Above The Standard | A CrossFit Topside Podcast

This week we sit down with CJ, a member at CrossFit Topside and dad of 2. CJ did CrossFit before COVID, fell off, and suffered from on and off back injuries. He signed up a week before his first daughter was born, and he's been figuring out how to train as a busy parent ever since. We get into the switch to morning workouts on no sleep, why he stopped chasing the leaderboard and started traini...

This week on Above The Standard we sit down with two of our members, Steph and Kev, an engaged couple who both train at CrossFit Topside. Steph is a nurse anesthetist who found us after gaining 60 pounds in grad school and being convinced CrossFit was a room full of meatheads. It wasn't. Kev comes from a music background and didn't do many sports growing up. Today he's in the gym befor...

Francisco has been with us since the beginning. He was one of our first eleven members, showed up before we even had a full gym, and has been here ever since. In this episode of the CrossFit Topside Podcast, Francisco sits down with Kevin and Hayley to talk about what keeps a founding member coming back three and a half years later. He works at ESPN, lives two minutes from the gym, and has a soon...

At 48, Eric Reese is running sub-7-minute miles, fitting into size 32 pants, and showing up for his kids in ways he never thought possible. Two years ago, none of that was on the table. In this episode of the Above the Standard Podcast, Eric sits down with Kevin to talk about what it actually looks like to rebuild after a divorce, a layoff, losing his dad, and years of using two glasses of whiskey...

Do you know about the most iconic workout in CrossFit and how to actually prepare for it? In this episode of the Above the Standard Podcast, we break down everything you need to know about Murph, the history behind Lieutenant Michael Murphy, why we do this workout every Memorial Day, and how to approach it no matter where you're at in your fitness journey. We cover the meaning behind the worko...

What would make someone drive 30+ minutes to the gym… multiple times a week? In this episode of the Above the Standard Podcast, we sit down with Melissa and Shannon. Two members who didn’t just find a workout routine… they found consistency, confidence, and a friendship that completely changed how they approach fitness. They open up about: Why they used to struggle staying consistentThe moment eve...

Do you always try to hit RX in your workouts, even when your body says otherwise? In this episode of the Above the Standard Podcast, we break down why scaling your workouts isn’t cheating, it’s how you actually get fitter, stronger, and avoid injury. We cover exactly how to scale intelligently, maintain intensity, and still hit the intended stimulus of any workout, without overdoing it. Whether yo...

What does a real morning routine look like when you run a gym, have a kid, and juggle a busy life? In this episode of the Above the Standard Podcast, we break down exactly how our morning routine has evolved. We’re not perfect. Some days, the dog makes a mess. Some days, sleep is terrible. But the goal isn’t perfection, it’s momentum. If you’ve ever felt like you should have a better routine, but...

We just completed a 72-hour fast and it was way harder than we expected. In this episode of Above the Standard, we break down:- What the first 24, 48, and 72 hours actually felt like- The mental battle vs. the physical hunger- What surprised us most (good and bad)- How it impacted our energy, workouts, and mood- And whether we’d ever do it againWe’re not telling you to do this, but if you’ve ever...

In this episode, Kevin and Hayley sit down to talk about a challenge almost everyone faces at some point: how to stay consistent with exercise when life gets busy. As married gym owners and parents, they share how they personally make time for workouts while balancing running a gym, full-time work, family life, and everything else that fills a schedule. The conversation covers the mindset shift re...

In this episode, Kevin and Hayley sit down with Coach Truck to talk about his journey from being out of shape at 250 lbs to losing 70 lbs at 62 years old and reclaiming his health. They share stories about his first experiences stepping into a CrossFit class, the embarrassment and challenges of starting over, and the moment he realized having a coach and a supportive community was the key to real...

In this episode, Kevin and Hayley sit down with longtime member Billy to talk about how he first discovered CrossFit, what it was like trying to train in regular gyms, and the moment he realized real coaching makes all the difference. They share stories about early workouts, common misconceptions about CrossFit, and why most people are surprised when they finally walk into a class. The conversatio...

In this episode, Kevin and Hayley answer questions about the practical advice every CrossFitter (new or experienced) needs and how to keep your fitness in check when you’re short on time. They also share their most memorable CrossFit Open workouts and discuss why scaling properly and showing up consistently is the fastest path to long-term fitness. Local to the Central Connecticut area and ready t...

In the inaugural episode of Above the Standard | A CrossFit Topside Podcast, Kevin and Hayley, Owners of CrossFit Topside in Newington, Connecticut, share the story behind their gym and the journey that led them there. They talk openly about leaving comfort behind, taking career risks, and building a community rooted in growth, accountability, and connection. This episode sets the tone for doing h...