Two-Brain Radio: Steph Chung

On this episode, Sean speaks with former CrossFit Games athlete and current Invictus Fenway coach Steph Chung.

Steph knows a thing or two about hard work. Before becoming a competitive CrossFit athlete, she graduated magna cum laude with a degree in biological sciences from the esteemed Cornell University. She also spent two years teaching pre-medical biology in Qatar.

She originally started CrossFit to supplement her college gymnastics training but discovered a love for CrossFit competition in its own right while in the Middle East, eventually becoming a three-time Meridian Regional athlete and making her CrossFit Games debut in 2018.

Steph tells Sean why she changed career tracks from med student and academic to CrossFit coach, how her academic background makes her a better trainer and what the CrossFit community is like in the Middle East.

Links:
https://invictusfenway.com/
https://www.amazon.com/Founder-Farmer-Tinker-Thief-Entrepreneurs-ebook/dp/B07QH85HSX

Contact:

Instagram: @stephchung2

Timeline:

1:59 – Graduating magna cum laude from Cornell.

2:43 – Steph's thesis: “The potential effects of magnesium deficiency in pregnant mothers and their fetuses."

5:12 – What it’s like to be surrounded by brilliant minds. 

6:40 – Postponing pre-med to teach in Qatar.

9:37 – The transition from student to teacher.

13:37 – A shift in professional goals: From treating symptoms to curing disease. 

14:52 – Discovering CrossFit: “I had never picked up a barbell before.”

17:54 – From cherry picker to competitive CrossFit athlete.

20:17 – The CrossFit scene in Qatar.

22:33 – Steph’s athletic evolution over her three-year Regional career.

24:11 – The power of positivity. 

25: 33 – Competing among the fittest on Earth. 

26:27 – Returning to the U.S. and becoming a coach at Invictus Fenway.

28:16 – How to relate to the average-Joe athlete.

29:42 – Lessons learned from her coach and husband Rob.

31:50 – How to give clients the best hour of their day.

34:00 – The future of Steph’s competitive CrossFit career.