Episodes

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...

The 2026 season kicks off with Arkham Phase, a meticulously designed training cycle that builds on summer programming while introducing new movement biases to create well-rounded CrossFit athletes. Drew and Hunter dive deep into the front squat and squat clean focus of this phase, explaining how these movements represent a logical progression from the deadlift and back squat work of previous cycles. "The front squat is probably the most accessible squat that also does an exceptional job of midl...

The Misfit Athletics team unveils their vision for Year 14 of their renowned CrossFit programming with Phase One launching September 1st. Under the powerful theme "Rain or Shine," they explore what truly separates elite competitors from the rest: unwavering consistency regardless of circumstances. Drawing from real-world examples including Justin LaFala's fourth podium finish and Kelly's impressive improvement to 9th place at the Masters CrossFit Games despite reduced training volume, the coach...

The evolution of CrossFit Games programming tells us everything about what elite fitness truly means. In our deep dive into the 2025 CrossFit Games workouts, we uncover how traditional movements executed at extraordinary levels continue to define the sport's pinnacle. This breakdown reveals fascinating patterns: running dominated as the most programmed movement (appearing three times), while foundational gymnastics elements like toe-to-bar, handstand walks, and bar muscle-ups created appropriat...

What happens when you're at the pinnacle of your sport and suddenly your body betrays you? Seven-time CrossFit Games athlete Paige Semenza takes us through her remarkable journey of injury, adaptation, and triumph that culminated in her best Games finish yet—despite training through debilitating back and shoulder injuries. The conversation starts with Paige revealing the moment in April 2023 when she felt that dreaded "pop" in her back during a deficit deadlift, just weeks before semifinals....

The CrossFit Games season might end in August, but the journey to the 2026 season begins July 28th with Misfit's Phase Zero. This critical five-week baseline testing period establishes your starting point across strength, skill, conditioning, and workout proficiency before launching into nine-week training phases designed to systematically build your competitive engine. In this comprehensive roadmap episode, we break down exactly how Misfit programming is structured, revealing the strategic pro...

When it comes to supplements, the fitness industry is flooded with products promising everything from superhuman strength to rapid fat loss – but which ones actually deliver results? In this comprehensive breakdown, we cut through the noise to reveal our evidence-based tier list of supplements that truly work. We start by establishing the critical foundation: supplements should only enter the conversation after you've dialed in the fundamentals of nutrition, sleep, and training consistency. No ...

Strength, endurance, and adaptation converge in Misfit Affiliate's The Wolf Phase, inspired by Herb Brooks' famous quote "the legs feed the wolf." This special edition podcast dives deep into the programming philosophy that prioritizes back squats and running as foundational movements for developing well-rounded fitness. The conversation explores how alternating heavy back squat days with metabolic conditioning creates a powerful stimulus across all energy systems. Drawing on decades of coac...

What does it take to transform from promising talent to elite competitor? For Erica Folo, the answer lies not in the gym, but between the ears. Erica's journey began as a sprinter who was drawn to CrossFit after spotting a "jacked" teammate who was secretly training at a local box. Despite her initial assessment of the warehouse gym as "looking like a jail," she found herself immersed in the community. Natural talent quickly became evident, leading to a CrossFit Games appearance as a teen in 20...

What would happen if you decided that something was possible instead of impossible? Brandon True's remarkable transformation from struggling CrossFit athlete to two-time semifinals competitor provides a compelling answer to that question. Brandon's journey began with a casual bet against two 40-year-old CrossFitters who claimed they could beat him in a workout. His competitive spirit ignited, Brandon dove headfirst into CrossFit with the ambitious goal of reaching the CrossFit Games. Little ...

Imagine training for years but never truly reaching your potential. This episode reveals why linear progression—the simple concept of systematic improvement—might be the missing piece in your fitness journey. We begin by introducing "The Ramp Theory," a powerful visualization tool that explains why so many athletes fail to progress despite consistent training. Picture yourself as a cyclist facing a massive jump. Starting at the bottom with no momentum leads to failure; beginning high on the ram...

What separates the physically capable from the truly elite competitors? In this revealing episode, we take you behind the scenes at the Syndicate Crown CrossFit competition to examine the critical mental game that makes all the difference when athletes step onto the competition floor. Fresh off witnessing the intensity of high-level CrossFit competition, we unpack what makes execution under pressure so difficult – and so important. The physical capacity of these athletes is undeniable, but what...

How much does the time of day affect your workout performance? According to our latest deep dive, it could be impacting your results by as much as 25-30%. During this illuminating episode, we unpack the fascinating relationship between mental load and physical output. Even with perfect nutrition, hydration, and recovery, the accumulated stress of daily life dramatically alters how your body responds to training stimuli. The science is clear—mental and physical resources pull from the same reser...

The long-awaited Off-Season Block 2 program launches May 26th, bringing exciting changes to Misfit Athletics' programming structure and delivery platforms. We're thrilled to announce three new subscription tiers tailored to different athlete needs: Pro ($69/month) for elite athletes with two daily sessions and direct coach access through Telegram; Comp ($49/month) bundling Hatchet, Masters, and GPP together for maximum flexibility; and standalone GPP ($29/month) for busy professionals seeking g...

What happens when an entirely new fitness competition bursts onto the scene with high production values and a roster of elite athletes? We take you inside the inaugural World Fitness Project (WFP) event in Indianapolis for a comprehensive, no-holds-barred review of this potentially game-changing addition to the competitive fitness landscape. Drawing from firsthand experience at the event, we dissect everything from the competition programming to production quality, athlete treatment, and media ...

Ever wondered why Forrest Gump's iconic cross-country journey began with Nike Cortez shoes? Our newest training phase draws inspiration from this powerful symbol of fundamental movement - running - while building a comprehensive foundation for the entire training year ahead. The Cortez Phase represents our commitment to starting fresh with the most basic and essential human movements. We're focusing on deadlifts as our primary barbell movement, alternating between heavy strength days and con...

The Individual Semifinals workouts have arrived, and they're a brutal test that separates those heading to the Games from those whose season ends here. Our coaching team breaks down each workout in depth, offering strategy insights you won't find anywhere else. From the ascending ladder of muscle-ups paired with back squats to the punishing double dumbbell overhead walking lunges at 70/50 pounds, these workouts demand extraordinary shoulder stability and midline control. The heavy Isabel (30 sn...

What does it really mean to do "whatever it takes" to achieve your fitness goals? The answer might surprise you. In this wide-ranging conversation, the Misfit coaches explore how elite athletes like Rory McIlroy overcome mental barriers while revealing their newest programming innovation that's been years in the making. The team unpacks McIlroy's Masters victory through the lens of coaching psychology, drawing powerful comparisons between golf's highest levels and the CrossFit competitive lands...

What does it take to create a fitness competition that challenges athletes while building genuine community? In this revealing conversation with Preston Shepard, director of the Purple Mountain Throwdown, we explore the journey from concept to execution of Colorado's premier CrossFit competition. Preston shares how his military background and passion for testing personal limits led him to fill a void in the Colorado Springs fitness community. "The impact that going to competitions, pushing myse...