Episodes

Quarterfinals are back, and we’re breaking down exactly what that means for you. In this episode, we dive into what to expect from the 2026 Quarterfinals based on past data, how to prepare (whether you're following Misfit programming or not), and how we structure our Quarterfinals peaking phase to maximize execution and intensity. We cover volume distribution, workout styles, movement trends, athlete IQ, and how to navigate prep during the Open. We also get into: Why Quarterfinals returning i...

Zone 2 training is back, and this time, we’re cutting through the noise. In this episode of the The Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige break down what Zone 2 actually is (and what it isn’t), why it’s so misunderstood in the CrossFit space, and how Misfit Athletics practically applies it with everyday athletes all the way up to elite competitors. You’ll learn: Why Zone 2 is defined by blood lactate, not heart rate, and what that really meansSimple ways to tell if you’re accidentally living in Zone...

The CrossFit Open is almost here, and in this episode, Drew and Paige go deep on what actually matters when it comes to performing your best. This isn’t just another Open preview. It’s a practical breakdown of how to think about the Open: pacing, athlete IQ, movement efficiency, and why the Open matters no matter where you fall on the competitive spectrum — from first-timers to Games hopefuls. They unpack: What the Open is really testing (and why fitness still reigns supreme) The most common...

In this special Affiliate Edition of The Misfit Podcast, Drew is joined by Hunter Wood (Misfit Gym Portland owner) and Paige Semenza to break down everything coaches and affiliates need to know as the Mad Jack Phase kicks off — just in time for the CrossFit Open. This seven-week General Physical Preparedness (GPP) phase is built around versatility, strength, and adaptability, inspired by the legendary “Mad Jack” Churchill — a true jack-of-all-trades. The crew dives into how affiliates can best ...

In this Q&A-packed episode of The Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige answer questions straight from the Misfit community—starting with Telegram, then social media, and beyond. They dive into how to balance training with online qualifiers, when Zone 2 work actually matters, and why competition exposure is essential at every stage of an athlete’s journey. The conversation also covers mindset traps like over-analysis, when work ethic becomes a liability, and how to trust the process without losing sel...

Testing. Training. Competing. They sound interchangeable—but confusing them is one of the fastest ways to stall your progress. In this episode of The Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige break down: What testing, training, and competing actually areWhy each one exists (and when it doesn’t)How ego, pacing, and athlete IQ derail resultsHow to use data, RPE, and strategy to actually get betterThe dangerous gray area of “throwing down” too oftenThis conversation is part philosophy, part practical coach...

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige walk through Open Prep / Phase 3 — what it is, why it’s structured the way it is, and how athletes should actually execute it. They cover: How to choose the right program and track Why stimulus matters more than chasing scores How to use gears, instructions, and athlete IQ properly Mandatory vs non-mandatory work (and how to personalize) The role of accessory work, volume, and repetition Why buying into the narrative of Open Prep actua...

This week’s Misfit Mind is a reminder that progress isn’t found in novelty, it’s found in consistency. Inspired by a quote from investor Howard Marks, this episode breaks down the trap of constantly starting over: new programs, new routines, new plans, all chasing the feeling that this one will finally be different. Whether we’re talking about training, business, relationships, or life, the hard truth is the same: It’s always going to be hard. It just doesn’t have to be start–stop hard. In th...

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige unpack why most people struggle to change — even when they want to — and why motivation alone almost always fails. Using the Tiny Habits framework, they talk through: Why starting smaller actually leads to bigger results How identity changes before outcomes do The role of trust, reassurance, and celebration in behavior change Why “helping” friends and family often backfires How to build habits without judgment — for yourself or others ...

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew takes a deeper dive into this week’s Misfit Mind post through the lens of Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse. Most people don’t fail from lack of effort. They fail because they need the work to end. Using examples from training, sport, business, and creative work, this episode explores the difference between playing to win and playing to continue—and why applying finite expectations to infinite pursuits leads to burnout, frustration, and unneces...

In Episode 379, Drew sits down with Paige Semenza to unpack one of the most challenging seasons of her career — a year defined by injuries, travel, overlapping competitions, and hard decisions. They talk candidly about: The hidden cost of chasing every opportunity Why skipping competitions can be harder than showing up How narrative and identity shape performance Finding the “sweet spot” between exposure, recovery, and growth Why growth — in sport and life — is supposed to feel uncomfortab...

We launch a short-form Misfit Mind and dig into why chasing approval undermines progress, while building substance creates steady gains. From blue-collar brilliance to gym vanity traps, we argue for identity over image and community over novelty. • optics versus substance across upbringing and training • why skills and gear can’t replace GPP • the emotional cost of keeping up appearances • program hopping versus long-term commitment • using “do it for you” as a daily filter • how community deep...

We lay out a seven-week “stimulus bomb” phase that aligns coaches and members around five by five back squats, pulling gymnastics, and a smart rowing bias, all aimed at real adaptation and Open readiness. We explain the why, show how to coach it, and offer flexible tools for holidays, engine work, and competitors. • Five by five back squats as the universal strength driver • Coaching neutral spine, bracing, stance, and glute activation • Personalising squat style to anthropometry without losing...

A stronger engine won’t save a weak strategy. We unpack the Athlete IQ triangle—mind, body, and experience—and show how smarter decisions, realistic expectations, and consistent recovery convert raw fitness into reliable performance. We start with the mind: maturity built from tiny habits, patience to trust the timeline, expectations that stretch without delusion, and dedication that actually fits your life. If the goal demands three hours of training and nine hours of sleep, we talk about how t...

We announce a sponsor we chased for over a year, outline programming changes that bring back quarterfinals prep and a five-week peak, and share big life updates: Hunter takes ownership of Misfit Gym Portland while Drew moves to Colorado to double down on Misfit Athletics. The theme is alignment—letting each of us lead where we create the most impact. • why most supplement deals are bad value and why Gorilla Mind is different • what we use daily: whey, omega-3s, creatine options, nootropic energ...

What if the secret to leveling up this season isn’t a new cycle, but the courage to keep showing up when everything says stay home? We call it monsoon season: the messy middle when daylight fades, holidays crowd the calendar, and motivation leaks. The athletes who keep climbing the leaderboard aren’t chasing hacks; they’re mastering simple behaviors done relentlessly and refining how they think when the day gets heavy. We break down two mental models that turn anxiety into action. Zoom in to sh...

We map the full Phase Two plan and explain how to pick the right track, set clear priorities, and train with intent through the toughest stretch of the year. From squat clean peaking and volume squats to Echo Bike zone two and muscle-up progressions, we show how to build a season-proof base. • choosing between Pro, Hatchet, Masters and GPP • variable training system and what is mandatory vs optional • why intent beats volume for strength progressions • squat clean peak and volume back squat str...

Most athletes don’t lose because they’re undertrained; they lose because their systems fail when it counts. We unpack a full, practical framework for competition prep and execution that turns hard-earned fitness into points on the leaderboard. From building a “maturity meter” through daily habits to knowing exactly when to chase threshold and when to game a Metcon, you’ll get a clear plan you can run tomorrow. We start with becoming a student of the game: logging strategies, testing at real int...

We lay out the Montezuma phase and show how deadlifts and wall walks, paired with smart cardio and GPP rotations, build a sturdy trunk and a stronger culture. We share why narratives matter, how PAP and reset deadlifts teach bracing, and how wall walks outperform handstand walking for GPP. • Montezuma phase theme of midline and posterior chain • Deadlift heavy days with PAP and reset mechanics • GPP rotation and targeted in‑WOD lifting for expression • Wall walk bias with test–retest and skill ...

We lay out a simple matrix to fix pulling and pressing gymnastics: audit, plan, execute across mobility, stability, strict work, low-rep checks, capacity, intervals, and metcons. Coaches get a system to diagnose and program; athletes get clear steps that trade ego for durable skill. • moving community chat from Discord to Telegram • early-bird camp at CrossFit Roots announced • why practice hard things: growth, challenge, mindset • audit sequence: dead hangs, kip swings, handstand holds • strict...

The season just got sharper. Quarterfinals are back, the pathway is clearer, and the middle tier finally means something again. We break down how the top 25% advance from the Open and why landing inside the top 2,000 in Quarterfinals is the new threshold for Semifinal eligibility. Beyond the headlines, we talk about what this structure does for real athletes who need meaningful checkpoints, not guesswork, to plan their year and build toward in-person competition. Then we get practical. If “Spid...

Ever wonder why some athletes crumble under pressure while others seem to thrive? The difference often isn't talent or even preparation—it's confidence. But not the shallow, Instagram-quote variety. We're talking about the deep, unshakeable confidence that comes from understanding exactly who you are and what you're capable of. In this revealing conversation, we break down the five essential steps to cultivating genuine confidence that holds up when stakes are highest. Starting with the counter...

Does pushing your fitness to the extreme eventually circle back to poor health? How do elite athletes train through injuries and still perform at their best? When does scaling a workout become self-sabotage? The Misfit Athletics podcast tackles these thought-provoking questions and more in this comprehensive Q&A episode. Drawing from their experience coaching Games-level athletes, the hosts share remarkable insights on injury management during competition season. They reveal how athletes have a...

Dive into the evolution of precision pacing with the newly updated Gears Matrix 2.0, a game-changing tool developed through 11 years of coaching data and countless athlete testing cycles. This episode unveils the comprehensive framework that has revolutionized how competitive CrossFit athletes approach machine-based conditioning. The Gears Matrix organizes training intensity into eight distinct "gears," providing concrete pacing targets across rowing, biking, skiing, running, and more. We break...