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

Personal Responsibility in Daily Excellence

In a (somewhat accidental) follow-up to our conversation about the Fulfillment Framework, we're talking about why pride looks selfish in the short term, making the right kind of difficult choices, why being joyful is brave, and more. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Dec 07, 202138 minEp. 204

Two Eyes on the Process (Keep Going Rebroadcast)

We're rebroadcasting a conversation I had recently on the Keep Going Podcast . John and I talk about the hierarchy of mindset, why taking massive action matters more than anything else, how to work through bad days, and a bunch more. Grab the new book here. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Nov 30, 202146 minEp. 203

Dr. Amishi Jha on Owning Your Attention

Dr. Amishi Jha is a researcher, professor, and author of the new book, Peak Mind . She joins us to talk about the work her lab is doing to uncover the power of mindfulness training on attention, focus, and resilience. Find us on Social: Amishi | Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Nov 23, 20211 hr 2 minEp. 202

Don't Stop Until You're Proud

We've got my co-writer on Unlocking Potential , Christine Bald, on to talk about the process of writing a book, getting things wrong until you get it right, balancing patience and ambition, and a bunch more. Find us on Social: Christine | Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Nov 16, 202155 minEp. 201

Operating at the Speed of Trust

For the last few years, I've been working on a new book. It's called Unlocking Potential , and it's about leadership, getting a team into group flow, the mistakes I've made, and a bunch more. Get a sneak peek in this episode. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Nov 09, 202148 minEp. 200

Benchmark: 10 Habits to Stop Having

In this throwback to 2018, we're rebroadcasting an episode all about the habits we have that we should finally kill - including hitting the snooze button, yelling at people in traffic, and using your phone while you eat. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Nov 02, 202125 minEp. 199

Ron Friedman on Reverse Engineering Success

Author Ron Friedman joins us this week to discuss his new book, "Decoding Greatness." We talk about the three ways to find success, the "scoreboard principle," and what it looks like to practice in three dimensions. Find us on Social: Ron | Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Oct 26, 202146 minEp. 198

Monster Energy at the CrossFit Games (HopperTalk #06)

This week, Patrick and I trade answers about whether CrossFit should have had Monster Energy at the Games, what we want every teenager to know, the big changes we've made that have had the biggest positive impact, and more! Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Oct 19, 202155 minEp. 197

The First Question to Ask Before Changing Your Diet

Before you decide to go keto or vegan or low carb or high protein, take a listen to this short conversation about the most important question you need to ask and answer, first principles, and starting with the end in mind. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Oct 12, 202123 minEp. 196

Lauren Johnson on Becoming Elite by Choice

Lauren Johnson is a mental performance coach for professional athletes and entrepreneurs. She joins us to talk about the difference between challenges and threats, the power of self-talk, separating facts from feelings, and more. Find us on Social: Lauren | Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Oct 05, 202157 minEp. 195

The 3 WODs I'd Program for the Olympics (2:00 #30)

Your questions are back in the spotlight! This time around, we're talking about how to make sure your ladder is up against the right wall, the pros and cons of an open gym period, lactate threshold training, and a bunch more. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Sep 28, 202142 minEp. 194

The Fulfillment Framework

We've talked about making sure our ladders are up against the right walls, but how do you also make sure you're climbing up the ladder? We dive into that here, talking about the system I use to chase fulfillment, from my big goals to my daily tasks. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Sep 21, 202157 minEp. 193

Sergey Young on Thriving at 200 Years Old

Sergey Young is an author and investor working to radically extend human health and lifespans. He joins us to talk about the definition of aging, the technology of the near future, creating lives worth extending, and more. Find us on Social: Sergey | Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Sep 14, 202158 minEp. 192

Competing vs Comparing

Is comparison the thief of joy? That's the question we pose at the start of this week's episode, talking about intrinsic vs extrinsic motivation, what a true competitor looks like, and how to use our ambition for good. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Sep 07, 202148 minEp. 191

The Secret Sauce of CrossFit Programming

We're getting into some best practices for delivering effective GPP programming. We're talking about programming for horsepower, why 18-minute WODs shouldn't be considered "long," and why we offer three different programming tracks to our members. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Aug 31, 20211 hr 6 minEp. 190

Benchmark: Simplifying Nutrition

We're revisiting one of our most popular conversations from the early days of the podcast, talking about why I prefer to keep my nutritional advice simple, the value of getting blood work done, & why both quality & quantity matter. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Aug 24, 202127 minEp. 189

Life-Changing Quotes (Hoppertalk #05)

HopperTalk is back this week. Patrick and I talk through the adult problems nobody prepared us for, whether Tia is the most dominant athlete in CrossFit Games history, things from the 90s that we miss, and more. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick Questions Answered: 02:05 - What's a quote that's permanently changed the way you look at things? 11:10 - What is something free on the internet that everyone should take advantage of? 24:00 - What benchmark workout should appear in the CrossFit Games? 28...

Aug 17, 20211 hr 7 minEp. 188

2021 CrossFit Games Debrief

We're talking through my experience at the 2021 CrossFit Games - from NoBULL's first year as the sponsor, to my thoughts on the programming, CompTrain's overall performance, and the young guns making a run for the podium. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Aug 10, 202146 minEp. 187

When an S.O. Doesn't Care About CrossFit (2:00 #29)

The 2:00 Drill is back, featuring your questions on the chasing excellence approach to dating, why we don't program strength-only days at CrossFit New England, choosing whether to go to the gym early or sleep in, and more. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick Questions Answered: 02:10 - Approaching dating with an attitude of chasing excellence 04:20 - Differentiating one-upping and trying to relate 06:40 - Determining whether to go to workout early or sleep more 08:50 - Spending $65 a week on grocer...

Aug 03, 202127 minEp. 186

Important Details, Strong Networks, & Simpler Lives

In this edition of our 3x3, I'm talking through some of the small things that CrossFit New England does well, how I think about building stronger relationships, and ways to make our lives simpler. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Jul 27, 202132 minEp. 185

Benchmark: Daily Discipline

We're revisiting one of our most popular conversations from the early days of the podcast, talking about why it's important to determine our level of discipline and then never break the chain of daily success. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Jul 20, 202131 minEp. 184

The Protein and Produce Diet for Kids

We talk all the time about the five factors of health, but how do they apply to our kids? We're diving into that question, talking about how I ensure that my kids are eating well, how we set up the house to reduce food conflict, and more. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Jul 13, 202141 minEp. 183

If You Want To Run Fast, Run Fast (2:00 #28)

Your questions are back in the spotlight. We're answering questions about programming when you have limited time and equipment, why I don't think we need to establish a VO2 Max threshold for Games athletes, dealing with CrossFit skeptics, and more. Find us on Social: Ben | Patrick Questions Answered: 01:45 - Dealing with comparing ourselves to others 04:30 - Increasing coaching skills with limited time 06:40 - Moving from living to thriving 10:40 - Determining VO2 Max for CrossFit athletes 12:00...

Jul 06, 202145 minEp. 182

Greg McKeown on the Pursuit of Sustainable Excellence

Greg McKeown is the author of Essentialism and Effortless. He joins us to discuss why easy things aren't always trivial, having faith that the process will work, working backward from our optimal max, and a whole lot more. Find us on Social: Greg | Ben | Patrick 👉🏼 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author , coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain . 👉🏼 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and c reator of Functional Branding ....

Jun 29, 20211 hr 7 minEp. 181

Stop Fearing Failure (Modern Wisdom Interview)

This week, we're republishing a conversation I had with Chris Williamson on his podcast, Modern Wisdom. We go deep on what it means to live a life of excellence, the hierarchy of mindset, living for the remembering self, and a whole lot more.

Jun 22, 20211 hr 24 minEp. 180

Useful But Rarely Taught Skills (HopperTalk #04)

HopperTalk is back! This time around, Patrick and I are giving our thoughts on normalizing naps, what we'd change about CrossFit's early days, whether we think first impressions are usually accurate, our favorite Games events, and more!

Jun 15, 20211 hr 4 minEp. 179

Dr. Jonathan Fader on Looking at Life as a Sport

Dr. Jonathan Fader is a performance psychologist who's worked with pro athletes in the MLB and NFL. He joins us this week to talk about earning trust, getting our mental reps in, why he sees life as a sport, and a bunch more.

Jun 08, 202154 minEp. 178

Discomfort vs Pain (2:00 #27)

Our 2:00 Drill is back! We're answering your questions about learning how to relax without guilt, helping athletes fulfill their dreams, understanding the difference between discomfort & pain, & lots more!

Jun 01, 202149 minEp. 177

World-Class Health in 100 Words

Modern medicine might define health as the absence of disease, but that's not a good enough definition for us. So we're offering our own, in a format that many CrossFitters will recognize. (See full episode description for text.)

May 25, 20211 hr 11 minEp. 176

Tim Grover on Michael Jordan's Second Stat Sheet

Michael Jordan didn't pay Tim Grover to be his trainer. He paid our guest to not be anybody else's trainer. The author of the new book, Winning, joins us to talk about why showing up is not half the battle and so much more.

May 18, 202154 minEp. 175
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