KETTLEBELLS & COCKTAILS

John and Nikki welcome fitness creator Cody Lanphere to discuss his journey from farm-raised dancer who found CrossFit, to his meteoric rise in social media, to his future plans opening his first gym. Werkology. Cody is a breath of fresh air in the fitness space and brings excitement and fun into everything he does. Donate to his crowdfunded gym project here: https://gofund.me/58f46ca34 Follow Cod...

John & Niki get together to discuss what is new in their families, the CrossFit Community's upcoming Memorial Day tradition of "Murph", Bruce Edwards most recent appearance on The CrossFit Podcast, John discusses his views on getting to read an advance copy of "The Glass Box" by Calum Marsh, and Niki read some CrossFit smutty books...

In this episode of Kettlebell & Cocktails with John & Niki, we dive into one of the biggest headlines in the CrossFit world: the hiring and announcement of new CEO Bruce Edwards. We break down what this leadership change could mean for the future of the brand, the community, and the direction of CrossFit as a whole. John also shares insights from a conversation he had with Edwards several weeks ag...

John and Niki return to Kettlebells and Cocktails after a long break, catching up on life, the state of the world, and what’s changed since their last episode. Future episodes will be bi-weekly.

In this episode of Kettlebells and Cocktails, hosts John and Nikki are joined by Lauren, a three-time Hyrox World Champion. The trio discusses their experiences with Hyrox races, highlighting the unique challenges and training methodologies compared to CrossFit. Lauren also shares her preparations for an upcoming 100K ultra marathon and offers insights into balancing rigorous training with motherh...

Join us in an engaging episode as we catch up with Dani Speegle after a long break. We tackle the complexities of adult life, discussing everything from scheduling akin to planning dental appointments to embracing the joys of shopping for unique items. Dive into Dani's journey with CrossFit, as she shares her shift from competitive aspirations to personal satisfaction. The episode takes a delightf...

In this episode of Kettlebells and Cocktails, hosts John and Niki navigate personal and collective emotions in the CrossFit community. They discuss the challenges of managing evening routines with children, coping with recent events, and addressing the financial burdens of end-of-life planning. The conversation delves into the emotional impact of tragedies, mixed community reactions, and the impor...

In this episode of Kettlebells and Cocktails, hosts John and Niki address the recent tragedy at the CrossFit Games, sharing their personal experiences with grief and its impact on the community. They discuss the importance of transparency and strategy in organizing events like the masters, teen, and adaptive games. The duo emphasizes the necessity of respectful dialogue and community support, enco...

Join hosts John and Niki on 'Kettlebells and Cocktails' as they dive into the complexities of opening and running a successful CrossFit affiliate. Special guests Rob and Steph Mireles share their journey with CrossFit Attain, discussing crucial topics such as professionalism, community building, coaching effectiveness, and maintaining high standards. The episode also explores the future of CrossFi...

Join hosts John and Niki in this heartfelt episode of 'Kettlebells and Cocktails' as they reconnect after Niki's maternity leave. Niki shares her journey of balancing the demands of a newborn and running her own company, along with insights into postpartum recovery and parenting multiple children. The duo then shifts their focus to CrossFit, discussing Niki’s thoughts on being away from the CrossF...

CrossFit Community Insights: Kettlebells, Business, and Culture Shifts In this episode of 'Kettlebells and Cocktails', John and guests Keith Knapp & Dale King dive into various topics about the CrossFit community, affiliate ownership, and the shifting culture within CrossFit HQ. They discuss the challenges and triumphs of running CrossFit affiliates, including establishing gym etiquette, marketing...

In this episode of 'Kettlebells and Cocktails', host John is joined by special guest Jay DeCoons the Vice President of Global Affiliates at CrossFit. They discuss Jay's initial experiences with CrossFit and his first Open competition, highlighting the importance of scaling workouts and the sense of community within CrossFit affiliates. They delve into Jay's athletic background, which includes team...

In this episode of 'Kettlebells and Cocktails', hosts John and Nikki delve into the innovative efforts in Ireland to integrate CrossFit into the healthcare system. Joined by guests Darina Dunne and Karl Dunne (no relation), they explore the inception and objectives of incorporating CrossFit programming as part of preventative healthcare in Ireland. They discuss the journey of advocating for govern...

In this episode we have special guest Jen Green owner of CrossFit Greer and Senior Manager of U.S. Affiliate Operations at CrossFit HQ, discuss the pivotal role of affiliates in the CrossFit community. Jen elaborates on the value brought by affiliate reps through tools, resources, and a more personalized touch, assisting affiliates in becoming successful. We also touch upon CrossFit's ambitious ma...

John and Niki welcome special guest Dale King, an OG in the CrossFit community. They discuss the changing landscape of CrossFit, from its handling under private equity to the challenges of affiliate ownership. Dale provides his thoughts on the future and expresses concerns over preserving the original ethos of CrossFit amidst changes. The conversation also explores customer service issues and the...

In this open and in-depth conversation with CrossFit CEO, Don Faul, hosts John and Niki explore a range of important discussions related to the future of CrossFit. Don dives into the relationship and influence of private equity with CrossFit, a pivot towards a greater focus on health, and the key role of affiliates in the expansion of the CrossFit community. He also speaks on the focus and value o...

In this episode, host John and Niki chat with one of their favorite guests Rob Kearney about his experiences with running a new CrossFit gym, CrossFit Iron Legacy. They discuss building a community, balancing coaching elite athletes with newcomers, and the approach towards CrossFit Open. Rob also shares his 'hot girl summer body' diet and his passion for coaching high-level athletes while maintain...

Get ready for a power-packed "2 for 1" special on the latest episode of Kettlebells and Cocktails! This week, we bring you an exclusive live-from-Miami interview with none other than CrossFit Games Athlete Fee Saghafi. Join us as Fee spills the beans on all the exciting changes in her life since making the bold move from Ohio to the sunny vibes of Florida. Learn about her journey, challenges, and...

In this episode, we sit down with Frank Foehrenback from the CF Affiliate Collective. Frank and his group are on a mission to reshape the future of CrossFit by organizing affiliates with the goal of purchasing CrossFit LLC from its current Private Equity Owners, Berkshire Partners. Join us as we dive into a spirited discussion about the direction they envision for the company under new affiliate o...

Get ready for another episode of "The Weekly Buzz," where Niki from the "Kettlebells & Cocktails" Podcast and Joe, the astute managing director of "The Morning Chalkup" newsletter, unravel the latest tales from the vibrant world of CrossFit. In this week's discussion: Wodapalooza Miami Unveiled: Brace yourself for the thrilling insights into Wodapalooza, kicking off in Miami! Niki and Joe dive dee...

In this episode, we explore the intricacies of CrossFit's unique ecosystem through its affiliate model. Join us as we unravel how each gym develops its distinct personality, fostering a tapestry of advantages and drawbacks. We dissect the macro and micro communities thriving within these boxes, highlighting the significance of adept owners in cultivating lasting, vibrant communities that enhance m...

Welcome to another exciting episode of "The Weekly Buzz"! Join hosts Joe and Niki as they delve into the electrifying world of CrossFit in this jam-packed episode. Get ready to explore the hype surrounding the upcoming CrossFit competition, Wodapalooza, set against the vibrant backdrop of Miami. Joe and Niki also tackle the controversy swirling around the payouts for the Masters competition, "Lege...

In this episode, we discuss the evolution of CrossFit, exploring the changes and differences since it's inception with founder Greg Glassman and its transition to current ownership under Private Equity. Join us as we dissect the nuances and intricacies associated with this shift, unraveling the fears and uncertainties that accompany such a transformation. Our guest is Dr. Kelly Starrett, an author...

Welcome to another exciting episode of "Kettlebells and Cocktails"! Join us as we sit down with Frank and Greg, the dynamic duo behind Hero Barbell. In this captivating conversation, they unveil the trials and triumphs of being small business owners in the fitness industry. Discover how they're boldly challenging the giants of fitness equipment by crafting top-tier products at competitive prices....

Join us in this episode as we chat with the incredible Justine Luchini, the founder of Thirdzy—an all-natural sleep supplement. Justine brings her expertise to the table as we dive into the fascinating realm of fitness recovery. We explore how pregnancy has shaped and altered her training and recovery routines, offering unique insights into adapting fitness practices during this transformative pha...