Podcast appearances and mentions of kevin ogar

This week we are so excited to have Kevin Ogar on the show.  Owner of CrossFit Watchtower, Seminar Staff, Affiliate Rep and Adaptive Athlete trainer. Kevin shares some of his story and unique perspectives as an affiliate owner and we talk through some of the perceptions and challenges that come with the journey, and how he is using his voice to help other affiliate owners through his work as an affiliate rep. Want to see how you can continue your development as an affiliate owner or coach?  Book a call for a FREE chat https://fit-filliate.as.me/DCCRequest Follow Us 

Today, we've got Kevin Ogar. Kevin's a gym owner, a red-shirt CrossFit Seminar trainer, an incredible athlete, and a CrossFit Regional Affiliate representative. Kevin has talked to thousands of gym owners, and has seen common threads common to all the most successful gyms. He's also learned through the experiences of running his own gym. He shares his incredible insight with us. This episode includes immediately actionable advice along with some long term strategies for success. So make sure to listen to the entire episode to squeeze all the goodness out of this one! Level Method provides experienced gym owners with a visual, step-by-step fitness progression system that's fun, engaging, and easy-to-use go to https://levelmethod.com to find out more.

WheelWOD's Director of Games and Sport Kevin Ogar joins the show to discuss the 2024 adaptive season.  He talks about how to grow those specific divisions, what the season might look like, how to get more adaptive athletes into CrossFit gyms and what excites him the most about the opportunity to take over the adaptive Games season.

In 2020, the CrossFit Games team announced that they would be introducing an adaptive division to the CrossFit Games season. Since then it has yet to catch more flak than traction centering around the implementation, available divisions and standards, and lack of in person representation at The CrossFit Games. Fast forward to 2023, the CrossFit Games have just announced the brand new format for adaptive athletes. New Director of the Adaptive Division and former CrossFit Games Champion Kevin Ogar joins the show. We talk about what went into the decision to make this change and what we can look forward to next year's CrossFit Games season. Visit https://cf.games/23_momentous and use code CF15 for 15% off your next purchase. Presented by @LiveMomentous. — The CrossFit Games are the ultimate proving grounds for the Fittest Man and Fittest Woman on Earth™ and are world-renowned as the definitive test of fitness. Join host Chase Ingraham and various guests in the CrossFit space as they break down the latest news, happenings, and information from the CrossFit Games season. Subscribe to the CrossFit Games podcast and share it with a friend. Like and drop a comment on your favorite episodes. Listen on Apple Podcasts and Spotify → Apple Podcasts → https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast... Spotify → https://open.spotify.com/show/6sQXfti... Google Podcasts → https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0... Learn more about the CrossFit Games → https://cf.games/learn Learn more about CrossFit → https://www.crossfit.com/what-is-cros... Find a CrossFit gym near you → https://www.crossfit.com/map?utm_sour...

On Episode 244 I sit down with Mark Wilbourne. Mark is currently at CU for a bachelor's degree in Aerospace Engineering with a minor in Applied Math and a certificate in Engineering Leadership. He really enjoys engineering and analytical thinking and also working with people so he is looking into careers that combine the two. Mark would love to be a systems engineer/project manager or anything that takes more of a global approach to tough problems working in the field of engineering. At school, he is a Student Ambassador which is where he found his passion for people. Mark got into CrossFit through the influence of his parents and being connected to Kevin Ogar while he was in spinal cord rehab in Denver. His Dad started CrossFit in Afghanistan when Mark was in middle school and both of his parents have been doing it since. Mark always made fun of CrossFit and was more into endurance sports but Kevin showed him early CrossFit and all that it has to offer early on in his injury and he enjoyed how he didn't have to think and just show up each day and know the coaches would make him better. Athletically, Mark would like to return to endurance sports later on once he gets enough strength and settles into more of a home. I had a lot of fun and really enjoyed this conversation today. Mark is someone who I have gotten to know better during his time at CrossFit Roots. During this conversation, we talked about a wide range of topics including The tunnels underneath Vegas, Elon Musk and aerospace engineering, Mark's dive into Cross Country, Track and Field, and Endurance sports, His accident, and getting into CrossFit. I really enjoyed this conversation and I hope that you all enjoy it as much as I did!

Kevin Ogar is the owner of CrossFit WatchTower in Colorado, a global speaker for adaptive training, and a staff member for CrossFit HQ. Kevin shares the story of his paralysis in 2014 that left him with just a 15% chance of survival. He shares how he was granted a crystallized purpose through his near-death experience that has shaped him into the man he is today. Kevin reminds us that identifying our purpose transforms any difficulty into opportunity and that is found most clearly through faith in Christ.   Episode Links: Kevin's Email - kevin@crossfitwatchtower.com Kevin's Gym - CrossFit WatchTower in Denver, CO Adaptive Training Academy - https://ata.fit/ WheelWOD - https://www.wheelwodgames.com/ If you enjoy the show, please don't forget to subscribe, and leave a review so more people can be encouraged by the stories we share.   At Elite SRS, we exist to equip and encourage people to "Do Hard Things™" so they can grow stronger. We believe humans regularly push the limits of their bodies, and use tools to accomplish those feats. We desire to be equippers of overcomers, displaying the human capacity to Do Hard Things. We aim to be storytellers of God's perfect design, creating humans unique from all of creation in worth and capacity. The Do Hard Things™ Podcast is our attempt to share those stories in hopes that people will be encouraged to press on, to overcome and realize the potential God created them with that He would be glorified.

In this episode, Conor reflects on some lessons he has learned from close friends and famous philosophers, but broken down in a simple, digestible, actionable way to help you with your mental state. Lessons from Chris Irwin @thischrisirwin and Kevin Ogar @kevinogar

The episode you've all been waiting for has arrived: where Fern and Ackerman do smelling salts live on camera with Kevin Ogar. Talking all things Adaptive CrossFit and the future of the sport, this insightful interview is a must WATCH for everyone in the CrossFit space. ________ So you never miss an episode, subscribe on YouTube and on all major podcasting platforms at Best Hour of Their Day. Check out more information on our sponsors and partners below: SPONSORS InsideTracker - Visit info.insidetracker.com/coachjasonackerman. PARTNERS Doc Spartan - Use code BESTHOUR at checkout for 15% off and check out docspartan.com for our Best Hour bundle. RX Smart Gear - Use code BESTHOUR at checkout for 10% off. WheelPay - An official partner of our podcast. LMNT - An official partner of our podcast. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jason-ackerman/support

Kevin Ogar, Owner of CrossFit Watchtower, CF L1 Staff, Adaptive Training Academy Staff, & CF District 4 Affiliate Rep joins us to discuss the Adaptive Community and the "Join the Community, Adapt to the Campaign" initiative. Campaign Link Here: https://gofund.me/90dedb20

In this episode, Kevin Ogar* and Alec Zirkenbach** discuss the evolution of the adaptive division in the CrossFit space, their role in the 2021 season, and the future of the division in the CrossFit Games.In 2021, the NOBULL CrossFit Games Open included eight adaptive athlete divisions for the first time — Men and Women's Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, Neuromuscular, Short Stature, Intellectual, Vision, Seated Athletes (With Hip Function), and Seated Athletes (Without Hip Function). Three of those divisions — Men and Women's Upper Extremity, Lower Extremity, and Neuromuscular — competed at the CrossFit Games. “I think over the next couple of years you're going to see not just an outgrowth in the sport but an outgrowth in the adaptive community and the general population as a whole. People are going to stop being scared to be out in the world with a disability. They're going to be more outgoing, more comfortable in their own skin because they are capable and they are being told that they're capable, and I can't imagine something that can be more impactful on someone's life who's being told ‘no' their entire life than someone telling them, ‘Yes, you can, and I'll show you how.'” —Kevin Ogar*Kevin Ogar is a Level 3 CrossFit Trainer, Head Trainer on the CrossFit Seminar Staff, member of the Adaptive Training Academy, owner and head coach of CrossFit WatchTower, and a CrossFit District 4 Affiliate Rep. **Alec Zirkenbach is a U.S. Navy veteran, executive director of the Adaptive Training Academy, a Level 3 CrossFit Trainer, and a Head Trainer on the CrossFit Seminar Staff.

In this 404th Episode, we have four special guests: John Prescott, Kevin Ogar, Chris Stoutenberg, and Logan Aldridge. These four amazing dudes are joined by Ackerman and talking all about the adaptive community of CrossFit. In this episode you'll learn so much more about WheelWOD and the adaptive community, from welcoming and attracting new adaptive members to your box, to the state of Adaptive Competitions, and so much more. So you never miss an episode, subscribe on YouTube and on all major podcasting platforms at Best Hour of Their Day. If you want to learn more about our sponsor, Doc Spartan, check out docspartan.com at checkout, use the code BESTHOUR to get 15% off all DocSpartan purchases. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jason-ackerman/support

The CrossFit Open was an exciting time for many, but probably the most excited group of people were adaptive athletes. CrossFit HQ introduced new divisions that allowed these athletes to compete for the first time in the Open. This opens the doors for them to compete at the Games in the future. We sit down with adaptive athlete Kevin Ogar, who is also an affiliate owner and CrossFit Level 1 and 2 Seminar Training Staff Member for CrossFit. Both he, and his wife Shannon placed third in their respective Open Adaptive Divisions.    We dive in to the history of the divisions, how they work, and the mindset of athletes. We also dive in to what God's been teaching him personally. There's lots of truth shared with a giant amount of love behind it.    As always, if you have any ideas for the podcast, or people you think we should interview, send us an email with subject “Podcast Feedback” to info@faithrxd.org

Adaptive Athlete Kevin Ogar shares his views on purpose, meaning, and why he feels he was destined to be paralyzed at the age of 28.

In 2014, Kevin Ogar dropped a barbell that would change his life forever. The barbell bounced back off the platform and ricocheted into his spine, paralyzing him from the waist down.Since then, Ogar has become a role model and pioneer in the adaptive athlete field. He currently serves on the CrossFit Level 1 seminar staff as well as the Adaptive Athlete Training Academy. He is also the proud owner of CrossFit WatchTower.Sit down with Kevin and host Bryce Smith as they discuss Kevin's journey to where he is now.Learn more about Invictus and download a full day of sample programming here: https://bit.ly/2USdOQ3

Today we're chatting with Kevin Ogar. If you are unfamiliar with Kevin's journey, you can see more of his story in the documentary, Will of Steel, available on Amazon.    Kevin has done incredible work to advance functional fitness and the sport of CrossFit for adaptive athletes. In this episode we talk about his perspective on the accident that left him a paraplegic, and how God has used that to fulfill what Kevin believes is the bigger purpose for his life.    There is much that happens in the world that we don't understand and that we often get frustrated with God over. Kevin's story reminds us of the fullness that can be found when we live actively surrendered to what God is up to despite our circumstances.    To check out all that Kevin is up to, check him out on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/kevinogar/, or online at http://crossfitwatchtower.com/ or http://thereveilleproject.org/

This is Memorial Day Weekend. It's a time where we remember the men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice and gave their lives in service to their country. We want to honor them.    Today's interview is with Ryan Foster, Veteran and Co-Founder of the Reveille Project with Kevin Ogar. Ryan served in the US Marine Corp and is intimately familiar with what vets go through as they transition home and into civilian life. His story was dramatically impacted for the better through fitness and by God.    The mission of the Reveille Project is to help restore veteran's lives post-active duty.    We want to bring awareness for the men and women who did make it home but are struggling to make that transition. For many, the trauma impact of their service is not over when the are no longer active duty. With about 1 million non-fatal casualties sustained in both Iraq and Afghanistan and with more than 300,000 of them showing signs of PTSD there is a great need for organizations like The Reveille Project to serve these men and women. These vets served us, now it's our opportunity to serve them. To learn more about what they're doing, visit www.thereveilleproject.org .

“Every day is a choice.” -Kevin Ogar AND Amy Van Dyken If you are on the right path, the right people show up or circle right back into your life… thus I am PUMPED to sit down with Kevin Ogar and Amy Van Dyken to discuss all things tragedy, triumph, attitude, outlook, faith, family, resilience, and repetition… oh and, yeah, and we talk a little smack to one another as well, Turmeric & Tequila baby:) Kevin and Amy are two of the greatest athletes of our time, not because of their medals, games appearances, winnings, or athletic accolades, but because of their recognized higher purpose – to live in continued service. They both have incredible charities, The Reveille Project and The Amy Van Dyken Foundation (Amy’s Army). Both charities are giving back by questioning a better way, building and supporting communities they saw needed it most. All bios below, check them out and dig in- it will inspire you to do more (no pressure:). I joined forces with Kevin, Amy, and both of their charities to support Red Bull’s nonprofit, Wings For Life, funding research for spinal cord injuries. The annual Wings For Life World Run has come to DENVER and we are excited to put it on the map out here. The in-person event is of course canceled, but you can login digitally on the app May 3rd and run with everyone else in the world at the same time- it’s pretty cool. Every dollar that comes in, goes to the cause… every dollar. All details below as well. Register and join us May 3rd, run for someone who can’t and join a community that is making a difference (while at home!!). Highlights: Purpose, service, attitude, questioning a better way. Charity and giving back. Overcoming and looking forward. Mind over matter, faith, family, and community. Animals > Humans. Personal grooming and/or lack thereof.   Kevin Ogar Kevin is the Owner and Head Coach of CrossFit WatchTower. He is a Level 3 Certified CrossFit Trainer, has been coaching since early 2008, and is a member of the CrossFit Level 1 Seminar Staff. He is a 4-time Regional Competitor finishing as high as 6th in 2012. When he’s not at his gym, Kevin spends time with his dogs Boondock and Diamond. The Reveille Project The Reveille Project [TRP] is designed for veterans, by veterans. We believe in a holistic lifestyle to help restore veterans lives post active duty. [TRP] provides access to tools that aid in veteran’s ability to integrate socially, emotionally, physically and spiritually back into civilian life. Creating a foundation through fitness, nutrition, community and spiritual faith, [TRP] encourages a healthy prospective for a purpose driven life. Amy Van Dyken Amy Van Dyken-Rouen is a 6-time Olympic champion. She won 4 medals in 1996 in Atlanta and two more in Sydney, Australia in 2000. Van Dyken-Rouen has the distinction of being one of the few Olympians whose medals are all gold. In 2007 she was the only American swimmer to be inducted into the International Swimming Hall of Fame's Class of 2007. She was also inducted to the Olympic Hall of Fame in July 2008. Amy is a public speaker and CrossFit enthusiasts! The Amy Van Dyken Foundation Amy’s Army is a network of people including donors, employees, and friends of The Amy Van Dyken Foundation. Together, we are a powerful ally to those with spinal cord injuries Mission statement: We strive to improve the lives of people with spinal cord injuries. Wings For Life World Race The Wings for Life World Run is a global race where people from all over the planet begin running at the same time, on the same day. Where they stop is up to them. This year we are bringing this race to Denver and with nothing more than your smart phone and a desire to move you can help Wings for Life find a cure for spinal cord paralysis. On May 3rd we will gather digitally (via the WLF App) and the race will start at 5am MST, eventually a virtual “Catcher Car” will leave the start line from where you started! When the Catcher Car passes you, your race is over, and the distance you achieved appears on the Global Results List. Everything you’re doing is for a good cause because 100% of your entry fees and donations goes directly to research toward a cure for spinal cord injury. Who: Anyone! What: Race benefitting Wings For Life  Cost: $23/per racer ($23 goes to charity) Where: Digitally (Register in WLF App- Run outside, on treadmill, wherever!) When: 5.3.2020, 5am Why: It is our mission to bring the Colorado fitness community together on behalf of a great cause! HOW TO REGISTER More at TurmericAndTequila.com 

In this episode, I sit down with Hunter, one of our coaches at CrossFit Haughton. We talk about everything from tattoos to gaming to how he started CrossFit not that long ago! We laugh A LOT!! Below is the link for the podcast interview with Kevin Ogar, who we mention as one of Hunter's trainers from the L-1 course. Enjoy the show! Kevin's Interview with Julie Foucher    

What would you do if in a single moment, everything you had worked so hard for was wrenched from your grasp forever? Scream? Cry? Give up?Kevin Ogar may have screamed and cried after the accident that left him—a lifelong athlete —paralyzed from the waist down, but he didn't give up. He rolled with it, finding purpose in helping adaptive athletes, veterans and able-bodied people alike change their lives through fitness.After the accident, Kevin went on to become a member of the CrossFit Seminar Staff, teaching the Adaptive Training specialty course (he now works with the independent Adaptive Training Academy, which teaches a CrossFit-preferred course). He opened his own gym, CrossFit WatchTower, and co-founded the Reveille Project, a nonprofit that uses fitness, nutrition, community and faith to help veterans post-active duty. Kevin also competed on the U.S. Paralympic Powerlifting team.Listen to Kevin's interview with Sean Woodland to learn how he stays positive and driven—and get his advice for how you can do the same.Links:CrossFit WatchTowerAdaptive Training AcademyThe Reveille ProjectOGAR: Will of SteelContact: Instagram: @kevinogarTimeline:1:24 – Kevin Ogar, pre-CrossFit: a “meathead.”2:28 – His first CrossFit workout and the “Kevin-sized hole in the wall.”4:17 – Becoming a competitor.5:58 – The accident.7:27 – Rehabilitation at Craig Hospital.8:52 – Getting through the low moments.10:32 – The response from the CrossFit community. 12:20 – Moving forward.13:13 – Opening an affiliate and the power of coaching.14:52 – The Reveille Project17:03 – On the power of helping others.17:59 – Joining the U.S. Paralympic powerlifting team.19:12 – On the adaptive-athlete community. 20:55 – What it’s like to be an inspiration.22:17 – Helping others get through similar struggles.23:33 – Where does his positivity come from?24:54 – Helping people understand what it’s like to be disabled.26:20 – On being a newlywed: “I get less of my bed now.”28:24 – Lessons learned since that fateful day in 2014.29:05 – Refining a sense of purpose.29:54 – Why he wouldn’t trade everything that’s happened for the ability to walk again.

On the 32nd Ask the BCE Show, the topics Kurt discusses include: - Losing key employees in a small business - Eating healthy - Staying innovative - Building a brand - The value of social media marketing - Social media marketing tools Viewer Questions: 1. Can you travel and still eat healthy? 2. Can fast food be healthy? 3. How do you stay innovative? It’s easy to follow the trends of what big players in the game are doing. Is it best to do what they’re doing or not? 4. What do you think about CrossFit pulling all of their social media feeds? 5. Knowing the ever-growing demand of content marketing via social outlets. How do/did you manage the content outlets while at Fit Republic? Tools? Tips? 6. How do you build your brand? 7. With big names in your backyard like Kevin Ogar, Barbells for Boobs, and now WoodPrep, do you plan on reaching out to spread the FR/BR brands? 8. Do you use any tools, like Sprout Social, or build a content calendar…etc.? HAVE A QUESTION? Drop it in the comments below for next week's BCE show!! Want to watch the BCE show LIVE? Tune in every Wednesday @ NOON on Kurt’s FB/IG (links below)! Kurt's Website & Social media: https://www.kurtbelding.com/ https://www.instagram.com/kurtbelding... https://www.facebook.com/KurtBeldingCEO/ Kurt’s businesses: Fit Republic USA (Sport supplement company): https://www.fitrepublicusa.com/ Fit Republic Foods (Meal prep company): https://www.fitrepublicfoods.com/ Body Rival (Supplement brand): https://www.bodyrival.com/ New Age Nutrition (Supplement brand): http://newagenutritiononline.com/ Hunting Colorado (Hunting guide): https://www.huntingcolorado.co/ White Rabbit (Content creation company)

I think weve seen a lot of these to-be athletes, these persons with disabilities be told no, or that they cant, and then they just give up or they stop and theyve never actually tried, and theyre only told no … Continued The post Ep 124 – Breaking Barriers with Adaptive Athlete and Coach Kevin Ogar appeared first on Julie Foucher | Reebok CrossFit Games Athlete.

Chances are, if you've been a runner, a cyclist, or even a studio fitness-er for a decent amount of time, you've battled injury at some point. In their new book Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries, Carrie Jackson Cheadle and Cindy Kuzma address not just the physical side of recovering from injury, but also the mental side. Calling this a book doesn't do it justice, though; Rebound is really more of a resource and a workbook, with nearly 50 thought-provoking exercises included that are designed to give the reader tangible ways to mentally rebound from injury to come back better, faster, and stronger. Listen to this episode to hear all about how Cheadle and Kuzma came up with the concept of the book, how they made the most of the injured athletes community while writing the book, and of course, what their big goals are for the future. Here's what you'll hear in this #WeGotGoals episode: 4:26: How a sports psychology class in undergrad led Carrie to realize the strategies discussed were just as useful for athletes as they were for practitioners, and ultimately planted the seed for Rebound. 6:05: A big goal Carrie and Cindy have achieved in the past, why it was important to them, and how they got there. 10:00: Why Carrie and Cindy decided it was important to write a book expressly for athletes using research on mental strategies for recovery. 13:15: The stories of injured athletes that stood out, including Jacki Gemelos and Kevin Ogar. 17:15: How community played a role in Rebound, both in the research discussed in the book and in the actual writing process. 22:00: Carrie and Cindy's favorite mental exercises from the book, including the emotion decoder, energy conservation, and good news/bad news. 27:50: The surprising thing Cindy noticed about the phrase "everything happens for a reason" among injured athletes. 32:00: Carrie and Cindy's big goals for the future. Links and resources we mentioned: Rebound: Train Your Mind to Bounce Back Stronger from Sports Injuries The Injured Athletes Club website The Injured Athletes Club Facebook group The Injured Athletes Club podcast If you love this episode as much as we do, subscribe to the #WeGotGoals podcast wherever you like to listen to podcasts, on Apple, Spotify, and more (and hey, leave us a rating while you’re at it!).

In the second episode of The Athletic Business Podcast, Jason and Andy discuss the 2019 CrossFit Games, which were held earlier this month in our home town of Madison, Wis.   This episode features a discussion with Kevin Ogar, owner of CrossFit Watchtower and co-founder of The Reveille Project. Kevin shares his story of how the CrossFit community helped him overcome a life-changing injury, and how he's bringing a new perspective to adaptive fitness training.    Links: CrossFit Games   CrossFit Adaptive Training Guide   The Reveille Project   CrossFit Watchtower

Kevin Ogar is a f***ing hilarious, smart and passionate Crossfit athlete and coach. We talk chatted about:Game of ThronesThe mindset Kevin took during recovery after being paralyzed in a weightlifting accidentWhy he is making a cripple calendarIdeal diets and why you're not actually in ketosisWhat actually works for getting fitterWhat to look for n a good Crossfit programPLUS our Top 5 Terrible Trends in the Fitness Industry****Start your $1 Trial of Roller Derby Training Club at Rollerderbytrainingclub.com ****

Kevin Ogar is more than just some weird guy in a wheelchair. In addition to owning CrossFit Watchtower and being a head trainer on both the L1 and Adaptive CrossFit Seminar teams, Kevin has founded the Revellie Project and helped hundreds of adaptive athletes learn how to implement CrossFit as way to improve their lives. In this interview Kevin teaches me the difference between scaling and adapting, how to best learn from adaptive athletes, spoiler alert, it's the same as able bodied athletes, and we discuss his number one tip to developing not only as a coach, but as a human being. You can find Kevin on Instagram @kevinogar and learn more about the CrossFit adaptive seminar @adaptivecrossfit --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/jason-ackerman/support

“Loss of functional legs does not mean the loss of a functional life.”Kevin OgarWelcome to They Became Super Heroes Podcast. In this episode I will be speaking with Kevin Ogar. Kevin is the Owner and Head Coach at Crossfit Watchtower, in Denver, CO. Kevin’s story is nothing short of inspirational. In a tragic accident, Kevin was paralyzed while performing a snatch by a ricochet barbell. Since then, Kevin has helped create Crossfit’s Specialty course; Adaptive Training. Kevin has continued to beat all odds despite his set back, and will be competing for the USA National Para-Powerlifting Team, in the regional championships. Enjoy the show.Topics:04:20 - Adaptive Training course 12:05 - What is an adaptive athlete?18:30 - Working with adaptive athletes 23:30 - Resources for adaptive training 27:40 - Biggest struggles as an adaptive athlete37:00 - God’s plan42:03 - Learning patience51:00 - Super Heroes

In the blink of an eye, Kevin Ogar went from completing what should have been an ordinary snatch — 235 pounds, light for his one-rep max of 300 — to death’s door, paralyzed from the waist down. Small things matter. A lifting platform that tilted slightly backward, a barely noticeable heel slip, a small backward-forward movement to regain balance, microseconds at best, all combined in an instant. Ogar bailed on the lift. The barbell went out of control behind him, bouncing off the back of his left shoulder, into a stack of 45-pound weight plates, and then the bar came whipping back, crushing part of his thoracic spine. -From the Team USA article  -------------- I first learned about Kevin when news of the 2014 event hit. I finally met him at the CrossFit Games a couple years later and he asked me to come to Denver to conduct a seminar at his CrossFit Box. Kevin's relationship with fear and fear management is unique, to say the least. His mental toughness has created a compassion and passion that makes him an incredibly motivating and effective coach. It's hard to slack when your coach is Kevin Ogar. -Coach Blauer "OGAR: Will of Steel" by CrossFit

Heber Cannon, Marston Sawyers and Mariah Moore are the creators of CrossFit’s most popular documentaries. The three filmmakers join the show and talk about the latest movie, “The Redeemed and the Dominant.” Notable mentions: Sevan Matossian, Mariah Moore, Marston Sawyers, Heber Cannon, Eric Maciel, Harvey Weinstein, Tyson Oldroyd, Quentin Tarantino, Connor Sparkman, Jenna Cannon, Torin Simpson, CrossFit Ohana, Nick Massie, “Cooking With Nick Massie: Meatza,” Ian Wittenber, “Froning: The Fittest Man in History - Official Trailer,” “Fittest On Earth 2015 - Official Trailer,” “Fittest On Earth: A Decade of Fitness – Official Trailer,” Rich Froning, Jason Khalipa, Scott Panchik, Katrín Davíðsdóttir, Mat Fraser, Dave Castro, Kevin Ogar, Carey Peterson, Sara Sigmundsdóttir, Ricky Garard, Tia-Clair Toomey, Kara Webb, Annie Thorisdottir.

Unless you live under a rock, you've heard about Kevin Ogar.  If you want to hear all about his CrossFit story or his accident, watch the Kevin Ogar documentary and listen to him on the CrossFit podcast.  If want to hear about his nutrition, his favorite ice cream, and whether a cheat meal is worth pooping your pants...listen here.   --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/ownyoureating/support

Four years after his tragic accident, Kevin Ogar continues to be an inspiration. He is a successful affiliate owner, Level 1 Seminar Staff member, and vice president of the Reveille Project, a nonprofit that uses fitness, nutrition and community to support post-active-duty veterans with mood disorders. On today’s show, Ogar reflects on the accident, training for USA Para Powerlifting, and what it’s like to live as a paraplegic. Notable mention: Sevan Matossian, Kevin Ogar, Matt Bischel, Eric Maciel, Ogar: Will of Steel, Carey Peterson, Jay Vera, Megan Combies, Chris Stoutenburg, Wheel WOD, Zack Ruhl, Joshua Rucker, Dr. Bob Spears, Barbells for Boobs, Mat Fraser, Tyler Lasley, CrossFit Fringe, Matthew Bickel, CrossFit Specialty Course: Adaptive Training, Craig Hospital, Megan John, Johnathan Haynes, Zionna Hanson, Alec Zirkenbach, Logan Aldridge, Zach Forrest, Ben Smith, Brooke Ence, Brooke Wells.

Former "Valley girl" Katie Hogan started her CrossFit journey with Kristan Clever and Becca Voigt at Valley CrossFit. Hogan takes us back to what it was like to join CrossFit as a sport, and what it means to her now as a Level 1 Trainer. Notable Mentions: Sevan Matossian, Katie Hogan, Matt Bischel, Eric Maciel, Rebecca Voigt, Lindsey Valenzuela, Kristan Clever, Annie Sakamoto, Eva Twardokens, Nicole Carroll, Valley CrossFit, Graham Holmberg, Rich Froning, Jolie Gentry, Gary Roberts, Donald Trump, Judi Oyama, Kevin Ogar, Dave Castro, Chris Spealler, Dan Bailey, Mark Bell, Jesse Burdick, Marston Sawyers, Travis Bagent, Libby DiBiase, Miranda Oldroyd, Sarah Hopping Estrella, Emily Abbott.

Kevin Johnson, also known as “Mad Dog,” sits down with the crew to talk about the early days with Greg at Research Park Dr. Notable Mentions: Sevan Matossian, Kevin “Mad Dog” Johnson, Matt Bischel, Greg Glassman, Jason Highbarger, Bruce Edwards, Eva Twardokens, Spike Lee, Eckhart Tolle, Lauren Glassman, Brian Mulvaney, Claudio Franca, Dave Leys, Greg Amundson, Matt Mast, Lloyd Lewis, Phil Mancini, Laird Hamilton, Athena, Annie Sakamoto, Nicole Carroll, Dave Castro, Brendan Gilliam, Rob Miller, Carey Peterson, Gary Roberts, Cara Hipskind, Kevin Ogar, “Ogar: Will of Steel.”

Have you ever wondered how Adrian Bozman became Head Judge for the CrossFit Games? Boz sits down with Sevan and Tyson to reveal his CrossFit history. Notable Mentions: Sevan Matossian, Adrian Bozman, Tyson Oldroyd, Dave Castro, Bill Pearl, Tony Blauer, Josh Bridges, Filson Vest, James Hobart, San Francisco Chronicle, Julio Iglesias, Greg Glassman, CrossFit Training Staff, Nicole Carroll, CrossFit Santa Cruz North, Chuck Carswell, Kimarie Haverty-Bozman, Annie Sakamoto, Hollis Molloy, Eva Twardokens (“Eva T”), John Hackleman, Jeff Martone, Mike Burgener, Kelly Starrett, San Francisco CrossFit, Diane Fu, Kevin Ogar, Mat Fraser, Rich Froning, Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant, Todd Widman, Dan Bailey, Björgvin Karl Guðmundsson, Rory McKernan, Alessandra Pichelli, Team Series, Chase Ingraham.

Self-defense specialist Tony Blauer joins the show. The CrossFit Workshop: Be Your Own Bodyguard teaches participants: 1. How to develop better situational awareness. 2. The importance of fear in life. 3. How to differentiate “real” danger from “imagined.” 4. How to manage fear in a crisis. 5. “Biologically hard-wired” physical self-defense skills. 6. “Human Weapon” system principles. 7. SPEAR™ system fundamentals. Notable Mentions: Sevan Matossian, Tony Blauer, Adrian Gonzalez, Matt Bischel, Eric Maciel, SPEAR™ Systems, James Hobart, self-defense, martial arts, karate, tae kwon do, P90X, Zumba, Reebok Nano 2.0, Ryan DeWitt, Journal Article: “True Warriors,” Tennyson Jacobson, Jay Vera, Dave Castro, Zach Forrest, Adrian Bozman, Greg Glassman, Kevin Ogar, Journal Article: “Fear Factor,” Rich Froning, Dan Bailey.

Kevin Ogar is the Owner and Head Coach of CrossFit WatchTower. Kevin is a Level-3 Certified CrossFit Trainer, and is a member of the CrossFit Level 1 Seminar Staff. Kevin has accomplished the incredible feat of qualifying for the CrossFit Regionals four times, finishing as high as 6th in 2012. Outside of CrossFit, Kevin serves as Vice President of the Reveille Project, which aims to ease veteran's transition to civilian life by instilling holistic lifestyles into their routines post-active duty.  In January of 2014, Kevin suffered a life changing spinal cord injury during a fitness competition and has overcome great odds to get to where he is today. Kevin performing a snatch pre-injury. Kevin's accident occurred while performing a 3 rep max hang snatch during a fitness competition.  Being one of the better snatchers in the sport of CrossFit at the time, this was nothing new or out of the ordinary for Kevin. Kevin opened up the snatch event at 235 lbs, which was a weight that he could hit consistently under normal circumstances.  During this episode, Kevin takes us though the moments that led up to his injury. Specifically, he discusses how the slant in the lifting platform caused him to not stick the catching of the weight overhead. Upon trying to bail out from underneath the unstable weight, the bar hit Kevin's left shoulder, which caused the bar the hit the weights stacked behind him, ultimately causing the bar to then bounce off the weight stack like a rocket right back at him severing his spine between T-11 and T-12. Kevin describes the intense pain he felt immediately after the bar hit him in the back. He said it felt like every inch of his body felt like it was on fire.  After being transported to a near-by local hospital, doctors later told him that the injury caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down. Kev opens up about the wave of emotions that understandably ensued after this moment.  Although lucky to have survived the initial impact from the bar, Kevin wasn't completely in the clear once he got to the hospital. Kevin's injury required an extremely risky surgery called a thoracotomy because any more trauma to the spine would have killed him due to the onset of shock. He was given a 15-18% chance of survivin

Kevin Ogar is the Owner and Head Coach of CrossFit WatchTower. Kevin is a Level-3 Certified CrossFit Trainer, and is a member of the CrossFit Level 1 Seminar Staff. Kevin has accomplished the incredible feat of qualifying for the CrossFit Regionals four times, finishing as high as 6th in 2012. Outside of CrossFit, Kevin serves as Vice President of the Reveille Project, which aims to ease veteran's transition to civilian life by instilling holistic lifestyles into their routines post-active duty.  In January of 2014, Kevin suffered a life changing spinal cord injury during a fitness competition and has overcome great odds to get to where he is today. Kevin performing a snatch pre-injury. Kevin's accident occurred while performing a 3 rep max hang snatch during a fitness competition.  Being one of the better snatchers in the sport of CrossFit at the time, this was nothing new or out of the ordinary for Kevin. Kevin opened up the snatch event at 235 lbs, which was a weight that he could hit consistently under normal circumstances.  During this episode, Kevin takes us though the moments that led up to his injury. Specifically, he discusses how the slant in the lifting platform caused him to not stick the catching of the weight overhead. Upon trying to bail out from underneath the unstable weight, the bar hit Kevin's left shoulder, which caused the bar the hit the weights stacked behind him, ultimately causing the bar to then bounce off the weight stack like a rocket right back at him severing his spine between T-11 and T-12. Kevin describes the intense pain he felt immediately after the bar hit him in the back. He said it felt like every inch of his body felt like it was on fire.  After being transported to a near-by local hospital, doctors later told him that the injury caused him to be paralyzed from the waist down. Kev opens up about the wave of emotions that understandably ensued after this moment.  Although lucky to have survived the initial impact from the bar, Kevin wasn't completely in the clear once he got to the hospital. Kevin's injury required an extremely risky surgery called a thoracotomy because any more trauma to the spine would have killed him due to the onset of shock. He was given a 15-18% chance of surviving this first surgery.  Most people die from lack of oxygen or blood loss in this surgery, but Kevin believes the only thing that kept him alive was his fitness level before the injury because his body was so efficient at processing oxygen.  After surviving the surgery, Kev then only had a 25-35% chance of surviving the complications from that surgery. Kevin obviously overcame these odds and described how a lot of things on the day of his injury actually worked in his favor rather than against him.  For example, the doctor who performed the surgery wasn’t even supposed to be working that today and he just happened to be the second best spinal surgeon in the US. In addition, Kevin grew up with the Vice President of Craig Hospital in Denver, Colorado is a world-renowned rehabilitation hospital that exclusively specializes in the neuro-rehabilitation and research of patients with spinal cord injury and traumatic brain injury (Kevin Pearce from episode 57 also did his rehab at Craig).   While at Craig, Kevin wasn't satisfied with just surviving because he wanted to be thriving. Kevin has never been someone who was okay with not being able to do something or excel at it.   The toughest thing to cope with at Craig was realizing how much he had lost after doctors performed the American Spinal Injury Association (ASIA) motor/sensory exam which aims to take stock of the extent of paralysis.  This was difficult for Kev because it pointed out everything that he had lost after the injury. Luckily, this injury wasn't the only adversity he had ever faced in his life.  During our conversation, Kevin talked about how despite getting kicked out of college twice, there was something positive that came out of each of those negative situations.  One of those positives were meeting his fiancé who he has been with for 10 years. Figuring his spinal cord injury was probably the worst thing that will ever happen to him, he is determined to generate the best outcome possible. Below are some of the other topics we touch on throughout our conversation: The importance of maintaining a sense of humor. The similarities between athletes and veterans based on what he has seen with the Reveille Project. Both groups are coming from a background of purpose, a situation of structure, a brotherhood/community. All of which are usually lost in the transition to civilian life and can be forged through CrossFit. Barbell Shrugged Interview from a few years back (6 months post injury) Mark Bell's recent podcast interview with Kev: How Kevin got kicked out of college twice and what/who turned him around. The multiple sports Kevin played growing up. Basketball (main sport) Swimming Baseball Soccer Football Rugby (college) Safe tackling tactics in Rugby. What got Kevin into CrossFit. “Man I really suck at this, maybe I should give it another shot." Kevin's current aspirations of qualifying for the Paralympics in bench press. 430-440 lbs (touch-and-go) 395-405 lbs (competition) How Kevin avoids overtraining. Good at listening to his body. Changing planes, intensities, etc. The challenges Kevin faced on his quest to getting on the CrossFit level 1 seminar staff. Difficulties in learning how to coach from a chair. Why Kevin sometimes allows himself to have a bad day, but he doesn’t ever let is affect the next day. WHERE CAN YOU FIND Kevin ogar? WEBSITE | TWITTER | INSTAGRAM  WHERE CAN YOU support the Reveille Project? Website | INSTAGRAM | TWITTER | FACEBOOK | Donate  download Kevin's new documentary "ogar : will of steel" (Trailer below) itunes | Amazon Download Episode 91 : iTunes | Stitcher | SoundCloud Permalink

PowerCast episode originally released Aug 8, 2017. When you hear the name “Kevin Ogar” a lot of you are probably thinking, “He’s the guy who got paralyzed doing CrossFit.” That’s not the whole picture, and it’s not even right story. If you’ve seen the video that so many people have seen, well, that doesn’t really tell the whole story either. In January of 2014, Kevin Ogar was injured in a freak accident while bailing on a snatch during the OC Throwdown. The event wasn’t even a CrossFit event, and the snatch that was not even close to his max. Kevin gives us his full story, and describes his life both before and after the accident that paralyzed him by severing his spinal cord between the T11 and T12 vertebrae. Kevin’s positive attitude and ability not to take himself or his permanent disability too seriously will make a big impression on you. This is one of my favorite episodes of the year. Mark Bell and Jim McDonald host. @thejimmcd PowerCast theme by Aaron Moore  PowerCast logo by Joseph Manzo.  Audio and Video produced by Jim McDonald

On today's episode of The Art of Fitness, Steve Talks with Kevin Ogar. Kevin is a 31 year old gym owner, CrossFit seminar staff trainer, and Co-founder of The Reveille Project. Kevin spent 4 years playing Rugby at the University of Missouri Columbia, 2 years playing Rugby for The Glendale Raptors, and is a 4 time CrossFit Regionals Competitor. In preparation for the 2014 CrossFit Games, at a local California event, an accident occurred that left Kevin without the use of his legs. Kevin is now a USA Disabled Powerlifting Team Member and is a 2020 Paralympic Hopeful. For further details, info, and resources, join The Art of Fitness email list at www.theartoffitnesspodcast.com

Join Armen Hammer and Scott McGee as they record live from the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games with Kevin Ogar, Sam Dancer, Lauren Brooks, Katie Hogan, Dani Sidell, Val Voboril, and more!    

Join Armen Hammer and Scott McGee as they record live from the 2015 Reebok CrossFit Games with Kevin Ogar, Sam Dancer, Lauren Brooks, Katie Hogan, Dani Sidell, Val Voboril, and more!

Join Armen Hammer and Scott McGee as they travel to Boston for the Kill Cliff East Coast Championships and chat with awesome guests in the Natural Grips studios.    

Darren Mcguire of the Official OCT joins Armen Hammer, Eddie Ifft, and Scott McGee as they chat about competing at the OCT, Eddie's upcoming baby, programming, the Question of the Week, Kevin Ogar, then get into listener questions during the lightning round. 

Kevin Ogar, Mark 'Smelly' Bell, Sam Dancer, John Welbourn, Jesse Burdick, Katie Hogan, Lindsey Valenzuela, and Christmas Abbott join Armen Hammer, Eddie Ifft, and Scott McGee at the 2014 Reebok CrossFit Games.

This week on Barbell Shrugged we are honored to be joined by Kevin Ogar. Just in case you aren’t aware, Kevin became well-known after fracturing his spine at a competition in January 2014.     It’s only been six months since that devastating, notorious injury, but Kevin seems remarkably recovered, at least spiritually and emotionally. You should have seen him smile wide when he was telling us about the bright white Stacie Tovar shorts he was wearing underneath his pants. “Yeah, I’m actually wearing them underneath here. I heard she was going to be over at the Barbells for Boobs tent…I thought I would challenge her to a booty-shortshowdown.”   That group has been so supportive and caring for Kevin and his family these past few months, causing a bit of a stir at their Crossfit Games tent would be the least he could do in return. Also, it would just be a good time. That’s one of the lesson’s that Kevin has taken away from the injury. “Now that I’m in a wheelchair I really like to push the limits of what I can get away with.”   It’s hard not to love that attitude. I must admit, I’m not sure I could keep that perspective, especially after such a freak accident. That’s really all it was, a freak thing on an otherwise routine set of snatches. An off catch with a modest load. A dumped repetition that changed a life forever. The question has been begged over and over by now, “Is Crossfit dangerous?” But Kevin flatly denies that. It was more about the angle, the odd timing, the one in a million shot that did the breaking. In truth, he’s one of the rarest of patients. Most injuries of this sort are attributed to skiing accidents, vehicle crashes, and other sorts of routine activities where the risk is more widely known and accepted. But this is different. In fact, it’s hard to identify another case like Kevin’s at all. The injury was anything but an inevitability.   Our conversation started to turn visceral and raw when Kevin began to describe how the injury felt. At the moment of fracture his nervous system went into extreme shock and alarm. His whole body burned with pain and sharp electricity. I just sat there as he spoke, quivering a bit, growing more and more queasy by the second. I couldn’t imagine the feeling, and I couldn't respect the guy more for what he has endured.    Eight Dilaudid fueled, motionless days followed the injury. At first the doctors didn’t want to lose Kevin to shock and blood loss. Next up was the intense spinal surgery that would place his back into alignment. The approach was from the side. The ribs were split and dislocated. His organs had to be removed and his entire core reassembled. “That surgery has a 35% survival rate.” That only made the weight of this injury all the more heavy. I could hardly stand the thought.    Despite the dangers and risks, Kevin couldn’t have had a better surgical outcome. Still, he know’s he has a battle ahead. “They say the chances of me walking again all on my own are less than 1%, but I’m the king of small percentages. I'm 3% of the world's population as a Ginger 3%. I have blue eyes, which means I’m 1% of that population…So, I like small numbers.”  Kevin began his rehab by facing his first big physical challenge, getting upright in a wheel-chair. “I know it sounds easy, but it’s so hard. It feels like you’re sitting on top of a balance ball, only imagine if your leg’s didn’t work.” Still, he did it, and he’s still at work. What remains of his core musculature has begun to adapt. His nervous system is reinervating and adjusting in astonishing ways. Hell, the guy still manages to have a six-pack, despite the damage.    No, there are no guarantee’s here for the recovery effort, but there’s cause for optimism. Who know’s what technology will come in the coming years. For paraplegics and spinal cord patients who are able to keep their bodies strong and fit, anything could be possible. If you can remain resilient, tough, and hard to kill, then you should feel optimistic. Kevin’s got that written all over his face. His happiness and positive outlook are true.    Kevin is training as hard now as he ever has, but the goals and outlook have obviously changed immensely. It’s no longer about maximizing strength and fitness, it’s more about not sucking so bad at life in general. It’s about attacking weaknesses, which now include showering, going to the bathroom, and getting back up into his chair after a fall. Sled pulling, prowler pushing, dumbbell work, gymnastic drills, it all has a place in his regimen.    That’s where the biggest lesson of Kevin’s story shines through, I think. Progress on the small things is incredibly rewarding. Consider going back and working on the basics. It might be your posture, your foot position, your timing, whatever. Remastering it will be one of the most rewarding things you can do. If you get injured, do not stop. There’s always something you can still do. So do it! Something is better than nothing, always. And who know’s, this enforced change might just be the best thing for you. For once, you might be forced into doing something new, something necessary. You’ll have to develop and utilize new tools. That’s always a good thing.    I don’t think there’s a limit to what Kevin can achieve. He might walk again, I hope. But he’s definitely not going anywhere. He will keep finding new ways to train and compete as an adaptive Crossfit athlete. He’ll keep working to share the message of fitness with other patients, bringing the support and community that have made such a difference in his life since January.    Revelry, revelry, you have our full support, Kevin. There’s no limit to what you will achieve.    To learn more about the cause and support Kevin’s efforts, make sure to check out KevinOgar.com. You can also follow him on Instagram and Facebook in order to stay up to date on all the latest developments.    Thanks, Kevin. It was truly an honor to meet and chat with you.      Chris

CrossFit Games Judge and NPFL Head Judge John 'Moose' Mustafa joins Armen Hammer and Scott McGee as they chat about CrossFit Games Regional events for individuals and teams, Moose's history with CrossFit, how he got into judging at CrossFit Regionals and the Games, his reaction and response to Kevin Ogar's injury, how he got the Head Judge position with the NPFL, Moose's younger brother, then answer listener questions during the lightning round.

This week on the show...We're handing and chatting about... - The story of Crossfit's first openly transgender competitor. Fascinating stuff.  - Kevin Ogar speaks about his recovery. I dare you to not be moved.  - Quick, useful tips for acting swiftly, limiting noise, breaking the rules, and knowing when to put yourself on death ground. - Story time: Pep talk I hope you dig it. 

John Welbourn, Cali, Denny and Steve roll out the 39th episode of Power Athlete Radio with discussion on the origins of Well Food Co., John's NFL playoff picks for this weekend, improving vertical pressing, as well as sharing thoughts on the unfortunate injury suffered by Kevin Ogar at the OC Throwdown. DID YOU KNOW… that…

Armen Hammer, Eddie Ifft, and Scott McGee hangout and chat about Machete's experience so far on the Whole Life Challenge, Kevin Ogar and the OC Throwdown, Armen's trip to Antarctica, Scott and Machete's trip to the East Coast Championships, and answer listener questions in the lightning round.