Podcasts by OPEX Fitness Presents: Back Room Talk

96. More Important than Program Design?! from 2022-07-22T14:00

Program design is the easy part of coaching. The real challenge (and the fun!) is in nurturing relationships and using the principles of human behavior to help your clients make sustainable chan...

95. Does Efficiency Actually Matter? from 2022-07-08T14:00

We’ve changed our thinking on what it means to be an efficient coach over the last few years, and so we want to clear a few things up in this week’s episode of Back Room Talk!

00.00 - 00.4...

94. The Best Fitness Advice I Ever Received from 2022-06-24T14:00

Join CCP and mention Back Room Talk for $500 off your enrollment! Offer ends June 30. Apply here: https://www.opexfit.com/ccp-level-1

What...

93. Strength Protocol Review: 5/3/1, 5x5, GVT&20 Rep Squat from 2022-06-10T14:00

Sign up for LearnRx and access our exclusive subscriber-only content, including this week's Half Marathon Program Breakdown and our huge library of fitness education classes: Listen

92. Aerobic Training Q&A from 2022-05-27T14:00

Sign up for LearnRx and access our exclusive subscriber-only content, including this week's Half Marathon Program Breakdown and our huge library of fitness education classes: Listen

91. Should Coaches do Blood Testing? from 2022-05-18T14:00

Should fitness coaches do blood testing?

While knowing what’s going under the hood is undeniably important for health, this is an area that has long been untouched by coaches, b...

90. Coaching Adaptive Athletes with Michael Bann from 2022-05-11T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith are joined by repeat guest Michael Bann to discuss coaching adaptive athletes and defining quality movement. 

89. What's the Best Exercise for..? from 2022-05-04T14:00

“What’s the best exercise for…?” is one of the most common questions we get from coaches.

So we decided to answer it in this week’s episode of Back Room Talk!

Hosts Carl Hardwick and...

#88 - Make More Money as a Coach from 2022-04-27T14:00

Passion isn’t enough if you can’t pay your bills…

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss the things coaches need to consider if they wan...

#87 - Creating Smarter&Simpler Splits from 2022-04-20T14:00

The training split lays the foundation for everything you write in program design… but too many coaches either overcomplicate the split, or skip this crucial step altogether.

In this week...

#23 - Exercise Selection for Off-Season, Bend pt. 2 | Crafted Conversations from 2022-04-15T14:00

Following up on the conversation on exercise selection from episode 11, in this episode hosts Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss how to pick the right exercises to fix specific limitations wh...

#86 - Creative Ways to Structure Aerobic Training from 2022-04-13T14:00

You can progress a client through cyclical, time-based MAP intervals forever and get them great results, and mastering the basics first is essential… but as coaches, we love to challenge ourselv...

#22 - Off-Season Preparation | Crafted Conversations from 2022-04-08T02:00

Your competitive season is over. Now what? Crafted coaches Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss off-season preparation for CrossFit athletes.
 
Learn more about Crafted Coaching: Listen

#85 - The Best Nutrition Advice I Ever Received from 2022-04-06T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith share their top 3 pieces of nutrition advice… you’ll have to listen to find out what it is!

00:00 - 00:50...

#21 - CrossFit Quarterfinals Review | Crafted Conversations from 2022-04-01T14:00

Crafted coaches Sam Smith and Michael McElroy review the 2022 CrossFit Quarterfinals.
 
Learn more about Crafted Coaching: www.crafted.coach

#84 - Basic Human Guidelines: Things Every Human Should Be Capable Of from 2022-03-30T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith share their list of the Basic Human Guidelines - movement requirements they believe every human should work towards...

#20 - Finding Consistency in Nutrition&Lifestyle | Crafted Conversations from 2022-03-25T14:00

Crafted Coaches Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss how to create compliance and consistency in nutrition and lifestyle.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: Listen

#83 - The Productive Coach from 2022-03-23T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss productivity and what it means for the fitness coach.

FREE LEARNRX CLASS: Individual Design Efficienc...

#19 - CrossFit Open Review | Crafted Conversations from 2022-03-18T14:00

Crafted Coaches Sam Smith and Michael McElroy share their thoughts on the 2022 CrossFit Open workouts.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: www.crafted.c...

#82 - The Best Coaches Are... from 2022-03-16T14:00

What characteristics do the best fitness coaches possess?

Back Room Talk hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith chat about the traits and behaviors they believe every coach should work to d...

#18 - Crafted Client Interview with Samantha Garihan | Crafted Conversations from 2022-03-11T14:00

Coach Michael McElroy has a sit down interview with his client Samantha Garihan to discuss her journey as a CrossFit competitor.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: Listen

#81 - Caffeine and Fitness from 2022-03-09T14:00

Love coffee? This episode is for you!

Back Room Talk hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith chat about what happens when we consume caffeine and how it affects health and performance—the go...

#17 - The Importance of Sustaining Power | Crafted Conversations from 2022-03-04T14:00

Why is sustaining power so important to expressing your highest potential? Hosts Michael McElroy and Sam Smith explain why we reward the pacer at Crafted. 

Learn more about Crafted Coachin...

#80 - Skill Development and Progression from 2022-03-02T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss a new framework for mastering physical skills, with examples of application along the way.

Watch the ...

#16 - Lungs, Heart&Skill with Michael Bann | Crafted Conversations from 2022-02-25T14:00

In part three of the Fitness Fatigue Model, hosts Michael McElroy and Sam Smith are joined by guest Michael Bann to discuss breathing, the cardiovascular system, and skill. 

Learn more abo...

#79 - Program Breakdown: 6/12/25 + MAP 9 Progressions from 2022-02-23T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith break down the intentions, daily plans, and progressions of two programs:

1. 6/12/25 Full Body Tri Sets 6-we...

#15 - How to Train During the CrossFit Open | Crafted Conversations from 2022-02-18T14:00

Sam and Michael lay out the best structure to use for weekly training DURING the CrossFit Open for two types of athletes.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: Listen

#78 - Implementing Periodization: Accumulation vs. Intensification from 2022-02-16T14:00

By cycling through phases of accumulation and intensification, you manage exposure to volume and intensity and keep your clients recovering and progressing towards their training goals.

In...

#14 - Building Confidence for the Competitive Season | Crafted Conversations from 2022-02-11T14:00

Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss the use of high turnover and high respiratory rate training to build confidence leading into the competitive season.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching...

#77 - Alcohol&Fitness: Body Comp, Performance and Health Effects of Drinking from 2022-02-09T14:00

Can alcohol fit inside of a healthy lifestyle? What about if I’m trying to gain lean mass, lose body fat, perform at a high level, or maximize vitality?

In this week’s episode of Back Room...

#13 - Nutrition and the Fitness Fatigue Model with Michael Bann | Crafted Conversations from 2022-02-04T14:00

In part two of the Fitness Fatigue Model, hosts Michael McElroy and Sam Smith are joined by guest Michael Bann to dig into digestive capacity, macronutrients, and micronutrients.

Learn mo...

#76 - Differences in Training Men and Women from 2022-02-02T14:00

Are there differences in training men and women?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith tackle this topic, including:
- Masculine/feminine perso...

#12 - The Fitness Fatigue Model with Michael Bann | Crafted Conversations from 2022-01-28T14:00

In this episode hosts Michael McElroy and Sam Smith are joined by guest Michael Bann to discuss the Fitness Fatigue Model, specifically as it applies to mindset and functional physiology.

...

#75 - Pros and Cons of Macro Counting from 2022-01-26T14:00

To count macros, or not to count macros?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss the pros and cons of a macronutrient prescription, includin...

#11 - Exercise Selection for the Bend Movement Pattern | Crafted Conversations from 2022-01-21T14:00

Sam and Michael discuss how they go about choosing and designing bending exercises for individuals, along with what a quarterfinals level athlete needs during this time of year relative to the s...

#74 - Improving the 10-minute Assault Bike for Max Calories from 2022-01-19T14:00

How many calories can you rack up on the Assault Bike in 10 minutes?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith are talking all about the 10 minute Ass...

#10 - Book Review: Essentialism | Crafted Conversations from 2022-01-14T14:00

Are you someone who struggles with information overload and never has enough time?

Sam Smith and Michael McElroy review the book Essentialism by Greg McKeown and share how it may help you...

#73 - What to Stop and Start Doing in 2022 from 2022-01-12T14:00

If fitness in 2021/22 could be summarized in a newspaper headline, what would it read?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith answer thi...

#9 - Quarterfinals Athlete Case Study | Crafted Conversations from 2022-01-07T14:00

Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss a CrossFit Quarterfinals athlete case study.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: www.crafted.coach

#72 - Straight Sets, Supersets, Tri Sets&Giant Sets: Structuring Resistance Training from 2022-01-05T14:00

Let's talk about sets…

Straight sets, supersets, tri sets, and giant sets, specifically.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss these...

#8 - Legends Masters Comp Recap with Henry Torano | Crafted Conversations from 2021-12-31T14:00

Special guest Henry Torano joins Sam Smith and Michael McElroy to recap the Legends Masters competition and share insights into preparing his athletes.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: <...

#71 - On the Fly Case Study from 2021-12-29T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith take you through a real time client avatar with the OPEX Method.

Give it a listen and see how our team notic...

#7 - Endurance Case Study: Setting a 30 min Half Ironman PR | Crafted Conversations from 2021-12-24T14:00

In episode 6 of Crafted Conversations, Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss endurance program design. Michael shares how he built out the training plan for his client Chad Johnson to PR his Hal...

#70 - Program Design Efficiency vs. Effectiveness from 2021-12-22T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss the pros and cons of efficiency and effectiveness, and how coaches can strike the perfect balance. Listen

#6 - Lifestyle&Nutrition: Measuring Progress Outside the Gym | Crafted Conversations from 2021-12-17T14:00

In episode 6 of Crafted Conversations, Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss how to best measure progress in lifestyle and nutrition.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: Listen

#69 - Is CrossFit Individualized? + Aerobic Progression for the Non-Performer from 2021-12-15T14:00

Can CrossFit be individualized?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith kick it off by sharing their thoughts on this topic.

PLUS, they discu...

#5 - Performance: Measuring Progress in the Gym | Crafted Conversations from 2021-12-10T14:00

In episode 5 of Crafted Conversations, Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss how to best measure progress in performance.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: Listen

#68 - Health and the Holidays: Overcoming Common Client Struggles from 2021-12-08T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss six common health mishaps that clients face during the holidays, and offer ways for coaches to support the...

#4 - Atomic Habits Book Review | Crafted Conversations from 2021-12-03T14:00

In episode 4 of Crafted Conversations, Sam Smith and Michael McElroy review Atomic Habits by James Clear and chat about Michael's recent Ironman.

Learn more about Crafted Coaching: Listen

#67 - Health&Fitness Tracking and Wearables from 2021-12-01T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith share their thoughts on the pros and cons of self-measurement with wearables and other fitness trackers.

Let...

#3 - Skill Progression in CrossFit | Crafted Conversations from 2021-11-26T14:00

Hosts Sam Smith and Mike McElroy walk through the progressions of building a solid foundation and how to progress to the highest potential in CrossFit movements.

They also discuss why pro...

#66 - Why Coaching Education Fails&Introducing LearnRx from 2021-11-24T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith introduce the new LearnRx platform (watch out for our Black Friday offer!) and discuss some of the problems with t...

#2 - CrossFit Season Preparation | Crafted Conversations from 2021-11-19T14:00

In episode 2 of Crafted Conversations, Sam Smith and Michael McElroy discuss how Open and Quarterfinal CrossFit athletes can plan and prepare for the upcoming competitive season.

Learn mor...

#65 - Common Strength Training Mistakes from 2021-11-17T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss some of the biggest mistakes coaches make when writing strength programs.

Download the free Strength...

#1 - Introducing: Crafted Conversations from 2021-11-12T14:00

Meet Sam Smith and Mike McElroy, hosts of our new segment, Crafted Conversations. These guys are experienced remote coaches who share valuable insights for anyone wanting to discover th...

#64 - 6 Lessons from the OPEX Coaches Summit from 2021-11-10T14:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith shared their top takeaways from the recent OPEX Coaches Summit.

00:00 - 4:35 Intro and round up o...

#63 - Rehab, Relationships&Underrated Health Behaviors with the Big Dawgs Coaches from 2021-11-03T14:00

In this week's episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith sat down with three of the Big Dawgs coaches: Will Trujillo, Mizar Fuentes-Ortega, and Michael Bann.

We took...

#62 - Gym Culture, Professionalism&Balance with the Big Dawgs Coaches from 2021-10-27T14:00

In this week's episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith sat down with three of the Big Dawgs coaches: Henry Toraño, Sam Smith, and Whitney Reese.

We took the opport...

#61 - Fit for Life with Brand X - Developers of CrossFit Kids from 2021-10-20T14:00

In this week's episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith sat down with Jeff and Mikki Martin from The Brand X Method. Jeff and Mikki, the developers of CrossFit Kids, are ...

#60 - Pre and Post Workout Nutrition from 2021-10-13T14:00

Workout nutrition timing—the key to fitness gains, or overblown hype?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss all things pre and post workou...

#59 - K.I.S.S. - The Real Secret to Coaching Success from 2021-10-06T14:00

One of the biggest mistakes coaches make is overcomplicating fitness.

The real secret to coaching success? Keep It Simple, Stupid!

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Car...

#58 - Four Principles for Building Strength from 2021-09-29T14:00

What are the factors that go into building serious strength?

Download our free Strength Coach's Manual here: https://www.opexfit.com/free-downloads/strength-coachs-manual

In this wee...

#57 - Numbers Every Coach Should Know from 2021-09-22T14:00

You might know how much you can back squat, but what about your average price point per client or retention rate?

We all follow the principle of Assess, Don’t Guess in the gym. The same ap...

#56 - Fitness Coach's Lifecycle: Path to a ProfessionalCoaching Career from 2021-09-15T15:21:43

What does career progression look like as a fitness professional?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss the five stages of the Coach's Lifecycle...

#55 - Stronger, Bigger, and More Aerobic? The Science and Principles of Concurrent Training from 2021-09-08T14:00

Can you improve endurance, strength, and hypertrophy at the same time? With principles of concurrent training the answer is yes, but there are trade-offs to be aware of and best practices to avo...

#54 - Coaching Pregnant Women with Melissa Guitron from 2021-09-01T14:00

Women’s health is one of the most under researched and overlooked areas in the fitness industry, but Melissa Guitron is here to change that.

CCP Coaches - join us for Melissa's presentatio...

#53 - BJJ and the Samurai Coach with Michael Bann from 2021-08-25T13:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith caught up with Michael Bann.

CCP Coaches - join us for Michael's presentation by grabbing your Coaches Summi...

#52 - The Hybrid Gym: Can Group Class and Individual Design Coexist? with Brandon Wilton from 2021-08-18T13:00

Can group fitness and individual design coexist?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith chatted with special guest Brandon Wilton, owner of CrossFi...

#51 - Bodyweight-Only Program Design from 2021-08-11T15:58:25

Can you continue to get fitter and build strength training with bodyweight only?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith are talking all about bodyw...

#50 - 6 Gym Culture Do's and Do Not's from 2021-08-04T13:00

Culture is an incredibly important part of creating a successful gym, and over the years we’ve seen coaches do it well, and others make critical mistakes.

In this week’s episode of Back Ro...

#49 - The Muscle Endurance Tree from 2021-07-28T14:48:50

In the week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith go deep on a favorite program design principle: the Muscle Endurance Tree.

Plus, we take a moment to discuss ...

#48 - What is Your Fitness Identity? from 2021-07-21T13:00

Every fitness niche comes with it’s own language, behaviors, and identity.

In the week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith talk about some of the defining ch...

#47 - Unilateral vs. Bilateral Training - Which is Best for Different Fitness Goals? from 2021-07-14T13:00

Unilateral vs Bilateral training - which one is best?

As always, it depends!

00:00 - 01:38: Intro
01:38 - 14:28: College sport sponsorships - Listen

#46 - Body Image, Plastic Surgery, and the Fitness Industry from 2021-07-07T13:02:20

Our society is one obsessed with aesthetics.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, we’re having a challenging conversation on body image, plastic surgery, and aging.

00.15 - 03.1...

#45 - Habits to Lose Fat, Gain Muscle, and Feel Good from 2021-06-30T13:00

Unpopular truth: what you do outside the gym matters more than what you do in the gym.

As fitness coaches, we tend to place a lot of emphasis on the importance of exercise, but lifestyle b...

#44 - Routines of Successful Coaches from 2021-06-23T13:00

Think ROUTINE = BORING?

Think again.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia SMith examine how, despite fears of monotony, ROUTINE = FREEDOM.

...

#43 - The Professional Fitness Coach from 2021-06-16T13:00

What is a professional fitness coach, really?

This week’s episode of Back Room Talk is all about identifying the professional coach (and how to become one).

Hosts Carl Hardwick and G...

#42 - Competition and the Weekend Warrior from 2021-06-09T13:00

Can you compete if you’re not a competitive athlete?

This week’s episode of Back Room Talk is a dive into coaching weekend warriors and why competition can be such a strong motivating forc...

#41 - Patterns and Pacing from 2021-06-02T13:00

There are two things every fitness program should include: patterns and pacing.

This week’s episode of Back Room Talk is a dive into the lifelong journey of mastering patterns and pacing, ...

#40 - Avoiding Coach Burnout from 2021-05-26T13:00

Trying to create a sustainable career as a fitness coach? This episode of Back Room Talk is a must-listen.

00.00 - 13.59: How much exercise do you really need?
13.59 - 19.35: The coach ...

#39 - FBR vs GBC vs GVT: Which Resistance Training Protocol is Best? from 2021-05-19T13:00

10 reps x 10 sets—does it actually work?

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts @hardwickcarl and @coachgeorgiasmith discuss three different resistance training protocols and why ...

#38 - Periodization: What Model is Best? from 2021-05-13T01:22:46

Which method of periodization is best?

You guessed it… it depends!

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts @hardwickcarl and @coachgeorgiasmith discuss the pros and cons of:<...

#37 - Youth Fitness: Raising and Coaching Healthy Kids from 2021-05-05T13:00

Physical education for kids is in crisis.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss:
- Intentional exercise vs. play
- Why kids are movi...

#36 - Coaching Tactical Athletes and First Responders from 2021-04-28T13:00

For this special population, physical fitness and occupational requirements are closely linked.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss:
...

#35 - Metabolic Conditioning Program Design + Anxiety and Strength from 2021-04-21T13:00

Click here for our FREE metcon program design and progression course: https://www.opexfit.com/free-downloads/designing-and-progressing-metcons

Take the guesswork out of metcon program desi...

#34 - Coaching Through Ramadan with James FitzGerald from 2021-04-13T13:41:51

To mark the first day of Ramadan and help you effectively coach clients through fasting for the next month, we just released an early episode of Back Room Talk.

We sat down with James Fitz...

#33 - Sam Smith: The New CrossFit Competitive Season from 2021-04-07T13:00

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, we sat down with Big Dawgs coach Sam Smith to discuss the competitive CrossFit season. 

Sam shares his thoughts on:
- The new competitive forma...

#32 - Every Fitness Program Should Include These 7 Things from 2021-03-31T13:00

Are you remembering these things when you program?

While every individual deserves a program that is tailored to their needs and capabilities, there are some considerations that are univer...

#31 - Strength and Conditioning for Team and Field Sport Athletes from 2021-03-24T13:00

Strength and conditioning for athletes should be designed to maximize performance in the sport. Not to create weight room warriors.

Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith sit down to discuss prin...

#30 - Experimenting with Energy Systems Assessments, Part 2 from 2021-03-17T13:00

EST assessment week is over, and in this episode of Back Room Talk Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith reflect on their experience and lessons learned doing the...

1. Assault Bike peak watts Listen

#29 - Experimenting with Energy Systems Assessments, Part 1 from 2021-03-10T13:00

Part of being a coach is learning through experience.

And sometimes that means doing things you don’t want to and probably shouldn’t do, like the OPEX Pain Lactic Repeat test...

In t...

#28 - Highest Order Nutrition and Reviewing Popular Diets from 2021-03-03T13:00

Keto, Paleo, Carnivore, Macros, and Fasting.

Can these nutrition protocols fit inside highest order nutrition?

In this episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smit...

#27 - Tempo and Program Design for Strength, Hypertrophy, and Motor Control from 2021-02-24T21:04:37

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, Carl Hardwick, Georgia Smith, and Meghan Sweet discuss all things tempo.

- Why everyone (even powerlifters!) use tempo
-  Best practices for Rx...

#26 - Getting Lean, Performance&Stress Relief: Challenging Societal Norms in Fitness from 2021-02-17T13:00

Most people start a fitness program with an idea of what success looks like.
- Looking good naked
- Increased performance
- Stress relief
- Self-confidence
- Community
- Learni...

#25 - Energy System Training and the Gray Area from 2021-02-10T22:47:21

The reality of Energy System Training is that there's a whole lot of gray area in understanding and implementing it. In this episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith disc...

#24 - Michael Bann: What I Wish I Knew When I Started Coaching from 2021-02-02T21:42

Hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith sit down with Michael Bann to discuss:

- How he became a fitness coach and lessons learned through failure
- Why he loves working with clients who ...

#23 - CoachRx, Social Media, and Building Confidence as a Coach from 2021-01-27T18:42:38

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith discuss the beta launch of CoachRx and more.

- What CoachRx is and who it’s for
- How coaches can build c...

#22 - Functional Bodybuilding Programming: Let the Goal be the Goal from 2021-01-20T23:44:49

Functional bodybuilding has taken the fitness world by storm—and rightfully so. If you or your clients want to look good, feel great, and increase long-term health, then FBB may be a great train...

#21 - Tom Sroka: The Best Ways to Build Strength from 2021-01-13T23:17:40

From GRID to Highland Games to weightlifting to MAS wrestling, Tom Sroka has performed at a high level in an impressive range of strength sports.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, ...

#20 - Long-Term Program Design + New Year Habits from 2021-01-07T15:31:40

Hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith chat live about their new year goal setting and how to set clients up for success by designing long-term, periodized training plans.

#19 - Bert Sorin: Creating a Fitness Legacy with Sorinex from 2020-12-30T19:14:57

Bert Sorin and the Sorinex brand have shaped the way athletes in gyms, college and professional weight rooms, and military bases around the world do fitness, thanks to their innovations in equip...

#18 - Jacob Heppner: Taking CrossFit Virtual from 2020-12-28T17:43:51

Jacob Heppner is more than a talented CrossFit Games athlete. He’s spent the last year developing creative solutions to help people access functional fitness from anywhere.

In this week’s ...

#17 - Meghan Sweet: From OPT Athlete to OPEX CMO from 2020-12-17T15:07:51

Meghan Sweet has been with OPEX for 8 years. Starting as an athlete and a coach, she moved to Arizona to work with James and has played a huge part in the evolution of the company. Today, she is...

#16 - Richard Ulm: The Importance of Trunk Stability in Fitness from 2020-12-10T13:00

Dr Richard Ulm came to the medical profession after a successful career as an athlete and a strength and conditioning coach. Through his platform Athlete Enhancement, he educates coaches and phy...

#15 - Georgia&Carl: Going Remote, Money Talk + Coaching Through the Holidays from 2020-12-03T15:23:04

Hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith chat live about coaching clients through the holidays, the transition to remote coaching, and talk money: how coaches can make a sustainable living.

#14 - Mike Bledsoe: Life After Barbell Shrugged from 2020-11-26T13:00

Mike Bledsoe is a legend in the fitness podcasting world.

In this week's episode of Back Room Talk, he shares:
- Life after Barbell Shrugged, including hitting rock bottom
- How his ...

#13 - Justin LoFranco of Morning Chalk Up: Breaking News on CrossFit from 2020-11-19T13:00

Justin LoFranco is the man behind Morning Chalk Up, the news source for CrossFitters around the world.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, Justin shares:
- Why truth always comes ...

#12 - CJ Martin: How Invictus Fitness is Finding Silver Linings in 2020 from 2020-11-12T13:00

CJ Martin, founder of Invictus Fitness, has built one of the most recognizable brands in the CrossFit world.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, CJ Martin shares the inception of Inv...

#11 - Georgia&Carl: Program Design Connection from 2020-11-05T14:00

Hosts Carl Hardwick and Georgia Smith chat live about tactics that coaches can use to help their clients connect to their program design. Listen in and learn how to increase compliance, results,...

#10 - Quinn Henoch: Coaching through Chaos - Connecting with CrossFit, Weightlifting, and Gen Pop from 2020-10-27T13:00

Quinn Henoch, DPT is a wealth of knowledge on weightlifting, athletic performance, and physical rehabilitation.

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk, Quinn shares how he’s connecting r...

#9 - Georgia&Carl: CrossFit Games 2020 Predictions + Why Carl Became a Fitness Coach from 2020-10-20T13:00

- CrossFit Games predictions
- Personal trainer salaries and stats 
- Carl and fitness: a love story
- The elephant and the rider analogy

In this week’s episode of Back Room Talk,...

#8 - Sanjeev "Jeevers" Javia: Does CBD Actually Work? from 2020-10-13T13:00

CBD… snake oil or a wonder drug?

Sanjeev “Jeevers” Javia is here to bring some common sense to the supplement world, and his full-spectrum approach to health is a breath of fresh air in an...

#7 - Austin O'Neal and Megan Benzik: Life After Performancing Enhancing Drugs in CrossFit from 2020-10-06T15:13:47

Austin O’Neal and Megan Benzik were living the CrossFit athlete’s dream. As full-time athletes, they had one focus: to win.

So when Megan tested positive for banned substances at the 2018 ...

#6 Casey Jenks: TrueCoach, Technology, and the Fitness Coach of the Future from 2020-09-29T13:00

 Casey Jenks has been a key player in the remote coaching space.

As former Founder and CEO of TrueCoach, Casey provided the fitness industry with a platform to take coaching online. 

#5 Henry Toraño: How to be a Professional Coach During COVID from 2020-09-22T13:00

Henry Toraño embodies the professional fitness coach.

From football to triathletes to CrossFit, Henry lives and breathes fitness. He shares that passion as the owner of OPEX San Juan, a re...

#4 Todd Nief: From Heavy Metal to Heavy Weights from 2020-09-15T14:28:50

Todd Nief is a wildcard.

From years touring with bands to studying Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering to coaching athletes online to owning South Loop Strength & Conditioning in dow...

#3 Jesse O'Brien: Leaving his CrossFit Affiliate to Build a Sustainable Coaching Career from 2020-09-09T01:33:41

Jesse O’Brien has built something special in his facility, Central Athlete.

But success didn’t happen overnight, and Jesse has experienced more than his fair share of struggles. In episod...

#2 - Melissa Guitron: Periods, Personalized Fitness and the Pandemic from 2020-09-01T14:04:09

Melissa Guitron is committed to waking up the fitness industry to women’s health issues.

In episode 2 of Back Room Talk, Melissa explains how coaches can better serve their female clients...

#1 - Amanda Goodman: The Highs and Lows of Being a CrossFit Athlete from 2020-08-25T16:21:28

Amanda Goodman is a true professional athlete. From her days as a competitive gymnast, her every action has been driven by the pursuit of high performance.

But the athlete’s life is not al...

#100 - James Fitzerald from 2020-05-14T03:30

James Fitzgerald speaking on the fitness profession post co-vid.

#099 - Chris Duffin from 2020-04-21T03:00

Bio:

Chris Duffin is the Co-Founder, Chief Engineer and Visionary at Kabuki Strength, an

organization devoted to optimizing human performance and making the world a ...

#098 - Brian Mackenzie from 2020-04-08T13:54:35

Bio:

Brian Mackenzie is an innovator in human performance on stress adaptation and a pioneer in the development and application of custom protocols to optimize human health and performanc...

#097 - Jeoff Drobot from 2020-03-23T11:46:28

Bio: Jeoff is one of the founders and medical directors of the American Center for Biological Medicine (ACBM), and is happy to bring his medical expertise and compassionate care to ACBM.

...

#096 - Shawn Myszka from 2020-03-09T11:30:49

Bio:Shawn Myszka is the Pro Performance Director of Explosive Edge Athletics in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where he is entrusted with the personal consulting of countless NFL players who seek him o...

#095 - Danny Lennon from 2020-02-28T11:51:16

Bio:

Danny is the founder of Sigma Nutrition, a company providing educational media content on evidence-based nutrition & performance. Sigma Nutrition also provides an online coaching...

#094 - Brendan Egan from 2020-02-21T13:22:59

Bio:Brendan Egan, PhD is Associate Professor of Sport and Exercise Physiology at the School of Health and Human Performance, Dublin City University, Ireland, and a Visiting Research Sci...

#093 - Brett Bartholomew from 2020-02-14T14:05:36

Bio:Brett Bartholomew is a strength and conditioning coach, author, consultant, and Founder of the performance coaching and consulting company, The Bridge Human Performance®. His experi...

#092 - Gabrielle Fundaro from 2020-01-31T16:36:33

Bio:

Dr. Gabrielle Fundaro, CISSN, CHC, is a Renaissance Periodization consultant, Monash low-FODMAP certified and ISSN-certified sport nutritionist, and ACE-certified health coach. Dr. F...

#091 - Stan Efferding from 2020-01-31T11:40:22

Bio:

Stan Efferding is an IFBB Professional bodybuilder and World Record Holding Powerlifter. He is one of only 10 men in the world to ever total over 2,300 pounds raw in competition. Sta...

#090 - Danny Mackey from 2020-01-17T19:49:58

Bio:

Danny Mackey is a former Hansons-Brooks runner, Olympic Trials qualifier and currently the Head Coach of the Brooks Beasts Track Club. The Brooks Beasts is a running team owned by on...

#089 - James Fitzgerald from 2020-01-11T22:19:50

Bio:The guy that paints the picture, James is the founder of OPEX (Formerly OPT) and The International Center for Fitness. When not coaching, he’s a full time husband, father and fitnes...

#088 - Jim Crowell 2019 Reflections from 2020-01-03T15:08:47

Bio:Jim Crowell loves doing two things over all else…. Building businesses and mentoring coaches and business owners to enjoy inspiring, fulfilling, and successful careers. He attended ...

#087 - Patrick McKeown from 2019-12-20T14:23:18

Bio:

Patrick’s book, The Oxygen Advantage (published in fourteen languages) combines two pillars of breathing for sports. The first involves specially formulated breath hold exer...

#086 - Greg Potter from 2019-12-13T15:54:27

Bio:

Greg Potter is a health and performance consultant. He also works as Chief Scientific Officer for a digital health startup and is an international public speaker and science writer. ...

#085 - Enda King from 2019-12-06T18:55:59

Bio:

Enda King PhD MSc has over 15 years experience working as a Sports Physiotherapist with athletes and coaches across a spectrum of sports and disciplines. Currently, he is Head of Per...

#084 - Lee Taft from 2019-11-29T14:47:59

Bio:

Known to most simply as “The Speed Guy”, Lee is regarded as one of the top athletic movement specialists in the world. Over the past 30 years he has devoted most of his time training...

#083 - Keith Norris and James Fitzgerald from 2019-11-22T12:37:17

Keith's Bio:

Keith Norris is a former standout athlete and military veteran.  He is an elite strength and conditioning specialist and habit change expert with over 40 years of in-the-tren...

#082 - Mike Robertson from 2019-11-15T15:45:25

Bio:Mike Robertson is the President of Robertson Training Systems and the co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (IFAST) in Indianapolis, Indiana. IFAST has been named one of the T...

#081 - Anthony Renna from 2019-11-08T15:52:43

Bio:

Anthony Renna has been a personal trainer since 2004, first working with Equinox, then on his own at different facilities before opening his own gym, Five Iron Fitness, in 2008. He s...

#080 - Mike T Nelson from 2019-11-01T13:11:20

Bio:

Mike has a PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Minnesota, with that work focusing on the concept of metabolic flexibility. In addition, he has a MS in biomechanics and ...

#079 - Dan Pardi from 2019-10-25T07:54:23

Bio:Dr. Dan Pardi is the CEO of humanOS.me - an application dedicated to helping you take care of your body and mind so that you can perform better per hour in life. His podcast, humanOS Radio, ...

#078 - Jeoff Drobot from 2019-10-18T16:40:13

Bio:Jeoff is one of the founders and medical directors of the American Center for Biological Medicine (ACBM), and is happy to bring his medical expertise and compassionate care to ACBM.

J...

#077 - Brian St Pierre&Jim Crowell from 2019-10-11T18:36:36

Brian St. Pierre is the Director of Performance Nutrition at Precision Nutrition. Brian was kind enough to come on and talk with OPEX CEO, Jim Crowell, about a myriad of fascinating topics.

#076 - Mike Tuchscherer from 2019-10-04T12:18:40

Bio:Over the 15+ years Mike has been coaching, he has coached over 400 lifters.  Sixteen of those lifters went on to earn a medal at the IPF Classic World Championships under his guidance.  Four...

#075 - John Berardi from 2019-09-27T14:22:12

Bio:John Berardi is a Canadian-American entrepreneur best known as the co-founder of Precision Nutrition, the world’s largest nutrition coaching, education, and software company.

He's als...

#074 - Sue Falsone from 2019-09-20T13:43:49

Bio:Owner/ Founder of Structure and Function Education Owner, Falsone Consulting Associate Professor, Athletic Training Programs, Arizona School of Health.

Sciences, A.T. Still University...

#073 - Mike Robertson from 2019-09-13T13:52:26

Bio:Mike Robertson is the President of Robertson Training Systems and the co-owner of Indianapolis Fitness and Sports Training (IFAST) in Indianapolis, Indiana. IFAST has been named one of the T...

#072 - Fitness Program Design - Carl Hardwick from 2019-09-06T14:20:53

BIO:

OPEX COO Carl Hardwick has dedicated his life to health and fitness. Already as a teenager, Hardwick lived at the gym. A 3-time All-Conference football player at Saint Mary’s Univers...

#071 - Jeoff Drobot from 2019-09-02T14:40:14

Bio:Jeoff is one of the founders and medical directors of the American Center for Biological Medicine (ACBM), and is happy to bring his medical expertise and compassionate care to ACBM.

J...

#070 - Ben Pakulski IFBB Pro Bodybuilder and MI40 Creator from 2019-08-23T19:33:02

Ben Pakulski is a Canadian IFBB professional bodybuilder and winner of the 2008 Mr. Canada competition. In 2012 he finished 11th in his first Mr. Olympia contest and in 2013 he placed 2nd in the...

#069 - Dan Jon: The Aging Athlete from 2019-08-16T10:39:33

Bio:Dan John has spent his life with one foot in the world of lifting and throwing, and the other foot in academia. An All-American discus thrower, Dan has also competed at the highest levels of...

#068 - Ciaran Fairman on Exercise Oncology from 2019-08-09T15:20:18

Bio:Ciaran is a Post-Doctoral Research Fellow at the Exercise Medicine Research Institute (EMRI) situated within the School of Medical and Health Science (SMHS) at Edith Cowan University. Having...

#067 - Keegan Martin&Kevin Don on Programming: Strength Course from 2019-08-02T12:39:38

Bio – Kevin Don:Kevin Don is a world class strength and conditioning coach who specializes in helping CrossFitters; from complete beginners to Games athletes maximise their athletic potential vi...

#066 - Zach Even - Esh Founder of The Underground Strength Gym from 2019-07-26T13:59:57

Bio:Zach Even - Esh is the Founder of The Underground Strength Gym and Creator of The Underground Strength & Sports Performance Cert. Zach serves as a consultant for Spec Ops Military, D1 Co...

#065 - Daniel Davey Head of Sports Performance Nutrition w/ Leinster Rugby, CEO of Foodflicker from 2019-07-19T16:09:15

Bio:Daniel is a performance nutritionist who works with elite GAA and professional Rugby teams as well as athletes in other sports including golf, hockey, athletics and cycling. He is also the f...

#064 - Kevin Carr Head Coach at Mike Boyle Strength and Conditioning from 2019-07-12T11:29:52

BIO:

Whether he is working as a coach or therapist, Kevin's goal is to help people move better and become more resilient so that they can excel at the activities that they love.

Ke...

#063 - Ryan Banta T&F Coach&Author The Sprinters Compendium from 2019-07-05T16:01:20

BIO:

Ryan Banta is a successful high school coach. His athletes have achieved 120 school records, 5 top-five finishes at the state championships, 6 district championships, 6 district runn...

#062 - Dr. Marc Bubbs Performance Nutritionist with Canada Basketball&Author of PEAK from 2019-06-28T14:09:32

Bio:

Dr. Marc Bubbs is a licensed Naturopathic Doctor, Performance Nutrition Lead for Canada Basketball Team, Speaker, and former Strength Coach. He is the author of the new book Peak: Th...

#061 - Dr. Jon Johnson PhD Expert in Chrononutrition from University of Surrey in the UK from 2019-06-21T14:22:08

BIO:

Dr Johnston has successfully led projects studying links between circadian, metabolic and nutritional physiology funded by the BBSRC, MRC and Diabetes-UK. His recent research outputs...

#060 - James Fitzgerald on The Future of Fitness Coaching and Human Longevity from 2019-06-14T08:45:47

BIO:

The guy that paints the picture, James is the founder of OPEX (Formerly OPT) and The International Center for Fitness. When not coaching, he’s a full-time husband, father and fitness...

#059 - Dr. Amy Bender PhD&Sleep Researcher from 2019-06-07T14:16:53

BIO:

Dr. Bender is Senior Research Scientist at Calgary Counselling Centre and an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at the University of Calgary. She received her Phd and Master ...

#058 - Eric Cressey Founder&CEO of Cressey Sports Performance from 2019-05-31T14:41:01

BIO

Eric Cressey, MA, CSCS, is president and co-founder of Cressey Sports Performance, with facilities in Hudson, MA and Jupiter, FL.  Eric has worked with clients from youth sports to th...

#057 - Adam Feit from Precision Nutrition from 2019-05-24T09:58:52

BIO:

Adam Feit is a Level 2 Master Class Coach as well as the Performance Nutrition Coordinator at Precision Nutrition, working with a multitude of youth, collegiate, Olympic and professi...

#056 - Melissa from OPEX Kura from 2019-05-17T16:15:22

Bio:

Melissa is a reminder. A reminder to take care of yourself first. A reminder to have a conversation with your true self and invite them to be seen. She is constant reminder of steadf...

#055 - Iron and Mortar Summit from 2019-05-10T13:29:46

BIO:

Brenden and Ashley Loyer are a husband and wife team that are both co-founders of the Iron + Mortar Summit, as well as owners of the Iron + Mortar, the gym. In 2017, they had a dream...

#054 - Lee Burton Co-Founder of FMS from 2019-05-03T16:06:31

BIO:

President and Co-owner of Functional Movement Systems a consulting and education organization, focusing on a systematic approach to injury prevention and exercise programming

#053 - Patrick McKeown Author of The Oxygen Advantage from 2019-04-26T14:05:01

Bio:

Patrick’s book, The Oxygen Advantage (published in fourteen languages) combines two pillars of breathing for sports. The first involves specially formulated breath hold exer...

#052 - Cody “Boom Boom” McBroom Founder of Boom Boom Performance from 2019-04-19T12:41:38

Show Notes:Websites and Social Media Links:

Website – boomboomperformance.comFacebook – Listen

#051 - Quinn Henoch Founder of Clinical Athlete from 2019-04-12T14:36:40

BIO:

Quinn Henoch has a Doctorate of Physical Therapy from the University of Indianapolis and Bachelor of Science from Valparaiso University. He is head of athlete rehabilitation for ClinicalAth...

#050 - The Brand X Method from 2019-04-05T14:22:46

BIO:

Since late 2004, Jeff and Mikki Martin have been working with and training children in functional fitness and physical literacy. They have coached hundreds of kids and teens, including USA ...

#049 - Dr. Mike T. Nelson from 2019-03-29T14:58:32

Bio:

Mike has a PhD in exercise physiology from the University of Minnesota, with that work focusing on the concept of metabolic flexibility. In addition, he has a MS in biomechanics and an adju...

#048 - James Fitzgerald Mixed Model Apprenticeship from 2019-03-21T15:29:51

BIO:

The guy that paints the picture, James is the founder of OPEX (Formerly OPT) and The International Center for Fitness. When not coaching, he’s a full time husband, father and fitness athlet...

#047 - Greg Everett Founder of Catalyst Athletes Olympic Weightlifting from 2019-03-14T18:54:29

BIO:

Greg Everett is the owner of Catalyst Athletics, coach of the USA Weightlifting National Champion Team Catalyst Athletics, author of the books Olympic Weightlifting: A Complete Guide for At...

#046 - The OPEX Gyms Personalized Fitness Model from 2019-03-08T07:55:16

Websites and Social Media Links:

Website – OPEXfit.com

Website – OPEXgyms.comWebsite – Listen

#045 - Adee Cazayoux Co-Founder of Working Against Gravity from 2019-03-01T18:32:52

BIO:

Working Against Gravity (WAG) is an online nutrition coaching program that helps people transform every aspect of their lives through nutrition. The WAG community has consisted of 15 thousa...

#044 - CJ Martin&Tino Marini on The Business of Coaching&Building Invictus Fitness from 2019-02-22T21:46:19

Websites and Social Media Links:

Website – Crossfit Invictus

Facebook – Cross...

#043 - OPEX CEO Jim Crowell on Personalized Fitness and The State Of The Business from 2019-02-20T16:50:05

Bio

Jim Crowell loves doing two things over all else…. Building businesses and mentoring coaches and business owners to enjoy inspiring, fulfilling, and successful careers. He attended Penn Stat...

#042 - A System of Training From Two-Time Games Athlete Mike Cazayou from 2019-01-04T12:34:19

Bio:

Mike Cazayoux has topped the podium, alongside his team, taking home two CrossFit Games Championships. Now, as Co-Founder of Brute Strength, Cazayoux shares the system o...