Two-Brain Radio: James Hobart—Programming, Coaching and Competing

What are the most important things gyms should do when it comes to programming? What was it like to compete on champion teams CrossFit Mayhem and CrossFit New England? What's it like to have your mother beat you at Isabel? CrossFit Games veteran and longtime CrossFit Seminar Staff member James Hobart is here with the answers to all that and more on this episode of Two-Brain Radio.

James has competed at the Games five times as part of a team and thrice as an individual, winning the Affiliate Cup three times with two different teams. He's also co-owner of CrossFit ONE Nation Boston, and after nearly a decade on the Seminar Staff, he now runs gym programming service The HAM Program with Games vets Spencer Hendel and Austin Malleolo.

In this episode, he shares some of his favorite memories from his competition and Seminar Staff days, what makes for good gym programming and how to get your loved ones into fitness.

Links:

CrossFit ONE Nation
The HAM Plan
Free Tools

Contact:

Instagram: @jameshobart

Timeline:

1:56 – From the kettlebell scene to CrossFit.

4:22 – James’ first CrossFit Level 1 experience. 

6:39 – The evolution of the CrossFit seminars over time.

9:28 – Safe-for-work seminar stories.

11:30 – Falling into competition. 

14:54 – What makes a great team in CrossFit competition. 

18:44 – Training with Rich Froning and CrossFit Mayhem: “We’re gonna work out till one of us dies or we win the CrossFit Games.”

20:57 – Highlights from CrossFit Games competition. 

23:26 – Stepping back from competition. 

26:20 – The HAM Plan.

28:07 – What does good gym programming look like? 

31:30 – How to become a good programmer.

32:45 – The mysterious appearance of an AbMat, a 45-lb. plate and a barbell: James’ mother becomes a CrossFitter.

35:46 – How to get your loved ones into fitness.

37:33 – Coaching—and being coached by—James’ mother.

39:25 – Looking to the future: Running an affiliate, programming for Sanctionals and competing with his wife. 

41:51 – Top lessons learned after more than a decade in the CrossFit community.