Misfit Podcast

The CrossFit Open is almost here, and in this episode, Drew and Paige go deep on what actually matters when it comes to performing your best.
This isn’t just another Open preview. It’s a practical breakdown of how to think about the Open: pacing, athlete IQ, movement efficiency, and why the Open matters no matter where you fall on the competitive spectrum — from first-timers to Games hopefuls.
They unpack:
What the Open is really testing (and why fitness still reigns supreme)
The most common movements and workout formats you should expect
How to approach strategy vs. effort, when to push, when to stay smooth
Why grip strength, pulling gymnastics, overhead stability, and leg drive are non-negotiables
The difference between training and practicing
How to use Open simulations to build confidence, sharpen execution, and uncover weaknesses
The role of objectivity, data, and self-awareness in leveling up as an athlete
Why “going hard” isn’t always the same as performing well
They also dive into mindset, flow state, community, and how to reverse-engineer competitive success, plus their usual Read / Listen / Watch recommendations and updates from inside Misfit Athletics.
Whether you’re chasing leaderboard spots or just looking to show up better than last year, this episode gives you a clear framework for attacking the Open with purpose.
Let’s get to work.
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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

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In this special Affiliate Edition of The Misfit Podcast, Drew is joined by Hunter Wood (Misfit Gym Portland owner) and Paige Semenza to break down everything coaches and affiliates need to know as the Mad Jack Phase kicks off — just in time for the CrossFit Open.
This seven-week General Physical Preparedness (GPP) phase is built around versatility, strength, and adaptability, inspired by the legendary “Mad Jack” Churchill — a true jack-of-all-trades. The crew dives into how affiliates can best prepare athletes for Open season, from coaching heavy squat cleans and front squats to managing gymnastics progressions, cardio days, and movement efficiency in real-world class settings.
They also cover:
How to coach front squats and squat cleans more effectively
Teaching gymnastics to mixed-ability classes
Scaling bar muscle-ups for large affiliate groups
Why monostructural conditioning still matters (even when it’s not “fun”)
How to communicate Open strategy to different athlete personalities
Keeping coaches aligned across large staffs
Creating better buy-in and consistency during Open season
Whether you’re an affiliate owner, coach, or athlete, this episode offers practical insight into smarter programming, better coaching communication, and how to help your community thrive during the Open.
Mad Jack Phase starts Monday, January 26th.
Get in the Telegram, grab your free trial, and sharpen the axe (or sword 😈🗡️)
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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

Join your fellow Misfits on Telegram, today! It's Free! https://t.me/+4jt4uAMmtFA5NGQ5
Save on the best supplement in the game: https://gorillamind.com/MISFIT

Misfit Athletics Programming:
https://strivee.app/marketplace/p/misfit
https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/

Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathletics

Thanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

In this Q&A-packed episode of The Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige answer questions straight from the Misfit community—starting with Telegram, then social media, and beyond.
They dive into how to balance training with online qualifiers, when Zone 2 work actually matters, and why competition exposure is essential at every stage of an athlete’s journey. The conversation also covers mindset traps like over-analysis, when work ethic becomes a liability, and how to trust the process without losing self-awareness.
You’ll hear practical advice on nutrition, recovery, and long-term progression, plus insights for affiliate athletes looking to improve their health beyond just “working out.” The episode wraps with tips on skill development (including handstand walks and bar muscle-ups) and a reminder that consistency beats intensity when it comes to real progress.
Whether you’re training for competition, getting back into functional fitness, or just trying to move better and feel stronger, this episode delivers actionable guidance with Misfit’s trademark honesty and edge.
Topics covered:
Pacing vs. gamifying workouts
How to integrate qualifiers into training
The value of competition exposure
Over-analysis, self-regulation, and trusting the process
Work ethic vs. burnout
Nutrition basics for performance & body composition
Skill progression for gymnastics movements
Building long-term fitness habits
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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

Join your fellow Misfits on Telegram, today! It's Free! https://t.me/+4jt4uAMmtFA5NGQ5
Save on the best supplement in the game: https://gorillamind.com/MISFIT

Misfit Athletics Programming:
https://strivee.app/marketplace/p/misfit
https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/

Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathletics

Thanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

Testing. Training. Competing.
They sound interchangeable—but confusing them is one of the fastest ways to stall your progress.
In this episode of The Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige break down:
What testing, training, and competing actually are
Why each one exists (and when it doesn’t)
How ego, pacing, and athlete IQ derail results
How to use data, RPE, and strategy to actually get better
The dangerous gray area of “throwing down” too often
This conversation is part philosophy, part practical coaching clinic—covering everything from AMRAP math and baseline tests to why intensity without intention kills adaptation.
Whether you’re prepping for the Open, Quarterfinals, or just want to train smarter without burning out, this episode will change how you approach your workouts.
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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

Join your fellow Misfits on Telegram, today! It's Free! https://t.me/+4jt4uAMmtFA5NGQ5
Save on the best supplement in the game: https://gorillamind.com/MISFIT

Misfit Athletics Programming:
https://strivee.app/marketplace/p/misfit
https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/

Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathletics

Thanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

In this episode of the Misfit Podcast, Drew and Paige walk through Open Prep / Phase 3 — what it is, why it’s structured the way it is, and how athletes should actually execute it.
They cover:
How to choose the right program and track
Why stimulus matters more than chasing scores
How to use gears, instructions, and athlete IQ properly
Mandatory vs non-mandatory work (and how to personalize)
The role of accessory work, volume, and repetition
Why buying into the narrative of Open Prep actually matters
This episode is part programming breakdown, part coaching philosophy — and a reminder that execution, not just fitness, determines results.
If you’re heading into the Open, Quarterfinals, or just want to train with more intention, this is required listening.
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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

Join your fellow Misfits on Telegram, today! It's Free! https://t.me/+4jt4uAMmtFA5NGQ5
Save on the best supplement in the game: https://gorillamind.com/MISFIT

Misfit Athletics Programming:
https://strivee.app/marketplace/p/misfit
https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/

Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathletics

Thanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!