

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

Sep 11, 2018 • 29min
#044: Talent, Opportunities, & Effort
We're talking about whether Katrin, Fraser, & Tia are more talented than other athletes, the value of deliberate practice, & why I think it's important to first define what you would consider a success.
[[]---[]] 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 28, 2018 • 38min
#043: What to Do About Your Weaknesses
In this episode: We're talking about how to attack weaknesses in the gym, how to play to our strengths outside the gym, & how I've come to think about the areas in my own life I want to focus on improving. Show Notes: 01:54 - How I think about getting to the bottom of movement or performance issues 8:55 - Why I don't only competitive athletes should be focusing on their weaknesses 16:48 - What I think are the cross-over benefits to real life of learning how to attack weaknesses in the gym 23:14 - My thoughts on whether it ever makes sense to go hard on our weaknesses, even in lieu of strengths 28:55 - How I've come to think about & through my own areas of weakness // 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 15, 2018 • 33min
#042: Desert Island Health
In this episode: We're imposing some imaginary constraints to explore some of my health & fitness principles. Topics include which CrossFit benchmarks workouts I'd pick to repeat forever if I had to, what single meal I would eat if I had to only eat one meal for the rest of my life, & what single movement I'd choose if I could only do one. Show Notes: 01:30 - My pick for what movement in the gym I would pick if I could only do one for the rest of my life 08:00 - If I could only do 3 CrossFit benchmarks workouts, on repeat, for the rest of my life, these are the 3 I'd choose. 15:49 - My answer to which would be worse to endure: Sleeping only 4 hours a nice, every night; eating only food at the local house of pizza; or only working out twice a week. 19:00 - Some of my go-to workouts when I don't have any equipment to use 22:20 - The single meal I would eat every day, for every meal, if I had to limit myself to it. 28:00 - The people I would gather around a table to learn from, if I could pick from anybody past or present. // 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Aug 3, 2018 • 38min
#041: Tips to Improve Competitive Performance
In this episode: We're talking about ways to be more competitive in the sport of CrossFit. Topics include how to get better at muscle-ups, tips for improving your double unders, & my best advice for athletes who don't have a coach. Show Notes: 02:06 - Quick recap of the Theoretical Development of a Champion 03:55 - My best advice for a competitor I've never seen compete or train 09:36 - Something I think too many athletes are doing in daily training 12:35 - Something I think not enough athletes are doing in their daily training 14:41 - My thoughts on elite athletes not always eating "clean" 17:37 - Tips for getting better at muscle-ups 21:01 - Tips for getting better at double-unders 22:40 - Watch Molly Metz do 10 minutes of UB double-unders here [https://youtu.be/0-PS4jK2LOI] 26:11 - How to get better at touch & go reps 29:34 - Advice on events that have a rower/Trueform/bike, etc 32:57 - What to do if you don't have a competitive coach to work with 35:06 - A sneak peak at something new from CompTrain [Subscribe on Apple Podcasts here: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/the-comptrain-radio/id1420154954] // 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Jul 18, 2018 • 44min
#040: Effective Parenting Tactics
I'm covering some of the most impactful parenting tips I've learned, including praising effort instead of talent, not keeping any junk food in the house, and why we don't let our kids quit. Show Notes: 01:33 - All Pro Dad article: https://www.allprodad.com/10-things-i-hope-my-children-remember-about-me-as-a-father 02:30 - Put your spouse first, not the kids 05:18 - Praise effort, not talent or achievement 05:56 - Grab "Grit" by Angela Duckworth here [https://amzn.to/2Lg2nP1], & "Mindset" by Carol Dweck here [https://amzn.to/2uuvHYy] 11:10 - Don't keep junk in the house 14:55 - Follow through on your promises 19:58 - Be vulnerable, but never complain 22:25 - Sympathize with them 23:51 - Grab "Never Split the Difference" by Chris Voss here [https://amzn.to/2uydid7] 27:15 - Don't let them quit 33:08 - Talk with them about money 36:47 - The importance of sleep // 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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

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. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.


