Best Hour of Their Day | Podcast

Nuno has been a head coach for CFHQ since 2012 coaching Level 1 and 2 seminars all over the world and is a Crossfit Certified Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3) Nuno also coached the CrossFit Endurance seminars for over 5 years, traveling the world to train other coaches proper running and endurance training technique, nutrition, injury prevention and program design. Nuno was a NCAA Division 1 Track and Fiel...

Dr. Sean Pastuch founded Active Life because he believed that the world deserves better solutions than the modern medical model can provide.  Sean believes the current medical model manages physical pain without considering the emotional ramifications of the proposed intervention. Too many people have heard from their doctor "You have to stop doing _____, Playing ______, going _______," and i...

Matt Della Valle (MDV) is one of the best coaches in the world. Starting his career at CrossFit New England he ultimately made the move to Reebok and joined the CrossFit Seminar Team. He was a part of the CrossFit staff for three years before deciding to take an opportunity with Jason Khalipa at NC Fit and be an integral part of growing the company. Prior to finding CrossFit, Matt earned his law d...

How do you coach muscle-ups if you can't do them?  What about coaching athletes that are better than you?  In this episode, Ackerman and Fern discuss both of these topics, give advice, and tell real stories about their experiences with these same challenges.

This episode is all about mindset and how to overcome adversity to be the best version of yourself.  In this interview with Bill Anthes, a former Green Beret and founder of Between the ears we discuss tactics to help you overcome anything in life, the importance of journaling, and how a structured morning routine can set you up for success the rest of the day. Find Bill online: @btwntheears -...

Conor Murphy was born and raised in Washington State, where he spent 10 years in Spokane, before moving to Gig Harbor. After graduating from Gig Harbor High School he enlisted in the Navy to follow his dream of becoming a Navy SEAL. The recurrence of an injury suffered in training however, would lead to his medical disqualification. After using CrossFit...

Chris Hinshaw is the founder of aerobiccapacity.com, and is widely considered one of the top endurance coaches in the world. Chris is known internationally for his extensive knowledge and practical experience developing aerobic capacity in athletes of all experience levels using his comprehensive, cutting edge approach to training. Hinshaw is a former All American swimmer and world-class professio...

Whether you're starting a new affiliate, adding equipment to an existing one, or training out of your garage, it's important to be smart about where and how you spend your money.  In this episode, Fern and Ackerman discuss what equipment you definitely need and what should be avoided. If you haven't already, please head over to Apple Podcasts and leave us a review.   If you have any topics you wan...

Jon Gilson has been around CrossFit for a very long time and because of that he has a wealth of knowledge.  As a business owner, trainer on the CrossFit Seminar Staff, and athlete.  But this episode is not just for owners and coaches, Jon is a very smart dude and he drops knowledge that will resonate regardless of your career and really help you take a deeper look into some of the choice...

The debate rages on but in this episode, Fern and Ackerman help guide you to a better understanding of the best programming at the box level.  The truth is there is no right or wrong, and even sh*tty programming can yield amazing results.  With that being said, if you listen to this show you know we want to educate and help coaches, owners, and members learn and understand best practices...

Chris Spealler is a legend in the CrossFit world. Chris was an individual competitor in 7 CrossFit Games, Owner of CrossFit Park City, and trainer for CrossFit Headquarters for over 10 years. Doug Zakaras, a former school teacher and Vice Principal, is a head coach at CrossFit Park City and a flowmaster on the CrossFit seminar team. Together, Chris and Doug host the Icon Athlete Podcast available...

Stephanie "the Hammer" Hammerman, of North Carolina, is a cancer survivor and the world's first CrossFit Level 2 trainer with cerebral palsy. When Steph was born, her future was unclear and doctors initially said she might never walk, talk, read or write. But now, she’s done all of those things — and more. In this episode we discuss her introduction to CrossFit, becoming Nike's first adaptive fitn...

How many members can you effectively coach in a class?  There are many factors you need to evaluate.  Space, equipment, and experience to name a few.  In this episode we discuss what we believe is the ideal class size and provide some actionable items to help you evaluate what the right class  size is for you.

Pat Barber has been doing CrossFit since long before it was cool.  His first workout was in 2003 and he's never looked back, he also never thought it would become his career.  From the CrossFit Games to the cover of "Every Second Counts" to over 10 years on the CrossFit seminar staff, he's done it all.   Hailing from Santa Cruz, as expected Pat is fun and very relaxed.  He is m...

In this episode, Jason Ackerman breaks down some best practices for running this Hero WOD at your affiliate.  Jason gives you ideas from the box owner perspective, as well as the coaches and athletes.  Spoiler alert, most importantly this should be the best hour of their day!

Stouty and Logan chat with Jason on the challenges of adapting workouts for all people, programming for competitions, and how they test workouts to make sure they uphold the intended stimulus.  In addition, they have a big announcement on the evolution of Wheel WOD. Wheel WOD was established in 2013 by Stouty, after 6 years of developing adaptive competitions and educational content Logan Ald...

Carleen Mathews is best known for her three appearances at the CrossFit Games.  Lesser known about her, but more importantly her affiliate CrossFit St. Helens has a free CrossFit program for those in the 12 step program.  This initiative has helped many improve their health and even save their lives. Carleen is also part of a coaching development program led by Chris McDonald in Portland, Oregon,...

CrossFit has its share of icons, legends and heroes, but Chuck Carswell is an institution. He is well-respected and beloved throughout the entire CrossFit community. Chuck makes everyone feel like a friend that he has known forever, it's an innate trait but something that on "Best Hour of Their Day" we believe is learnable and there is no one better to learn from than Chuck. If you love Chuck or t...

I used to believe, "I can teach anyone how to coach an air squat but I can't teach you how to not be an asshole."  I was wrong.  Empathy, compassion, and charisma are all learnable characteristics and traits.  In this episode we give you actionable items to help improve your presence and attitude not just at the box, but in life.

Margaux Alvarez is a six-time CrossFit Games athletes, a World Long Drive competitor, contestant on American Ninja Warrior, and owner of the Vineyard CrossFit.  In this episode, we discuss how she finds time to do "all the things"  while managing to stay on top as one of the fittest females in the world.   Find Margaux online: Instagram @thegoatwine @321gaux and buy some wine - Thev...

Mike Burgener is one of the most well loved and respected Coaches in all of CrossFit and he has quite the resume.  In addition to being a Level 5 Senior International Weightlifting coach, a graduate of Notre Dame with an MS degree from the University of Kentucky, he is also a former Captain in the United States Marine Corps and spent 32 years teaching Physical Education.   Despite a...

You may recognize James Hobart from the CrossFit.com demo videos, he moves like an angel.  But in addition to being one of the world's fittest human beings, he is also one of the best coaches.  As a flowmaster on the CrossFit Seminar Staff, James has traveled the world teaching the CrossFit methodology. In today's episode James gives actionable advice on how to improve as a coach, as wel...

In this episode Ackerman and Fern breakdown CrossFit's most fundamental movement the air squat.  The focus today is on how to best teach it.  Some simple guidelines, talk less and move more.  But you'll hear some of our favorite cues, analogies, and stories along the way.  Whether you currently coach, aspire to, or simply want to move better, you'll gain something from listening to this episode.

Kevin Ogar is more than just some weird guy in a wheelchair. In addition to owning CrossFit Watchtower and being a head trainer on both the L1 and Adaptive CrossFit Seminar teams, Kevin has founded the Revellie Project and helped hundreds of adaptive athletes learn how to implement CrossFit as way to improve their lives. In this interview Kevin teaches me the difference between scaling and adaptin...

EC Synkowski started CrossFit in 2006 and shortly thereafter she completed her CrossFit Level 1.  Her enthusiasm, expertise and hard work eventually led to seminar staff and flowmaster position, as well as her CF-L4 certification. EC finished her second master’s degree in Human Nutrition and Functional Medicine.  From there, she founded her company, OptimizeMe Nutrition, where she focuses on helpi...