Episodes

  • Why Over 99% of Diets Fail and What You Can Do About It

    Why Over 99% of Diets Fail and What You Can Do About It
    May 12 2026
    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 explore how insulin and other hormones shape body fat regulation, and why long-term success depends on restoring satiety rather than fighting willpower.

    Topics Covered
    • Why calorie restriction fails long-term.
    • The three types of hunger and how they drive overeating.
    • How ultra-processed food hijacks appetite and satiety.
    • Hormones and the body fat thermostat.
    • Social environments and practical levers for change.
    Resources Mentioned
    • Dr. Jason Fung
      • Website
      • YouTube
      • Instagram
      • X
      • Facebook
    • The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung
    • The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung\
    • Hunger by Roxane Gay
    Community Highlight

    Travis Ponikiewski doesn’t train for the leaderboard.

    He trains because he has two little girls who think he’s invincible, and he plans on keeping it that way for a long time.

    When Travis was young, he lost his dad. Now that he’s a father himself, that experience quietly shapes everything. For him, fitness isn’t aesthetic. It’s responsibility. It’s making sure his daughters don’t grow up with missing memories.

    At home, that same steadiness shows up in how he supports his wife through mental health struggles. He wants her to feel strong again, on her terms.

    He cares less about how his girls look and more about what they’re capable of. Strong bodies. Healthy relationship with food. Confidence that doesn’t shrink to fit the world.

    He’s even working toward his Level 1 — not to collect a title, but to better serve the people around him.

    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    1 hr and 18 mins
  • [Legacy Pick] Masterclass on CrossFit History With Legend Chuck Carswell

    [Legacy Pick] Masterclass on CrossFit History With Legend Chuck Carswell
    Apr 20 2026
    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 to share his journey — from playing in the NFL to discovering CrossFit, and dedicating his career to coaching and education. He reflects on the evolution of CrossFit’s training methodology, the lessons he’s learned from coaching at every level, and his philosophy of “Big Team, Little Me.”

    Topics Covered:
    • Chuck’s early athletic career and time with the Miami Dolphins.
    • His introduction to CrossFit and first experience with the workout Helen.
    • The evolution of CrossFit’s trainer seminars and credentialing.
    • The impact CrossFit has had on the fitness industry.
    Media and Resources Mentioned:
    • CrossFit Training and Certifications – Learn more about the Level 1 and Level 2 Courses: CrossFit Training
    • What Is Fitness? (2002) – The foundational CrossFit Journal article defining CrossFit’s approach to fitness
    • Chuck as a Dawg – Watch the play Denise references


    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    57 mins
  • [Most Played] CrossFit’s Secret Advantage: We Prioritize Nutrition

    [Most Played] CrossFit’s Secret Advantage: We Prioritize Nutrition
    Apr 6 2026
    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 longevity. You’ll walk away rethinking your plate and your pantry.

    Topics Included
    • Why nutrition is foundational to the CrossFit methodology.
    • The Zone diet and the early culture of CrossFit nutrition.
    • The difference between performance eating and long-term health.
    • Why we need to cook again — and how it made us human.
    • Practical, simple, and realistic steps to address nutrition.


    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    1 hr and 56 mins
  • [Staff Pick] You Need To Hear Their Story About CrossFit in Prisons

    [Staff Pick] You Need To Hear Their Story About CrossFit in Prisons
    Mar 16 2026
    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, we welcome Redemption Road CrossFit’s founder Nick Wells and founding member Gino Aviles to the show. Nick and Gino share their journey, from addiction and life sentences to freedom, sobriety, and leadership, and show how CrossFit’s methodology can transform not just fitness, but lives.

    Topics Covered
    • Personal journeys from addiction, incarceration, and transformation
    • The origins of CrossFit in Colorado prisons
    • Building Redemption Road: the first affiliate inside a correctional facility
    • Overcoming stigma, violence, and systemic barriers through community fitness
    • Partnerships with CrossFit HQ and the broader community
    • Redemption Road’s measurable impact on recidivism and prison culture
    Resources Mentioned
    • Redemption Road CrossFit – RF2.org
    • CrossFit Journal coverage of Redemption Road: Community Behind Bars and CrossFit in Prison
    • Morning Chalk Up articles on Redemption Road: Nick Wells and Mat Fraser
    • Books used in coach candidate curriculum: Overcoming Gravity,” “Becoming a Supple Leopard, “100 Days of Technique


    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    33 mins
  • [Most Played] Dr. Rhonda Patrick Shares The Science Behind Longevity

    [Most Played] Dr. Rhonda Patrick Shares The Science Behind Longevity
    Mar 2 2026
    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 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, mitochondrial repair, post-meal inflammation, aging muscles, and the science behind "exercise snacks." Rhonda also shares her personal transformation from intimidated beginner to committed athlete and why she believes CrossFit may be one of the most powerful tools for lifelong health.

    Topics Included
    • Why Rhonda started CrossFit — and how her perspective shifted after a year of training
    • What lactate actually is and why it’s a powerful signal for brain and muscle health
    • How high-intensity exercise triggers mitochondrial repair and neurogenesis
    • The relationship between sedentary behavior, inflammation, and cancer risk
    • The research behind exercise “snacks” and how to use them throughout your day
    • The benefits of CrossFit for aging adults, and Rhonda’s vision for senior fitness
    Resources Mentioned
    • Dr. Patrick’s website and podcast “Found My Fitness”
      • Dr. Martin Gibala podcast episode
    • Rhonda at the CrossFit for Health Summit


    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • [Most Played] Female Physiology in CrossFit With Dr. Stacy Sims: What You Need to Know

    [Most Played] Female Physiology in CrossFit With Dr. Stacy Sims: What You Need to Know
    Feb 16 2026
    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 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 affects the brain, and what female athletes should do differently when it comes to strength, conditioning, recovery, and stress. They also break down cold plunges, sauna use, and why CrossFit coaches and gym owners have an opportunity to lead the way in changing the narrative.

    Topics Included
    • Biological differences in training, recovery, and metabolism
    • Power, hormone shifts, and the menstrual cycle
    • When and how to modify workouts
    • Why fasting and cold plunges don’t affect men and women the same way
    • How to feel and perform your best during perimenopause and postmenopause
    • Raising the next generation of girls to understand their physiology for performance
    Resources Mentioned
    • Dr. Stacy Sims’ TEDx Talk: Women Are Not Small Men
    • Book: “Roar” by Stacy Sims
    • Book: “Next Level” by Stacy Sims
    • DrStacySims.com
    • Proov or Oova (hormone-tracking tools)
    • OsteoGains app


    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    1 hr and 27 mins
  • [Most Played] Everyone's Favorite Addition to the CrossFit Family: Meet Dr. Fatty Acid

    [Most Played] Everyone's Favorite Addition to the CrossFit Family: Meet Dr. Fatty Acid
    Feb 2 2026
    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 learning to love movement for what it gives, not how it looks.

    Check out the latest content with Dr. Fatty Acid here.

    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    1 hr and 15 mins
  • Quick Update from the CrossFit Podcast Team

    Quick Update from the CrossFit Podcast Team
    Jan 19 2026
    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!

    If you love this podcast, please drop us a rating and review, and share it with everyone you love.

    Join us for the CrossFit Show LIVE every Thursday at 10 a.m.

    Share Your Thoughts: Email us [podcasts@crossfit.com].
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    1 min