Chasing Excellence

We're joined by our good friend Cole Sager to tackle some of your questions this week! We start by discussing whether Masters athletes, particularly women, can continue to lift heavy and compete in CrossFit well into their sixties, and how to navigate that intelligently. We then dive into the differences between central nervous system fatigue and muscular fatigue, exploring how to identify and address each. Our Workout this week is the value of the CrossFit Open for non-competitive CrossFitters - is it the best test of fitness, or are there better ways to assess our progress? ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

In this episode, we delve into the concept of being an ideal team player, exploring the three virtues of humility, hunger, and people smarts as outlined in Patrick Lencioni's book of the same name. We examine how these qualities extend beyond the workplace and into our daily lives, fostering better relationships and a more fulfilling existence. Finally, we discuss the role of insecurity as a barrier to embracing these virtues and the importance of seeking feedback for personal growth. ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

This week, we're diving deep into one of our foundational frameworks, exploring what we've previously referred to as the "hierarchy of mindset" but are now reframing as the "mindset continuum." We unpack the reasoning behind this shift in terminology and take a closer look at the different stages that comprise this continuum, from the victim mindset to the pinnacle of mental fitness: the competitor mindset. Along the way, we'll offer practical insights and actionable strategies for recognizing where we currently reside on the continuum and how we can work towards cultivating a more resilient, growth-oriented perspective – one that empowers us to embrace challenges and adversity as opportunities for personal growth and evolution. ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

Something different this week. Ben was joined by his wife Heather for a talk they gave at CrossFit New England sharing insights and practical strategies for incorporating the 5 Factors into our daily lives. They emphasize the importance of leading by example, creating awareness, and fostering a supportive environment for ourselves and our families. Additionally, they provide valuable advice on how to effectively communicate these principles to our children, ensuring that the next generation embraces a holistic approach to wellness from an early age. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re talking about the concept of regulating emotions this week, exploring different strategies to take ownership and control over them. We start the episode, though, by addressing listener questions on scaling pushups, finding the balance between losing body fat and building muscle, and setting boundaries with family members. Our workout segment dives deep into the principles of emotional maturity, discussing the importance of experiencing the right emotions at the right time and to the right degree. ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

This week, we dive into how to avoid health anxiety and obsession with EC Synkowski. We explore the challenges of balancing health guidelines and principles without letting them consume our lives. With questions from listeners Jeremiah and Jeremy, we discuss the fine line between being mindful of our health and becoming overly fixated on every detail. ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

In this episode, we delve into one of the foundational frameworks that underpins our entire approach to living a life of excellence – the five factors of health. We revisit the first principles of each factor: moving our bodies frequently, nourishing ourselves with real foods, fostering a mindset of curiosity over judgment, prioritizing restorative sleep, and surrounding ourselves with supportive communities. Through our discussion, we aim to reinforce the importance of mastering these fundamental behaviors as the bedrock for pursuing purpose, passion, balance, and poise in all areas of life. Additionally, we address listener questions on optimizing movement throughout the workday, navigating conflicting fitness goals, and finding the courage to align your career with your deepest values. ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re sharing a conversation Ben had recently with the RoxLyfe podcast. He & Greg talk about the evolution of Ben’s approach to mindset, from a focus on positivity to realism and the warrior's mindset. They talk about how adversity can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth and uncover the significance of calculated risks in athletic performance and its role in achieving greatness. ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

This week, we’ve listener questions about the benefits and best practices of caffeine intake, modifications for double unders, and grappling with dyslexia and the importance of finding the right learning environment. Our main conversation is one about overcoming frustration and maintaining forward momentum in entrepreneurship and life. We’re also announcing the first book in our new Book Club. ❤️ Weekly Newsletter & Premium Subscription THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re joined by CrossFit TILT co-owner Max Isaak this week for a coaching and gym ownership-focused episode. We talk about coaching techniques in the world of CrossFit, discuss the balance between training and coaching, and the challenges of opening a CrossFit affiliate. We also explore the dynamics of programming in EMOMs and Tabatas and the importance of preparation before launching into intense workouts. From the intricacies of CrossFit coaching to the excitement of high-intensity workouts, we cover a wide range of topics that will provide valuable insights for both coaches and gym owners. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re sharing a convo Ben had recently with Louis of the Talk4 Podcast. They explore Ben’s transition from personal trainer to elite level coach, shedding light on the psychological aspects of fitness and the importance of decision-making. They also discuss the evolution and impact of CrossFit, its unique approach to fitness, and how it has revolutionized the fitness space. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

In this episode, we’re revisiting our three guiding principles: Awareness, Intention, and Action. We explore how these principles can be implemented in everyday life, transforming complex concepts into simple, actionable steps. We’ve also got listener questions about improving the overhead squat, ideal body fat percentages, and how to know if surgery is the right decision. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

This week, we're diving into a variety of topics that touch on all aspects of fitness. We tackle your questions about supplementing CrossFit with hypertrophy training, the role of protein supplementation in a clean diet, and how to recover effectively after an intense travel day. We also discuss the concept of “resetting” personal records as we go through different stages in life. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We answer your questions about balancing weightlifting with running, getting enough protein as a vegetarian, and figuring out if over-training is affecting your sleep. We also tackle a big, open-ended question: How do you know when you've "made it" in your career? Finally, we give you permission to do something you should be doing but aren't yet. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

This week, we talk about the importance of integrity in the gym and share some of our strategies for faster recovery after intense physical activity. We also revisit one of our original decision-making frameworks, and close out with a chat about focus and flow. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re diving into the importance of maintaining endurance while doing CrossFit, the balance between promoting health and allowing indulgences and managing the emotional journey of job hunting. We also answer a listener's question about how to navigate long-time friendships as people change. To end the episode, we share some of our recent favorite books, podcasts, movies, and activities. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re sharing a conversation Ben had recently with the folks at the Food, We Need to Talk podcast. They delve into how elite athletes can teach us valuable lessons that can be applied to our everyday lives, the five foundational behaviors that contribute to optimal health and performance, and how to overcome obstacles and cultivate a growth mindset ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re answering your questions about the current state of the CrossFit affiliate space, discuss training strategies for demanding jobs, and tackle the importance of vulnerability in relationships. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

In this episode, we’re revisiting the top episode of 2023 and exploring the power of daily actions in pursuing a fulfilling life, the significance of nasal breathing during intense workouts, strategies for cultivating discipline, and the daily actions that will strengthen the 5 factors of health. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS

We’re talking about how to navigate the influence of others on our kids’ habits and actions, plus listener questions about strengthening shoulders, improving ankle mobility, and how to be a transformational leader inside the military. ❤️ Subscribe to our weekly newsletter THANKS TO OUR SPONSORS