Forge and Fortitude Fitness

As we usher in 2025, we're thrilled to embark on a fitness journey filled with excitement and inspiration. Have you ever wondered how personal stories of transformation can spark your own motivation? Join us as Faith gears up for the Gate River Run, her ambitious 9.3-mile race in Jacksonville, while Andrew Coleman Smith returns to share the creative process behind his latest fitness documenta...

Navigating the complexities of setting effective New Year's resolutions is the focus of our latest discussion, revealing why so many of us fall short in achieving our goals and how we can avoid those pitfalls in the coming year. We explore the significance of setting specific goals, creating actionable plans, and finding accountability to conquer the inherent challenges of the resolution-sett...

This episode dives into the world of GLP-1 medications and their role in weight loss and functional medicine. Our guest, Caroline Snelwar-Fletcher, explains the mechanisms of GLP-1s, their benefits, potential side effects, and the importance of a comprehensive approach to health, emphasizing sustainable lifestyle changes through nutrition and exercise rather than relying solely on medications. • D...

Ever wonder how the magic of consistency could transform your life? Join us on the Forge and Fortitude Fitness Podcast as we kick off the holiday season with a festive spirit and a touch of nostalgia. Our dear friend Jeremy Oliver joins us, and together we reminisce about our frosty Christmas adventures in Asheville and swap stories from our early days at Gold's Gym. We’re heading to the moun...

Michael Antonelli, founder and CEO of Healthgevity, unveils the next frontier in health optimization with oral peptides and bioactives. Join us as we explore the myriad ways these innovations are reshaping how we think about longevity and gut health, offering groundbreaking potential for athletes and anyone aiming to enhance their daily healthspan. Discover the unique peptide stack featuring BPC-1...

Ever wondered how a chance meeting at the YMCA could lead to a flourishing fitness business and podcast? That's exactly how our journey began, resulting in a partnership in both life and business with my wife, Faith, now joining me as co-host. We’re rebranding the Forge & Fortitude Fitness Podcast with a fresh perspective, blending fitness, mindset, and resilience. Faith’s experience and...

Ever wondered what it takes to catch the eye of Gordon Ramsay without even applying? Meet Rose, the trailblazing founder of Twisted Dough, who found herself unexpectedly thrust into the culinary spotlight as a contestant on Ramsay's "Food Stars." Experience her exhilarating journey from the initial surprise of being chosen to the rigorous vetting process, and the unique challenges o...

Imagine investing in a stock that offers lifelong benefits—this is what prioritizing health, gratitude, and reliability can do for you. Discover how setting a bedtime, choosing healthier food options, and committing to daily movement aren't just small changes, but powerful habits that can transform your life. We explore these ideas through personal stories and insights, emphasizing how being...

Uncover the mindsets that turn aspirations into achievements as we dissect the power of action and resilience. Ever wondered how a simple change in your goal-setting approach could lead to unstoppable progress? With the SMART goals framework as our compass, we share personal insights on breaking down big dreams into small, actionable steps. You'll hear how discipline and consistency can prope...

Ever wondered how embracing gratitude and a growth mindset can transform your life? Join us on Afterburn After Hours as we explore these powerful themes, inspired by personal milestones from the rollercoaster of 2024. We share heartfelt stories, including saying goodbye to a cherished pet and the heartwarming chaos of welcoming a new puppy. Plus, a memorable journey to Costa Rica reminds us to che...

What happens when holiday cheer meets the grit of personal growth? Picture this: six unique Christmas trees, each with its own story, transforming our home into a personal winter wonderland. From the heartwarming ceramic snowflakes passed down by Faith's grandmother to the vibrant anticipation of family gatherings and nostalgic holiday films, we're setting the stage for a joyful season....

Remember the thrill of playing football in a Pennsylvania blizzard or the warmth of gathering for Thanksgiving feasts filled with once-a-year delights? This year, my wife Faith and I are taking on the role of hosts, blending old family recipes with unique dishes, and embracing new traditions like participating in a local 5K Turkey Trot. Thanksgiving is not just a feast; it’s a celebration of grati...

Ever wonder what makes Hell Week 2024 an unforgettable adventure? Join me as we celebrate the spirit of commitment and creativity that defined this year's event, spotlighting the hard work of our incredible teams, coaches, and studios. Alongside this celebration, I delve into the hiccups with the new corporate ordering system that led to frustrations around t-shirt orders—trust me, it wasn&ap...

Picture this: you're racing against time alongside your workout companions, heart pounding as you strive to outpace a horde of zombies. That's the thrilling scene as we conclude the epic journey of Hell Week in this explosive finale. We've crafted a dynamic 3G team workout experience, mixing treadmill sprints, rowing, and weight challenges, all designed to make you feel like a true...

Can you outlast the Regenerator? Brace yourself for "Back with a Vengeance," where Hell Week warriors face their fiercest foe yet. Embark on a grueling 23-minute treadmill challenge, as you race against time and your limits. Runners and joggers aim for up to three miles, while power walkers target 1.5 miles. As you navigate this intense session, our coaches will guide you through strateg...

Gear up and get ready to scale new heights as we take on day six of our Hell Week series with the formidable "The Climber" workout challenge. Ever wondered how you can transform your grip strength into a powerhouse of endurance? Today, we promise that you will learn how to maintain a steady pace through unpredictable treadmill inclines and conquer a demanding weight floor routine. This e...

Ever wondered what it takes to outpace a swift swimmer zombie? Brace yourself for the thrill of Hell Week's Day Five, where teamwork meets endurance in a high-stakes rowing adventure. Get ready to synchronize your strokes and follow the lead of your captain in a dynamic 14-minute rowing workout. As we glide through distances marked by buoys, ranging from 1,000 to over 4,000 meters, you'l...

Unleash your inner beast and discover how animal-inspired movements can transform your workout and elevate your fitness game. Are you ready to tackle the intensity of Hell Week with our beast mode workout? Join us as we guide you through an exhilarating tornado-style session, designed to push your limits and keep you on your toes. With four blocks of treadmill and rower challenges, you'll be...

Can you outrun a sprinter zombie? Get ready to find out as we dive into day three of Hell Week with a heart-pounding challenge that promises to make you faster, more reactive, and explosively powerful. This episode, dubbed "As Fast As You Can," puts the spotlight on our favorite workout format—the run row. Picture it: increasing your treadmill speed and boosting your rower explosiveness...

Prepare to outsmart the walker zombie by mastering strategic movement and timing! Discover how pacing and intensity become your secret weapons as you adjust your speed on the treadmill and rower to keep one step ahead of the undead. Picture yourself orchestrating a symphony of speeds, where running fast when the zombie is distant and slowing down as it nears forms your ultimate survival tactic. Th...

Get ready to elevate your workout game and crush the jumper zombie! Discover how to outmaneuver this high-flying foe with heart-pounding speed jumps and explosive moves that will leave you feeling unstoppable. Whether you're leaping on the treadmill or powering through dynamic exercises on the weight floor, we've tailored strategies and modifications to match your impact level and maximi...

Ready to conquer Orange Theory's Hell Week with confidence and flair? Join us as we navigate through the "Undead Training Camp," where every day brings a new challenge against metaphorical zombies. We promise you'll walk away with expert tips on conserving energy, managing sugar cravings, and optimizing hydration to ensure peak performance throughout this thrilling eight-day ev...

Ever faced the challenge of staying committed to your fitness goals amidst life's chaos? Discover the strategies to maintain momentum even when motivation wanes. As we gear up for Orangetheory's much-anticipated Hell Week, the importance of experience over merchandise is emphasized, despite the mixed reactions to this year's non-traditional shirts. We also reflect on the recent stor...

Have you ever felt like a "loser" in your fitness journey, despite the effort and dedication? I open up about my own struggles with motivation, especially after pausing the use of a metabolism-tracking device, and how it affected my dietary discipline. You'll hear about my strategies for reigniting motivation, the importance of consistency, and why tracking progress is crucial. Toge...

What if you could unlock your maximum potential by simply tweaking your mindset? In this enlightening episode of Afterburn After Hours, we celebrate the recent Dry Tri event and look ahead to the regional Dry Tri for OTF 904 on September 28th. With the OTF National Convention now open to members, we delve into the heart of what drives success—mindset. Drawing from Angela Duckworth's "Gri...