Chasing Excellence

We’re diving into the archives this week for a conversation we had in 2019 on the topic of recovery. We explore its importance and give a bunch of strategies for optimizing it. Expect to Learn: The distinction between soreness and pain The benefits of self-myofascial release How active recovery exercises can enhance recovery Strategies for optimizing the recovery process The role of recovery in ma...

We’re examining the challenge of maintaining our priorities and values when facing criticism from those close to us who may not fully understand our lifestyle choices. We’re also answering questions from listeners looking for guidance on topics like achieving fitness goals and improving recovery practices. Expect to Learn: Concrete steps to set and achieve a goal like weight loss or increasing pul...

As we reflect on the year coming to a close and look ahead to the new one, we explore the importance of finding stillness amidst adversities and embracing discomfort as a catalyst for growth. Expect to Learn: The concept of negative visualization and its application beyond sports How to develop resilience in the face of overwhelming challenges Strategies for reframing situations and letting go of...

This week, we discuss the importance of consistent training, finding balance in life, managing tendonitis and arthritis, maintaining health during stressful times, and how Ben is rethinking the business model of the CrossFit gym. Expect to Learn: The role of consistent training in personal well-being Strategies for prioritizing family and fitness Tips for managing tendonitis and arthritis in Cross...

We’re the impact of working in offices for long hours, the potential benefits and risks of lab-grown meat, and not taking criticism from those we wouldn't seek advice from. Expect to Learn: ✦ The impact of long office hours on our well-being ✦ The potential benefits and drawbacks of lab-grown meat ✦ The importance of considering the source of criticism ✦ The limitations of human beings in our mode...

We're exploring stoicism, conscious leadership, and the significance of fully experiencing emotions this week. We're also answering your questions about body weight and performance, along with what to do about the lasting effects of emotional responses after the triggering situation has concluded. Expect to Learn The correlation between body weight and performance Strategies for handling lingering...

This week, we have a chat Ben had recently on the Mindset Advantage podcast hosted by DJ Hillier. In it, they discuss 15 lessons learned over Ben’s 15 years of high-level coaching. Expect to Learn: How to turn the page and focus on the next event or challenge The importance of tuning out distractions and ignoring external noise Why you need to cultivate the right mindset to maximize performance an...

This week, we’re answering listener questions about snacking healthier, starting a career in fitness, and teaching mental toughness to kids. We wrap the episode up with a new Cool Down, where we give you permission to (perhaps) do the thing you know you should be doing, but aren’t. The questions we’re answering this week: 1️⃣ From Aidan: Do you have any suggestions for healthy and clean snacks? 2️...

This week, we’re talking yoga for CrossFitters, getting teenagers to move more and look at screens less, balancing life with your spouse, and more. Specific questions we’re answering: 1️⃣ How can I attract more CrossFit athletes to try my beginner-friendly yoga class and benefit from the mobility training it offers? 2️⃣ Should I have a conversation with our daycare provider about not giving highly...

The questions we’re answering this week: 📍 How can I improve my training to achieve better progress and keep up with the competition, considering my busy lifestyle as a self-employed PT and lack of easy access to a CrossFit box? 📍 Has the Fulfillment Framework process evolved for you and Ben since you first talked about it 2 years ago, including the macro-to-micro approach to goal setting and ch...

In this episode, we answer listener questions about working on weaknesses, combating habits derailing progress, and deepening connections with significant others. We also share personal experiences and advice on balancing pushing kids without over-scheduling, reflecting on legacy, and prioritizing meaningful moments. Specific questions we’re answering: 📍 How do you maintain good habits and routin...

The questions we’re answering this week: 📍 How do you advise introducing complex movements like the split jerk to people new to fitness and give them proper progressions, especially when trainers may be teaching them without proper mechanics? 📍 What is the best way to reach a protein goal of 160g while staying within a fat goal when tracking macros to lose weight? 📍 How can I address the priori...

The questions we’re answering this week: 📍 How can I increase my stamina for doing burpees during workouts? 📍 How can I avoid making snap judgments towards people? 📍 Should I wait until my baby can sleep longer stretches before getting back to CrossFit? 📍 How can I balance feeling unhappy with my career and wanting to make a change with being a financial provider for my family? THANKS TO OUR S...

We're answering three of your questions this week: 📍 Can a CrossFit athlete's performance become worse due to running, and if so, how much running is too much? 📍 Why is it important to stay informed about the news and politics, even if it can be seen as mostly entertainment and outside of our control? 📍 How can one build a relationship with oneself after spending many years focused on being who...

We're talking through 4 listener questions this week: 📍 As an aging CrossFit athlete, are there resources available to help me push myself to be better while ensuring that I am doing so safely, especially when it comes to knowing when to push through an injury and how to monitor my heart rate effectively? 📍 How can you determine the appropriate food intake to support exercise without promoting f...

This week, we discuss making strategic long-term decisions, embracing challenges, and prioritizing long-term goals. We emphasize the importance of structuring a training plan that prioritizes function and progress without causing injury, as well as the benefits of functional movements in CrossFit for maintaining strength and mobility as we age. Additionally, we’re talking about the challenges of b...

In our last Benchmark of the summer, we’re throwing it back to August of 2018 and a conversation about how to be more competitive in the sport of CrossFit. Topics include getting better at muscle-ups, tips for improving your double unders, and Ben’s best advice for athletes who don't have a coach. ===========  OUR SPONSORS:  ===========  🔗  Lifeforce   🔗  Momentous (code: excellence)  🔗  Better...

This week, we’re discussing whether pursuing excellence is selfish, the point of health, playing infinite games, and much more. =========== EXPECT TO LEARN ===========  📍 Whether we need to worry about recovery drinks 📍 The difference between (and value of) stretching, mobility work, and yoga 📍 Why how you read a book affects what you get out of the book 📍 Some recommended reading for parents...

In this episode, first published in November of 2019, we take a 10'000 foot view of how to make better decisions, discussing how to factor in our principles, priorities, & purpose to make sure our lives are headed in the right direction. =========== OUR SPONSORS: =========== 🔗 LMNT 🔗 Eight Sleep 🔗 Policygenius =========== GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE: =========== 🔗 Send Patrick a DM with yo...

This week, we’re talking about how the 5 Factors of Health look across the spectrum of Sick, Well, and Fit, why we want to make sure we don’t let ourselves get distracted in our pursuit of health, and much more. Also: listener questions about wall walks, charting your own path in life, feeding kids, and athletes who no-rep themselves to the top of the leaderboard.   =========== OUR SPONSORS:  ====...

In this episode first published in April of 2017, we talk about why happiness doesn't live on the other side of achievement, gratitude, & why relationships matter more than money. =========== OUR SPONSORS: =========== 🔗 LMNT 🔗 Eight Sleep =========== GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE: =========== 🔗 Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions! =========== ABOUT US: ===========  📍 Ben Berge...

What do we do when we find ourselves working a job with people who don’t align with the healthy, meaningful life we want to lead? That’s the listener question we’re answering this week, talking about how to measure the strength of our relationships, why it’s so hard to prioritize, the importance of balance, and more. ===========  EXPECT TO LEARN =========== 📍 If focusing on fitness now (eventuall...

In this episode, first published in September of 2021, we talk about putting our ladders up against the right walls and about the system Ben uses to chase fulfillment, accomplish big goals, and stay focused every day. =========== OUR SPONSORS: =========== 🔗 LMNT 🔗 Eight Sleep =========== GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE: =========== 🔗 Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions! =========== A...

Cole Sager joins us as he’s preparing for his 10th straight CrossFit Games appearance to answer listener questions about how to know if you’re competing too much, how to stop hijacking conversations, what it looks like to live on autopilot, and much more. ========= EXPECT TO LEARN:  =========  📍 How and why Cole and Ben first started working together 📍 When competing too much might do more damag...

Ben recently announced that this will be his last year coaching elite athletes to pursue success at the CrossFit Games. We talk this week about why, the future of CompTrain, the three elements of resilience, and much more. ========= EXPECT TO LEARN: =========  📍 How to build an equipment-free, CrossFit-inspired workout program 📍 What to do when you realize you’ve been triggered but can’t get pas...