We’re talking about what it means to “trust the process” this week, breaking down the 10 things we all need to keep in mind as we pursue our goals. Also, your questions about breath work, leadership, feeding kids, and more. EXPECT TO LEARN:  📍 Where F45 may fall short in comparison to CrossFit 📍 Why awareness is the most important step of making things better 📍 The reason why Ben switched his breathwork practice 📍 Why leadership is the hardest job in the world 📍 How the steps we take toward a goal matter more than the goal GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!  ABOUT US:  📍 Ben Bergeron is a  best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of  CompTrain.  Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter and podcaster.  Find him on Instagram.

The 10 Pillars of Trusting the Process

How do you define success? What impact do you want to have? What problem are you trying to solve? Just a few of the big questions we’re talking about and through this week. We’re also cooking up a new monthly challenge, so stay tuned til the end! EXPECT TO LEARN: 📍 What “overload” looks like in the gym, and when you should use it 📍 What to consider if you’re not losing the weight you think you should be 📍 The first big goal in getting back from an injury 📍 Why we can always have more compassion and empathy 📍 How to get the universe to nudge you in the right direction Thanks to our sponsors this week: BetterHelp | Miracle Made | BlueChew GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!  ABOUT US:  📍 Ben Bergeron is a  best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of  CompTrain.  Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of  Functional Branding.  Find him on Instagram.

Ask Yourself These 6 Big Questions

Friend-of-the-show EC Synkowski joins us this week to answer your questions about training for a 500lb deadlift into a sub-5:00 mile test, back injuries, and whether CrossFitters should try to work out during multi-day fasts. EXPECT TO LEARN: 📍 EC’s woo-woo moment that helped her tackle her long-time back problems 📍 EC’s first big question to ask about fasting 📍 Ben’s prescription for a weak back 📍 What to focus on when selling transformational coaching services 📍 The core memories that got us hooked on CrossFit 10+ years ago Thanks to our sponsors this week: LMNT | UCAN | BlueChew GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!  ABOUT US:  📍 Ben Bergeron is a  best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of  CompTrain.  Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of  Functional Branding.  Find him on Instagram.

Calling Yourself Out When Things Aren’t Working

Steven Kotler is expert on flow. He joins us to talk about why it’s important to develop multiple pathways to flow, why our mindset around aging needs a major rewrite, and the surprising correlation to lifelong confidence. EXPECT TO LEARN: 📍 What flow is and why it’s so important 📍 Why dynamic motion training is essential 📍 What it means to “get geezered” 📍 Why stability equals confidence 📍 The protocol for peak performance aging Big thank to our sponsors: Miracle Made | BetterHelp | Blinkist GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!  ABOUT US:  📍 Ben Bergeron is a  best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of  CompTrain.  Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of  Functional Branding.  Find him on Instagram.

Kick Ass ‘Til You Kick the Bucket, w/ Steven Kotler

Introducing the CompTrain 3x3, where Ben answers your questions about the pursuit of elite athletic performance and mental toughness. This week, we’ve got 10 questions from the first 6 episodes of that show to give you a taste. Find the show on YouTube Learn more about our sponsors: Blinkist | LMNT EXPECT TO LEARN: 📍 When to know if self-induced pressure is a good thing 📍 How the male/female calorie ratios on the bike or rower were calculated 📍 How to know if you’re a “competitor” 📍 The most important thing to think about when you’re injured 📍 What concurrent training is, and why CompTrain programs that way GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions! ABOUT US:  📍 Ben Bergeron is a  best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of  CompTrain.  Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of  Functional Branding.  Find him on Instagram.

Developing Elite Levels of Skills, Strength, and Stamina

We’re talking about the actions to take (nearly) every day to balance the five factors of health. We’re also answering questions about red light therapy, cutting people out of our lives, and nasal breathing during CrossFit. EXPECT TO LEARN: 📍 The usefulness of nasal breathing during hard CrossFit workouts 📍 Why meditation and breath work are hard habits to stick to 📍 Some tips on eating well while in big cities 📍 Why the people you spend the most time with matter so much 📍 Some recent recommendations for things we’re enjoying This episode is brought to you by BetterHelp. GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!  ABOUT US:  📍 Ben Bergeron is a  best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of  CompTrain.  Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of  Functional Branding.  Find him on Instagram.

Daily Actions to Build the Five Factors of Health

We get philosophical this week, discussing a way to think about the purpose of suffering and the very nature of existence. We also answer your questions about blending CrossFit with yoga and dealing with negativity at work. EXPECT TO LEARN: 📍 The ideal body fat percentage for long-term health 📍 Why the fear of death is actually an amazing gift 📍 How lucky we are to experience emotion 📍 Why this might be heaven 📍 All about our latest 30-day challenge  Learn more about LMNT here. GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:  Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions! ABOUT US: 📍 Ben Bergeron is a  best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of  CompTrain.  Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of  Functional Branding.  Find him on Instagram.

Every Element of Existence is a Gift

Dr. Robert Waldinger is the head of the Harvard Study of Adult Development, and the author of The Good Life. We discuss the importance of connection, being proactive in our relationships, judgment, curiosity, and more. EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 How impactful social isolation and loneliness are on our health 📍 Why good relationships are stress regulators 📍 What “secure attachment” is and why it matters 📍 The difference between hedonic and eudemonic happiness   📍 The two things Dr Waldinger thinks we need to live the good life   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram.   Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

Increasing Our Social Fitness, with Robert Waldinger

We’re talking about how to communicate your values better so you can build them up alongside the people in your life. We’ve also got listener questions about prehab, healthy eating based on your age, massage guns, and more. EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 Ben’s go-to protocol for healthy shoulders and hips 📍 Why you’re never too young to benefit from healthy nutrition 📍 The benefits of massage guns 📍 Hanging out with the members of your gym 📍 How the 30 days of kindness challenge went for us   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram.  of📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

How to Build Shared Values

We’re talking about how to know what a “healthy” body looks like in a world of Instagram, PEDs, and photoshop. We’ve also got listener questions about protein intake, getting more sleep, and coaching CrossFit kids, and more! EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 Ben’s thoughts on “self-help” 📍 How to get enough protein in during the day 📍 A few ways to get more sleep, even when super busy 📍 Why we want to start with the end in mind with training 📍 Why performance is correlated to capacity   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE: Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram.  📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

We’re Rewriting the Purpose of the Gym

We’re talking about when things don’t turn out as we hope, but do turn out for the better. We’re also answering your questions about CrossFit programming, protein intake, hard conversations with in-laws, and citing our sources. EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 Whether doing “double strength” before a metcon is a good idea 📍 Best practices for staying healthy while traveling a ton 📍 How to get enough protein in to gain weight 📍 What to do if you keep waking up in the middle of the night 📍 How to set better boundaries with family members   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram.  📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

The Worst Things Could Become the Best Things

To start the year off right, we’re revisiting the most popular episode we released in 2022. We’re talking about the levels of focus, how to wrestle with internal distractions, what anxiety feels like, and more. GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram.  📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

Benchmark: Building a Life of Focus

This week, we’ve got a conversation Ben had recently with Danny Miranda. They chat about why focus is a more important resource than time, how to distinguish between inner and outer purpose, and hearing the voice in our heads. EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 When Ben decided he needed to live a life of impact 📍 How to avoid believing our own B.S. 📍 Why we need to listen, then learn, the help 📍 The spark that got Ben adding breath work to his routine 📍 Why we need to learn how to relax in moments of adversity   Get more of the Danny Miranda podcast here: Apple | Spotify | YouTube  GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

Become Calm in the Many Faces of the Mind

We’re talking about the value and purpose of work, why it’s so important to spend our time doing something we enjoy, and balancing risk and safety. We’re also giving some new podcast, documentary, and book recommendations. EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 How to avoid injury when starting CrossFit  📍 Why you have to practice for when stakes get high 📍 What our kids eat for lunch at school 📍 Why it’s hard to pinpoint the specific benefit of a single habit change 📍 Ben’s advice for young folks starting their working lives   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:  Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram.  📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

Do What Sets Your Heart on Fire

We’re talking about what it would look like for more people to have a C+ level of health & fitness, and why that would be a win. Also: your questions about learning from folks we disagree with & starting a strength program. EXPECT TO LEARN:📍 The simple difference between beginner & advanced athletes 📍 What we mean when we say “Chasing Excellence 2.0” 📍 What the Sick-Well-Fit continuum looks like 📍 The importance of nutrient density vs calorie density 📍 The biggest thing standing in the way of a healthy society Learn more about Emily Maki: 📍 Watch video 📍 Donate to her GoFundMe GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

How to Make a Healthier Society

We’re talking about how to use our time at night better when it’s easy to kill a few hours mindlessly. What should we do if we’re too tired for much else? Tune in to find out, and stick around for our first 30-day challenge. EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 Why consistency comes before intensity in our training 📍 How to help a teenage athlete tackle nutrition 📍 The value of using Whoop as a training tool 📍 What it means to “flip the script” on a bad situation 📍 How to deal with disagreeable neighbors   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:  Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

The 30 Days of Kindness Challenge

We’ve got a conversation Ben had recently with Matthew DesRoches of the Oxidative Potential podcast. They geek out about training for the CrossFit Games and the psychology of being an athlete. EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 The difference between first, second, & third wave adaptations 📍 Why CrossFit & MMA are so similar 📍 The timespan of a CrossFit Games athlete 📍 Why young athletes are so dominant in the sport now   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

Developing Critical Power in CrossFit Games Athletes

We’re talking about how to start journaling, surrounding ourselves with fountains & not drains, Ben’s journey into his daily meditation practice, & more! EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 What makes a shoe “minimalist” & why that matters 📍 Why teenage athletes probably don’t need much supplementation 📍 How Wim Hoff Breathing got Ben into meditation 📍 The number of workouts you need to ease back into full training 📍 Patrick’s five big questions to ask when making life decisions GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE:   Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

F’d, Flow, Focus

We’re talking about how to balance parenthood and work, how to incentive kids without treats, advice to those in their mid-twenties, & more! EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 The one question to ask to ensure you’re training smart 📍 Why it’s important to focus on never going backward in your fitness 📍 What expectations to have when training in high humidity 📍 How to adjust your sleep on non-training days 📍 How to know when to distance yourself from difficult friends  GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE: Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

Know Why You’re Training

We’re talking about how our definition of what it means to chase excellence has changed since we started this show, how to help yo-yo dieters, what we think is wrongly socially unacceptable, & more! EXPECT TO LEARN:   📍 How to get a great workout without any equipment 📍 Why you need to get over whatever adversity you’re facing 📍 Whether lots of snacks or fewer meals are “better” 📍 Why we always default to bigger, next, & more 📍 Why it shouldn’t be so weird to sit quietly without a phone   GET A QUESTION IN THE QUEUE: Send Patrick a DM with your Five Factors questions!   ABOUT US:   📍 Ben Bergeron is a best-selling author, coach to 7 CrossFit Games champions, and founder of CompTrain. Find him on Instagram. 📍 Patrick Cummings is a long-time CrossFitter, podcaster, and creator of Functional Branding. Find him on Instagram.

Chasing Excellence

Chasing Excellence

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