In this episode of Behind the Knowledge, Pat Barber and Todd Occhiuto sit down with veteran coach Stephane Rochet to discuss his journey from collegiate strength coaching to becoming a key figure in CrossFit's growth. Stephane shares insights on building trust with athletes, learning from legends like Coach Bergener, and why CrossFit remains the gold standard for fitness. This episode is a must-listen for coaches and athletes looking to master the fundamentals and create lasting impact. --

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0:00 - Introduction

3:52 - Stephane's Coaching Journey Begins

4:51 - First Coaching Role at UCLA

7:16 - Firehose of Learning as a New Coach

8:11 - Teaching Athletes: Fake It Till You Make It

9:27 - Discovering Coach Bergener and Olympic Lifting

14:08 - Keeping Coaching Simple Yet Effective

19:45 - First Exposure to CrossFit

22:46 - From Coaching to Police Work

24:11 - Bringing CrossFit to Police Training

25:07 - Head Strength Coach at USD

27:42 - Implementing CrossFit Principles for Athletes

35:23 - Building Trust and Culture with Athletes

38:19 - The Role of Trust in Affiliate Coaching

41:12 - Changes in CrossFit From Then to Now

48:40 - Mastering the Basics as a Coach

53:34 - Stefan’s Hopes for CrossFit’s Future

56:46 - CrossFit Gyms as Beacons of Health and Community