This week, John and Adam sit down with our very first guest, Alfonso, Event Director of the MAD Fitness Festival, one of only two CrossFit Games Semifinals in Europe for 2026.

In this episode, we explore Alfonso’s journey and the evolution of an event that has grown out of the Madrid Championship into one of Europe’s key CrossFit competitions. Alfonso gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to develop and deliver an event at the semifinal level, including the challenges, logistics, and vision required to make it happen.

We discuss:

• Alfonso’s personal backstory
• His background in CrossFit and the wider fitness industry
• The origins and history of the MAD Fitness Festival
• What it takes to build, grow, and manage a major competition
• How an event becomes an official CrossFit Games Semifinal
• CrossFit events past, present, and how the landscape is evolving

Whether you're a CrossFit fan, athlete, or someone curious about how large-scale fitness events come together, this conversation offers insight into the people, process, and passion behind the sport.

Please share feedback and questions to: [email protected]

MAD Fitness Festival: https://madfitnessfestival.com/

MAD Fitness Festival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mad_fitness_festival/

You can find Adam at https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/
The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

The Progrm Hyrox: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmhyrox

We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!

The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!

The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/