Legends and Masters Podcast

Send us Fan Mail

Eric Smith, a 4‑time Masters Games Athlete (50–54) and 2022 podium finisher, joins Warren after taking first place at the Legends Championship In‑Person Semifinals this past April in Del Mar, CA, officially punching his ticket to the 2026 Games.

Eric shares his experience competing at Legends, the relief of skipping the Online Semifinals, and reflections on his long CrossFit history dating back to his younger days. He also opens up about turning 55, adapting to lowered weights and movements in the Open and Quarterfinals, and how mindset and a care-free appoach to CrossFit shapes his training today.

A grounded, insightful conversation about experience, evolution, and the fire that keeps Masters athletes pushing forward.

Send us Fan Mail

Jens Grund, the 65–69 Age Group winner and newest Masters Games athlete from the French Throwdown, joins Warren to share his inspiring journey.

Jens talks about discovering CrossFit with his family in Denmark, how the sport became a shared passion, and what it took to push through the ups and downs of this season in his last‑chance quest to qualify for the Games in San Jose, CA at the French Throwdown.

A heartfelt conversation about perseverance, family, and the drive to compete at the highest level.

Instagram: @jensgrund

https://sponsor.me/JensGrund

Send us Fan Mail

We brought the Panel back to break down the Goods and Others of the 2026 CrossFit Games Season. Betty Hardin, Cindy Hinkle, Tia Vesser, Mitchell Taylor, and Dave Powell share their insights and experiences from every stage — starting with the Open, moving through the Quarterfinals, and diving into both the In‑Person and Online Semifinals.

They wrap up with a candid look at the ongoing challenges of video review, offering perspective from athletes and judges alike.

This episode delivers a thoughtful, firsthand look at what’s working, what’s not, and what’s next for the Masters community.

Instagram:

@kspyder51

@_cindyhinkle_

@tvesser

@mtaylormade716

@davidpowell.2024

Send us Fan Mail

Chad Pinther joins Warren to break down the pivotal steps he took during the 2025 Masters CrossFit Games season to capture the 50–54 Age Group championship. A long‑time Masters competitor, CrossFit affiliate owner, husband, father, and fashion model, Chad seized the opportunity of a lifetime—transforming himself from a middle‑of‑the‑pack Games athlete into a champion.

He shares how guidance from former Games athletes, a renewed sense of purpose, and the unwavering push from his wife fueled his decision to go all‑in. This conversation dives into the mindset shift, the training adjustments, and the personal sacrifices that made his championship run possible.

A powerful look at what can happen when talent meets timing—and when someone decides to  grab their moment before it slips away. 

Instagram: 

@chad.pinther

@colfaxstrongdenver

www.colfaxstrong.com

Send us Fan Mail

Clarke Holland, a 9-time Masters Games athlete, joins Warren to break down his experience at the inaugural Masters In‑Person Semi‑Final held at the Legends Championship Semi‑Final in Del Mar, CA.

A competitor who has completed every Open, Quarter‑Final, and Semi‑Final since the beginning, Clarke talks about his long‑term goal of hitting 20 consecutive Opens by 2031 and what keeps him motivated season after season.

Clarke offers a candid, detailed look at the event — the highs, the lows, the logistics, and the athlete experience — along with thoughtful insight into the current Masters Games season. He lays out several practical changes CrossFit HQ could implement to create a smoother, more athlete‑focused season moving forward.

Since recording, Clarke has officially qualified for his 10th Masters CrossGit Games, taking place in San Jose, CA in July 2026.

Send us Fan Mail

Billy Goodson, a 2X CrossFit Games athlete and National Weightlifting Champion, joins Warren to talk about his newest passion — The Tactical Games, a sport that fuses fitness, marksmanship, and strategy.

Billy breaks down how the Tactical Games differ from CrossFit, what makes them uniquely challenging, and why they’ve captured his competitive spirit. He shares insights from his latest event and the mindset shift required to excel in this hybrid sport.

Since recording, Billy has earned a spot at the 2026 Patriot Games marking another milestone in his athletic journey.

Instagram: @billycrossfit

Instagram: @thetacticalgames

www.thetacticalgames.com

Send us Fan Mail

Dave Bullamore shares his goals for building a high‑level contingent of Masters athletes to represent the U.S. at the upcoming IFFF Masters World Championship in Aruba this October, and how he plans to strengthen the pipeline for future international success.

A dedicated Masters athlete himself—with his sights set on qualifying for the CrossFit Games—Dave also talks about life as an affiliate owner and his ongoing commitment as a volunteer at Masters events nationwide.

This conversation offers a behind‑the‑scenes look at leadership, athlete development, and the growing global presence of Masters Functional Fitness.

Send us Fan Mail

Jerry Fairchild, who finished 320th in the 60–64 division during the 2026 CrossFit Quarterfinals, has his sights set on a bigger target: qualifying for the 2027 CrossFit Semi‑Finals.

In this episode, Jerry sits down with Warren for a deep, honest breakdown of his Quarterfinals performance. Together, they analyze event by event to identify the gaps, patterns, and weaknesses that held him back—and the strengths he can build on. From movement efficiency to pacing strategy to strength balance, nothing is off the table.

The goal: create a clear, written, actionable plan to guide Jerry’s training over the next year and give him the best possible shot at punching his ticket to the 2027 Semis.

A thoughtful, transparent conversation about improvement, aging as an athlete, and what it really takes to level up.

Instagram: @fairchild.jerry

Book on Movement mentioned: Built to Move by Kelly and Juliet Starret

Send us Fan Mail

From high‑level skiing and motocross to Ironman triathlons and the legendary Primal Quest Adventure Race, Del LaFountain has lived a lifetime of grit before ever discovering CrossFit. And once he did, he climbed all the way to the sport’s highest stage as a 4‑time Masters Games athlete.

In this episode, Del takes us back to the early days of the CrossFit Games in Carson, California, and Madison, Wisconsin, sharing stories from an era that shaped the sport. Then—because Del has never been one to slow down—he drops a big announcement: his potential comeback when he turns 70.

A true pioneer, a competitor at heart, and a reminder that the fire doesn’t fade if you keep feeding it.

Instagram: @dellafountain

Send us Fan Mail

On this episode of the Legends and Masters Podcast, Wendy Guthrie, Head of Safety for CrossFit HQ, joins Warren for a deep dive into everything safety‑related across the CrossFit ecosystem since her hiring a year ago.

Wendy shares her unique professional path—from college athletics to the FBI to the U.S. Olympic Committee—and how those experiences shaped her approach to athlete and event safety. As a Senior Masters CrossFitter herself, she brings both professional expertise and personal perspective to the conversation.

We explore her impact on elevating the safety and security culture at the upcoming CrossFit Games, as well as her influence on Open, Quarterfinal, and Semifinal programming. And of course, Wendy offers insight into what it’s really like working for Dave Castro.

This episode offers a rare look behind the scenes at the people and processes keeping CrossFit athletes safe at every level of the sport.

Instagram: Bauer9898

CrossFit Safety links of interest: 

https://www.crossfit.com/crossfit-safety-board

https://games.crossfit.com/article/safety-enhancements-2026-crossfit-games-season

https://games.crossfit.com/article/delivering-safety-commitments-2025-crossfit-games

https://games.crossfit.com/article/safety-and-procedural-changes-after-2024-crossfit-games