Exploring how we can live a life of better health and increased fulfillment. We answer listener questions about the five factors of health, dive deep into what it takes to live a life of excellence, and explore the strategies and frameworks to help us chase what truly matters.
Ben Bergeron & Patrick Cummings
Listeners of Chasing Excellence that love the show mention: ben bergeron, affiliate owners, crossfit coach, outside the gym, excellent listen, podcast comes, kind of person, home life, love ben, thank you ben, chasing, ben's, excellence, patrick, athletes, programming, love these podcasts, health and fitness, great things, chase.
The Chasing Excellence podcast is a must-listen for anyone seeking personal growth and improvement in all areas of life. As a long-time listener and self-proclaimed podcast connoisseur, I have explored many different podcasts over the years, but this is the only one that I simply cannot miss an episode of. The discussions on this show go far beyond fitness and provide valuable insights into living a purposeful and intentional life.
One of the best aspects of The Chasing Excellence podcast is the 5 factors framework that it presents. This framework gives listeners a tangible way to approach their lives and add value in all of their roles. It helps me to examine my own actions and decisions, and guides me in making choices that align with my values. Additionally, the hosts tackle a wide range of topics that extend beyond fitness, including mindset, relationships, business, and personal development. This diversity keeps the content fresh and engaging.
In terms of negatives, it can sometimes feel like some ideas or concepts discussed on the podcast are borrowed heavily from other sources without proper credit being given. While I understand that inspiration can come from various places, it would be nice to see more acknowledgement of these external influences. Additionally, there are times when certain episodes may not resonate with every listener, as personal preferences and interests vary. However, this is more subjective and does not detract significantly from the overall quality of the podcast.
In conclusion, The Chasing Excellence podcast has had a profound impact on my life since I started listening several years ago. Ben Bergeron and Patrick Cummings consistently deliver valuable content that goes beyond just improving physical fitness. Their wisdom extends to various aspects of life, providing listeners with tools and inspiration to become better versions of themselves. I am grateful for this podcast's existence and look forward to continuing my journey of personal growth through their insightful discussions.
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can athletes effectively transition from competitive sports to new life stages while maintaining a healthy mindset and purpose? 2. What are the key lessons learned from high-level competition that can be applied to everyday life, particularly in terms of resilience and goal setting? 3. How does the importance of community and supportive training environments contribute to an athlete's success and overall well-being?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively cope with the challenges of personal safety and well-being while balancing work demands and relationships? 2. What strategies can we implement to redefine success in our lives, especially when facing significant personal obstacles? 3. How does vulnerability in our relationships enhance connection and understanding, and how can we leverage this to foster a supportive environment?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can embracing discipline lead to personal growth and a stronger sense of self? 2. What are practical strategies for incorporating hard challenges into our daily routines to foster resilience and character development? 3. In what ways can mindfulness practices, such as breath work and meditation, enhance our emotional and mental well-being?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can parents balance fitness and family responsibilities without sacrificing their health and well-being? 2. What strategies can help parents maintain their training routines amidst the challenges of parenting small children? 3. In what ways can embracing the changing seasons of life enhance our understanding of identity and purpose as parents and individuals?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the primary distractions that prevent us from achieving true happiness and fulfillment in our lives? 2. How can we identify and overcome internal psychological traps, such as judgment and unrealistic expectations, that hinder our well-being? 3. What steps can we take to prioritize our own values and desires over societal pressures and external expectations to live a more authentic and purposeful life?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the common distractions that keep us from achieving our health goals, and how can we effectively identify and overcome them? 2. How do our social circles and environments influence our health behaviors, and what strategies can we implement to create a supportive network? 3. In what ways can we shift our focus from perfectionism and obsession with outcomes to a more balanced and sustainable approach to health and well-being?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can understanding stress impact our overall health and well-being? 2. What practical strategies can we implement to manage stress effectively in our daily lives? 3. In what ways does stress influence our pursuit of happiness and sense of purpose?
The 4 Listener Questions We're Answering: 1. How do you maintain consistency in your fitness routine while scaling intensity? 2. How do you protect your health and wellness goals in a toxic workplace? 3. What's the smart way to start a fitness journey after a very long break? 4. Should you train for an unpartitioned Murph, and what's the best approach?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How is Cole Sager transitioning from a high-level competitive mindset to a more balanced approach to fitness and life? 2. What lessons has Cole learned from years of intense training and competition that can be applied to our everyday life and relationships? 3. In what ways can we all prioritize our health and well-being while still pursuing our passions and responsibilities?
The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How can aligning on health and fitness values influence your search for a life partner, and what role should these values play in dating? 2. What strategies can you use to address physical imbalances that develop from transitioning to more rotational sports as you age? 3. Which supplements are truly essential for performance and health, and how do you identify high-quality options? 4. How can you transition away from tracking macros and weighing food while maintaining your nutrition goals?
Something of an experiment this week: We've collected some of the best moments and biggest ideas from our April episodes.
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can understanding and addressing our fears improve our mental health and overall well-being? 2. What practical strategies can we implement to counteract the mind killers, particularly fear, in our daily lives? 3. In what ways can cultivating openness and vulnerability enhance our resilience against anxiety and stress?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we navigate feelings of guilt and responsibility when a friend struggles with addiction or unhealthy behaviors? 2. What role does being present play in supporting friends who may need help, and how can we create a safe space for them to reach out? 3. How do we balance our own well-being with the desire to help others, especially when faced with difficult relationships?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What constitutes a "worthy challenge" in our lives, and how can pursuing these challenges contribute to our personal growth and development? 2. How can we transform everyday struggles into meaningful opportunities for character development and fulfillment? 3. How do ambition and the desire for achievement intersect with the pursuit of internal peace and self-actualization?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we transform our mindset around fitness from a place of punishment to one of celebration and empowerment? 2. What practical steps can we take to dismantle the victim mentality and foster a healthier self-image? 3. How can changing our language and the words we use impact our motivation and overall well-being?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the key habits that lead to personal ineffectiveness, and how can we recognize and shift away from them in our daily lives? 2. How can understanding the difference between being reactive and proactive enhance our overall well-being and effectiveness in different areas of life? 3. In what ways can collaboration and teamwork contribute to achieving our goals and creating a more fulfilling life, rather than relying solely on individual efforts?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively navigate the influence of technology and screens in our children's lives while promoting a more active and engaged lifestyle? 2. What strategies can we use to create an environment that encourages healthier habits, both at home and in social settings with friends and neighbors? 3. How can we foster open conversations with our children about nutrition and screen time, ensuring they understand the reasons behind our family rules and values?
The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively incorporate mobility and maintenance work into our daily routines to enhance performance and prevent injury? 2. What mental strategies should we use to approach AMRAP workouts versus for-time workouts to optimize performance in each format? 3. How do we handle situations where children resist participating in physical activities, while ensuring they develop healthy lifestyle habits? 4. What's the most effective way to incorporate swimming into an existing strength and conditioning program for balanced fitness development?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we simplify nutrition without compromising results, and what role does consistency play in achieving dietary goals? 2. What is the psychological impact of dietary choices, and how can we cultivate a healthy relationship with food to avoid guilt and self-sabotage? 3. In what ways can understanding personal identity influence our eating habits, and how can we use that knowledge to foster long-term healthy eating patterns?
The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How to effectively balance sports training with other fitness goals to maximize both performance and social benefits? 2. How to manage expectations around ambitious fitness goals (like marathon times) without tying self-worth and happiness to specific outcomes? 3. What strategies can help motivate a partner who's struggling with workout consistency after one person can no longer train at the same intensity? 4. What's the importance of proper coaching certifications in CrossFit, and why being a great athlete doesn't automatically make someone a great coach?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can mastering our thoughts lead to greater serenity and peace of mind in our daily lives? 2. What practical steps can we take to develop self-control and discipline in order to navigate life's challenges effectively? 3. In what ways can understanding our personal vision and anti-vision help us create a more fulfilling and purpose-driven life?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What are the key daily practices across the five factors of health that can help us thrive into our nineties? 2. How can we effectively recognize and manage our emotional triggers to improve our overall well-being? 3. What actionable steps can we take to prioritize sleep and recovery and avoid ultra-processed foods?
The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. How can you be a thermostat instead of a thermometer in challenging relationships, especially with family members who don't share your pursuit of excellence? 2. What's the optimal balance between strength and endurance training for CrossFit athletes, particularly those with smaller body types? 3. How can you balance gratitude for your current professional situation while still pursuing growth and positive change? 4. What are the most effective training protocols to prepare for the Murph workout, especially if push-ups are your limiting factor?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can you effectively adapt your training regimen for different athletic events, such as Hyrox, Ironman, or a marathon, while maintaining overall fitness? 2. What are the key strategies for incorporating weight loss into your training without sacrificing muscle mass and strength? 3. How can transitioning from competitive training to a more sustainable fitness routine impact your mental well-being and long-term health goals?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can the CrossFit Open serve as a tool for assessing overall fitness in a way that is both enjoyable and beneficial for non-competitive athletes? 2. What are effective benchmarks and alternative methods for measuring fitness that prioritize long-term health and performance? 3. How do we balance the pursuit of fitness goals with the need to listen to our bodies and modify workouts to prevent injury and promote longevity?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can gym owners navigate the complexities of brand affiliation to ensure alignment with their values and community needs?2. What role does leadership play in fostering a supportive and transparent environment within fitness communities, especially during times of crisis? 3. In what ways can individuals maintain their passion for fitness and community while adapting to changes within the broader fitness landscape?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively communicate our health and lifestyle choices to family members who may not understand or agree with our decisions? 2. What is the difference between passion, compliance, and obsession in our pursuit of health and wellness, and how can we maintain a balanced approach? 3. How can we navigate social situations and family dynamics while staying true to our values and prioritizing our health and happiness?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can the lessons learned from hard training in the gym be applied to improve our mental resilience and overall life satisfaction? 2. What role do judgment and expectation play in our ability to start new challenges, and how can we overcome these barriers? 3. How can surrounding ourselves with like-minded individuals transform our struggles into meaningful progress in both fitness and daily life?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we effectively communicate the benefits of fitness, such as CrossFit, to people unfamiliar with it without jargon or overwhelming them? 2. What strategies can we implement to support aging parents in maintaining their physical fitness and mobility without being pushy or judgmental? 3. How can we create an environment that encourages healthy habits and social connections for ourselves and our loved ones, ultimately promoting a more active and fulfilling lifestyle?
The 5 Questions We're Answering: 1. How can athletes with limited ankle mobility maintain an effective weightlifting routine and participate successfully in CrossFit?2. What's the most effective way to build strength and power when your primary focus is CrossFit performance? 3. How should potential business partners address misaligned visions before opening a CrossFit gym? 4. What strategies can help maintain training motivation when working out alone in a home gym setting? 5. How can families navigate disagreements about nutrition and care for loved ones with cognitive decline while maintaining quality of life?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering:1. How do storytelling and suppression impact our mental fitness, and what practical steps can we take to reframe our narratives for better well-being? 2. What are effective techniques for processing emotions healthily, and how can we prevent the negative consequences of emotional suppression? 3. In what ways can practices like gratitude and mindful breathing enhance our emotional resilience and overall mental health?
The 4 Questions We're Answering: 1. What strategies can help manage and prevent late-night eating habits and cravings? 2. How should athletes approach eating windows when combining intermittent fasting with morning workouts? 3. What type of workout programming best prepares athletes for skiing season? 4. When and how should coaches incorporate mindset discussions and educational talks into their classes?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: How does the quality of our relationships impact our overall health and well-being?What practical steps can we take to surround ourselves with a supportive and uplifting community?How can our environment influence our health, fitness, and personal growth behaviors?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. What role does ego play in limiting our growth and happiness? 2. How do expectations alter our perception of reality and impact our happiness? 3. Why is the pursuit of end games a trap, and how can we embrace the journey instead?
The 3 Big Questions We're Answering: 1. How can we cultivate a sustainable peace of mind amidst the chaos of daily life? 2. What practical steps can we take to align our health and fitness routines with our deeper values and purpose? 3. In what ways can understanding our true priorities lead to a more fulfilling and meaningful life?
We're answering questions from members of our Chase Club this week.We're exploring the nuances of incorporating children into gym culture and the role of various deadlift techniques in enhancing performance. We're also talking about fostering a supportive community in your CrossFit gym and how to redefine your purpose and identity after becoming a parent.===❤️
In this special episode, Patrick reads his recently published book, The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy: 26 Little Lessons for Kids Who Want to Grow Up to Be Super Wonderful. We hope your little human enjoys it!
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