Summary In this episode of the Conquer Athlete Podcast, hosts Jason Leydon and Ryan Bucciantini discuss the importance of keeping athletes engaged through foundational training, especially in preparation for the CrossFit Games. They emphasize the need for patience and understanding in training, highlighting how athletes must sometimes focus on less exciting, foundational work to achieve long-term success. The conversation also touches on the balance between motivation and training intensity, as well as predictions for the upcoming CrossFit Games.   Takeaways

• Engaging athletes requires focusing on foundational work.
• Patience is key in training for long-term success.
• Winning isn't boring; it's about developing weaknesses.
• Athletes must be willing to take steps back to progress.
• Training should be balanced and not dreary.
• Building a strong foundation is essential for performance.
• Understanding the 'why' behind training is crucial for athletes.
• Coaches should learn from other sports to enhance training methods.
• Athletes need to focus on their goals and commitments.
• Predictions for the CrossFit Games highlight emerging talent.

Topics

• The Art of Athlete Engagement
• Foundational Training for Success

Sound Bites

• "Winning isn't boring."
• "Training shouldn't be dreary."
• "Step outside of CrossFit to learn."

Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview 02:10 Anticipation for the CrossFit Games 05:15 Engaging Athletes in Foundational Work 11:45 The Importance of Patience in Training 17:58 Building a Strong Foundation for Success 23:33 Balancing Training and Motivation 25:53 Advice for Coaches on Developing Phases 27:18 Predictions for the CrossFit Games 30:18 Closing Thoughts and Community Engagement