Bolder Athlete Podcast

In Episode #54 of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh sits down with Chad Stewart, a longtime CrossFitter, Texas lineman, husband, father, and newly crowned CrossFit Games silver medalist. Chad shares the unlikely journey from one-hour-a-day workouts and garage training to standing on the Games podium in his first-ever appearance.The conversation explores the mindset shifts, lifestyle changes, and years of consistency that ultimately led to breakthrough success. Chad discusses quitting alcohol, losing 20 pounds, dialing in nutrition, embracing structured Masters programming, and learning to trust the process. Along the way, he offers a refreshing perspective on competition, confidence, pressure, and longevity.Whether you're chasing the podium or simply looking to become a stronger, wiser, and bolder version of yourself, Chad's story is packed with practical lessons and inspiration.Stronger. Wiser. Bolder.🎙️ Welcome 🏆 Overcoming imposter syndrom 🔥 Realizing he belongs and chasing the podium 🥈 Discovering he made the podium🧪 The athlete disqualification and moving from third to second place📈 Starting CrossFit in 2011 and the long road to mastery🍎 Quitting alcohol, improving nutrition, and losing 20 pounds🎯 The Open, Quarterfinals, and earning a Magic City invite🎪 Inside the Magic City semifinal experience🏅 Winning Magic City and securing a Games berth🧠 Why structure and consistency changed everything🚀 How Bolder Athlete programming transformed his capacity📚 Predictability versus progress in training👴 Staying competitive after 55 and preparing for what's next🏋️ Strength, skill work, and longevity as a Masters athlete💥 Stronger. Wiser. Bolder. What Chad's journey teaches all Masters athletes

When Betty Hardin walked into her first CrossFit gym at age 60, she couldn't have imagined where the journey would lead. What began as a way to support a daughter navigating unimaginable loss became a path to healing, community, and eventually the CrossFit Games podium.In this episode, Betty shares her remarkable story, from qualifying for the Boston Marathon in her 40s to discovering CrossFit through family tragedy, finding purpose in the Masters community, and earning a third-place finish at the 2026 CrossFit Games. Along the way, she reflects on faith, perseverance, aging boldly, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who help you become more than you thought possible.This is a conversation about resilience, second chances, family, and what can happen when you refuse to let age define what's still possible.Stronger. Wiser. Bolder.Chapters: 🎙️ Welcome t🐎 Growing Up Before Women's Sports🏃 Chasing Boston at Age 40💔 When Tragedy Struck the Family🔥 The Night CrossFit Changed Everything💡 “If They Can Do It, I Can Do It”🏅 Catching the Competition Bug🌟 Making the CrossFit Games at 66🔴 What Community Should Feel Like🏋️ Surviving the 2026 CrossFit Games🙏 There Was Jesus💪 What It Means to Be a Bolder Athlete🎬 Final Thoughts & Farewell

In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh Boonstra sits down with Bolder Athlete and 2026 CrossFit Games Champion Emma Leigh, winner of the Women's 50-54 division, to unpack the remarkable journey that took her from "just hoping to qualify" to standing atop the Games podium.

Emma shares the unlikely story behind her championship season, including overcoming injury, winning the Open, navigating the pressure of leading the CrossFit Games heading into the final event, and discovering what it feels like when a lifelong dream becomes reality.

Along the way, she offers a refreshing perspective on competition, aging, recovery, family priorities, and the mindset required to perform at a world-class level without losing sight of what matters most.

Josh and Emma also dive into the emotional highs and lows that Masters athletes know all too well: post-competition slumps, balancing fitness with family life, injury setbacks, motivation struggles, and the challenge of staying healthy while continuing to pursue excellence.

Whether you're chasing a podium, rebuilding after injury, or simply trying to become a stronger version of yourself, Emma's story is a powerful reminder that success often arrives when we focus on the process instead of the prize.

In this episode:

🏆 Emma's unexpected path to winning the CrossFit Games

😬 Managing pressure while leading the competition

🎯 Why winning was never the original goal

🩹 Lessons learned from injury and recovery

🎢 The emotional reality of elite Masters competition

⚖️ Finding balance between sport, family, and long-term health

🔄 Why taking time off can make you stronger

🧠 The mindset that helped Emma perform when it mattered most

A raw, insightful, and surprisingly hilarious conversation between two top‑10 CrossFit Games masters athletes who finally get the chance to sit down and actually talk.

Josh Boonstra and Kyle Ruth unpack everything—from curiosity‑driven training rabbit holes to hamstring tears, sprint mechanics, strategy traps, emotional meltdowns, and the reality of competing while coaching elite athletes at the same time.

Across this long-form, candid dialogue, they break down Games programming, dissect event strategy (including the infamous Echo DT and sandbag rope climb workouts), explore the psychology of competition, and reflect on the moments that shaped their seasons—both good and brutal.

Kyle opens up about coaching while competing and navigating the emotional cost of wearing both athlete and coach hats. Josh shares the highs of an event win, the lows of a sandbag implosion, and the mental battle required to finish strong.

They close by digging into off‑season priorities, running struggles, accountability, rebuilding weaknesses, and the philosophy of athlete IQ—why knowing yourself matters as much as fitness itself.It’s thoughtful, vulnerable, funny, and packed with wisdom for any athlete who loves the sport, wants to improve, or simply enjoys hearing two competitors talk shop with total honesty.

Chapters:

📘 Opening & Connection🏊 Kyle’s Background & Curiosity

🧠 Curiosity vs. Action🏃 Velocity Training

🏟️ Games Performance Review

🧩 Event Strategy Deep Dive

🧑‍🏫 Coaching While Competing

🔄 Mindset & Emotional Load

🔮 Off‑Season Priorities

//// Unlock Your Boldest Potential with Bolder Athlete \\\\\\👉

https://www.bolderathlete.com/

Ready to transform your fitness and redefine your limits?

Bolder Athlete delivers expertly-crafted training designed to elevate your strength, endurance, and performance—no matter your current level.

Our proven programming combines balanced intensity, targeted recovery, and sustainable progression, empowering you to achieve lasting results. With Bolder Athlete, you'll train smarter, recover better, and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.

Join a passionate community committed to fitness, growth, and relentless improvement.

Take the first step toward becoming stronger, healthier, and more confident in every aspect of your life.Become a Bolder Athlete today.

In this special, 50th episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with now seven‑time CrossFit Games champion Jason Grubb and Chief Operations Officer, Adam Aldrich to reflect on the 2026 CrossFit Games, discuss feedback from the community, and look ahead to what's next. The trio kicks things off with Jason’s reflections on his seventh championship—what it takes to stay hungry, how fear fuels focus, and why comfort is the enemy of progress. Adam shares the wild logistics behind bringing the Bolder Athlete booth to life, including his 7,500‑mile road trip across the country and the behind‑the‑scenes chaos that makes the Games unforgettable.Then the conversation turns to the 2026 CrossFit Games experience and the feedback that’s shaping the next chapter for Bolder Athlete. The team unpacks what they heard from athletes and fans—everything from event structure and scheduling to the sense of community connection—and how those insights are driving improvements in athlete support, recovery experiences, and brand engagement.They also reveal findings from the Bolder Athlete community survey, highlighting what members value most: authenticity, accessibility, and the drive to keep pushing boundaries. These insights are now informing new initiatives in programming, athlete development, and event presence for 2027 and beyond.It’s a celebration of 50 episodes, seven titles, and one relentless mission: to support those invested in the Masters and Bolder Athlete Community.

With the 2026 CrossFit Games just days away, Josh and Jason sit down for a raw, behind‑the‑scenes conversation about testing events, managing fatigue, and navigating the unknowns of Games week. From weighted runs to brutal grip tests to the lightning‑fast thruster sprint, they break down what they’ve learned from the first five released workouts — and what still keeps them guessing heading into day three.They also pull back the curtain on the new Bolder Athlete training cycle launching right after the Games. After months of threshold work and maximal effort, the upcoming cycle flips the script with a refreshing off‑season structure, new weekly flow, and a few surprises. It’s a candid look at how elite Masters athletes think, prepare, adapt, and evolve — both for the biggest stage in the sport and for the long game of training year‑round.If you want a true insider’s view of Games prep, event testing, athlete strategy, and how Bolder builds its programming from the inside out, this episode delivers.Chapters: 🏁 Games Week Kickoff ❓What We Know So Far 🏃‍♂️ Event 1: Weighted Run 🔗 Event 2: TTB, DUs & Snatches 🚣‍♂️ Event 3: Row + Handstand Walk 🧤 Event 4: Grip Gauntlet 🔥 Event 5: Thruster Sprint 🔄 Training Fatigue & Timing 🛠️ New Cycle Preview 🔍 Behind the Programming //// Unlock Your Boldest Potential with Bolder Athlete \\\\\\👉 https://www.bolderathlete.com/ Ready to transform your fitness and redefine your limits? Bolder Athlete delivers expertly-crafted training designed to elevate your strength, endurance, and performance—no matter your current level.Our proven programming combines balanced intensity, targeted recovery, and sustainable progression, empowering you to achieve lasting results. With Bolder Athlete, you'll train smarter, recover better, and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.Join a passionate community committed to fitness, growth, and relentless improvement. Take the first step toward becoming stronger, healthier, and more confident in every aspect of your life.Become a Bolder Athlete today.

On this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh sits down with Carrie Rieger, a four‑time CrossFit Games athlete, devoted mom of three, and one of the most disciplined Masters competitors in the sport. At 50 years old, Carrie is heading back to the 2026 CrossFit Games, marking her return after stepping away to be fully present for her sons’ final years of high school — a decision that reflects the deep intentionality she brings to both family and fitness.Carrie shares the story of raising three athletic boys, each carving out their own impressive path in basketball, soccer, and academics. She talks about the role she and her husband play in modeling consistency, discipline, and healthy habits — and how those values show up in her kids’ achievements. From adventure racing to marathons to triathlons, Carrie has always chased challenge, but discovering CrossFit in 2012 lit a new fire. The humbling first workout, the thrill of throwing weight overhead, and the community that pushed her — she was hooked instantly.Carrie opens up about the crash she experienced years ago from ignoring recovery and pushing too hard, and how that season reshaped her entire approach to training. Now, she trains smarter, listens to her body, and uses the Bolder Athlete program with intention — modifying volume when needed, prioritizing sleep, and balancing the demands of elite training with the realities of being a mom.This conversation is full of honesty, wisdom, and the kind of grounded strength that defines the Masters community. Carrie’s story is a reminder that you can chase big goals, raise a thriving family, and still reinvent yourself at any age — as long as you’re willing to work, adapt, and stay true to your values.Chapters: 🏁 Welcome & Introduction👨‍👦‍👦 Meet the Rieger Family💪 Modeling Fitness & Discipline at Home🏡 Choosing Stay‑at‑Home Motherhood🎽 Carrie’s Early Athletic Roots🔥 Discovering CrossFit in 2012📈 Training for the Games: Volume & Strategy⚠️ The Crash: Overtraining & Recovery🧠 Smarter Training at 50📊 Why Bolder Athlete Works🎉 Closing Thoughts & Looking Ahead to San Jose//// Unlock Your Boldest Potential with Bolder Athlete \\\\\\👉 https://www.bolderathlete.com/ Ready to transform your fitness and redefine your limits? Bolder Athlete delivers expertly-crafted training designed to elevate your strength, endurance, and performance—no matter your current level.Our proven programming combines balanced intensity, targeted recovery, and sustainable progression, empowering you to achieve lasting results. With Bolder Athlete, you'll train smarter, recover better, and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.Join a passionate community committed to fitness, growth, and relentless improvement. Take the first step toward becoming stronger, healthier, and more confident in every aspect of your life.Become a Bolder Athlete today.

In this episode, Josh sits down with Dave Hippenstiel, one of the most decorated and respected Masters athletes in CrossFit history. At 70 years old, Dave is preparing for his 12th CrossFit Games appearance, carrying a résumé that includes three consecutive championship titles, six total podium finishes, and a win at the Masters Fitness Championship during the 2020 season. Fresh off his victory at the Del Mar Semifinal, Dave joins the Bolder Athlete community with momentum, gratitude, and a lifetime of perspective.Dave shares the remarkable story behind his journey — one that didn’t begin with a childhood of structured athletics, but with rebellion, rock‑and‑roll dreams, and a pivotal turning point that changed the trajectory of his life. He opens up about the awakening that pulled him away from destructive habits, the role his faith played in reshaping his purpose, and how discovering fitness (and later CrossFit) gave him what he calls a “second wind to life.”Josh and Dave dive into his early years, his transition into decathlon training, and how his daughter Heather introduced him to CrossFit — eventually leading to the unforgettable moment when both father and daughter qualified for the Games in the same year. Dave reflects on the joy of training with his kids, the discipline of staying in peak shape across decades, and the humbling gratitude he feels for the athletes he has inspired along the way.This conversation is rich with wisdom, humility, and heart. Whether you’re a Masters athlete, a parent, or someone who believes it’s “too late” to start, Dave’s story is a powerful reminder that it’s never too late to change your life — and never too late to chase greatness.Chapters: 🏁 Welcome & Introduction🔥 Dave’s Legendary CrossFit Resume🏆 Del Mar Semifinal Win & Meeting Josh📜 The Early Days: Discovering CrossFit 🤸‍♂️ Gymnastics, Invictus & Family Athletic Roots🎯 Dave’s First Games Qualification Story⏳ Rewinding the Clock: Dave’s Troubled Teen Years⚡ The Awakening That Changed Everything📖 Faith, Purpose & Finding Direction🏃‍♂️ Decathlon Training & Falling in Love With Fitness💪 Longevity, Inspiration & Competing Into His 70s🎤 Reflections on CrossFit’s Impact & Saving Lives//// Unlock Your Boldest Potential with Bolder Athlete \\\\\\👉 https://www.bolderathlete.com/ Ready to transform your fitness and redefine your limits? Bolder Athlete delivers expertly-crafted training designed to elevate your strength, endurance, and performance—no matter your current level.Our proven programming combines balanced intensity, targeted recovery, and sustainable progression, empowering you to achieve lasting results. With Bolder Athlete, you'll train smarter, recover better, and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.Join a passionate community committed to fitness, growth, and relentless improvement. Take the first step toward becoming stronger, healthier, and more confident in every aspect of your life.Become a Bolder Athlete today.

In this episode, Josh sits down with 45-year-old CrossFit standout Andy Timm, fresh off his dominant win at the Del Mar Semifinal and officially heading to the CrossFit Games for the first time. Andy opens up about the long road that led him here — from his days as a collegiate gymnast at Arizona State, to discovering CrossFit 15 years ago, to battling injuries, rebuilding confidence, and finally breaking through in the 45–49 division.Andy shares what it’s like growing up as a triplet, how gymnastics shaped his athletic foundation, and why the humbling “7 minutes of burpees” Open workout hooked him for life. He and Josh dive into the mental side of competing, the importance of goals, the grind of staying consistent, and the two-year plan that ultimately pushed Andy over the edge into Games qualification.They also talk about Andy’s decision to join Bolder Athlete, the power of community, and how training alongside other elite Masters athletes has elevated his game. From strategy talk to funny competition stories to the realities of balancing training, work, and family — this episode is packed with insight, humility, and the kind of fire that defines a true competitor.If you love stories of perseverance, late-career breakthroughs, and athletes who simply refuse to quit, this one’s for you.Chapters: 🏁 Intro & Welcome🔥 Andy’s Breakout Season🤸‍♂️ Gymnastics Background🎯 The Road to the Games🏆 Winning Legends & Del Mar🤝 Joining Bolder Athlete📊 Training & Strategy Talk💪 Del Mar Event Recaps🥗 Competition Fueling🎉 Final Thoughts//// Unlock Your Boldest Potential with Bolder Athlete \\\\\\👉 https://www.bolderathlete.com/ Ready to transform your fitness and redefine your limits? Bolder Athlete delivers expertly-crafted training designed to elevate your strength, endurance, and performance—no matter your current level.Our proven programming combines balanced intensity, targeted recovery, and sustainable progression, empowering you to achieve lasting results. With Bolder Athlete, you'll train smarter, recover better, and accomplish more than you ever thought possible.Join a passionate community committed to fitness, growth, and relentless improvement. Take the first step toward becoming stronger, healthier, and more confident in every aspect of your life.Become a Bolder Athlete today.

At 51 years old, Sarah Longshore Hayes is the definition of grit, leadership, and longevity in fitness. In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh sits down with the owner of seven thriving gyms — Empire Fitness, CrossFit Madison, CrossFit Empire South, CrossFit Athens, CrossFit Hazel Green, CrossFit Shades, and Rocket City CrossFit — to unpack the story behind her “overnight” empire.Sarah opens up about her early days teaching group fitness, her rise through Gold’s Gym, and the life‑altering moment when her mother was diagnosed with stage‑four breast cancer — the moment that ultimately led her to Huntsville and sparked the creation of Empire Fitness.She shares how she built multiple gyms from the ground up, the leadership standards she refuses to lower, and the mindset that has carried her through decades of coaching, competing, and business ownership. You’ll hear how she balances high‑energy gym life with quiet farm life, why she still teaches classes every day, and how being a Bolder Athlete has reshaped her as both a coach and competitor.If you’re an athlete, coach, entrepreneur, or anyone who values discipline, faith, and purpose‑driven work, this conversation will hit home.Chapters: 🏃‍♀️ Sarah’s background & early fitness career💗 Her mother’s diagnosis & the birth of Empire Fitness🏢 Building and scaling seven gyms🎤 Why she still teaches group fitness🧭 Leadership, standards & culture✨ Faith, resilience & navigating hard seasons🔥 Becoming a Bolder Athlete🕊️ Longevity, competition & what drives her today