The "Fittest" Podcast in Oakland

Episode 27 - Alcohol And You In this episode, Ben & Robyn talk about our upcoming Monthly Lifestyle Challenges, starting with January: Exploring Alcohol.  We invited our special guest Ann G to talk about drinking alcohol and what happened when she quit for the year in 2021! Here are some of the topics we discuss with Ann about alcohol as a lifestyle choice: -  Why people drink alcoho...

Episode 26 - Learning To Like Running With Aaron Castillo In this episode, Ben & Robyn interview Coach Evil (Aaron Castillo) on how running can help you and how you can learn to enjoy running. We discuss the following... -  How Aaron got his start with CFO back in the day -  How Aaron helps people enjoy running -  What Pose method is and how does it helps you run better without...

Episode 25 - Defining Terms When Stretching May Not Be The Answer In this episode, Ben & Robyn spend time defining and discussing terms around stretching and when stretching may not be the right answer. We examine the following... -  How do we define stretching, flexibility, mobility, stability, and strength? -  When should you use stretching? -  What things might be a better us...

Episode 24 - The Good And The Bad Of Gym Gear In this episode, Ben & Nick discuss all the gear you can use in the gym and all the benefits and negatives of using gear. We examine the following... -  What types of gear or equipment do we use in the gym? -  When you should use certain types of gear? -  When gear might be more dangerous than beneficial? -  The pieces of gear N...

Episode 23 - How Gratitude Improves Your Health In this episode, Ben & Robyn discuss how gratitude improves your health, fitness, and life. We examine the following... -  What is Gratitude? -  How does gratitude impact your body and brain? -  What does science say about gratitude? -  What are some practical ways to express gratitude? Listen to learn tips and tricks on how t...

Episode 22 - Mental Health With Dr. Gustavson In this episode, Ben & Robyn interview Licensed Clinical Social Worker and Assistant Professor Dr. Kristen Gustavson on Mental Health, and how CFO contributes to improving mental health. We discuss the following... -  What is mental health? -  Who needs mental health? -  How does mental health fit into the gym? Both the good and the...

In this episode, the CFO crew with special guest Tamara Holmes discuss the necessity of Olympic lifting for fitness, Welcome, Tamara Holmes to the podcast. We lean on Tamara's expertise and experience with Olympic lifting to talk all things Olympic lifting. And we answer the following questions... Is Olympic lifting necessary for achieving improved fitness?  What are the top 5 reasons for Oly...

Episode 19 - Slow Down To Get Ahead In this episode, Ben discusses how slowing down might help you get ahead in life, health, and fitness.... We live in a world of rush rush and move move, so sometimes the best thing for us is a change of pace.  How can slowing down can help you in multiple aspects of life? How do you slow down in the gym?  How do you slow down with nutrition? How d...

Episode 18 - The CrossFit Total In this episode, Robyn and Ben discuss The CrossFit Total and why should be excited for this upcoming test of strength... The CrossFit Total is an event held at CFO every year to test our 1 Rep Max Back Squat, Deadlift and Shoulder Press.  We will hold this on a Sunday so we can have the gym to ourselves and take as long as we want to complete.  ...

Episode 17 - Why You Should Do Dusk Till Dawn In this episode, Ben discusses why you should sign up for "Dusk Till Dawn" and all the fun you will have doing it... What is Dusk till Dawn?  Do I have to workout from Dusk Till Dawn? What do about this competition if you're not competitive? How much fun will this event be? It's a Partner Competition - How do you choose a partner? Workouts ar...

Episode 16 - Fuel Your Workouts In this episode of the Fittest Podcast in Oakland, Nick and Ben discuss how to "fuel" your training and why we encourage you to eat around your workouts... How food can fuel your goals? When to eat around training sessions? What to eat to help workouts feel better? How eating around workouts can make you feel less sore? What are some foods and meal timing you should...

Episode 15 - Tracking your Training - Data vs Score In this episode of the Fittest Podcast in Oakland, Robyn and Ben discuss tracking your training and why we encourage you to log your results, but beware of the pitfalls of keeping score... Data vs Score: Definitions Where do these concepts overlap? Where do they differ? What are the advantages of both? What are some disadvantages? Why you should...

Episode 14 - Nutrition Matters: Cooking! (Season 1, Episode 3) In this episode of the "Fittest" Podcast in Oakland, Robyn and Ben continue their series on Nutrition with an interview of Professional Chef, Steven!  We will discuss how to approach cooking with good nutrition AND good taste in mind. Compare cooking to Fitness Eat your Veggies! Keeping Nutritional & Enviro...

Episode 13 - Nutrition Matters: Calories In/Calories Out (Season 1, Episode 2) It's been a minute since we published a podcast!  Our apologies as this has been a challenging time to stay on schedule. Hopefully, the information remains timely... In this episode of the "Fittest" Podcast in Oakland, Robyn and Ben continue their series on Nutrition with a discussion on the concept of "Calories/Ca...

In this episode of the CFO Podcast, Ben and Robyn introduce a series on Nutrition & Lifestyle outlining why Nutrition matters and how we can help you make good choices outside the gym as well as inside - at least we can try! We know your fitness is important to you, but we will make a case that adding some simple healthy habits into your day can support your fitness goals and prope you to your...

Episode 11 - Dr. Ada Jauregui Saves In this episode of the CrossFit Oakland Podcast, Mike, Ben, and Robyn interview a longtime friend of CFO, Dr. Ada Jauregui, DPT (she also answers to Dr. Ada or Dr. J)! Many of you might remember Ada from her days treating patients in the office at CFO (Emeryville) or perhaps you have been treated by her for an injury or other physical issue.  If so, you wil...

Episode 10: Resilience In this episode, Mike and Ben & Robyn discuss how we build resilience in our bodies with exercise and other lifestyle choices as well as in our minds, as we navigate uncertainty, anxiety and a strange new normal.  They give specific examples from their own lives and even from the history of CrossFit Oakland. You are encouraged to listen, hopefully learn a bit and co...

In this episode, Mike and Ben break down how to maintain your fitness with at-home workouts They begin by discussing the ultimate "Goal" and how for most of us that goal has not changed even with sheltering in place.  So even with being forced outside the gym, WE can still work towards any goal whether we want to lose weight, build muscle or just lift heavy!  Next, Mike and Ben break dow...

In this episode, John P and crew survived the world's most dangerous ocean crossing and broke a record! You definitely want to hear all about this expedition in compelling detail.  I know we did! Mike, Ben & Robyn find out by asking John our most burning questions: How did the adventure begin What was this adventure really like and all the gritty details How did John train for the event W...

In this episode, Mike and Ben welcome Robyn to discuss and explain the exciting 2020 Nutrition and Lifestyle challenge!  They begin by discussing their general philosophy on nutrition and lifestyle for healthy clients. Then they answer the Why, Who, What, Where, When and How the Challenge will work this year. They explain the Purpose of a ‘challenge’ - why do we do th...

Been noticing some differences in the programming and workouts after the Open? Things have been a little different since the Open concluded. Mike and Ben break down the changes and how the programming will look going forward. Don't worry! Your favorites will all still be there. And yes, you will still get challenged and become more fit. But we are going back to the basics to start off this trainin...

In this episode of the CrossFit Oakland Podcast, Mike and Ben interview Adrian Bozman.  Many of you may know Adrian as the stern-faced Head Judge of the CrossFit Games. Or perhaps, if you go back a little further in CrossFit lore, as the gentleman who invented the “No Rep."  Adrian is far more than just a Head Judge, though. He serves a larger role within the world of CrossFit training a...

In this episode, Mike and Ben discuss everything you could ever want to know about the Open. They talk about how everyone should do the Open and how it is really just a good “Turkey Trot” challenge for both of them. They also interview three special guests: Lara, Norah and Jill! Each share their experiences with the Open and how much they have come to enjoy it. The ladies also share why they are l...

Joe Pasqualriello stands as one of the longest-tenured members of CrossFit Oakland. Over that time period, even at 5 foot 6 and a HALF inches, Joe has become someone everyone looks up to in the gym. Whether it is his contagious smile, consistent and perfectly-timed jokes, or the best warm-up dance moves around, Joe is always bringing an upbeat spirit to CFO classes. But don’t let the dance moves f...

Hey CrossFit Oakland Family!  We have started a new podcast to help better communicate all the great things that are happening around CrossFit Oakland.      Mike and Ben kick off the inaugural episode of the CrossFit Oakland podcast by discussing the who, what, why, and when of the podcast itself, as well as delving into the gym's August programming.