The Silverback Media Podcast

This week’s guest is the Hall Monitor / Mayor of the 6:30 AMclass at CrossFit Xtra Mile in St. Louis, MO, Jeff Cooper.

Jeff is a model of what consistency in the CrossFit gym cando over a very long period of time, but he wasn’t always this way.

He shares his journey of his lifestyle choices as a youngadult building a career and raising his family, then trying to get in shape “yo-yo” dieting from one weight loss challenge to the next, and then to the moment that changed it all for him and sent him on this 11 year transformation with CrossFitas the foundation.

Jeff has taken his experience and knowledge and is usingthat to help others as a coach with Larger Than Life. If you want to work with Jeff, you can find him on iamlargerthanlife.com.

📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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You may have seen this week’s guest on Instagram in recentweeks as she’s come into the CrossFit space online!

She goes by the Instagram account name @when_nerds_teach (definitely give her a follow!) and has been sharing her reactions to CrossFit workouts from her car as soon as she finishes classes.

In this episode, we go through her backstory, the challengesshe faced from a health perspective, and how all of those hurdles ultimately led her to walking into a CrossFit gym.

📩 Connect with me:Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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This week, I have my good friend, Dan Adler, on the show!

Dan is a Level 2 coach at CrossFit Xtra Mile in St. Louis, MO,which is where we first met. He is also a father, husband, race car driver, andworking professional in the Financial Services industry.

In this episode, we go over:

-           Dan’s early athletic background growing up

-          His journey to working out of some bad healthhabits that were developed during and after college

-          How he first made his way into a CrossFit gym,and his journey from Athlete to Coach

-          How he balances all of his responsibilities, andstill prioritizes his health and fitness following the CrossFit methodology

-          Oh, we also talk about 24.1… (IYKYK)

📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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Today, I have two guests on the show: Ash Bennett and SarahBackus! Ash and Sarah qualified to compete as a team in the 1st Phorm Monster Games, which will be held next week in Kansas.

With that coming up, we had them on to talk about each oftheir fitness journey’s and how that led to them teaming up for this competition!

Ash is a co-owner of CrossFit North Scottsdale here in Phoenix, AZ. She is also a full-time professional, mom, wife, and CrossFit Level 1 Coach.

Sarah is a Doctor of Physical Therapy and Pelvic Floor Specialist with Anatomy Optimized (with locations inside of Fortified Fitness and CrossFit North Scottsdale).

In this episode, we go over:

-           Their early exposures to fitness with their momsand how that shaped their views on exercise at an early age

-           How they first heard about CrossFit, and whatgot them into it

-           How they ended up meeting and teaming up for theMonster Games qualifier (and ultimately qualifying)

-           We wrap up with a discussion on body image, eachof their struggles with that, and how they overcame that

📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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This week’s guest is none other than Nick Kennedy! Not onlyis a Nick member at CrossFit North Scottsdale, but he is also a husband, father, the Executive Chef at Geordie’s at Wrigley Mansion here in Phoenix.

Along with all of that, Nick is also the “voice” of the Silverback Media Podcast! He was gracious enough to lend his voice for the intro and outro you hear on each episode! Nick has voiced 2 audiobooks that we talk about on this show that you can find on Audible as well!

In this episode, we talk about:

Nick’s upbringing and the impact of his parents’ health hadon him

How working as a Chef impacted his health and lifestyle

The impact of getting married had on his health outlook

And how all of those experiences led him into a CrossFit gym

📩 Connect with me:Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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We are back for episode 3, and today I am joined by MKTengler! MK is a member of CrossFit North Scottsdale and is also a competitor in the Tactical Games.

For anyone that has participated in CrossFit for a longtime, we understand the importance of the community as a part of the whole puzzle that makes it effective. The workouts and lifestyle change drive the real results, but the community component holds it together.

That idea can have some fun poked at it, but this story willgive you an example of what we mean when we talk about the power of the community of CrossFit.

In this episode, we talk about:

MK’s athletic background in her younger years, and how thatled to playing College Basketball

Her journey to find meaning in her fitness after her collegecareer was finished

Her first experience with CrossFit at a time she needed itmost, and how CrossFit helped with grieving

Her best piece of advice for her younger self on overcomingthe fear of trying CrossFit for the first time

📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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In this episode, we have 2 guests! We are joined by sisters,Katy Bell and Carly Brennan!

Katy is a member at CrossFit North Scottsdale, and Carly isa member and coach at CrossFit Kailua in Hawaii. This episode is packed with deep insights, lots of laughs, and a heated debate about pickles that you are sure to enjoy!

In this episode, we talk about:

• What their exercise routines were like before CrossFit and what they thought CrossFit was before trying it

• How their initial CrossFit experiences reshaped their views once they tried it

• Carly’s introduction into Coaching

• How CrossFit workouts are truly built for anybody willing to walk in the door (including some poking fun at Professional Athletes)

• Both of their best pieces of advice for their younger selves that were a little intimidated by CrossFit

📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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In this episode, I welcome Jen Libby as the first officialguest on the show!

Jen is a full-time CrossFit coach and Personal Trainer atCrossFit North Scottsdale in Phoenix, AZ! She is a Level 3 CrossFit Certified Trainer specializing in Gymnastics and Tactical training.

In this episode, we talk about:Jen’s athletic background (this one surprised me!)

How she first found CrossFit and what drew her to it

Her transition to Coaching, from her very first classexperience to being a full-time coach

How she was introduced to the Tactical Games, and how herCrossFit background impacted her success

And her tips someone that may be scared oftrying CrossFit for the first time

BONUS CONTENT!

Do you want to see what a day in the life of a full-timecoach looks like??

For a “Behind the Scenes” look at a day in Jen’s shoes, headover to my Youtube channel to see that!

Search for “Silverback Media” on Youtube NOW to find that!

📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @silver_back_media

Youtube: Silverback Media

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Episode 1: Welcome to The Silverback Media Podcast – Why This Show Exists

In this very first episode, I’m laying the foundation for what this podcast is all about — and why I felt compelled to start it.

CrossFit has changed my life, and I’ve seen it change the lives of countless others. But too often, the only stories told are from elite athletes. I created this show to highlight the everyday CrossFitter — the parent balancing fitness and family, the first-timer who walked into a gym unsure of what to expect, the person who’s overcome injury, doubt, or fear to transform their health.

In this episode, I talk about:

• Why I started this podcast

• What CrossFit means to me

• The stories I want to share — and why they matter

• What to expect in upcoming episodes

Whether you're a longtime CrossFitter, someone curious about it, or just love hearing honest, human stories — this podcast is for you.

📩 Connect with me:
Instagram: @silver_back_media
Youtube: @silver_back_media

🔗 Subscribe, rate, and share if this episode resonates with you!