PAC Talk with Pieter Vodden

This week I sit down with 3 time CrossFit Games Masters Athlete Leka Fineman. We talk in-depth about her fitness journey; her experiences, her challenges, and the complexities of competing at a high level in your 40s and 50s when you have a full-time job and kids. Her story is both inspirational and very real and a valuable lesson in what can be done if you have a strong enough WHY and a bold enou...

This week I sit down with my favorite Bodybuilder and good friend IFBB Pro Jon De la Rosa. We discuss the sport, the lessons it teaches, the toll it takes, and the importance of self-worth. Jon is genuinely one of the nicest guys I know and his outlook on life, his personality and his purpose brings a special and unique insight into a bodybuilder's journey. I loved recording this podcast with...

This week Brandon and I sit down for a catch-up and talk about progress and developments at Pharos Athletic Club and Pharos Mountain Lodge. A lot has happened in the past few weeks and we have a lot on the horizon. Welcome back to the PHAROS FIT PODCAST!  Connect with Piet and Pharos Piet's Instagram Pharos Instagram Pharos Mountain Lodge Instagram Website Sign Up Here Welcome to the Pharos F...

This week I sit down with two remarkable women, the Operations Manager of PHAROS Athletic Club, Laura Hood, and International Model Brianna Marquez. They have very different lives but are both incredibly busy women who manage to juggle fitness, business, travel, and motherhood. They have also both dealt with and learned to manage expectations, preconceived ideas of “how a woman should look”, “how...

This week I sit down with Joshua Al-chamaa and discuss his incredible CF journey that recently saw him crowned “The Fittest in Britain”. What does it take to be an athlete on this level? What have the struggles been and what does the future hold for an aspiring CrossFit Athlete. Found out all this and more in this great episode!  Connect with Josh, Piet, Pharos, and The Pharos Mountain L...

This week Brandon and I flip last week's podcast and talk about the opposite agenda: Eating for Growth. Many of you out there struggle to put on size; genetics plays a big part but are you eating and training in correlation with your goals? Some stuff in this week's episode may be of use to you .. Enjoy and if you are trying to get bigger you should be eating while you listen ;)  Connect with...

This week we talk about cutting. When you are trying to lose as much fat as possible in a specific time period without losing muscle tissue (and thus slowing metabolic rate) there’s a lot to consider. We discuss principles, over-arching purpose, and methods by which to achieve them. Some things we add, some things we take away … we must be clever about both. Enjoy!  Connect with Piet and Phar...

On this 4th of July, we sit down and talk about the development of the PHAROS Mountain Lodge and recap Brandon’s trip to Iceland. We also talk about the recent transformation of Joe P as he went through a 20lb + cut in 9 weeks. Finally, we take a moment to acknowledge hope, promise, and the commitment to following your dreams. It was a mixed bag but this turned into a great podcast....

Welcome to the PHAROS Mountain Lodge  Over the past few months, we have been working on creating something special. Most business owners will tell you that you have to find ways to grow and after a year in “survival mode”, Emylee and I had to do something creatively … for our mindset, for our community, and for our family. Today we talk about what it is, what we will be offering, and who you...

In the final episode of “origins and how the fuck I got here”, Piete brings us up to date. From the beginnings of PHAROS, the building of a great community, expansions, the pandemic all the way to the present with a look toward the future. All roads led to this point …..  Connect with Piet and Pharos Piet's Instagram Pharos Instagram Pharos Mountain Lodge Instagram Website Sign Up Here Welcom...

Part 2 of Origins Dreams and How the Fuck I Got Here. In this episode, I talk about the early days of Gym Jones, CrossFit, my experiences with both, and how that eventually led to my time working in Hollywood. Til the day I die, I will never say the words “celebrity trainer” and don’t expect any gossip … just an honest account of my experience, how it happened, and what it eventually led to. There...

There are points in your life where it’s natural to take stock. You find yourself wondering how you arrived at this place and why you make the decisions you do. For me at least, by the time I was in my forties, it felt like I’d lived several different lives ... so many different places, different people, different desires. But ultimately of course every day and every decision led to this very mome...

This week I sit down with Emylee on the 3rd anniversary of her diagnosis of rhabdomyolysis and talk about her recovery - both physically and mentally. We cover what the condition is, how to avoid it, how to recover from it, and how Emylee learned valuable lessons from the experience. We also delve into training through pregnancy (which happened one year after) and how she has rebuilt her body over...

In this episode I sit down with Brandon, Alena, and Max and work our way through the lies we were told as kids .... what we should eat, how we should train, and why we should refrain from sexual indulgences. Fun episode with some eye-openers! Enjoy!  Connect with Piet and Pharos Piet's Instagram Pharos Instagram Pharos Mountain Lodge Instagram Website Sign Up Here Welcome to the Pharos Fit Po...

Being a Coach is challenging. Being a great coach can be life-changing.. both for you and for the people work with. Multiple hats have to be worn, knowledge has to be absorbed and you have to become a master of connection. Today is sit down with Brandon and offer some insight into what I believe makes a great Coach. A great one if you are just starting out or if you are, as we always should be, se...

Compete is back! This week Noah and I talk about the return of our competitive fitness program and PHAROS. What it is, who it’s for and how ultimately we will build Batman! Tune in for the info and get ready to unleash your inner athlete! Connect with Noah and Pharos Noah's Instagram Noah's Website Piet's Instagram Pharos Instagram Pharos Mountain Lodge Instagram Website Sign Up Here Welcome to th...

This week I sit down with the FIGHT TEAM at PHAROS Athletic club. Graham Jenkins, Katie-Michal, and Aaron Michael Mendoza take us through all things Combat. We talk self-defense, confidence, education, learning, technique, and purpose. We have fun with insights into favorite fighters, the evolution and variation of combat sports, and the direction of the FIGHT program at PHAROS. I loved this podca...

This week I sit down with Coach Anna Maguire. If ever there was a Coach that walked the walk, it’s Anna. In the podcast, we learn of her transformation over the last 7 years ... a journey of strength, knowledge, education, and perseverance. Like most of us, Anna has had her obstacles and fitness become a great teacher of how to overcome adversity. The stronger we get in here, the stronger we live...

This week I sit down with Dr. Sofi our in-house physiotherapist. This podcast blew my mind as I learned of Sofi’s Water-Polo career, concussion, and devastation that led to craft and purpose. It’s an incredible story about turning the hardships that life always presents into opportunities for growth. This podcast is about resilience, dedication, and understanding how Sofi can help you physically a...

This week we sit down with Lindsey Waguespack and talk about all things REPAIR AND FLOW. Lindsey is our in-house Yoga specialist and is on a mission to share her passion with all, from the die-hard Yogi to the Meathead. How do we integrate Yoga and Recovery Practices into our routine? How much do we need and how do we make it accessible to everybody. Find out in this great episode with L...

SPRINT has long been one of our cult classes at PHAROS Athletic Club. The good news is .... ITS BACK. This week I sit down with SPRINT Director Tyler Manzo and Coach Mia Parziale to discuss the origins, purpose, and logistics of the program. What it does, who it’s for, and how everyone can benefit by adding it to their program. Loved recording this with these two ... enjoy!  Connect with...

This week We sit down with Mark Crampton. Mark’s long career in the Navy Seals gave him insight, tools, techniques, and a mindset that he now uses to help individuals and businesses achieve meaningful growth outside of the military. We cover purpose, clarity, parenting, dealing with anxiety, and how people can make meaningful changes in their lives. Mark has become a trusted advisor to me and...

The first Limitless Challenge of 2021 was a huge success, mostly because we looked beyond sets, reps, and numbers on the scale and instead developed a system that’s built off our values, personalized to your needs, and explores answering some of the bigger questions.  In the first week, we asked Challengers What is Health and Happiness?  And today we’d like to ask you! Interested in sign...

This week I sit down with Brandon and discuss the history of fitness. We go right back to the beginning on this when our activity came from the necessity to survive to the modern day where so many barely move at all. Through the ages, we evolved and our relationship to fitness changed. Now what was once essential is a conscious choice in an attempt to keep us closer to the function for which we we...

This week is sit down with Dr. Katherine Haker and talk about all things Covid: the current situation of the virus, the vaccine, and the reopening of PHAROS Athletic Club. Kate has been in the unique position of being on the front line at the hospital and seeing the impact of the virus first hand as well as owning a small business that has been hugely affected by the Lockdowns. So her perspec...