

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

Jul 3, 2018 • 31min
#039: 10 Ways to Lead from the Front in Your Gym
In this episode: I'm going through ten of the ways I try to lead in my affiliate, including taking our own classes, welcoming feedback, & following through on what I say. Show Notes: 01:50 - #1: Take your own classes & follow your own programming 04:53 - #2: Move well 06:25 - #3: Eat clean 10:04 - #4: Use people's names & look them in the eye 17:14 - #5: Follow through on what you say 19:46 - #6: Welcome feedback & don't be defensive 22:04 - #7: Admit when you don't know something 24:05 - #8: Be the first to arrive & the last to leave 25:38 - #9: Never complain, never whine, never make excuses 27:44 - #10: Smile // Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: apple.co/2lCdeWb Subscribe on Google Play: goo.gl/VPYj3G Grab the book: amzn.to/2vSjU4q Chasing Excellence is a show dedicated to dissecting what it means to live a life of excellence, both inside the gym & out. On each episode, we'll deep dive on various aspects of running a CrossFit affiliate, becoming a better coach or athlete, & maximizing your potential. Web: www.benbergeron.com/ Instagram: www.instagram.com/benbergeron/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/coachbenbergeron/
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

Jun 20, 2018 • 18min
#038: Why CrossFit is Different than the CrossFit Games
In this episode: I'm talking about the primary differences between the CrossFit that happens in our gym & the CrossFit that happens in Madison every summer. Show Notes: 02:02 - How I've come to think about the differentiation between CrossFit and the CrossFit Games 04:05 - My Mt. Everest analogy 07:01 - Why your focus shouldn't be on intensity 08:03 - Mechanics 09:59 - Consistency 10:35 - Appropriate Intensity 13:21 - How the goals of a CrossFit gym member is different than those of a CrossFit athlete 16:09 - Where I think we'll be in 30 years. // Subscribe on Apple Podcasts: http://apple.co/2lCdeWb Subscribe on Google Play: https://goo.gl/VPYj3G Grab the book: http://amzn.to/2vSjU4q Chasing Excellence is a show dedicated to dissecting what it means to live a life of excellence, both inside the gym & out. On each episode, we'll deep dive on various aspects of running a CrossFit affiliate, becoming a better coach or athlete, & maximizing your potential. Web: http://www.benbergeron.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benbergeron/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachbenbergeron/
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

Jun 5, 2018 • 28min
#037: The Benefits of Negative Visualization
In this episode, we're talking about tactful conflict resolution, the benefits of talking through "If, Then" scenarios, & why thinking through what might go wrong is a great way to make things go right.
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

May 22, 2018 • 24min
#036: 10 Habits You Should Stop Having
I cover 10 things we shouldn't be doing, including hitting the snooze button, watching the news, & leaving dishes in the sink.
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

May 8, 2018 • 13min
#035: The Secret to the Good Life
In this short episode: I talk about the two questions you should be asking yourself consistently if you want to live a fulfilled life, and why you shouldn't always trust your feelings in pursuit of your goals. Show Notes: 00:01:55 - The first question everyone should be asking themselves 00:04:04 - The second question everyone should be asking themselves 00:04:30 - Grab Stephen Covey"s "7 Habits" [http://amzn.to/2miHUMI] & "First Things First" [https://amzn.to/2KJU9LR] 00:06:05 - Why your feelings can be misguided 00:08:00 - The role of fear // Grab the book: http://amzn.to/2vSjU4q Chasing Excellence is a show dedicated to dissecting what it means to live a life of excellence, both inside the gym & out. On each episode, we'll deep dive on various aspects of running a CrossFit affiliate, becoming a better coach or athlete, & maximizing your potential. Web: http://www.benbergeron.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/benbergeron/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coachbenbergeron/
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

Apr 24, 2018 • 26min
#034: Frequently Asked Nutrition Questions
I'm answering some of the most common nutrition questions we get at the gym, from which supplements I recommend to intermittent fasting, from hydration to how much red meat is too much. Show Notes: 00:00:50 - Watch all the CFNE Way Episodes here: https://goo.gl/u8Nfkv 00:02:22 - What sources would you recommend for a deeper dive into learning about nutrition? 00:04:30 - Grab Michael Pollan's books here: "In Defense of Food [https://amzn.to/2qOazd4], "Omnivore's Dilemma" [https://amzn.to/2qLRYPl], "Food Rules" [https://amzn.to/2HfxXLv] 00:05:15 - Robb Wolf's website: https://robbwolf.com/ 00:05:57 - Grab Robb Wolf's books here: "Paleo Solution" [https://amzn.to/2K3WZuH], "Wired to Eat" [https://amzn.to/2HB2DGt] 00:05:50 - Watch the Joe Rogan/Robb Wolf episode here: https://goo.gl/qgWcff 00:06:01 - Grab Gary Taubes's books here: "Good Calories, Bad Calories" [https://amzn.to/2F2TOjp], "Why We Get Fat" [https://amzn.to/2HOkwiH], "The Case Against Sugar" [https://amzn.to/2HG74zW] 00:06:50 - Chris Kresser's website here: https://chriskresser.com/ 00:08:06 - What supplement is overused? 00:09:02 - What supplement is underused? 00:10:24 - What is cod liver oil & why should I take it? 00:12:23 - Are veggies still good if I turn them into a shake? 00:13:36 - How much red meat is too much red meat? 00:14:37 - What is a good alternative if I can't afford grass-fed/wild caught meats? 00:16:17 - If I have a race or event coming up, should I carb load? 00:16:48 - What is intermittent fasting? 00:17:53 - How hydrated do I need to be normally? 00:20:20 - Are more, smaller meals better than fewer, larger ones? 00:22:37 - If I'm eating the amount I should, why am I still hungry?
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

Apr 11, 2018 • 22min
#033: Assessing Health by Measuring Fitness
Talking about going to the doctor, why how many burpees you can do in a minute is an indication of more than just your fitness, & the difference between being a swim coach & a lifeguard.
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

Mar 28, 2018 • 19min
#032: Breaking Down the Five Factors of Health
We're talking about good habits & bad, the three steps of every habit, & about taking small steps in the right direction. // You can see the poster here: https://goo.gl/hi4BhA
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

Mar 7, 2018 • 34min
#031: A Recipe for Better Habits
We're talking about good habits & bad, the three steps of every habit, & about taking small steps in the right direction. // Grab "Chasing Excellence" here: http://amzn.to/2vSjU4q
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.

Feb 23, 2018 • 25min
#030: Two Minute Drill, Take 1
In this episode: Answering some listener questions, including the how to balance intensity & volume in training, what I'm working to improve these days, & my recommendations for athletes coming back from injury.
[[]---[]] Chasing Excellence is an audience-supported project. To go deeper & to help us do even more, consider:· Subscribing to our newsletter to get our free posts and upgrading to our Chase Club to receive exclusive content.· Grabbing one of our books: Chasing Excellence, Unlocking Potential, or The ABCs of Being Happy & Healthy.· Supporting one of our fantastic show sponsors.