Greater Culture Podcast

In this episode of the Greater Culture Podcast, we meet Max Isaak, coach, multi gym owner, business development specialist, and all around incredible guy. He discusses his early experiences with fitness, the transformative power of exercise, and the importance of community in achieving personal goals. The conversation also dives into Max's transition from teaching to coaching, his competitive...

This episode is a reflection of the 2025 CrossFit Open from an athlete's perspective and from an affiliate owner's perspective. It's one of the most fun times of the year for affiliates, and athletes get the opportunity to showcase what they have been working on. So how did the 2025 Open compare to previous Opens? Was it a complete test? Was it a fun Open? Listen to see what Brad think...

In this episode, Max El-Hag shares his journey from a childhood influenced by sport and fitness to a career in coaching athletes of all levels at Training Think Tank. He discusses the impact of his family background, the challenges he faced in sports, and his transition from a finance career to coaching. Max elaborates on his experiences with various coaches, the evolution of his training philosop...

In this episode of the Greater Culture Podcast, Brad Marshall interviews Olympic weightlifting coach and owner of Catalyst Athletics, Greg Everett. They discuss Greg's unconventional journey into the sport, his focus on the process rather than outcomes, and how he developed a passion for weightlifting. Greg shares insights on the importance of exploration, the challenges of learning complex moveme...

In this episode Brad interviews Rebecca Fuselier, a dedicated CrossFit athlete, coach, and owner of CrossFit Bolt. Rebecca shares her journey from gymnastics to CrossFit, detailing her early experiences, the challenges of transitioning sports, and the importance of mental resilience in competition. She discusses her passion for coaching, the challenges she faced as a young coach, and her vision fo...

In this episode host Brad Marshall interviews Kristin Bowen, a seasoned CrossFit coach with over 350 seminars under her belt. Kristin shares her journey from a competitive swimmer to a passionate coach, discussing the challenges of burnout, the importance of feedback, and the evolution of her coaching style. The conversation dives into the significance of motivation, the impact of early coaching e...

In this episode of the Greater Culture Podcast Brad chats with Greg Pyszcynski about his journey from childhood obesity to becoming a successful strength coach. Greg shares how he found community and purpose through sports, the importance of mentorship, and how he uses his experiences to empower others. The conversation dives into the significance of building confidence, the role of failure in suc...

This conversation explores the concept of mental performance in CrossFit, emphasizing its importance in training and competition. The discussion covers the definition of mental performance, its components, and the skills necessary for athletes to succeed under pressure. Kyle, Mike, and Brad highlight the significance of confidence, preparation, and the distinction between training and competitive...

In this episode of Greater Culture Chats, Brad dives into the intricate relationship between beliefs and mindset. He emphasizes the importance of understanding our core beliefs, which shape our thoughts, emotions, and ultimately our actions. By exploring the origins of these beliefs and employing techniques like the 'five whys' exercise, listeners are encouraged to reflect on their behavio...

In this episode Brad sits down with Christine Kolenbrander, a seasoned coach and elite athlete in the CrossFit community. Christine shares her journey from being a competitive gymnast to discovering her passion for fitness and nutrition. She discusses her struggles with food sensitivities, the importance of holistic nutrition, and how CrossFit played a pivotal role in her healing process. Christin...

In this episode of Greater Culture Chats, Brad Marshall introduces the concept of mindset and its significance in human performance. He emphasizes the importance of self-talk and the beliefs that shape our mindset. The episode explores practical techniques for self-reflection, including spending time alone, listening to one's thoughts, and journaling to better understand personal beliefs and minds...

In this episode Brad sits down with Anthony Davis, a CrossFit athlete, golfer, coach, and overall great guy. They discuss Anthony's journey from a young athlete involved in various sports to discovering CrossFit and eventually competing at highest levels of the sport. The conversation explores the impact of community, training, and mindset on Anthony's athletic development, as well as the challeng...

From coach/teacher to full time gym owner. In this episode of the Greater Culture Podcast, we meet with Bethany Larson, a former college volleyball player turned CrossFit athlete and gym owner. Bethany shares her journey from discovering CrossFit to competing at the CrossFit Games, and eventually transitioning into coaching. She emphasizes the importance of community, fun, and personal growth in f...

Competing and Coaching at the highest level. In this episode of the Greater Culture Podcast, we sit down with Kyle Ruth, an accomplished athlete and coach, to explore his journey in fitness. Kyle shares his early experiences with various sports, his transition from swimming to CrossFit, and the intrinsic motivation that drives him. He discusses the importance of self-guided learning, the connectio...

How does an actress become a nutrition coach? In this episode we chat with nutrition coach Gab Bolin about her unique journey from being a professional actress to a nutrition coach. Gab shares her experiences with the pressures of maintaining an aesthetic in the acting industry, her struggles with eating disorders, and how she eventually found a passion for fitness and helping others with their re...

From engineering to a career in coaching CrossFit. In this episode we meet Tony Oxley, who shares his journey from discovering CrossFit in 2013 to becoming a full-time coach. Tony discusses his initial experiences with CrossFit, the transition from college sports to fitness, and the competitive spirit that fueled his passion. He reflects on the challenges of balancing a career in engineering with...

How long does it take to find what your passion and strengths encourage your to do for a career? This conversation is with Aliya Gard, owner of Gard Wellness Center and a chiropractor. Aliya shares her journey from being a ballet dancer to working in corporate America, and ultimately finding her passion in health and wellness through yoga and chiropractic care. She discusses the challenges she fac...

In this episode we chat with Jason Ackerman, affiliate owner, owner of Best Hour of Their Day, and someone who has been helping athletes and coaches develop for decades. Jason shares his journey from his first workout as a wrestling athlete, to grinding away as an entrepreneur, to finding CrossFit. He shares the highs and lows, and what he has learned along the way that has pushed him to find mean...

In this episode we get to know Danielle Dunlap, a CrossFit Games athlete, nutrition coach, business owner, and mom. We discuss Danielle's journey into fitness, her transition from athlete to coach, and the importance of nutrition in achieving fitness goals. She shares her philosophy on coaching, the significance of building sustainable habits, and how she balances her family life with her coaching...

What happens when your goals shift over the years while doing CrossFit? Meet Blair Jacobs, who has been doing CrossFit for a number of years, and is a founding member at Greater Culture. In this conversation you'll hear what lead her to try out CrossFit, and what keeps her consistently coming to class even after years of being part of the CrossFit community. Blair helped to create the logo and col...

What is it like to coach the best in the world? Matt Torres is the owner and head coach at Brute Strength and coaches some of the best athletes in the world including the male 1st and 2nd place finishers at the 2024 CrossFit Games. That is not where he started his coaching career, as he was a coach at a CrossFit affiliate and owned one for a number of years. In this conversation we dive into what...

What keeps someone coming back to CrossFit for over 10 years? This conversation is with Jess Swanson who has been doing CrossFit as her way to focus on her own health and wellness for over 10 years. While the motivations and goals have changed, the community, the confidence that comes with being strong, and the ability to destress for an hour each day at the gym are key components to longevity. Li...

What does it look like to continue helping people improve their fitness, coaching, and businesses for over a decade? It most likely looks something like Fern. Jason Fernandez, also known as Fern, shares his journey of how he found CrossFit and turned it into a career. Fern became an avid learner and started diving into entrepreneurship and business strategy. He emphasizes the importance of taking...

Emma has been doing CrossFit for over 3 years and found it through a boss who encouraged her to try it out. As someone who loves running and enjoyed group fitness classes, she has been hooked ever since. She has been with Greater Culture since moving to the new space, and always has her coffee mug ready to go with the 515am class. The hour of fitness each day has become a staple in her health and...

How do you help fuel the best athletes in the world as well as the people who want to look and feel great in their everyday lives? Justin Romaire does just that as he works with some of the fittest people on the planet, and also serves everyday gym goers. He founded Consistency Breeds Growth Nutrition coaching as a way to help people understand and build habits that can support the goals they want...