Quitting Clemson Football for CrossFit

Jayson Hopper - American professional CrossFit athlete, widely recognized as the 2025 CrossFit Games champion—earning him the title of Fittest Man on Earth for that year.

Join us for a conversation that traces Jayson’s extraordinary journey from getting cut from athletic dreams, including football at Clemson and early CrossFit setbacks to shattering records and claiming the ultimate title. Jayson opens up about embracing pain as fuel for growth and self-awareness, the pivotal role of his coach and training philosophy, breaking the rock carry record in explosive fashion, and how faith in Christ, integrity, and treating loved ones right have shaped his character amid the grind. 

Listen on:

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3XCm31n

Apple Podcast: https://apple.co/3Dm6ClE

Follow along:

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cameronrhanes 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cameronhanes 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/camhanes/ 

Website: https://www.cameronhanes.com 

Follow Jayson:

https://www.instagram.com/jhopper3/ 

Timestamps:

00:00:00 – Jayson’s Lift. Run. Shoot. Experience & Breaking the Rock Carry Record

00:12:04 – Welcoming Pain as a Way to Grow & Self Awareness

00:20:19 – Jayson’s Coach & Training Plan

00:22:08 – Getting Cut from the Games to Becoming the World Champion 

00:36:02 – Documentaries, Playing Football, and Latte Art

00:46:38 – The Hardest Worker in the Room & Gaining Integrity Through Christ

01:00:22 – Jayson’s Current Goals, His Why, and the Pursuit of Greatness

01:09:38 – Religion, Theology, and How You Treat Your Wife

01:15:13 – Cam’s Advice on How to Become the Best Bowhunter: A Hunters Mindset

01:26:39 – F**k, Marry, Kill: Echo Bike, Squat, and Snatch

01:33:07 – Lack of Validation Growing Up & Using the Pain for Strength

01:47:38 – Using Pain to Fight for the Podium at the Games

01:56:06 – “Blooming Where Your Planted” - Downside of Making Plans Outside of Your Control

02:00:48 – Final Thoughts: Process Goals for Jayson to Hunt a Bear

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