You may recognize her from our CrossFit Journal feature, “Famished, Force-Fed, 450 Pounds—and Finally Fit.”

Athena Perez once weighed 450 lb. and admits that she was terrified to walk into a CrossFit gym. After overcoming her fear, she has since lost over 200 lb. Now Perez says she feels completely comfortable at her box, CrossFit Lakeville.

Read more about Athena's inspiring journey on her blog, "Bean There."

Max Andruschenko is Ukrainian. He is married with seven children. He also owns CrossFit Bamyan in Afghanistan.

Peter Egyed joins the show to discuss his journey with CrossFit, from his early days as a Games athlete to his more recent experiences as owner of a thriving affiliate: CrossFit Fury in Goodyear, Arizona.

For about a decade, Egyed and CrossFit Fury have been dedicated to making a healthy lifestyle accessible to the Goodyear community. Moving forward, Egyed is working with local businesses to build a more robust community by developing partnerships with an urban farm, a youth fitness and tutoring space, and more.

Greg Glassman describes Egyed as “an unsung hero of the community.”

CrossFit Founder Greg Glassman describes the current health crisis as “The Mess.” With the addition of CrossFit Level 1 Certificate Courses specifically for health-care providers, “we’re making an impact,” Glassman says.

Dr. Tom Siskron, IV, and Dr. Ken Sanders have attended the CrossFit M.D. L1 course, and they are on a mission to meld the medical world with the CrossFit world. Dr. Siskron manages CrossFit Medicus One, the first virtual CrossFit box dedicated to reversing chronic disease.

Amy West is a CrossFit athlete and a resident M.D. in Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Harvard/Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital in Boston. As a physiatrist, West treats a wide variety of medical conditions affecting the brain, spinal cord, nerves, bones, joints, ligaments, muscles and tendons.

West has noticed many parallels between the CrossFit methodology and the treatment options she recommends to her patients.

In 2017, she presented a talk, “CrossFit Grand Rounds,” to physicians at Harvard Medical School/Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital. Watch her presentation here.

Greg Amundson started CrossFit at the original box in Santa Cruz, California in 2001 during the birth of the CrossFit movement. He joins the show today to discuss the early days as well as his recent book release, “The Warrior and The Monk: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Potential And Finding True Happiness.”

Greg Amundson started CrossFit at the original box in Santa Cruz, California in 2001 during the birth of the CrossFit movement. He joins the show today to discuss the early days as well as his recent book release, “The Warrior and The Monk: A Fable About Fulfilling Your Potential And Finding True Happiness.”

Craig Howard has been an affiliate owner for over a decade. Diablo CrossFit in Pleasanton, California is one of the earliest affiliates.

Along with running a successful gym, Howard was also the 2013 CrossFit Games champ in the Masters Men (50-54) division. His passion for fitness and competition has clearly made an impact on the community.

Craig Howard has been an affiliate owner for over a decade. Diablo CrossFit in Pleasanton, California is one of the earliest affiliates.

Along with running a successful gym, Howard was also the 2013 CrossFit Games champ in the Masters Men (50-54) division. His passion for fitness and competition has clearly made an impact on the community.

Dr. Sean Rockett is back on the show. This time he is joined by his wife, Dr. Ronda Rockett, owner of CrossFit Launchpad.

CrossFit Launchpad is one of the first CrossFit Health affiliates. “My mission,” Ronda says, “is being able to attract and help people with diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol and take a look at their labs, instill a CrossFit lifestyle, which includes the nutrition, sleep, positive mindset, and of course, the fitness piece.”

As a former primary care physician, Ronda feels strongly that the CrossFit methodology can help prevent chronic disease.