Hosted by Jason Ackerman, Best Hour of Their Day is a show dedicated to helping the CrossFit community. We cover all aspects of fitness including coaching, training, competing, starting and growing a business, and everything in between. Regular guests include world-class athletes, some of the best c…
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The Best Hour of Their Day podcast is an invaluable resource for gym owners and coaches in the CrossFit community. The hosts, Jason Ackerman and Jason Fern, provide a wealth of information and insight on a variety of topics related to fitness training and running a successful gym business. This podcast has personally helped me grow as a coach more than any other resource I've come across.
One of the best aspects of this podcast is the banter between Ackerman and Fern. Their playful back-and-forth adds a fun and entertaining element to each episode. Moreover, their advice is consistently spot on. They offer practical tips and strategies that can be immediately implemented to improve coaching techniques and enhance the overall experience for members.
While there are numerous positive aspects to this podcast, one potential downside is the frequent use of curse words. Some listeners may find this excessive or off-putting, especially if they prefer more family-friendly content. However, it's worth noting that Ackerman acknowledges this criticism and has expressed a willingness to reduce the amount of profanity in future episodes.
In conclusion, The Best Hour of Their Day podcast is an exceptional resource for gym owners and coaches in the CrossFit community. It offers valuable insights, actionable advice, and entertaining discussions that keep listeners engaged. Despite some minor drawbacks like occasional strong language, the overall quality of the content makes this podcast well worth listening to for anyone looking to improve their coaching skills or run a more successful gym business.
What should your CrossFit gym really be offering? In this live 1-on-1 sit down, we help Bob—an actual Affiliate Owner—break down whether programs like nutrition coaching, personal training, and childcare are worth keeping or cutting.If you're struggling with too many services, unclear ROI, or just trying to simplify your gym, this conversation will give you a framework to make smart decisions.
Learn how to run a smooth, high-energy CrossFit class while still giving every athlete the individual coaching they need. In this episode, we'll break down how to balance group management with personalized impact—so no one gets overlooked.Join Todd & Kristin every Thursday at 9am EST for LIVE Coach Development--
In part 5 of our leadership series with Saša Mirković, we unpack why feedback is a non-negotiable for elite teams and how to create a culture where it's welcomed. Learn how to implement 360 feedback, apply the 4 A's, and build trust that transforms your CrossFit Affiliate.--
In part 4 of our leadership series with Sasha Mirkovich, we dive into how CrossFit gym owners can fix a broken team culture—even if they've let it slide for years. Learn the three shortcuts to rebuilding trust, creating alignment, and leading with purpose.--
In part 3 of our leadership series with Sasha Mirkovich, we break down the 5 Levels of Leadership every CrossFit Affiliate Owner needs to understand to build a strong, aligned team. If you want to scale your impact and create a gym culture that lasts, it starts with developing leaders—not just Coaches.---
In part 2 of our leadership series with Sasha Mirkovich, Jason Ackerman rewinds to the early days of Albany CrossFit—sharing the real mistakes, messy growth, and unexpected lessons that shaped a stronger culture. If you're an Affiliate Owner learning as you go, this episode is packed with hard-earned insights and the power of empathy in leadership.--
In part one of this 5-part leadership series, Sasha and Laura Mirovich share what it's really like to run a business with your spouse—and how they've stayed aligned for over 30 years. From building trust to scheduling “coffee time,” this episode is packed with tactical insights for CrossFit gym owners navigating partnership, parenting, and leadership.--
Todd and Kristin break down the exact cues they actually use when coaching a real CrossFit class. From verbal to visual to tactile, they'll share what works, why it works, and how to choose the right cue for the fault in front of you—so you can coach with more confidence and impact.Join Todd & Kristin every Thursday at 9am EST for LIVE Coach Development!--
Jason Fernandez does a live coaching session with a CrossFit Gym Owner. Watch and learn as he solves the biggest pain point with an affiliate owner in real time. ---
Ready to grow your gym and develop your staff? Start Affiliate University now for FREE TRIAL. Click here.--
Want to grow your CrossFit Affiliate? Click here.Most affiliate owners are stuck reacting instead of leading because they've never built a real strategy for growth. In this episode, Jason Fernandez breaks down the exact framework you need to grow your gym on purpose—not by accident.
Effective group management is key to running a great class. In this episode of Behind The Knowledge, Pat Barber, Todd Occhiuto, and Pete Shaw break down how a solid plan keeps Coaches on track while optimizing teaching, seeing, and correcting. From class flow to transitions and athlete engagement, Part 4 of this 5-Part Series delivers actionable strategies to help Coaches lead with confidence.--
Join Todd and Kristin every Thursday at 9AM EST for LIVE Coach Development on Youtube & Facebook!--AffiliateCon - Join the Waitlist HERE--Register for the Affiliate Tour coming to a city near you!--
In this episode, Brian and Shannon Bage of Eureka CrossFit share how they transformed their Affiliate in just 4 years. In this short time, they have navigated rate increases, restructured their operations, and made decisions that ultimately positioned them to purchase their own building. Tune in to hear their journey of growth, leadership, and what it takes to run a successful gym as a married couple.--
In Part 3 of this 5-part series on CrossFit's 6 Criteria of an Effective Coach, Pat Barber and Todd Occhiuto explore the impact of presence and attitude in coaching. They discuss how different coaching styles can be effective as long as athletes feel seen and supported. Through personal insights and practical advice, they provide Coaches with the tools to build confidence, lead with authority, and foster an environment where athletes thrive.--
Join Todd and Kristin every Thursday at 9AM EST for LIVE Coach Development on Youtube & Facebook!--AffiliateCon - Join the Waitlist HERE--Register for the Affiliate Tour coming to a city near you!--
In this episode, Jason and Danielle Leboeuf share their journey of balancing careers in education with the leap into full-time CrossFit gym ownership. They discuss the challenges of leaving behind stability, the rewards of showing their kids the value of hard work and risk-taking, and the impact of building a strong, supportive community at CrossFit Charlton.--
In Part 2 of this 5-part series on the Criteria of Effective Coaching, Pat Barber, Todd Occhiuto, and Lindsay Andrew dive into demonstration. They break down why moving well matters, how to refine your own movement, and why setting the right example in and out of the gym is so important. --
Spencer Smith, Owner of CrossFit Donelson, shares the difficult lessons he learned through failure and the journey to turning his gym around. From near burnout and financial struggles to finding the right mentorship and rebuilding with purpose, Spencer shares the mindset shifts, leadership strategies, and actionable steps that helped him create a thriving CrossFit Affiliate.--
In Part 1 of this 5-Part Series on CrossFit's 6 Criteria of an Effective Coach, Pat Barber, Todd Occhiuto, and Brentnie Kincaid dive into seeing and correcting, one of the most crucial skills for any Coach. They break down how to develop your eye for movement, when to make corrections, and how to prioritize verbal, visual, and tactile cues to make immediate improvements in your athletes.--
Ryan Pepe, Owner of CrossFit Catawba Valley, shares how his 20-year career in NASCAR shaped his approach to gym ownership. From high-pressure pit crew operations to implementing systems that drive efficiency and growth, Ryan discusses key lessons that helped him transform his Affiliate. He also opens up about raising rates in a small town, improving the class experience, and why investing in mentorship was a game-changer for his business.--
In this episode of Behind The Knowledge, Eric O'Connor shares his journey from CrossFit Games athlete to seasoned mentor, offering insights into what it takes to become a World-Class Coach. He discusses the importance of mastering the fundamentals, learning from setbacks, and staying true to CrossFit's methodology to create a lasting impact. Through years of experience on Seminar Staff and in-Affiliate coaching, Eric breaks down how confidence in coaching comes from competence, adaptability, and a relentless pursuit of growth.--
Zev and Erin Green of CrossFit 184 share their journey as CrossFit Affiliate Owners from financial struggles and living in a construction trailer to building a thriving gym with full-time staff. They discuss how mindset coaching helped them overcome past trauma, strengthen relationships, and lead with purpose—showing that success in Affiliate Ownership is about much more than just numbers.--
In this episode of Behind the Knowledge, Connor McDonald shares his journey from aspiring professional baseball player to becoming a CrossFit Seminar Staff member and owner of Bar 10 CrossFit. He reflects on the pivotal moments that shaped his career, from discovering CrossFit in Alaska to pursuing his Level 1 and eventually building a thriving affiliate in Texas. Connor's story is a testament to resilience, hard work, and turning passion into a lifelong profession.--
Meghan Russell of CrossFit JAX shares her journey to earning a spot on CrossFit Seminar Staff, detailing the challenges, failures, and resilience it took to achieve her dream. From struggling with the old Level 2 and Level 3 exams to navigating setbacks and self-doubt, she reflects on the lessons learned and the power of trusting the process.--
In this episode of Behind the Knowledge, Adrian Conway shares his journey from competitive athlete to elite Coach, breaking down the key differences in training everyday athletes versus high-level competitors. He dives into the nuances of coaching, balancing performance with longevity, and the lessons he's learned from his time on CrossFit Seminar Staff, Brute Strength, and his new venture, True Fitness.--
At just 25 years old, Canaan Stanley has built a thriving 170-member CrossFit Affiliate, CrossFit Never Forget, overcoming personal struggles, self-doubt, and the challenges of young gym ownership. In this episode, he shares his journey from being 100 pounds overweight and lacking confidence to becoming a successful Affiliate Owner, creating a strong community, and proving that resilience and vision can lead to incredible success. --
Simon Jones, CrossFit Seminar Staff Flowmaster and the Middle East Affiliate Rep, shares his journey from discovering CrossFit in 2007 to shaping its growth across the region. He dives into the challenges of coaching internationally, the rapid expansion of CrossFit in the Middle East, and the key lessons that have defined his coaching philosophy. --
We are bringing back Episode 628 where Fern and Kristen Bowen dive into the art of delivering effective feedback as a CrossFit coach or Affiliate Owner. They discuss the nuances of coaching development, handling difficult conversations, and building a culture of continuous improvement within your gym. --
Taylor Self shares how overcoming addiction ignited his passion for coaching and programming, leading him to create Sentinel Training. Through his journey of sobriety and dedication to CrossFit, Taylor has built a thriving career while inspiring others to pursue fitness and personal growth. --
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