Misfit Podcast

Getting stronger in CrossFit sounds simple: lift weights, add load, repeat. But athletes rarely get stuck for the same reason. In this episode, Drew and Paige break down four common strength archetypes we see in competitive CrossFit athletes: the GPP monster who hopes the barbell stays light, the naturally strong athlete who moves poorly, the one-rep-max strong athlete who can’t express it in work...

Kenzie Riley is back on the Misfit Podcast to talk about the messy middle between being all-in and being done. She joins Drew and Paige to unpack her return to the Masters competition season, the realities of training inside a packed life, motherhood, imposter syndrome, and why the competitive fire does not disappear just because priorities change. From technical difficulties and bike cool-downs t...

In this episode, Drew sits down with Paige Semenza and Hunter Wood to break down  The Compound Part 2 , Misfit Affiliate’s next seven-week training phase. The crew walks through the bigger picture behind the phase, including heavy back squats and overhead pressing, strict pulling, intentional conditioning, continued running, and the return of Engine Class Sundays. They also dig into the why behind...

What actually makes someone "fit" in CrossFit? In this episode, Drew and Paige break down the four components of monostructural conditioning and explain how they work together to build a complete engine. From Zone 2 foundations and aerobic capacity to anaerobic repeatability and power output, they explore how athletes can identify weaknesses, structure their training, and execute conditioning sess...

For years, Kyle Moline was just like a lot of Misfit athletes. He showed up, worked hard, chased progress, and slowly fell in love with the process. Fast forward to 2026 and Kyle found himself competing alongside Games veterans at the NorCal Classic in his first individual semifinal appearance. On this episode, Kyle joins Drew and Paige to talk about his journey from Division I swimmer to CrossFit...

Offseason Block 2 starts Monday, June 9. In this special programming deep dive, Drew and Paige break down the structure, intent, and athlete decision-making behind the second offseason phase of the year. The focus is on helping athletes choose between a strength bias, conditioning bias, or hybrid approach based on their current weaknesses, goals, and training history. Topics include: How to decide...

Episode 400 of the Misfit Podcast is here, and Drew and Paige celebrate the milestone by diving deep into one of the most misunderstood areas of CrossFit: pressing gymnastics. From wall walks and handstand push-ups to handstand walking, they break down the difference between chasing skills and actually building the strength, stability, and positioning required to sustain them in competition. The c...

What does it actually take to get better at gymnastics in CrossFit? In Part 1 of this series, Drew and Paige Semenza break down pulling gymnastics through the lens of the sport—not traditional gymnastics, not random drills from Instagram… but the movements that actually show up in the Open, Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and the CrossFit Games. Inside this episode: Why your GPP may be the biggest limi...

This one has a little bit of everything. Drew and Paige break down the newly released Age Group Semifinals workouts, what they like, what has them scratching their heads, and what Misfit athletes should be thinking heading into competition weekend. They also recap two huge weekends at Magic City Throwdown and Del Mar , including Paige’s first experience coaching an athlete on the semifinal floor,...

The 2026–2027 Misfit Affiliate season starts now. In this episode, we break down  Compound P.1 , the first phase of the new training year, and the foundation everything else will be built on. We get into the structure of the phase, the thought process behind it, and how to communicate it to your coaching staff and members so you actually get buy-in. From heavy deadlift and bench progressions, to s...

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige break down accessory work for CrossFit athletes from the ground up. They define what accessory work actually is (and what it isn’t), then go deep on how Misfit programs it, how it should be executed, and why most athletes either misuse it or skip it entirely. From primary vs. secondary accessory structure to the concept of “runway,” this episod...

Dive into the evolution of precision pacing with the newly updated Gears Matrix 2.0, a game-changing tool developed through 11 years of coaching data and countless athlete testing cycles. This episode unveils the comprehensive framework that has revolutionized how competitive CrossFit athletes approach machine-based conditioning. The Gears Matrix organizes training intensity into eight distinct "g...

A breakdown of Misfit’s upcoming Off-Season Block 1, including how to structure your training, choose between strength or conditioning bias, and execute with purpose to build toward the 2027 season. The episode also covers common athlete mistakes, the importance of athlete IQ, and how consistent, intentional work now sets the foundation for long-term progress.  Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this ep...

Quarterfinals exposed everything. We break down the programming, what actually mattered, and where things missed the mark. More importantly, we talk about what to do next. How to identify your outliers, adjust your training, and stop letting weaknesses drag your progress. If you’re trying to get better, this is the conversation that matters. —-------------------------------------------------------...

On today’s episode, Drew and Paige break down the 2026 Open and look ahead to Quarterfinals. They recap the Open as data. What mattered, what didn’t, and what athletes should take away. Then they give initial reactions to the Quarterfinal workouts, including where athletes can gain or lose ground. They also touch on common mistakes and overcomplicating strategy. If you are competing, this will hel...

Drew and Paige break down  CrossFit Open 26.2 , analyze what separated top performances from the rest of the field, and discuss the real demands of the workout—from pulling endurance and midline fatigue to athlete IQ and pacing mistakes. They also react live to the  26.3 Open announcement , offering immediate strategy insights, movement breakdowns, and coaching tips for approaching the workout eff...

The new  Misfit Affiliate “Rushmore” phase  kicks off Monday, March 16, and in this episode, Drew, Hunter, and Paige break down exactly what athletes and affiliates can expect over the next seven weeks. From weekly benchmarks and heavy-lift days to the philosophy behind GPP-focused programming, the crew explains why this phase is designed to build real, lasting fitness rather than just chase one-o...

Episode 262: 26.1 Recap + Live Reaction to the 26.2 Announcement In this special live-style episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige break down  CrossFit Open 26.1 , discuss strategy mistakes and lessons learned, and react in real time to the  26.2 Open workout announcement . Along the way they dive into pacing strategies, gymnastics fatigue, and how to approach the workout whether you're cha...

The 2026 CrossFit Games season is officially here. In this ultra-special edition of The Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige go live for the 26.1 Open announcement and break down everything you need to know — stimulus, strategy, pacing mistakes, movement efficiency, warm-up flow, priming, transitions, and post-workout recovery. This episode is more than a workout recap. It’s a masterclass in athlete IQ....

What does it actually take to level up in CrossFit? From Open athlete… to Quarterfinals… to Semifinals… and beyond. We break down the 2024 season workout by workout to expose what really separates levels. Spoiler: it’s not just your muscle-ups. In this episode we cover: • Why GPP is the foundation for everything • Movement efficiency vs. movement obsession • How pacing mistakes end seasons • The r...

Quarterfinals are back, and we’re breaking down exactly what that means for you. In this episode, we dive into what to expect from the 2026 Quarterfinals based on past data, how to prepare (whether you're following Misfit programming or not), and how we structure our Quarterfinals peaking phase to maximize execution and intensity. We cover volume distribution, workout styles, movement trends, athl...

Zone 2 training is back, and this time, we’re cutting through the noise. In this episode of the The Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige break down what Zone 2 actually is (and what it isn’t), why it’s so misunderstood in the CrossFit space, and how Misfit Athletics practically applies it with everyday athletes all the way up to elite competitors. You’ll learn: Why Zone 2 is defined by blood lactate , n...

The CrossFit Open is almost here, and in this episode, Drew and Paige go deep on what actually matters when it comes to performing your best. This isn’t just another Open preview. It’s a practical breakdown of how to think about the Open: pacing, athlete IQ, movement efficiency, and why the Open matters no matter where you fall on the competitive spectrum — from first-timers to Games hopefuls. The...

In this special Affiliate Edition of The Misfit Podcast , Drew is joined by Hunter Wood (Misfit Gym Portland owner) and Paige Semenza to break down everything coaches and affiliates need to know as the Mad Jack Phase kicks off — just in time for the CrossFit Open. This seven-week General Physical Preparedness (GPP) phase is built around versatility, strength, and adaptability, inspired by the lege...

In this Q&A-packed episode of The Misfit Podcast , Drew and Paige answer questions straight from the Misfit community—starting with Telegram, then social media, and beyond. They dive into how to balance training with online qualifiers, when Zone 2 work actually matters, and why competition exposure is essential at every stage of an athlete’s journey. The conversation also covers mindset traps...