This week on the CrossFit Grandview Podcast we sit down with longtime member Jonathan Glancy.Jonathan has lived a pretty incredible career behind the camera, shooting for IMG Academy, CrossFit HQ during the golden era of the media team, and even the Cleveland Browns. We talk about what it was like being around some of the biggest moments in CrossFit and sports, and how those experiences shaped him.After the pandemic, Jonathan and his wife took a leap of faith, leaving that world behind to build something of their own. Today they're creating an incredible business with Oak Spring Farms—an Airbnb and wedding venue designed as a full weekend destination and experience.The second half of the conversation gets much more personal.Earlier this year Jonathan was diagnosed with kidney cancer and underwent surgery to have a kidney removed. We talk about the mental battle, recovery, and what it took to get back into the gym. Today he's back in class training every day, rebuilding his strength, preparing to welcome a new baby, and embracing everything life has in store.It's a conversation about reinvention, resilience, and refusing to let life's toughest moments define you.This is one of my favorite episodes we've done. Give it a listen—you won't regret it

One of the coolest things about owning a gym for nearly two decades is seeing members come and go, move across the country, start families, build careers—and somehow still remain part of the community.

Julia Camp is one of those people.

After joining CrossFit Grandview in 2013, Julia and her husband Dan eventually moved back out west, but they've never lost touch with the gym. Through our Edge Online Programming and regular trips back to Columbus, they've stayed connected every step of the way.

This week we sit down with Julia to talk about adventure, travel, hiking, fitness, and creating a life centered around experiences. We also discuss how she has continued to prioritize her health through every season of life and why she's currently the fittest she's ever been.

Having Julia back in class this week was a reminder of what makes this community special. No matter how far people move or how much life changes, some connections never really go away.

This week Kate and I sat down with Sébastien Plasse, owner of Zion Gym in St. Barths, one of the most unique training facilities we've ever visited.

Located just steps from the beach, Zion Gym combines a full CrossFit affiliate, HYROX training center, and massive commercial gym under one roof. But that's only the beginning. The facility also features a Tulum-style outdoor training area with sand, stone weights, boxing space, cold plunges, and a full coffee, juice, and smoothie bar—all completely outdoors in one of the most beautiful settings imaginable.

What makes the story even more impressive is that Sébastien built the entire project just four years ago, post-COVID, without a massive investment budget, on one of the most expensive and exclusive islands in the Caribbean.

In this conversation we dive into entrepreneurship, gym ownership, building community through fitness, and the realities of creating a world-class training facility in a place where most people would never imagine opening a gym.

And make sure you watch all the way to the end of the YouTube video—I give a full walkthrough tour of Zion Gym so you can see this incredible facility for yourself.

Sébastien's passion for CrossFit, training, and gym ownership is undeniable, and this was one of my favorite conversations we've had in a long time.

This week we sit down with Eamon Burgess for one of our most interesting conversations yet.

Over the last 6 months Eamon and his wife Katie have been training on the Barbell side with Paige through custom programming while also working with Kate on nutrition and lifestyle. The changes have been noticeable, but the story behind them is even better.

We dive into Eamon’s path from becoming a pilot, traveling the world, and working as a ski instructor… to building successful businesses in assisted living and navigating the highs and stress that come with entrepreneurship.

We talk:
• Scaling businesses and leadership
• Building a life that balances ambition and family
• Purchasing a home in Nicaragua as a place to surf, reset, and decompress
• How fitness, routine, and community have impacted his life over the last year
• Why training consistently became a non-negotiable despite a busy schedule

A conversation on business, risk, family, travel, and using fitness as an anchor through it all.

Back when we were in a small flex space unit in Gahanna… there were a handful of people helping build what CrossFit Grandview would become.

Phil Tassi was one of them. Joining us back in January of 2010 fresh off Ohio State Crew, Phil became part of our affiliate teams from 2010–2012, 2014, helped contribute to two Games teams, and spent nearly a decade as one of the constants in the gym. Competitor, supporter, social regular — just someone who was always around and helped shape the culture.

Life eventually pulled him west to Los Angeles with his wife Chavilah, and more recently overseas to London, England. After almost 8 years away from CrossFit, Phil has stepped back into an affiliate and started training again.This episode is less about scores and placements and more about time.

How people change.

How fitness changes.

How priorities shift.

And why some places somehow still feel like home years later.

If you trained at CFGV in the early days, this one will hit different.

This week’s episode is a bit of a send-off for longtime member and front desk team member John Scandale after one of the biggest weeks of his life. John just got married, graduated from medical school, and will be heading into his residency at Mount Carmel East this summer!

We sit down and talk about what’s next for him and his wife, his upcoming honeymoon to Costa Rica, and the road ahead stepping into residency life.

In the second half of the episode we dive deep into HYROX. John recently completed his first race and put up an impressive 1:17 finish time. We break down how he trained intentionally for the event, fueling and pacing strategies, lessons learned during the race, and what people should know before signing up for their first HYROX.

If you’ve been curious about HYROX or are thinking about tackling one yourself, this episode is packed with great insight and practical takeaways.

This week we sit down with my dad, Al Couden.

45 years as an electrician… and plenty of battle scars to show for it — including a fractured skull and a blown knee (ACL, MCL, PCL all at once). He was always active through work, but never followed a structured training program until about a year and a half ago.

After losing my younger brother and his youngest son, everything shifted. What started as a way to cope has turned into something way bigger — fitness becoming a shared outlet that’s brought our family closer than ever. Now it’s a multi-generational thing we do together… from the gym to family trips in Puerto Rico with the kids.

We talk about what it’s like starting in your late 60s, building better habits around food and drinking, and stepping into the unknown — including signing up for his first-ever fitness event: a HYROX relay with my mom, Coach Drake’s dad, and Missy Biddell.

Real perspective. Real growth. Real family.

This week we sit down with longtime member Josh Martenez for one of the more unique conversations we’ve had on the show. A former local brewery owner, Josh talks about shifting gears into running the household and taking the lead on raising his two young kids while his wife Carolyn works as a physician. Different perspective than we’ve had before—and Kate especially loved this one.

We get into training next—Josh is a two-time Summer Shred runner who’s spent the last few years chasing strength, putting on size, and hitting some big PRs. Now he’s flipping the switch again and getting back into running shape.

Super thoughtful, super sharp, and an easy conversation the whole way through. Next time we get him on… we’re blocking off a couple hours.

Two teams. One goal. Syndicate Crown in Knoxville.

This week Brandon and Drake break down what it means to send two teams to Semifinals, how they’re approaching training leading into a live event, and how the season doesn’t stop—online qualifiers roll right in behind it.

We dive into the engine behind it all—the L-2 program. Why it works, how it continues to develop high-level athletes (15 semifinalists this year), and what makes training in that environment different from anything else.

If you’ve ever thought about leveling up—from All-Levels or another gym—this episode lays out exactly what that transition looks like and what it takes to be part of the crew.

Fresh off Quarterfinals, we sit down with Affiliate PT therapist and CrossFit Grandview Level 2 athlete Mattie Snoddy after getting the news—she’s officially heading to her first in-person Semifinal in her final year in the 40–44 division.

We dive into what this competition season has looked like, and what it actually takes to perform at a high level in your 40s—from a full training week to the day-to-day balance behind the scenes. Mattie shares insight into how she’s built durability, stayed consistent, and continued to level up year after year.

We also preview a new program coming from Affiliate PT focused on assessing athletes, identifying leaks in strength and efficiency, and helping you get healthier, stronger, and moving better.

Mattie is one of our favorite repeat guests for a reason—she brings experience, perspective, and real substance every time she’s on. This one’s worth the listen.