Bolder Athlete Podcast

In this episode, Josh and Jason pull back the curtain on the next cycle of Bolder Athlete programming. They discuss lessons learned from the current offseason cycle, and the roadmap to the CrossFit Open.
The conversation also dives into AffiliateCon, Jason's presence and presentation on why most affiliates are serving athletes over 35, but many are still programming as if they're coaching 25-year-olds.
From training intensity and recovery to RX standards and long-term athlete development, this episode offers a behind-the-scenes look at the philosophy driving Bolder Athlete.
Episode Chapters
🏋️ Testing Week Reflections and Recent PRs
🦵 Recovering from Injury and Rebuilding Confidence
🗺️ The Roadmap to the 2027 CrossFit Open
📈 Why We're Returning to Focused Four-Week Cycles
⚙️ Inside the Programming Process and Weekly Structure
🔥 Building Intensity Without Burning Out
🧠 Preparing Mentally for Open-Style Competition
👴 Changes Coming to Masters Age-Group Programming
🎤 AffiliateCon Preview and Speaking on Masters Fitness
🎯 Why "Program for the Best, Scale for the Rest" Falls Short
✅ Helping More Athletes Earn the RX Button
🚀 Creating Better Fitness Experiences for Athletes Over 35

In Episode #54 of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh sits down with Chad Stewart, a longtime CrossFitter, Texas lineman, husband, father, and newly crowned CrossFit Games silver medalist. Chad shares the unlikely journey from one-hour-a-day workouts and garage training to standing on the Games podium in his first-ever appearance.The conversation explores the mindset shifts, lifestyle changes, and years of consistency that ultimately led to breakthrough success. Chad discusses quitting alcohol, losing 20 pounds, dialing in nutrition, embracing structured Masters programming, and learning to trust the process. Along the way, he offers a refreshing perspective on competition, confidence, pressure, and longevity.Whether you're chasing the podium or simply looking to become a stronger, wiser, and bolder version of yourself, Chad's story is packed with practical lessons and inspiration.Stronger. Wiser. Bolder.🎙️ Welcome 🏆 Overcoming imposter syndrom 🔥 Realizing he belongs and chasing the podium 🥈 Discovering he made the podium🧪 The athlete disqualification and moving from third to second place📈 Starting CrossFit in 2011 and the long road to mastery🍎 Quitting alcohol, improving nutrition, and losing 20 pounds🎯 The Open, Quarterfinals, and earning a Magic City invite🎪 Inside the Magic City semifinal experience🏅 Winning Magic City and securing a Games berth🧠 Why structure and consistency changed everything🚀 How Bolder Athlete programming transformed his capacity📚 Predictability versus progress in training👴 Staying competitive after 55 and preparing for what's next🏋️ Strength, skill work, and longevity as a Masters athlete💥 Stronger. Wiser. Bolder. What Chad's journey teaches all Masters athletes

When Betty Hardin walked into her first CrossFit gym at age 60, she couldn't have imagined where the journey would lead. What began as a way to support a daughter navigating unimaginable loss became a path to healing, community, and eventually the CrossFit Games podium.In this episode, Betty shares her remarkable story, from qualifying for the Boston Marathon in her 40s to discovering CrossFit through family tragedy, finding purpose in the Masters community, and earning a third-place finish at the 2026 CrossFit Games. Along the way, she reflects on faith, perseverance, aging boldly, and the power of surrounding yourself with people who help you become more than you thought possible.This is a conversation about resilience, second chances, family, and what can happen when you refuse to let age define what's still possible.Stronger. Wiser. Bolder.Chapters: 🎙️ Welcome t🐎 Growing Up Before Women's Sports🏃 Chasing Boston at Age 40💔 When Tragedy Struck the Family🔥 The Night CrossFit Changed Everything💡 “If They Can Do It, I Can Do It”🏅 Catching the Competition Bug🌟 Making the CrossFit Games at 66🔴 What Community Should Feel Like🏋️ Surviving the 2026 CrossFit Games🙏 There Was Jesus💪 What It Means to Be a Bolder Athlete🎬 Final Thoughts & Farewell

In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh Boonstra sits down with Bolder Athlete and 2026 CrossFit Games Champion Emma Leigh, winner of the Women's 50-54 division, to unpack the remarkable journey that took her from "just hoping to qualify" to standing atop the Games podium.
Emma shares the unlikely story behind her championship season, including overcoming injury, winning the Open, navigating the pressure of leading the CrossFit Games heading into the final event, and discovering what it feels like when a lifelong dream becomes reality.
Along the way, she offers a refreshing perspective on competition, aging, recovery, family priorities, and the mindset required to perform at a world-class level without losing sight of what matters most.
Josh and Emma also dive into the emotional highs and lows that Masters athletes know all too well: post-competition slumps, balancing fitness with family life, injury setbacks, motivation struggles, and the challenge of staying healthy while continuing to pursue excellence.
Whether you're chasing a podium, rebuilding after injury, or simply trying to become a stronger version of yourself, Emma's story is a powerful reminder that success often arrives when we focus on the process instead of the prize.
In this episode:
🏆 Emma's unexpected path to winning the CrossFit Games
😬 Managing pressure while leading the competition
🎯 Why winning was never the original goal
🩹 Lessons learned from injury and recovery
🎢 The emotional reality of elite Masters competition
⚖️ Finding balance between sport, family, and long-term health
🔄 Why taking time off can make you stronger
🧠 The mindset that helped Emma perform when it mattered most

A raw, insightful, and surprisingly hilarious conversation between two top‑10 CrossFit Games masters athletes who finally get the chance to sit down and actually talk.
Josh Boonstra and Kyle Ruth unpack everything—from curiosity‑driven training rabbit holes to hamstring tears, sprint mechanics, strategy traps, emotional meltdowns, and the reality of competing while coaching elite athletes at the same time.
Across this long-form, candid dialogue, they break down Games programming, dissect event strategy (including the infamous Echo DT and sandbag rope climb workouts), explore the psychology of competition, and reflect on the moments that shaped their seasons—both good and brutal.
Kyle opens up about coaching while competing and navigating the emotional cost of wearing both athlete and coach hats. Josh shares the highs of an event win, the lows of a sandbag implosion, and the mental battle required to finish strong.
They close by digging into off‑season priorities, running struggles, accountability, rebuilding weaknesses, and the philosophy of athlete IQ—why knowing yourself matters as much as fitness itself.It’s thoughtful, vulnerable, funny, and packed with wisdom for any athlete who loves the sport, wants to improve, or simply enjoys hearing two competitors talk shop with total honesty.
Chapters:
📘 Opening & Connection🏊 Kyle’s Background & Curiosity
🧠 Curiosity vs. Action🏃 Velocity Training
🏟️ Games Performance Review
🧩 Event Strategy Deep Dive
🧑‍🏫 Coaching While Competing
🔄 Mindset & Emotional Load
🔮 Off‑Season Priorities

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