Misfit Podcast

Testing. Training. Competing. They sound interchangeable—but confusing them is one of the fastest ways to stall your progress. In this episode of The Misfit Podcast , Drew and Paige break down: What testing , training , and competing actually are Why each one exists (and when it doesn’t ) How ego, pacing, and athlete IQ derail results How to use data, RPE, and strategy to actually get better The d...

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige walk through Open Prep / Phase 3 — what it is, why it’s structured the way it is, and how athletes should actually execute it. They cover: How to choose the right program and track Why stimulus matters more than chasing scores How to use gears, instructions, and athlete IQ properly Mandatory vs non-mandatory work (and how to personalize) The ro...

This week’s Misfit Mind is a reminder that progress isn’t found in novelty, it’s found in consistency. Inspired by a quote from investor Howard Marks, this episode breaks down the trap of constantly starting over: new programs, new routines, new plans, all chasing the feeling that this one will finally be different. Whether we’re talking about training, business, relationships, or life, the hard t...

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige unpack why most people struggle to change — even when they want to — and why motivation alone almost always fails. Using the Tiny Habits framework, they talk through: Why starting smaller actually leads to bigger results How identity changes before outcomes do The role of trust, reassurance, and celebration in behavior change Why “helping” frie...

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew takes a deeper dive into this week’s Misfit Mind post through the lens of Finite and Infinite Games by James Carse. Most people don’t fail from lack of effort. They fail because they need the work to end. Using examples from training, sport, business, and creative work, this episode explores the difference between playing to win and playing to continue—a...

In Episode 379, Drew sits down with Paige Semenza to unpack one of the most challenging seasons of her career — a year defined by injuries, travel, overlapping competitions, and hard decisions. They talk candidly about: The hidden cost of chasing every opportunity Why skipping competitions can be harder than showing up How narrative and identity shape performance Finding the “sweet spot” between e...

We launch a short-form Misfit Mind and dig into why chasing approval undermines progress, while building substance creates steady gains. From blue-collar brilliance to gym vanity traps, we argue for identity over image and community over novelty. • optics versus substance across upbringing and training • why skills and gear can’t replace GPP • the emotional cost of keeping up appearances • program...

We lay out a seven-week “stimulus bomb” phase that aligns coaches and members around five by five back squats, pulling gymnastics, and a smart rowing bias, all aimed at real adaptation and Open readiness. We explain the why, show how to coach it, and offer flexible tools for holidays, engine work, and competitors. • Five by five back squats as the universal strength driver • Coaching neutral spine...

A stronger engine won’t save a weak strategy. We unpack the Athlete IQ triangle—mind, body, and experience—and show how smarter decisions, realistic expectations, and consistent recovery convert raw fitness into reliable performance. We start with the mind: maturity built from tiny habits, patience to trust the timeline, expectations that stretch without delusion, and dedication that actually fits...

We announce a sponsor we chased for over a year, outline programming changes that bring back quarterfinals prep and a five-week peak, and share big life updates: Hunter takes ownership of Misfit Gym Portland while Drew moves to Colorado to double down on Misfit Athletics. The theme is alignment—letting each of us lead where we create the most impact. • why most supplement deals are bad value and w...

What if the secret to leveling up this season isn’t a new cycle, but the courage to keep showing up when everything says stay home? We call it monsoon season: the messy middle when daylight fades, holidays crowd the calendar, and motivation leaks. The athletes who keep climbing the leaderboard aren’t chasing hacks; they’re mastering simple behaviors done relentlessly and refining how they think wh...

We map the full Phase Two plan and explain how to pick the right track, set clear priorities, and train with intent through the toughest stretch of the year. From squat clean peaking and volume squats to Echo Bike zone two and muscle-up progressions, we show how to build a season-proof base. • choosing between Pro, Hatchet, Masters and GPP • variable training system and what is mandatory vs option...

Most athletes don’t lose because they’re undertrained; they lose because their systems fail when it counts. We unpack a full, practical framework for competition prep and execution that turns hard-earned fitness into points on the leaderboard. From building a “maturity meter” through daily habits to knowing exactly when to chase threshold and when to game a Metcon, you’ll get a clear plan you can...

We lay out the Montezuma phase and show how deadlifts and wall walks, paired with smart cardio and GPP rotations, build a sturdy trunk and a stronger culture. We share why narratives matter, how PAP and reset deadlifts teach bracing, and how wall walks outperform handstand walking for GPP. • Montezuma phase theme of midline and posterior chain • Deadlift heavy days with PAP and reset mechanics • G...

We lay out a simple matrix to fix pulling and pressing gymnastics: audit, plan, execute across mobility, stability, strict work, low-rep checks, capacity, intervals, and metcons. Coaches get a system to diagnose and program; athletes get clear steps that trade ego for durable skill. • moving community chat from Discord to Telegram • early-bird camp at CrossFit Roots announced • why practice hard t...

The season just got sharper. Quarterfinals are back, the pathway is clearer, and the middle tier finally means something again. We break down how the top 25% advance from the Open and why landing inside the top 2,000 in Quarterfinals is the new threshold for Semifinal eligibility. Beyond the headlines, we talk about what this structure does for real athletes who need meaningful checkpoints, not gu...

Ever wonder why some athletes crumble under pressure while others seem to thrive? The difference often isn't talent or even preparation—it's confidence. But not the shallow, Instagram-quote variety. We're talking about the deep, unshakeable confidence that comes from understanding exactly who you are and what you're capable of. In this revealing conversation, we break down the five essential steps...

Does pushing your fitness to the extreme eventually circle back to poor health? How do elite athletes train through injuries and still perform at their best? When does scaling a workout become self-sabotage? The Misfit Athletics podcast tackles these thought-provoking questions and more in this comprehensive Q&A episode. Drawing from their experience coaching Games-level athletes, the hosts sh...

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...

The 2026 season kicks off with Arkham Phase, a meticulously designed training cycle that builds on summer programming while introducing new movement biases to create well-rounded CrossFit athletes. Drew and Hunter dive deep into the front squat and squat clean focus of this phase, explaining how these movements represent a logical progression from the deadlift and back squat work of previous cycle...

The Misfit Athletics team unveils their vision for Year 14 of their renowned CrossFit programming with Phase One launching September 1st. Under the powerful theme "Rain or Shine," they explore what truly separates elite competitors from the rest: unwavering consistency regardless of circumstances. Drawing from real-world examples including Justin LaFala's fourth podium finish and Kelly's impressiv...

The evolution of CrossFit Games programming tells us everything about what elite fitness truly means. In our deep dive into the 2025 CrossFit Games workouts, we uncover how traditional movements executed at extraordinary levels continue to define the sport's pinnacle. This breakdown reveals fascinating patterns: running dominated as the most programmed movement (appearing three times), while found...

What happens when you're at the pinnacle of your sport and suddenly your body betrays you? Seven-time CrossFit Games athlete Paige Semenza takes us through her remarkable journey of injury, adaptation, and triumph that culminated in her best Games finish yet—despite training through debilitating back and shoulder injuries. The conversation starts with Paige revealing the moment in April 2023 when...

The CrossFit Games season might end in August, but the journey to the 2026 season begins July 28th with Misfit's Phase Zero. This critical five-week baseline testing period establishes your starting point across strength, skill, conditioning, and workout proficiency before launching into nine-week training phases designed to systematically build your competitive engine. In this comprehensive roadm...

When it comes to supplements, the fitness industry is flooded with products promising everything from superhuman strength to rapid fat loss – but which ones actually deliver results? In this comprehensive breakdown, we cut through the noise to reveal our evidence-based tier list of supplements that truly work. We start by establishing the critical foundation: supplements should only enter the conv...