

Chasing Excellence
Ben Bergeron & Patrick Cummings
Looking to build more than just physical fitness? Join Ben Bergeron and Patrick Cummings as they explore how daily practices create the foundation for lasting peace of mind. Through practical frameworks and honest conversations, discover how deep health unlocks the freedom to chase what truly matters. Learn the five essential factors - training, eating, thinking, sleeping, and connecting - that transform fleeting moments of clarity into a life of sustained fulfillment. If you're ready to move beyond quick fixes and build peace of mind, this is your guide.
Episodes
Mentioned books

10 snips
Oct 7, 2025 • 57min
The Default is Decline: How Performance Medicine Builds Resilience Before You Need It
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Rich Joseph, a Harvard-trained primary care physician and founder of VIM Medicine, dives into performance medicine. He shares how proactive health strategies can foster resilience and maintain well-being before health issues arise. Dr. Joseph discusses key tests for detecting metabolic risks, the importance of understanding lipid profiles, and how to manage health data effectively. He emphasizes the necessity of combining lifestyle changes with medical insights to combat the natural decline of aging.

9 snips
Sep 30, 2025 • 1h 7min
The Crux of Your Health Problem? You're Solving the Wrong Problem
Jamison Price, co-owner of Elysium Health and a member of the CompTrain team, joins Spencer Nix, founder of the Behavior and Performance Research Institute, for an engaging discussion on health coaching. They dive into the concept of systems thinking, emphasizing the importance of self-awareness in identifying personal bottlenecks. Topics include the six territories of health, the minimum effective dose for sustainable change, and how to maintain identity during transformation. Listeners are equipped with practical strategies for engaging in their health journeys.

Sep 23, 2025 • 1h 2min
The Individualism Trap: How Modern Life Is Making Us Miserable (And What Groups Can Do About It)
Join Colin Fisher, a researcher and author of The Collective Edge, as he explores the impact of individualism on our well-being. He reveals how the rise of solo pursuits is undermining our happiness and the power of community. Colin shares practical tips on building better group dynamics, achieving psychological safety, and aligning team purpose. Discover how intentional norms and optimal team sizes can transform relationships, both in the workplace and at home, enhancing cooperation and problem-solving through connectedness.

19 snips
Sep 16, 2025 • 47min
Being Normal is Making Us Sick. It's Time to Embrace Being Weird
This discussion dives into the empowering notion of embracing individuality as a pathway to better health. It encourages rejecting societal norms in favor of personal well-being, celebrating what makes us 'weird.' Listeners are urged to redefine health beyond status and material success, recognizing that authenticity often clashes with societal expectations. By prioritizing unique lifestyles and nurturing deeper connections, the conversation highlights the richness of living true to oneself, ultimately promoting a more fulfilling life.

20 snips
Sep 9, 2025 • 1h 4min
The ABCDs of Real Health: Attitude, Basics, Consistency & Discipline
Delve into the complexities of health amidst social media noise, particularly TikTok's influence. Discover how to use social platforms wisely, focusing on boundaries and the basics. Explore the shift from traditional exercise to purposeful training, emphasizing gentler activities like Pilates. Unpack key health components, including hydration and strength training. Learn about creating structured fitness routines that balance various elements, alongside the significance of mindset in financial and mental well-being for overall health.

21 snips
Sep 2, 2025 • 1h 5min
Stop Choosing the Wrong Discomfort: 10 Lessons from The Comfort Crisis & Netflix's Biggest Loser Doc
EC Synkowski, a nutrition coach with a rich background in fitness expertise, shares transformative insights inspired by 'The Comfort Crisis' and Netflix's 'The Biggest Loser'. She discusses how embracing discomfort is essential for personal growth and sustainable weight loss. The conversation critiques the unrealistic portrayals of weight loss in media and emphasizes the critical role of consistent exercise over dieting. EC also highlights the need for a healthier relationship with food and challenges listeners to confront modern comforts that hinder progress.

37 snips
Aug 26, 2025 • 1h 4min
Training vs Exercising: Why the 5-3-1 Method Destroys Random Workouts
The podcast discusses the growing trend of fitness among adults, shifting focus from high-intensity workouts to gentler options like yoga. It clarifies the distinction between training and casual exercise, emphasizing structured training for specific outcomes. Key topics include enhancing strength with explosive power and endurance, the evolution of training methodologies like the 5-3-1 method, and the importance of self-assessment in recognizing personal strengths and weaknesses. A holistic approach is advocated for achieving balanced growth in fitness.

18 snips
Aug 19, 2025 • 1h 2min
Asking Better Questions, Getting Better Results: The 5 Enemies Blocking Your Progress
In a lively chat, EC Synkowski, founder of Optimize Me Nutrition and creator of the 800-Gram Challenge, shares insights on the power of asking better questions to transform health journeys. She delves into the five barriers that block progress, like fear and bias, and emphasizes the role of mindset in healthy eating. With practical tips, she illustrates how small, incremental changes can build trust in dietary habits. EC encourages listeners to prioritize progress over perfection, pushing for manageable steps toward lasting results in fitness.

39 snips
Aug 12, 2025 • 1h 11min
From Raised Hands to Real Change: A Step-by-Step Guide to Being a Better Change Agent
Discover how to effectively initiate conversations about health and fitness, even with those unfamiliar with these concepts. Dive into strategies for personal growth and the importance of meeting people where they are. Learn about the nutritional consequences of cooking oil choices and manage finances around health. Explore the role of change agents and the impact of environment and mentorship on personal development. Finally, uncover actionable steps in training, nutrition, and mindset, fostering connection for transformative change.

48 snips
Aug 5, 2025 • 1h 1min
Your Ferrari Brain: Stop Idling in Mental Traffic
Chris Irwin, a mental fitness expert, dives into the pitfalls of stagnation and how curiosity can ignite personal growth. He reveals practical strategies for breaking free from mental blocks, emphasizing the power of a personal mission statement. The conversation critiques traditional mindfulness and highlights the balance between creation and consumption in a distractive world. Irwin champions the importance of ongoing learning and resilience, urging listeners to embrace curiosity and flexibility for a fulfilling life.