Scott and Gwenna Bradley are the heart and backbone of Underground PDX, a nonprofit CrossFit affiliate that serves kids and families in one of Oregon’s most high-risk communities. In this episode, they open up about trauma, healing, and the power of love and consistency. 

Scott shares his personal story — from addiction and incarceration to ministry and coaching. Gwenna reflects on how structure, emotional regulation, and compassion allow them to reach kids dealing with poverty, violence, and instability. This isn’t just about workouts. It’s about showing up, building trust, and helping young people believe they matter.

Topics Included

Resources Mentioned

Community Highlight: 

Erin Rees has owned an affiliate before. But this one — CrossFit Comeback — is different.

After hiding her own struggles with alcohol during her first run as a gym owner, Erin eventually hit a breaking point. With the support of her family and a treatment program, she got sober. And when she found her way back to CrossFit in 2022, it became part of her healing.

Now, she’s giving that same lifeline to others.

At CrossFit Comeback in Clinton, Mississippi, Erin and her husband run a free class specifically for individuals in recovery. They train for 30 minutes — then sit together and talk about recovery. Nine of those 25 participants have become full members.

As Erin puts it: “It’s never too late for a comeback.”

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Episode Description

CrossFit Competition Director Adrian “Boz” Bozman joins the show to reflect on the evolving landscape of the sport and its roots. With nearly 20 years in the CrossFit ecosystem — as an athlete, coach, judge, long-time Seminar Staff member, and even Games director — Boz brings a unique perspective on the methodology’s intent and its interpretation.

Boz and Denise dig into CrossFit philosophy, the challenge of honoring tradition while pushing boundaries, and why discomfort is part of the job. Get to know the man whose fingerprints are all over CrossFit — including the “no-rep.” This conversation reveals what Boz looks for in coaches, how he views criticism, and what he hopes CrossFit never forgets.

Topics Included

Boz’s journey from personal trainer to Seminar Staff to competition director

The evolution of training: traditional personal training vs. coaching CrossFit

How Boz approached programming the Games 

How Boz’s relationship with training has settled in over time 

Resources Mentioned

Boz and Pat Sherwood’s podcast: Varied, Not Random

Ro v. Boz

Street Parking Garage Gym Video 

Dotcom 404

Community Highlight: 

After losing his grandfather to suicide in 2013, Mark Moss stayed quiet, unsure how to help others facing the same darkness. Then he found CrossFit. And with it, a spark.⠀

In 2022, he launched UPLIFT — starting with T-shirt sales to raise awareness and funds for mental health support. Today, alongside Emma Skelley, Mark is partnering with local affiliates to offer free memberships to those struggling with mental health. They host an annual memorial workout each fall. And one day, they hope to take the program nationwide.⠀

This year’s T-shirts are available now. Go check it out, and when you see an UPLIFT T-shirt in the wild, give that human a high five. 

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=015

Cristina Anderson’s journey from complete lack of self-belief to a Certified CrossFit Level 4 Coach and Seminar Staff member is nothing short of extraordinary. In this powerful episode, Cristina opens up to Denise about what it took to shift from self-doubt to service, and how she’s using her voice and experience to reshape what fitness looks and feels like.

She shares the hard moments — from imposter syndrome to the childhood shame that fueled her transformation — and the triumphs, including finding her place on the red shirt team and rewriting the story for her daughters. 

Topics Included

Resources Mentioned

Vilma Gray isn’t just a coach — she’s a force for real change in Ocala, Florida.

A Level 3 trainer, GRID League athlete, and owner of CrossFit E-Fit since 2017, Vilma leads with heart and purpose. She builds true community, teaches members to own their health, and lives the CrossFit methodology every day.

From cancer and stroke survivors to competitive athletes, Vilma’s work is changing lives — one class, one conversation, one person at a time.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

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Jocelyn Rylee is leading the charge to bring nutrition back to the center of the CrossFit conversation. A longtime affiliate owner, Seminar Staff trainer, and leader of the in-person CrossFit Nutrition Course, Jocelyn blends science, education, and deep experience in her approach to food and fitness.

In this episode, Denise and Jocelyn dig into the foundations of health, the evolution of nutrition in the CrossFit world, and the difference between eating for performance and eating for longevity. You’ll walk away rethinking your plate and your pantry.

Topics Included

Resources Mentioned

CrossFit Optimistic is owned by Mike Martinez in San Antonio, Texas. Years ago, Mike and his wife Angelina walked away from corporate jobs and big salaries in pursuit of something more meaningful. For Mike, an Army veteran still serving in the reserves, that meant giving back to the veteran community. In the early days, the gym focused heavily on charitable work and programs for wounded warriors and adaptive athletes. From training three adaptive athletes on their way to the Paralympics to hosting teams like the Korean Adaptive Sled Hockey Team, CrossFit Optimistic became a national haven for adaptive training. 

Looking back, Mike says the hard times were worth it. He makes a modest living, gets to coach alongside his now-adult kids, and isn’t chasing more. When we asked what’s next, he smiled and said, “What do you do when your life exceeds your dreams?”

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

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Stephane Rochet (CF-L3) is a former D1 collegiate strength and conditioning coach at top-tier athletic programs, a former CrossFit Seminar Staff Flowmaster, and currently serves as CrossFit HQ’s Senior Content Writer. With more than two decades of experience, few people are more qualified to drop the hammer on the most common misconceptions about CrossFit. In this episode, Stephane joins Denise to break down what CrossFit actually is — and what it isn’t. 

Together, Stephane and Denise tackle myths around intensity, scaling, technique, injury, aging, and burnout. Stephane shares how he implemented CrossFit in a collegiate S&C setting, why technique always comes before intensity, and how to reset when training stops feeling right.

Whether you’re brand new or 10 years in, this conversation will help you better understand the program — and stay in it for life.

Kelly Kim — a 10-year affiliate owner and the first female member of CrossFit Seminar Staff in South Korea — was nominated for this feature by a fellow Korean affiliate owner. Why? 

Over the past year, she’s visited more than 60 affiliates across the country and has sent out 200 pairs of training shoes to support local owners. Her generosity and love for the CrossFit community runs deep. If you’re in Asia, you’ve probably seen her around — whether reporting from competitions or showing up in a box near you.

Right now, she’s still on the road, helping affiliate owners learn how to use social media more effectively.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=012

Dr. Chris Palmer — Harvard psychiatrist, researcher, and author of “Brain Energy” — joins Denise Thomas to explore the connection between metabolic and mental health. He shares how his mother’s tragic mental illness shaped his path, why current treatments often fail, and how lifestyle interventions like CrossFit can be life-saving tools for people suffering from conditions like depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, and schizophrenia.

Together, they discuss the science behind epigenetics, mitochondria, and lifestyle medicine — and why people aren’t lazy, they’re hopeless. Palmer outlines how nutrition, sleep, exercise, and human connection can reprogram the brain, and challenges the CrossFit community to widen its doors to people battling mental illness.

David Guedin is a longtime physiotherapist in France who has dedicated his career to working with children who have motor function disabilities. After discovering CrossFit and experiencing its benefits firsthand, David was determined to bring the methodology to his patients. When his center required more evidence before adopting the approach, David took it upon himself to conduct a research study on high-intensity strength training for children with cerebral palsy. Today, he runs CrossFit Metamorphose, a program specifically designed to train children with disabilities using CrossFit principles. David is passionate about expanding access and encourages more coaches to step into this space, offering his support to anyone ready to get started.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

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Former Marine Brian “Tosh” Chontosh joins Denise Thomas for a clear-eyed conversation about struggle, comparison, and leadership. Tosh explains why morning routines are overrated, what it really means to be kind — to others and yourself — and how most people are chasing the wrong things. 

In this episode, Tosh and Denise dig into the mind’s mind, the lie of perfection, and why effort matters more than outcome. From his time in combat to ultra-endurance events and founding Crooked Butterfly Ranch, Tosh breaks down how to stop performing and start leading. 

This week, we’re highlighting Louise Goodman, a coach at CrossFit Bytown in Ottawa, Canada, and the founder of Unbroken Recovery, a nonprofit offering CrossFit classes for people in recovery. The idea started seven years ago when Louise and a sober friend attended a Friday CrossFit night class that reminded them of an AA meeting. That spark led to the creation of a dedicated recovery class, which has since grown to 160 members and now operates out of multiple gyms. Louise hopes to one day open her own nonprofit CrossFit affiliate. 

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=010 

In this episode, Denise Thomas talks with Dr. Tom McCoy, co-founder of the CrossFit Medical Society, about the potential for a healthcare model that doesn’t profit on disease, the role of CrossFit in preventing and reversing chronic disease, and how coaches can contribute to improving the health and longevity of their members. Dr. McCoy also shares practical insights on integrating healthcare with CrossFit and the importance of community in driving health outcomes.

They discuss how CrossFit can serve as a critical tool for preventive healthcare. Dr. McCoy explains how affiliates function as “health homes,” supporting not just fitness but also long-term health outcomes.

This week’s Community Highlight features Jose Soto, owner of Backyard CrossFit in East Los Angeles. Jose’s mission is to make CrossFit more accessible to the Hispanic community. His affiliate partners with the nonprofit Freedom and Fashion, which supports survivors of human trafficking, domestic violence, and inner-city youth. During the recent Los Angeles wildfires, Jose and his team stepped up to raise funds for affected communities.

Follow Jose and Backyard CrossFit: https://www.instagram.com/backyardcrossfit

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here: https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ 

Share Your Thoughts: Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here: https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=009

Helen Taylor, CrossFit Level 2 Trainer and fourth degree black belt, is the founder of Core City CrossFit Kids, a nonprofit organization in Detroit, Michigan, dedicated to transforming the lives of underprivileged youth through fitness, mentorship, and community.In this episode, Helen talks with Denise Thomas about the realities of running a nonprofit in an under-resourced community, the challenges of earning trust, and what it takes to keep kids engaged both inside and outside the gym. She also shares how Core City CrossFit Kids has become more than just a fitness program — it’s a space where kids find consistency, support, and leadership opportunities they don’t get anywhere else.

Topics Included:

Resources Mentioned:

Community Highlight:

This week, we’re highlighting Jessie Dudley, a former elementary school teacher who now runs Organización de Amigos, a nonprofit breaking down financial barriers to sports and fitness for kids and teens. Jessie has opened two CrossFit affiliates in schools with another in the works, aiming to expand across Washington County, Oregon. She’s currently looking for CrossFit coaches for paid roles.

Learn more at www.organizaciondeamigos.com or follow @organizaciondeamigos.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here: https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ

Share Your Thoughts: 

Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here: https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=008

In this episode, CrossFit CEO Don Faul shares how he handles the pressures of decision-making at CrossFit HQ and why he’s still chasing improvement every year. Along the way, Don reflects on the energy of the community, where the company is heading, and his years of CrossFit before becoming the CEO. Don opens up on topics that matter to the CrossFit community — like the future of CrossFit. We also get a behind-the-scenes look at his personal life — from being a dad and a CEO to trash talk at his 6 a.m. CrossFit class.

Topics Covered:

Resources Mentioned:

Community Highlight:

Brian Boucher and his wife, Gabby, opened MidState CrossFit in 2014 in Merced, California, with a goal to create a community so solid that it exists for decades to come. One of the ways Brian is making a lasting impact is through MidState CrossFit’s adaptive athlete program, which provides training for athletes with both mental and physical disabilities. His commitment to his members goes far beyond the norm — he’s known for handwriting birthday letters to all of his members. Brian’s leadership is rooted in connection, proving that CrossFit is about more than just fitness — it’s about creating a community where people build self-efficacy and find belonging.

Visit MidState CrossFit → https://www.midstatecrossfit.com/

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/CrossFit-Community-Stories/tt-PrkSJ

Share Your Thoughts: Let us know what you think about the podcast and how we can improve here → https://crossfit.surveysparrow.com/s/The-CrossFit-Podcast—Feedback-Survey/tt-lf9Gf?ep=007