routines to enhance performance and prevent injury? 2. What mental strategies should we use to approach AMRAP workouts versus for-time workouts to optimize performance in each format? 3. How do we handle situations where children resist participating in physical activities, while ensuring they develop healthy lifestyle habits? 4. What's the most effective way to incorporate swimmin...

Mar 25, 202534 minEp. 426

Stop Making Nutrition Complicated: The Case for Boring, Simple, & Imperfect Eating

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we simplify nutrition without compromising results, and what role does consistency play in achieving dietary goals? 2. What is the psychological impact of dietary choices, and how can we cultivate a healthy relationship with food to avoid guilt and self-sabotage? 3. In what ways can understanding personal identity influence our eating habits, and how can we use that knowledge to foster long-term healthy eating patterns? 🍌 Download EC’s new App her...

Mar 18, 202552 minEp. 425

Identity Over Outcomes: How to Pursue Ambitious Goals Without Getting Crushed by Expectations

The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How to effectively balance sports training with other fitness goals to maximize both performance and social benefits? 2. How to manage expectations around ambitious fitness goals (like marathon times) without tying self-worth and happiness to specific outcomes? 3. What strategies can help motivate a partner who's struggling with workout consistency after one person can no longer train at the same intensity? 4. What's the importance of proper coaching certifica...

Mar 14, 202527 minEp. 423

The Compounding Effect Nobody Talks About: Your Everyday Thoughts

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can mastering our thoughts lead to greater serenity and peace of mind in our daily lives? 2. What practical steps can we take to develop self-control and discipline in order to navigate life's challenges effectively? 3. In what ways can understanding our personal vision and anti-vision help us create a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excell...

Mar 11, 202538 minEp. 424

10 Daily Practices for Moving, Thinking, & Kicking Ass into Your 90s

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the key daily practices across the five factors of health that can help us thrive into our nineties? 2. How can we effectively recognize and manage our emotional triggers to improve our overall well-being? 3. What actionable steps can we take to prioritize sleep and recovery and avoid ultra-processed foods? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide === ❤️‍🔥 Free Newsletter & the Chase Club 👋 New to Chasing Excellence? Start here! === 👋 THANKS TO O...

Mar 07, 202522 minEp. 422

Be a Thermostat, Not a Thermometer (Or, How to Stop Being Pulled Down by Tough Relationships)

The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How can you be a thermostat instead of a thermometer in challenging relationships, especially with family members who don't share your pursuit of excellence? 2. What's the optimal balance between strength and endurance training for CrossFit athletes, particularly those with smaller body types? 3. How can you balance gratitude for your current professional situation while still pursuing growth and positive change? 4. What are the most effective training protoco...

Mar 04, 202542 minEp. 421

6 Ways to Adapt Your Training: From Hyrox to Ironman (and Everything Between)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can you effectively adapt your training regimen for different athletic events, such as Hyrox, Ironman, or a marathon, while maintaining overall fitness? 2. What are the key strategies for incorporating weight loss into your training without sacrificing muscle mass and strength? 3. How can transitioning from competitive training to a more sustainable fitness routine impact your mental well-being and long-term health goals? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s G...

Feb 28, 202530 minEp. 420

Don't Let the CrossFit Open Be a Stumbling Block (A Guide to Playing it Smart)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can the CrossFit Open serve as a tool for assessing overall fitness in a way that is both enjoyable and beneficial for non-competitive athletes? 2. What are effective benchmarks and alternative methods for measuring fitness that prioritize long-term health and performance? 3. How do we balance the pursuit of fitness goals with the need to listen to our bodies and modify workouts to prevent injury and promote longevity? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guid...

Feb 25, 202525 minEp. 419

CrossFit's Leadership Crisis: Inside the Decision to De-Affiliate

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can gym owners navigate the complexities of brand affiliation to ensure alignment with their values and community needs? 2. What role does leadership play in fostering a supportive and transparent environment within fitness communities, especially during times of crisis? 3. In what ways can individuals maintain their passion for fitness and community while adapting to changes within the broader fitness landscape? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here...

Feb 18, 20251 hr 4 minEp. 418

The Passion-Obsession Paradox: The Hidden Cost of Chasing Optimum Health

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively communicate our health and lifestyle choices to family members who may not understand or agree with our decisions? 2. What is the difference between passion, compliance, and obsession in our pursuit of health and wellness, and how can we maintain a balanced approach? 3. How can we navigate social situations and family dynamics while staying true to our values and prioritizing our health and happiness? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Gui...

Feb 14, 202524 minEp. 417

5 Ways Hard Training Makes Everything Else Easier (The Last One Is Gold)

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can the lessons learned from hard training in the gym be applied to improve our mental resilience and overall life satisfaction? 2. What role do judgment and expectation play in our ability to start new challenges, and how can we overcome these barriers? 3. How can surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals transform our struggles into meaningful progress in both fitness and daily life? 👉🏼 Get the full Listener’s Guide here === ❤️‍🔥 Free New...

Feb 11, 202546 minEp. 416

The Anti-Pushy Playbook: How to Share Your Fitness Passion Without Losing & Confusing People

The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively communicate the benefits of fitness, such as CrossFit, to people unfamiliar with it without jargon or overwhelming them? 2. What strategies can we implement to support aging parents in maintaining their physical fitness and mobility without being pushy or judgmental? 3. How can we create an environment that encourages healthy habits and social connections for ourselves and our loved ones, ultimately promoting a more active and fulfil...

Feb 07, 202533 minEp. 415
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