In this episode of the CrossFit Podcast, host Jocelyn Rylee sits down with Michelle Hespeler and Dr. Sule Tinaz of Yale School of Medicine to explore the science and lived experience behind high-intensity exercise for Parkinson’s disease. Hespeler was diagnosed with Parkinson’s at age 40. A former physical education teacher, she began experimenting with structured, high-effort training long before exercise was widely discussed as part of Parkinson’s care. Tinaz is a neuroscientist and movement disorders specialist whose research focuses on how exercise affects the brain itself. Together, they
When CrossFit started, we didn’t need science to know it worked. We saw it in affiliates every day. People moved better, got stronger, and aged better. Now, the research is catching up. In this episode, physician, CrossFit Level 3 trainer, and researcher Jose Ostaiza explains how CrossFit changes the body at the molecular level through epigenetics, the science of how lifestyle influences gene expression. Ostaiza breaks down how high-intensity training rebuilds telomeres, supports mitochondrial health, reduces inflammation, and slows biological aging. By combining strength, cardio, and high-int
Caffeine is the most widely used psychoactive substance in the world, and it is deeply embedded in fitness culture. Coffee, pre-workout, and energy drinks are often treated as essential tools for training and performance. But what does the science actually say? In this episode of the CrossFit Podcast, host Jocelyn Rylee sits down with sleep scientist and active duty Army neuroscientist Dr. Allison Brager to examine the relationship between caffeine, sleep, recovery, and performance. Brager explains how caffeine works in the brain, why tolerance changes its effectiveness, and why the perceived
Former Green Beret, longtime CrossFit coach, and licensed therapist Bill Anthes joins Jocelyn Rylee for a conversation that cuts straight to the heart of what it means to train the whole human. Drawing from military selection, years on Seminar Staff, clinical practice, psychedelic integration work, and the creation of the Ruck Race League, Bill explores the deep connection between physical stress, psychological patterns, and nervous-system awareness. He and Jocelyn dig into failure as a training tool, why monotonous work exposes truth, how coaches can hold space without overreaching, and what
What if trauma recovery is not just about talking, but about training? In this episode, host Jocelyn Rylee sits down with Dr. Stephanie Arel, whose work bridges religion and psychology. She holds a master’s degree in religion and psychiatry, and a Ph.D. in theology and trauma studies, along with clinical training and experience working at an eating disorder hospital. Drawing on her academic research, clinical work with trauma survivors, and personal journey as a CrossFit athlete, Arel explores how CrossFit’s methodology intersects with trauma recovery. Arel explains how trauma permanently alte
Dr. Jason Fung returns to the CrossFit Podcast to unpack the real driver behind weight gain and chronic hunger. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and his new book “The Hunger Code,” Fung challenges the “calorie in, calorie out” model and explains why it has failed so many people for so long. This conversation goes deeper than macros and meal plans. Fung breaks down the three types of hunger: homeostatic, hedonic, and conditioned. He explains how ultra-processed foods, the modern food environment, and social conditioning override natural appetite regulation. He and host Jocelyn Rylee
Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy this episode with CrossFit legend Chuck Carswell. You can find Chuck starring in the latest content from CrossFit HQ, The CrossFit Effect. – 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
Congrats on making it to the end of the 2026 CrossFit Quarterfinals, presented by Velites! Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks. — Jocelyn Rylee is leading the charge to bring nutrition back to the center of the CrossFit conversation. A longtime affiliate owner and Seminar Staff trainer, 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
Congrats on making it to the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard! Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy this episode with of our community favorites, Nick Wells and Gino Aviles. — Redemption Road CrossFit started inside Colorado’s prison system, where a small group of men turned CrossFit workouts into the first affiliate behind bars. Today, it’s a nonprofit changing prison culture through mentorship, accountability, and community — cutting recidivism to just 1.6% compared to the national average of 80%. This week, w
From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed. Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard. 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. 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
From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed. Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard. Sign up at games.crossfit.com. 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 nutri
From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed. Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard. Sign up at games.crossfit.com. ---- Dr. Fatty Acid, the viral creator behind @When_Nerds_Teach, joins Denise Thomas for a refreshingly honest conversation about finding CrossFit, battling fatty liver disease, navigating Wegovy, and rediscovering strength. A lifelong teacher, she talks about humor, vulnerability, and learnin
We’re all in on prep for the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard. In the meantime, enjoy some of our favorite episodes, dropped in this feed every two weeks. We’ll be back after the Open concludes with fresh content that explores the latest research on a variety of topics in health and fitness with subject matter experts. Don’t forget to register: games.crossfit.com and we’ll see you on the leaderboard!
Dr. Kelly Starrett joins the CrossFit Podcast to look back on the early days of CrossFit and ahead to what the next 20 years can become. From finding CrossFit through a grainy GIF in the early 2000s to opening one of the first affiliates in the world, Starrett reflects on the ideas that shaped the methodology and the lessons learned through decades of coaching athletes, Olympians, and everyday people. This conversation explores durability over time, why pain is not a failure but a request for change, and how movement quality, range of motion, and basic strength set the foundation for performan
CrossFit was born from curiosity, trial and error, and the willingness to test ideas in real time. In this conversation, host Jocelyn Rylee and senior content writer Stephane Rochet revisit the roots of that culture and explore why self-experimentation remains one of the most powerful tools for improving performance, health, and well-being. They reflect on the early days of nutrition inside CrossFit, the experiments that shaped their own training, and why results-driven thinking cuts through dogma. From zone ratios to carb backloading, fasting, fruit fasts, and the realities of changing needs
This marks the tenth and final episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. Dan Uyemura, founder and CEO of PushPress, has a rare vantage point: data from thousands of CrossFit affiliates around the world. In this conversation, he breaks down what separates thriving gyms from struggling ones, why engagement matters more than marketing, and how technology can amplify, not replace, the human experience at the heart of CrossFit. From the “golden rule” for new members to the psychology behind retention, Dan and host Jocelyn Rylee dig into how affiliate own
The CrossFit Podcast team is pulling back the curtain for this special episode. Get a look behind the scenes at what it took to restart the CrossFit Podcast, what we learned the hard way, and the top moments of the show in 2025. Spend a little bit of your holiday season with us — Denise Thomas, Jocelyn Rylee, and Maggie Mullen. We hope this episode brings you some holiday cheer, ideas for what to binge next, and a bit of perspective on what matters most. From all of us to you and your family — both CrossFit and nuclear — happy holidays, and please tell us how 12 Days of Christmas (or whatever
In this episode, Denise Thomas sits down with Mark England, co-founder of Enlifted Coaching, to unpack the real meaning of “mindset,” not as a buzzword, but as the story you tell yourself. A former MMA fighter turned educator, Mark shares how injuries and failure led him to discover transformational wordsmithing: the process of changing your internal dialogue to change your life. He walks through practical tools that anyone, especially coaches and athletes, can use to rewrite limiting stories, calm their nervous system, and reclaim control through language and breath. This one’s part conversat
This marks the ninth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. Italy once held one of the lowest obesity rates in the developed world, but that’s changing fast. CrossFit Country Manager and longtime affiliate owner Matteo Pozzati joins the show to talk about the cultural shift in Italy, the rise of chronic disease, and how CrossFit is stepping in to rebuild true health from the ground up. Matteo shares his journey from coaching in Venice to teaching hospital workers how to move safely, leading Italy’s affiliate community, and fighting to preserve Cr
This marks the eighth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. CrossFit Podcast producer Maggie Mullen steps out from backstage for a raw, unfiltered conversation about body image, nutrition, and the culture of CrossFit. From her early days as a competitor and fueling to perform, to finding balance, Maggie opens up about food neurosis, body dysmorphia, and an alternative view of diet culture. This episode digs into the tension between discipline and obsession, aesthetics and health, and what it really means to chase your best self inside the gym an
Dr. Nick (aka The Fittest Doc) joins Jocelyn Rylee to unpack how CrossFit shaped his approach to medicine. They dig into lifestyle versus pharmaceuticals, the role of identity in lasting change, and why doctors need to prioritize their own health. Topics Covered How CrossFit reshaped Dr. Nick’s discipline and medical practice Lifestyle-first vs. pharma-first approaches to chronic disease Performance as a predictor of future health Building credibility: Should doctors practice what they preach? The role of affiliates in bridging healthcare and community Resources Mentioned CrossFit for Health S
This marks the seventh episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. Olympian and Power Monkey Fitness co-founder Dave Durante joins the CrossFit Podcast to talk about the transition from elite competition to lifelong fitness. After representing the U.S. in gymnastics at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, Dave discovered CrossFit, and it changed his life. He shares how CrossFit helped him stay healthy and strong beyond his competitive years, the story behind Power Monkey Camp, and why gymnastics remains one of the best foundations for athleticism at any age. TO
You’ve probably heard of the workout CHAD1000X (1,000 weighted step-ups for time) and The Step Up Foundation – the organization using fitness to raise awareness for mental health and veteran suicide prevention. In this episode, we get to know the selfless leader behind both: Sara Wilkinson. After losing her husband, Navy SEAL Chad Wilkinson, to suicide in 2018, Sara turned grief into purpose, creating a global movement that’s brought thousands together each year to honor his legacy and support others who are struggling. She opens up about what it means to carry grief, how community heals, and
CrossFit CEO Don Faul and Affiliate Council Chair Zia Rohrbaugh join host James Hobart for a pulse check on what’s happening across the company and the community. They discuss the role of CrossFit HQ and CrossFit affiliates, the importance of the CrossFit brand for affiliates, and how to support international communities. Stay till the end to hear from special guests Troy Peterson of ValorFit and Mike Egan, as they preview their plans for Veterans Day. Support Mike in his effort to break a world record and raise money for ValorFit HERE. Let us know what you think --> podcasts@crossfit.com Foll
“Forging Elite Fitness®” has been part of the CrossFit brand since 2003. And now, it’s representing CrossFit front and center once again after a few years of lurking behind the scenes. But what does it really mean? And what doesn’t it mean? And why are we bringing it back? In this show, Denise Thomas is joined by Nicole Carroll, Craig Howard, and Jocelyn Rylee to unpack the phrase that debuted its revival tour this week in our new “Forging Elite Fitness” video and accompanying article. They’ll talk about where the misunderstanding often lies: Is it only about Games athletes? Is “elite” too agg
