Dr. Stacy Sims is an exercise physiologist, nutrition scientist, TEDx speaker, and the bestselling author behind the viral phrase "Women are not small men." In this episode, she joins Denise Thomas to unpack what we really need to know about women’s physiology — and how most training and nutrition advice completely ignores it. They get into the menstrual cycle, perimenopause, postmenopause, and how to train through it all. Stacy explains why women lose power during certain phases, how training a...
Jul 01, 2025
Conor Murphy has worn many hats: Navy serviceman, CrossFit Games athlete, Seminar Staff trainer, and, now, head of Big Night Fitness and affiliate owner in Boston, Massachusetts. In this raw and real conversation with Denise Thomas, Conor opens up about the moments that nearly broke him — and how CrossFit gave him a second chance. From losing his shot at a military career, to training celebrities on tour buses, to building a space where community comes first, Conor reflects on the power of mento...
Jun 24, 2025
Dr. Major Allison Brager is a neuroscientist, a two-time CrossFit Games athlete, and one of the military’s leading experts on sleep and circadian biology. In this episode, host Denise Thomas and co-host Jocelyn Rylee dig in to what happens in the body during sleep, how your chronotype affects your performance, and the importance of sleep for recovery. They also unpack strategic caffeine dosing, sleep myths, and the direct impact sleep has on your hormones, recovery, mood, and even long-term heal...
Jun 17, 2025
Dr. Kwadwo Kyeremanteng is an ICU doctor in Ottawa who spent the pandemic treating some of the sickest patients in Canada. In this conversation, he explains how his experience in the ICU during COVID changed the course of his life — and set him on a mission to keep people out of his ward. In his episode, he talks candidly about what it’s like to deliver bad news to families, what we’re getting wrong about chronic illness, and how fitness and strength training save lives. Dr. K is also the author...
Jun 10, 2025•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 18
Dr. Rhonda Patrick is a leading researcher in nutrition, aging, and metabolic health. She’s known for translating complex science into practical tools for longevity and performance — and now, after a year of doing CrossFit, she has new insights to share. In this episode, Rhonda joins Denise to break down the cellular mechanisms behind high-intensity exercise, why lactate is more than a waste product, and how CrossFit helps train your brain, not just your body. They cover topics like VO2 max, mit...
Jun 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min
Scott and Gwenna Bradley are the heart and backbone of Underground PDX, a nonprofit CrossFit affiliate that serves kids and families in one of Oregon’s most high-risk communities. In this episode, they open up about trauma, healing, and the power of love and consistency. Scott shares his personal story — from addiction and incarceration to ministry and coaching. Gwenna reflects on how structure, emotional regulation, and compassion allow them to reach kids dealing with poverty, violence, and ins...
May 27, 2025
Episode DescriptionCrossFit Competition Director Adrian “Boz” Bozman joins the show to reflect on the evolving landscape of the sport and its roots. With nearly 20 years in the CrossFit ecosystem — as an athlete, coach, judge, long-time Seminar Staff member, and even Games director — Boz brings a unique perspective on the methodology’s intent and its interpretation.Boz and Denise dig into CrossFit philosophy, the challenge of honoring tradition while pushing boundaries, and why discomfort is par...
May 20, 2025•Ep. 15
Cristina Anderson’s journey from complete lack of self-belief to a Certified CrossFit Level 4 Coach and Seminar Staff member is nothing short of extraordinary. In this powerful episode, Cristina opens up to Denise about what it took to shift from self-doubt to service, and how she’s using her voice and experience to reshape what fitness looks and feels like. She shares the hard moments — from imposter syndrome to the childhood shame that fueled her transformation — and the triumphs, including fi...
May 13, 2025•1 hr 7 min•Ep. 14
Jocelyn Rylee is leading the charge to bring nutrition back to the center of the CrossFit conversation. A longtime affiliate owner, Seminar Staff trainer, and leader of the in-person CrossFit Nutrition Course, Jocelyn blends science, education, and deep experience in her approach to food and fitness. In this episode, Denise and Jocelyn dig into the foundations of health, the evolution of nutrition in the CrossFit world, and the difference between eating for performance and eating for longevity. ...
May 06, 2025•Ep. 13
Stephane Rochet (CF-L3) is a former D1 collegiate strength and conditioning coach at top-tier athletic programs, a former CrossFit Seminar Staff Flowmaster, and currently serves as CrossFit HQ’s Senior Content Writer. With more than two decades of experience, few people are more qualified to drop the hammer on the most common misconceptions about CrossFit. In this episode, Stephane joins Denise to break down what CrossFit actually is — and what it isn’t. Together, Stephane and Denise tackle myth...
Apr 29, 2025•Ep. 12
Dr. Chris Palmer — Harvard psychiatrist, researcher, and author of “Brain Energy” — joins Denise Thomas to explore the connection between metabolic and mental health. He shares how his mother’s tragic mental illness shaped his path, why current treatments often fail, and how lifestyle interventions like CrossFit can be life-saving tools for people suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia. Together, they discuss the science behind epigenetics, mitoch...
Apr 22, 2025•1 hr 39 min•Ep. 11
Former Marine Brian “Tosh” Chontosh joins Denise Thomas for a clear-eyed conversation about struggle, comparison, and leadership. Tosh explains why morning routines are overrated, what it really means to be kind — to others and yourself — and how most people are chasing the wrong things. In this episode, Tosh and Denise dig into the mind’s mind, the lie of perfection, and why effort matters more than outcome. From his time in combat to ultra-endurance events and founding Crooked Butterfly Ranch,...
Apr 15, 2025•Ep. 10
In this episode, Denise Thomas talks with Dr. Tom McCoy, co-founder of the CrossFit Medical Society, about the potential for a healthcare model that doesn’t profit on disease, the role of CrossFit in preventing and reversing chronic disease, and how coaches can contribute to improving the health and longevity of their members. Dr. McCoy also shares practical insights on integrating healthcare with CrossFit and the importance of community in driving health outcomes. They discuss how CrossFit can ...
Apr 08, 2025•Ep. 9
Helen Taylor, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer and fourth degree black belt, is the founder of Core City CrossFit Kids, a nonprofit organization in Detroit, Michigan, dedicated to transforming the lives of underprivileged youth through fitness, mentorship, and community.In this episode, Helen talks with Denise Thomas about the realities of running a nonprofit in an under-resourced community, the challenges of earning trust, and what it takes to keep kids engaged both inside and outside the gym. She also...
Apr 01, 2025•Ep. 8
In this episode, CrossFit CEO Don Faul shares how he handles the pressures of decision-making at CrossFit HQ and why he’s still chasing improvement every year. Along the way, Don reflects on the energy of the community, where the company is heading, and his years of CrossFit before becoming the CEO. Don opens up on topics that matter to the CrossFit community — like the future of CrossFit. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his personal life — from being a dad and a CEO to trash talk at his...
Mar 27, 2025•1 hr 30 min•Ep. 7
Myles Lewis is a father, husband, longtime CrossFit affiliate owner, coach, and member of CrossFit’s Seminar Staff. Since opening CrossFit Avalanche in 2008, he’s navigated the challenges of running a business in a competitive, high-cost environment while staying true to the fundamentals of CrossFit. In this episode, Myles joins Denise Thomas to discuss his journey — from professional snowboarding to discovering CrossFit and becoming a coach. He shares lessons learned over 16 years of affiliate ...
Mar 18, 2025
CrossFit legend Scott Panchik joins the show to discuss his journey as a Games athlete and a gym owner, breaking down the role of competition at all levels of CrossFit. From pushing his limits on the competition floor to helping everyday athletes redefine success at CrossFit Mentality, Scott shares invaluable insights on training, coaching, and mindset. Scott and host Denise Thomas dive into the evolution of competition, the fine line between healthy and unhealthy motivation, and how tracking pr...
Mar 11, 2025•51 min•Ep. 42
In this episode, Denise Thomas sits down with Dr. Julie Foucher, a board-certified family physician, and former CrossFit Games athlete, to explore the intersection of medicine, fitness, and health — physical, mental, and emotional. Foucher discusses the limitations of conventional healthcare, the role of lifestyle in chronic disease prevention, and how CrossFit affiliates can serve as health hubs in their communities. She also shares insights on mindset, stress management, and practical steps fo...
Mar 03, 2025•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 4
In this episode, Denise Thomas sits down with Dave Castro to discuss the evolution of CrossFit from its early days to its current global impact. Dave shares stories from his 20-year journey, including: Early Beginnings: How he got involved in CrossFit around 2005 at the original HQ at CrossFit Santa Cruz, and his role in developing and scaling the early seminars into a global training business alongside Nicole Carroll. Standardizing Education: The process of shaping and standardizing CrossFit cu...
Feb 24, 2025•1 hr 47 min•Ep. 3
Chuck Carswell has been part of CrossFit for nearly two decades, making an impact as a coach, mentor, and longtime member of CrossFit’s Seminar Staff. He’s one of the most experienced trainers in the world, having taught thousands of athletes and coaches through the CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Certificate Courses. In this episode, Chuck sits down with Denise Thomas to share his journey — from playing in the NFL to discovering CrossFit and dedicating his career to coaching and education. He refl...
Feb 18, 2025•57 min•Ep. 2
In this episode of The CrossFit Podcast, Nicole Carroll sits down with Denise Thomas to reflect on her 20-year journey — from how she discovered CrossFit in 2004 and the lessons she’s learned over two decades, to why she believes CrossFit is more relevant now than ever. Topics Covered:Nicole’s fitness journey and introduction to CrossFitThe evolution of her role within CrossFitThe importance of preserving CrossFit's foundational principlesThe relevance of CrossFit today Resources and Media Menti...
Feb 11, 2025•1 hr 10 min
Welcome to the CrossFit Podcast, hosted by CrossFit Seminar Staff veteran Denise Thomas. Each episode features a conversation with a leader or legend within the CrossFit community sharing their experiences as practitioners of the CrossFit methodology, and first-hand witnesses to the power of CrossFit to create health and change lives in lasting and profound ways. We’ll also sit down with guests from outside the community whose work in the academic or clinical space adds a valuable perspective to...
Feb 05, 2025•2 min
