The Sport of Fitness Podcast

The 2023 CrossFit Games Semifinals are in full swing. Week 1 is done and we are charging right into Week 2. CrossFit Games Podcast host Chase Ingraham is joined by CrossFit Games veterans Adrian Conway and Stacie Tovar to go through all the big news, hot topics, and wild stories from Week 1 of Semifinals in North America East and Africa. After that, they will take a peak at what's to come in Week 2 from North America West, South America, and Oceania, and make with some bold predictions of who they think will be making the trip to Madison, or possibly watching from home this year.

Join CrossFit Games Podcast host Chase Ingraham and multi-year Games athlete Adrian Conway as they go live during Individual Test 1 of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games Semifinals.
This live podcast will give a behind the scenes look of the competition to start Day 2 of the North America East Semifinal with special guests, casual commentary, and a live, widescreen view of the competition floor as the teams and individuals take the stage.

Join CrossFit Games Podcast host Chase Ingraham and multi-year Games athlete Adrian Conway as they go live during Individual Test 1 of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games Semifinals.
This live podcast will give a behind the scenes look of the competition to start Day 2 of the North America East Semifinal with special guests, casual commentary, and a live, widescreen view of the competition floor as the teams and individuals take the stage.

“In 2012 … Chris Spealler, the legend, driving a comeback that was just ridiculous. … He is behind throughout the course of this weekend. This is a heavy Regional. … From a loading perspective, Spealler looked like he was outmatched a bit. … It came down to the final chipper. … He had to execute an amazing snatch ladder where I think he maybe hit like 225 (lb) but at the time it was like, ‘This is insane for someone his size to snatch this much.’ But I’ll just never forget how electric it was.” — Adrian Conway on his most memorable Regional experience
Athlete Communications Manager Becky Harsh, and multi-year Games athletes Adrian Conway and Stacie Tovar join host Chase Ingraham on the podcast to review the latest edition of the Hopper.
The Hopper is a monthly CrossFit newsletter, geared toward athletes and coaches, with important information regarding, but not limited to, the Games season. While intended for competitive athletes, anyone who is interested in learning specifics about the season is encouraged to subscribe.
In today’s episode, the crew dives deep into this month’s publication and discusses upcoming CrossFit live competitions like Semifinals and the Games.
The group discusses how the adaptive division is redefining what’s possible for all athletes, the benefits of CrossFit-licensed events for the community, and how fans and spectators can participate at the CrossFit Semifinal Throwdown.
They also share their top standout moments from past in-person events, and highly encourage fans of the sport to experience the electricity, excitement, and atmosphere for themselves.
To subscribe to the Hopper and stay informed, head to games.crossfit.com, scroll down to the bottom of the page, and add your email address into the section titled, “Never miss an update from the CrossFit Games.”
Three weeks of CrossFit Semifinals action begins next week, starting May 18. Grab your squad, buy your tickets today, and get ready to make unforgettable memories of your own!
Topics in the May edition of the Hopper

• Quarterfinal Recap From Boz
• Adaptive Athletes Crowned
• The CrossFit Semifinal Throwdown
• Upcoming CrossFit Licensed Events
• Important 2023 CrossFit Games Season Dates

“A little insight to the process, people often think it’s a one-man show. It’s not. My job is to create the big picture, then I bring it to my team, my team tries to poke holes in it and tell me why it sucks, and then you get better.”
Competition Director Adrian Bozman joins multi-year CrossFit Games athlete Adrian Conway and host Chase Ingraham on the podcast to go inside the 2023 Age-Group Semifinals programming.
Over the course of a weekend, the top 30 men and 30 women from Quarterfinals in each age division put up their best effort in four tests in their quest to qualify for the CrossFit Games. Once the leaderboard is finalized on May 10, the top 10 will be invited to compete in the finals in Madison, Wisconsin.
In today’s episode, the crew dissects each test of the online Semifinal competition. Boz shares the inspiration for each test, noting benchmark workouts and previous events as catalysts, and explains the logic behind specific time domains, movements, formats, and loading.
He also describes the intention behind the order of the tests and the scoring system used, and discusses the potential outcomes of time caps and time frames on athletes’ intensity.
Listen in to learn more about Boz’s process of programming, some of the standout performances during the competition, and how age-group athletes serve as an inspiration to the community.
Presented by NOBULL.
Chapters
0:00 - Episode introduction
2:30 - Tight races in the competition
3:37 - Global representation in the age-group divisions
6:36 - Age-group camaraderie
10:36 - Bigger picture for the season
15:47 - Test 1A & 1B
21:00 - Test 1B
29:12 - Test 2
42:55 - Test 3A & 3B
49:55 - Test 3B
53:01 - Test 4
1:02:30 - Semifinals reflections

After two intense days of competition, the 2023 Age-Group Semifinals have come to an end.
The 2023 Age-Group Semifinals kicked off this past weekend with the top 30 athletes in each division from Quarterfinals taking on four tests over the course of the weekend.
Three-time CrossFit Games Affiliate Cup champion and host of the More Than Fitness podcast Adrian Conway joins host Chase Ingraham to break down all the action.
Join the crew as they analyze the leaderboards, share their perspectives on the competition, and discuss which 10 men and women will move on to the final stage, the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games.
*All scores remain under review until Wednesday, May 10.

Thirty will enter but only 10 will qualify. Which age-group athletes will compete at the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games?
The 2023 Age-Group Semifinals kicked off this weekend with the top 30 athletes in each division from Quarterfinals taking on four tests over the course of two days.
Host Chase Ingraham sits down CrossFit Games analyst Jeremy Austin to break down the tests, recap the first day of competition, and look ahead to determine who has a chance of making the trip to Madison, Wisconsin in August.
Join the conversation and tune in tomorrow for another live episode recapping Day 2 of competition with multi-year Games athlete and More Than Fitness podcast host Adrian Conway.
Semifinals serve as the final qualifying stage for the CrossFit Games.
The top 10 men and 10 women from each age division will advance to the CrossFit Games to compete for the title of Fittest on Earth.
*All scores remain under review until Wednesday, May 10.

“I’m very proud that CrossFit continues to be an example for people to engage with challenges throughout their life trajectory, not just at a certain age. It’s not just reserved for people who are young and already in shape. No. Everybody should have the ability to say, ‘Yep, I can’t do it today, but I’m gonna try my best and hopefully, if not tomorrow, someday down the line, I’ll be able to.’ And that’s really cool stuff.” — Competition Director Adrian Bozman
Competition Director Adrian Bozman joins Adrian Conway and Chase Ingraham on the show to go behind the scenes of the 2023 Age-Group Quarterfinals programming.
The top 10% of athletes worldwide from each age division were invited to compete in the online Age-Group Quarterfinals. After two days and four tests, the top 30 in each division will advance to the online Age-Group Semifinal, happening April 28-30.
In today’s episode, Boz and the crew review the four Quarterfinals tests. Boz offers insight into the programming and explains the inspiration, format, loading, intended stimulus, and utility behind certain movements in each test. He digs into the method behind the programming and explains the benefits of taking on a challenge, especially as an older adult.
The crew also discusses the various challenges that can arise with creating tests for multiple age divisions, the subtle yet intentional differences between age-group and individual programming, and the impact that age-group athletes have on the CrossFit community and the world as a whole, demystifying the perception that physicality declines with age.
Listen in to get inside Boz’s mind as he shares his processing for programming throughout the Games season.
Presented by NOBULL.

CrossFit Games analyst and Torian Pro broadcaster Jeremy Austin joins the show to discuss what is going on "down under" this season for the Oceania Semifinal competition.
On the individual side, big name athletes like Tia-Clair Toomey, Kara Saunders, Khan Porter, and Ricky Garard are out this season. Who is going to take up the mantel to represent Oceania's dominance at the CrossFit Games this year? For the teams, it looks like we could see the dominance of CrossFit Mayhem make its way overseas and create a new challenger for the top of the podium in Madison.
Presented by GOWOD.

“In order to find the best team, you have to have not just a collection of individuals that are great, but they have to work together well, they have to be able to manage their respective strengths and weaknesses, they have to be able to strategize in the face of certain dilemmas so that they can succeed.”
Inspired by the Run the Test series on the CrossFit Games YouTube channel, CrossFit Competition Director Adrian Bozman joins Adrian Conway and host Chase Ingraham on the podcast to go inside the programming for the 2023 Team Quarterfinal competition.
Programming for teams at any stage of competition provides a unique opportunity to test the group’s communication, strategy, and problem-solving skills, in addition to athletes’ fitness.
In today’s episode, Boz — the lead programmer for the CrossFit Games season — dissects the four tests from the competition and provides insight into the movements, loads, test formats, rep schemes, strategies, and overall inspiration behind each one.
The trio also discusses the difference between test outcome and stimulus, important elements that are assessed in team competition, and programming that appropriately challenges and tests teams’ capacities at the Quarterfinals stage.
Go inside Boz’s mind to learn more about the programming process for team competition.
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Quarterfinals serve as the qualifying stage for Semifinals. Top Quarterfinal teams from each region will be invited to compete live at their respective Semifinal competition.
Here’s the breakdown:
—North America East — Top 40 teams
—North America West — Top 40 teams
—Europe — Top 40 teams
—Oceania — Top 20 teams
—Asia — Top 20 teams
—South America — Top 20 teams
—Africa — Top 20 teams
Presented by GOWOD.
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