Actually Doing Things

Your mindset is the story you tell yourself, and that story is made of words and breath. Mark England of Enlifted joins Nikki for a 5% speech trick and the 30-Day Soft Talk Challenge. It took three tries to record this one. That turned out to be the perfect setup. ⏱️ CHAPTERS 0:00 Welcome to Actually Doing Things 0:42 Meet Mark England 1:13 Third time's the charm: how we talk ourselves out of thin...

Paul is an architect-turned-pastor, a 6:30am regular, and a self-described introvert who shows up anyway. We talk community, pain as an opening, and why the best health advice might be meeting your next-door neighbor. Full show notes: After 9/11, Paul Mitchell wrote himself a five-word mission: Dismantle walls. Build tables. Two decades later, he's a pastor, one of the anchors of our 6:30am class,...

Roughly 8 in 10 adults will have a back episode that stops them cold — and almost none of us do anything about it until it happens. Dr. Mike Ross (DC, CSCS, DACRB) has spent 30 years and a stack of research on the question of why. In this episode he breaks down what actually causes back trouble, why "it went away on its own" is a trap and not a win, and the free, public, unsexy research nobody is...

We state that small, sustainable nutrition habits lead to real and lasting results. We focus on whole foods, simple habit changes, and accountability rather than strict macro counting. We explain that hand portions can be nearly as effective as counting macros and far easier to use in daily life. We recommend prioritizing adequate protein, sleep, movement, and recovery before turning to supplement...

This podcast episode delves into the transformative journey of an individual who embraced CrossFit as a means to combat health challenges, specifically type 2 diabetes. The discussion elucidates the pivotal moment that prompted this decision, illustrating how a medical diagnosis catalyzed a significant lifestyle change. Throughout our conversation, we explore the multifaceted benefits of CrossFit,...

Comedian-turned-keynote-speaker Greg Kettner shares the four-word Facebook post that stopped someone from taking their own life — and what six years of talking about mental health at work has taught him about connection. On Episode 22, Destination CrossFit owner Nikki Sharp sits down with Greg Kettner, founder of Work Happy and host of the WorkHappy™ Podcast, to talk about his journey from stand-u...

The primary focus of today's discourse is the utilization of the InBody scanner as a pivotal instrument for tracking fitness progress. We delve into the multifaceted benefits of this technology, emphasizing its capacity to provide insights beyond mere weight measurement, such as muscle mass, body fat percentage, and hydration levels. Throughout our conversation, we examine the significance of cons...

Allison's journey into CrossFit represents a profound transformation catalyzed by personal adversity, specifically a severe concussion that altered her ability to engage in previously enjoyed activities. This episode elucidates how a significant injury can lead to the rediscovery of one's identity and the pursuit of resilience through physical fitness. We delve into Allison's initial apprehension...

The CrossFit Games kick off July 22 in San Jose — and we've been fangirling since 2012 (we once rigged an Apple TV to a hospital room TV so we wouldn't miss them). ⬇️ Watch with us at DCF — details below. In this episode, Nikki + Erika break down everything you need to know before the 2026 Games: the return of the 2007 Hopper, the Ranch experience, the CrossFit Total, and why nobody — not even the...

There's a moment in almost everyone's day where a voice says: just skip it today. Coach Curtis Seidel knows that voice well. Between coaching at DCF, serving as a priest and school administrator, and leading multi-day backpacking trips through the Wind River Range, his days are long. Some nights, the couch and a quiet evening sound a lot better than gym clothes. "Some days that voice wins," he tol...

Jane moved to Walla Walla to be close to her daughter. She wasn't sure she could keep up. She’d survived a triple bypass, spent months recovering from a broken shoulder, and felt—by her own honest admission—generally weak. What happened next is exactly why we built Legends class. In this episode of the DCF Actually Doing Things Podcast, Nikki sits down with Jane—a late-blooming CrossFitter, a self...

Madison Hollenbeck has been showing up to the 4:30 class at Destination CrossFit for over 10 years. She came to Walla Walla for a two-year job. She found a gym, found her corner, found her people — and never really left. She's not a perfect gym-goer. She goes six weeks without touching a barbell every fall. She scales everything. She has a lifetime ban on box jumps. She doesn't love going every da...

The podcast delves into the transformative journey of Vero, a member of Destination CrossFit, as she recounts her initial foray into the world of CrossFit, catalyzed by a respected coworker. This initial exposure, sparked during a 'Bring a Friend' week, ignited a competitive spirit within Vero, propelling her into a fitness regime that would soon become integral to her life. Despite the challenges...

Thirteen episodes of other people's stories. This time, the host is in the chair. Nikki Sharp is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker, CrossFit Level 3 Coach, and owner of Destination CrossFit in Walla Walla, WA. She has spent 20 years helping people build consistency, resilience, and mental strength. And she has quit fitness more times than she can count. In this honest, unscripted conversation, Eri...

The primary focus of our discourse is the indispensable significance of parental engagement and the necessity of fostering familial connections through shared activities. In our conversation with Stephen Garnett, a coach from Over Time Training, we delve into the profound impact of fitness on personal development and family dynamics. Garnett elucidates how his own upbringing instilled a passion fo...

This podcast episode elucidates the transformative insights garnered from our recent participation in a Health Integration Summit alongside the CrossFit Medical Society. We delve into the profound implications of biomarkers and hormonal health on our fitness journey, a subject that has been particularly enlightening for both Erica and myself. Throughout our discussion, we reflect on the significan...

Nutrition, Mental Health & Fueling the Life You Want | Actually Doing Things Podcast Nutrition isn’t just about what you eat — it’s about how you feel, how you think, and how you live . In this episode of the Actually Doing Things Podcast , we unpack our personal histories with food, fitness, and fueling — and why nutrition deserves a thoughtful, trauma-informed, habit-based approach , especia...

The salient point of this podcast episode revolves around the impactful role of GLP-1 medications in enhancing health and longevity, particularly for women navigating the challenges of aging and hormonal balance. Jen, our esteemed guest, shares her extensive experience as a nurse practitioner and her journey in utilizing these medications to optimize health outcomes for her clients. Throughout our...

This episode features an enlightening discussion with Dr. Karen Apple, who shares her transformative journey into the world of CrossFit, navigating the complexities of injury, and her commitment to fostering community through fitness. Dr. Apple commenced her CrossFit journey in 2009 during her deployment in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, where she discovered the profound impact of physical training on her...

The discourse presents a reflective and engaging examination of the multifaceted journey that Steve has undertaken within the CrossFit domain, framed through the lens of friendship and personal development. The narrative initiates with Steve's serendipitous introduction to CrossFit, a result of his former boss's influence, which marked the inception of a significant transformation in his lifestyle...

Takeaways: The profound nature of long-term friendships can significantly influence personal growth and resilience during life shifts. Navigating the complexities of overuse injuries requires a holistic understanding of body mechanics and personalized recovery strategies. Incorporating nutrition into fitness journeys can lead to substantial improvements in physical performance and overall well-bei...

Erika Rootvik engages in a profound dialogue with Zen Yacovelli, exploring the arduous journey of personal growth and resilience. The episode delves into Zen's courageous initiation into CrossFit, a decision laden with apprehension, as she confronted her fears of judgment and inadequacy. Central to their discourse is the theme of perseverance; Zen articulates how the supportive community fostered...

Phil Oberg, a dedicated member of Destination CrossFit for a decade, shares his transformative fitness journey with Nikki Sharp, the owner of the gym. They engage in a candid dialogue that highlights the profound impact of CrossFit on Phil's life, emphasizing how it reignited his passion for fitness and led to significant personal growth. Phil recounts his initial apprehensions, the memorable expe...

What happens when you make a risky decision in your fitness journey—like adjusting training during pregnancy? In this episode of the Destination CrossFit Podcast, we dive into the myths and realities of peripartum training. Our guest shares why doing everything “right” doesn’t always guarantee the outcome you expect, what most people get wrong about the process, and the #1 lesson that applies to a...

When she became a single mom of two young kids, today’s guest made a controversial choice: she kept her daily CrossFit workouts non-negotiable. Many people said it was selfish—but more than a decade later, the results tell a different story. In this episode, we dive into: The debate around moms putting themselves first in fitness Why self-care actually strengthens families and communities The hard...