The Silverback Media Podcast

In this episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , host Marco Mejia sits down with Kaitlyn Kenna Smith , a CrossFitter, personal trainer, and online fitness coach based in Florida. Kaitlyn shares her incredible journey of overcoming darkness, rediscovering purpose, and using fitness as a vehicle for healing — both physically and emotionally. With over a decade in the coaching world, Kaitlyn opens u...

In this episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , host Marco Mejia sits down with Ryan Talley , an Everyday CrossFitter from CrossFit Apollo in Las Vegas, Nevada. Ryan’s story breaks through one of the biggest misconceptions about CrossFit — that it’s only for elite athletes — and shows how the methodology truly meets people where they are. Growing up active in multiple sports, Ryan talks about wh...

In this episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , host Marco Mejia talks with Stacy Grindell , a CrossFitter from CrossFit Extra Mile in St. Louis, Missouri, whose story perfectly embodies the idea that it’s never too late to start . Stacy began CrossFit at age 50 , and what started as a step toward better health has become a complete lifestyle transformation. In this episode, she shares how she o...

In this episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , host Marco Mejia sits down with Courtney Samudio , a CrossFit Level 1 coach at CrossFit Fury in Phoenix, Arizona. Courtney opens up about her athletic background, her transition into coaching, and the perspective shifts that came after a serious injury — one that forced her to reexamine why she trains and what true fitness means. Courtney’s story i...

In this episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , host Marco Mejia sits down with Mike Ward , a Level 2 CrossFit coach from CrossFit Fury in Phoenix, Arizona. With nearly 15 years in the CrossFit world , Mike has seen the evolution of the methodology from its early days to what it’s become today — and he shares how it continues to challenge and shape both his fitness and his mindset. This conversa...

In this episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , host Marco Mejia sits down with Dave Fennell , whose journey from over 550 pounds to performing strict pull-ups became a featured story on CrossFit.com . Dave’s transformation is far more than a story about weight loss — it’s about confronting food addiction, rebuilding self-belief, and discovering how consistency and community can rewrite a life....

In this powerful episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , host Marco Mejia sits down with Craig Pierson , a long-time member of CrossFit North Scottsdale, to share a raw and inspiring story of redemption, resilience, and self-discovery. Craig opens up about his early years — a period marked by destructive choices and near tragedy — and how finding CrossFit helped him rebuild his life piece by pie...

In this episode of the Silverback Media Podcast , Marco Mejia sits down with Matt Howell , an everyday CrossFitter with a passion for adventure that’s taken him from the gym to the slopes of Mount Everest . Matt opens up about the parallels between CrossFit training and preparing for high-altitude climbs, sharing stories of grit, mindset, and what it takes to push through the most extreme challeng...

We’re back for week 2 introducing you to the coaches fromUntapped Nutrition, and this week we talk to Rocky DiPalma!   Rocky is a CrossFit Level 2 coach at CrossFit North Scottsdale, a NASM certified Nutrition Coach, and she also leads our Hyrox classes as well!   In this episode, we go back through Rocky’s story including: -           What her initial motivation was to get into fitness as a young...

This week is part 1 of a 2-part series introducing you tothe coaches from Untapped Nutrition, and this week we’re starting with Rachal Davis!   Rachal is a CrossFit Level 2 coach at CrossFit NorthScottsdale and a certified Nutrition Coach with Untapped Nutrition. In this episode, we go through Rachal’s backstory on how she got to this point in her career.   We go through topics like: -           W...

Joining me on the show this week is Nick Alcocer, owner ofMotionRx! Nick offers personalized Mobility solutions for his clientsranging from assisted stretching protocols to cupping/scraping, and nutrition guidance as well to give you the tools to get back to performing your best in andout of the gym! Nick’s client base includes a wide range of CrossFit gymmembers, so we sat down to talk about what...

This week’s guest is DJ Dykes! DJ joined me to share about Scottsdale Friday Night Lights, his Youth Flag Football league, that is starting in September in the Scottsdale, AZ,area. Along with that, we dive into DJ’s backstory including: -           His experience playing high-level Division 1College Football -           DJ’s struggle with addiction through, and after,college -           His path t...

We are mixing it up this week! I have a surprise guest on the show who wants to quiz me on some CrossFit trivia! The trivia categories range all the way from CrossFit Gameshistory to some deep theory about the CrossFit methodology, so we cover a wide range of questions! As you can imagine, there were some deep tangents andrabbit holes along the way, so come along for the ride! Feel free to play al...

My guest this week is Drew Woerther! Drew has been a member at CrossFit Xtra Mile in St. Louis, MO, since 2021, and in this episode, we getto unpack his background that led him to find CrossFit. In this episode, we talk about: -           Drew’s upbringing and how he initially beganfocusing on Fitness -           The cycles he went through between phases offitness -           How he eventually mad...

On the show this week is Rachel D.! Rachel was a member at CrossFit North Scottsdale in Phoenix, AZ (she recently left for a big opportunity that you’ll need to listen to find out why). Rachel only recently found CrossFit, so we talk about: -           What she thought about CrossFit before trying it herself -           The final push that got her to actually try CrossFit(this one may surprise you...

This week’s guest is the Hall Monitor / Mayor of the 6:30 AMclass at CrossFit Xtra Mile in St. Louis, MO, Jeff Cooper. Jeff is a model of what consistency in the CrossFit gym cando over a very long period of time, but he wasn’t always this way. He shares his journey of his lifestyle choices as a youngadult building a career and raising his family, then trying to get in shape “yo-yo” dieting from o...

You may have seen this week’s guest on Instagram in recentweeks as she’s come into the CrossFit space online! She goes by the Instagram account name @when_nerds_teach (definitely give her a follow!) and has been sharing her reactions to CrossFit workouts from her car as soon as she finishes classes. In this episode, we go through her backstory, the challengesshe faced from a health perspective, an...

This week, I have my good friend, Dan Adler, on the show! Dan is a Level 2 coach at CrossFit Xtra Mile in St. Louis, MO,which is where we first met. He is also a father, husband, race car driver, andworking professional in the Financial Services industry. In this episode, we go over: -           Dan’s early athletic background growing up -          His journey to working out of some bad healthhabi...

Today, I have two guests on the show: Ash Bennett and SarahBackus! Ash and Sarah qualified to compete as a team in the 1st Phorm Monster Games, which will be held next week in Kansas. With that coming up, we had them on to talk about each oftheir fitness journey’s and how that led to them teaming up for this competition! Ash is a co-owner of CrossFit North Scottsdale here in Phoenix, AZ. She is al...

This week’s guest is none other than Nick Kennedy! Not onlyis a Nick member at CrossFit North Scottsdale, but he is also a husband, father, the Executive Chef at Geordie’s at Wrigley Mansion here in Phoenix. Along with all of that, Nick is also the “voice” of the Silverback Media Podcast! He was gracious enough to lend his voice for the intro and outro you hear on each episode! Nick has voiced 2 a...

We are back for episode 3, and today I am joined by MKTengler! MK is a member of CrossFit North Scottsdale and is also a competitor in the Tactical Games. For anyone that has participated in CrossFit for a longtime, we understand the importance of the community as a part of the whole puzzle that makes it effective. The workouts and lifestyle change drive the real results, but the community compone...

In this episode, we have 2 guests! We are joined by sisters,Katy Bell and Carly Brennan! Katy is a member at CrossFit North Scottsdale, and Carly isa member and coach at CrossFit Kailua in Hawaii. This episode is packed with deep insights, lots of laughs, and a heated debate about pickles that you are sure to enjoy! In this episode, we talk about: What their exercise routines were like before Cros...

In this episode, I welcome Jen Libby as the first officialguest on the show! Jen is a full-time CrossFit coach and Personal Trainer atCrossFit North Scottsdale in Phoenix, AZ! She is a Level 3 CrossFit Certified Trainer specializing in Gymnastics and Tactical training. In this episode, we talk about:Jen’s athletic background (this one surprised me!) How she first found CrossFit and what drew her t...

Episode 1: Welcome to The Silverback Media Podcast – Why This Show Exists In this very first episode, I’m laying the foundation for what this podcast is all about — and why I felt compelled to start it. CrossFit has changed my life, and I’ve seen it change the lives of countless others. But too often, the only stories told are from elite athletes. I created this show to highlight the everyday Cros...