Fortem Talk: The CrossFit Fortem Podcast

What does it actually mean to be healthy? In this episode, Nick and Josh talk through the sickness, wellness, fitness continuum and why fitness is about a lot more than getting better at workouts. We talk about: Why health and fitness are connected Why “not sick” is not the same thing as being fit How training builds a buffer for stress, injury, sickness, and aging Why muscle mass, strength, body...

Shortcuts are tempting. Especially when you want the weight off, the fitness up, and the results yesterday. In this episode, Nick and Josh talk through the pull toward quick fixes in nutrition, training, weight loss, and fitness in general. All with the goal of asking a better question: are we building the habits that make results last? We talk about: Why discomfort is usually the thing we’re tryi...

What actually goes into planning a week of training at Fortem? Nick and Josh pull up a full week of programming and talk through it in real time, the workouts they love, the changes they consider, and the bigger picture behind all of it. We talk about: How we adjust programming with Fortem members in mind Balancing strength, conditioning, recovery, and the occasional mountain of burpees Why scalin...

Fortem Monthly is more than a gym newsletter. It is a collection of tools to help you get more out of your training and build a healthier life outside the gym too. In this episode, we walk through everything included each month: Mindset and coaching blogs Practical meal prep recipes Monthly movement challenges Accessory and gymnastics skill work Member stories and community updates You do not need...

What does real fitness actually look like? In this episode, we break down CrossFit’s classic “World-Class Fitness in 100 Words” and talk about why it still gives such a clear blueprint for what we’re building at Fortem. We talk through: • Why nutrition comes first • Why everyone needs to lift weights • Why gymnastics skills are worth the work • Why conditioning should include hard, fast efforts •...

Trying CrossFit for the first time can feel intimidating, but it does not have to be. In this episode, we talk about Bring a Friend Week at CrossFit Fortem, happening April 27 through May 2 , and why it’s such a great opportunity for someone new to get a real feel for what we do. We talk about: What Bring a Friend Week looks like Why a full week gives a better first experience than one random clas...

What the Open Reveals, and What We Wish We Knew Sooner ⎸ Ep. 11 The Open is over, but the bigger question is: now what? In this episode, we debrief the 2026 Open and talk about what it really exposes, what actually helps you improve, and the lessons we wish we knew when we first started CrossFit. We talk about: What this year’s Open showed people about their fitness Why pacing, consistency, and sk...

Getting fitter doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes it means doing the right things more consistently. In this episode, we break down six simple training upgrades that support strength, durability, and long-term progress, without adding chaos to your schedule. We talk about: Strict pull-ups and why they matter Overhead joint health and stability Accessories and muscle as protection Static hol...

The Open isn’t just for elite athletes. It’s for regular people who want to test themselves, get better, and be part of something with their gym. In this episode we talk about: What the CrossFit Open is and how it works Why everyone can (and should) participate What committing to it builds: confidence, grit, and direction Why doing it together hits different How we approach the Open at Fortem and...

Hero workouts aren’t just long and painful for the sake of it. They’re named after real people, and they’re written to ask a little more of you than a normal training day. In this episode we talk about: What makes a workout a “Hero WOD” Why CHAD1000X (1,000 step-ups) feels so demanding mentally The intrusive thoughts, doubt, and boredom that show up in the middle The difference it makes to do some...

Nick, Josh, and Aidan break down the real reasons people improve their health and fitness. You’ll learn: How often to train (and what happens when you overdo it) Why sleep and hydration matter more than supplements What “threshold training” means and why your coach pushes (or holds back) Why mobility and warm-ups aren’t optional How to keep improving with just one extra habit: enter Fortem Ruck Cl...

Nick and Josh sit down with Coach Aidan Guerrero to talk about how he found CrossFit, what brought him to Fortem, and how his own ups and downs with fitness shape the way he coaches today. You’ll hear: How he went from an unhealthy 255 lbs to coaching full-time What makes him believe anyone can change Why he leads with care, connection, and consistency Whether you’ve trained with Aidan or are just...

Nick and Josh break down CrossFit’s core definition and explain why understanding it makes your training more effective. What “constantly varied, functional movements performed at high intensity” actually means Why early CrossFit culture focused more on performance than aesthetics What’s changed in today’s fitness landscape (and why it matters) How the right coaching makes intensity safe, scalable...

Nick and Josh dive into the nuance of food rules — when they’re helpful for progress and when they start to backfire. You’ll hear: - Examples of when hard nutrition lines are healthy and intentional - Signs your food rules may be leading to stress, shame, or burnout - How to anchor to principles, not perfection - What it looks like to pursue food peace instead of food obsession Whether you’re just...

Episode 3 kicks off the first of many future conversations on nutrition. Nick and Josh share their personal journeys, the lessons they’ve learned, and the mindset shifts that truly move the needle. This isn’t a deep dive into complex nutrition science—it’s real talk to help you think about food in a way that works for your life and goals.

In this episode of Fortem Talk, Nick and Josh dive into one of the most exciting events in the CrossFit world—the CrossFit Open. Whether you’re a seasoned competitor or brand new to CrossFit, the Open is for everyone. We’re breaking down what it is, why it matters, and (most importantly) why you should get involved this year. We’ll talk about how the Open isn’t just a competition; it’s a chance to...

Welcome to the first episode of Fortem Talk! We're kicking things off by diving into the foundation of our community-our mission statement. What does Fortem stand for? How do bravery, community, and a balanced approach to fitness shape everything we do? In this episode, we break down the core values that drive our training, coaching, and overall philosophy, setting the stage for future conversatio...