Best Hour of Their Day | Podcast

Jason Fernandez and Jason Ackerman sit down with Steph Grams from CrossFit Kaneohe to discuss her inspiring journey from gym member to thriving Affiliate Owner. Steph opens up about the challenges of buying a failing gym, navigating leadership, and building a close-knit community while staying true to her vision. Don't miss this episode full of valuable lessons on resilience and leadership. -- 🚀 Looking to BOOST REVENUE at your CrossFit Affiliate? CLICK HERE to Grab the FREE “Raise Prices Without Pissing Off Your Members” Mini-Course -- 👉 CLICK HERE to learn more about Affiliate University & BOOK A FREE 1-ON-1 CALL -- 💻 CLICK HERE to learn more about Push Press Gym Software -- 0:00 Introduction 1:10 Steph Grams - CrossFit Kaneohe 2:48 From Member to Owner 5:04 Challenges of Buying a Failing Gym 8:14 Facing Fears as a Business Owner 11:03 Competitors and Staying the Course 14:01 Leveraging Gym Software 17:27 Building a Strong Coaching Team 20:24 Transitioning to Gym Mayor Role 26:00 CrossFit for Families and Kids 30:08 Preparing for the Level 4 Exam 34:24 Running a Gym in Hawaii 36:43 Staying True to Your Vision

In this episode of Behind the Knowledge, hosts Pat Barber and Todd Occhiuto sit down with CrossFit OG and Seminar Staff veteran Mike Giardina. Mike shares his journey from the military to becoming a coach at CrossFit Atlanta, a Flowmaster on CrossFit Seminar Staff, and now a leader in CrossFit’s health initiatives. He dives into the importance of simplicity in coaching, the power of affiliate communities, and how the CrossFit Medical Society is bridging the gap between fitness and healthcare. -- With over 600 videos (and new ones daily) plus guided mentorship from L4 coaches, we’re here to help you grow. Are you ready to be more awesome? CLICK HERE to get started. -- Download the FREE WORLD-CLASS COACH EVALUATION -- 0:00 - Introduction 1:00 - Mike Giardina 3:03 - Early Days of CrossFit Coaching and Community 5:21 - First CrossFit Workout Experience 7:03 - Joining CrossFit Atlanta and Coaching Beginnings 10:22 - Becoming Seminar Staff: From Intern to Leader 14:46 - The Journey of Coaching Development 19:04 - Coaching New Athletes: Patience and Simplicity 22:43 - The Power of Simplicity in Coaching Cues 27:03 - Transitioning to Leadership in Coaching Education 34:07 - CrossFit Medical Society and Health Initiatives 37:28 - Tracking Health Markers: The Next Level of Fitness 40:49 - Connecting Health, Coaching, and Community 43:02 - Where to Learn More About CrossFit Medical Society

Randy and Chausse Lauer, owners of 3-46 Grit CrossFit, share their journey of overcoming personal and professional challenges. Chausse opens up about surviving a stroke and how it reshaped her approach to resilience, leadership, and community building. Together, they reflect on their strategies for budgeting, streamlining operations, and creating a thriving gym while staying deeply connected to their CrossFit community. -- Looking to boost revenue at your CrossFit Affiliate? CLICK HERE Grab the FREE “Raise Prices Without Pissing Off Your Members” Mini-Course -- CLICK HERE to learn more about Affiliate University -- CLICK HERE to learn more about Push Press Gym Software -- 0:00 - Intro 0:31 - Meet Randy and Chausse Lauer 4:26 - Transitioning to Full-Time Gym Ownership 6:51 - From Construction to CrossFit 8:19 - What Randy Did Well vs. Where He Struggled 10:52 - The Power of Budgeting 15:17 - Chausse’s Stroke Story 20:25 - Recovery and Resilience 21:35 - Balancing Member Wants with Business Needs 29:16 - Doing Less, Better 32:50 - Building Legacy Through Systems 37:20 - Why the Lauers Stick with Affiliate University

In this episode of Behind the Knowledge, Nicole Aucoin shares her journey from dietitian to nutrition coaching expert, revealing how coaches can transform lives by addressing the other 23 hours of the day. She dives into actionable strategies for creating sustainable nutrition programs, fostering accountability, and empowering clients to achieve long-term success. A must-watch for coaches ready to elevate their impact and integrate nutrition seamlessly into their gym. -- CLICK HERE TO LEVEL UP YOUR COACHING INSIDE THE KNOWLEDGE PRO⁠ -- CLICK HERE TO GRAB THE FREE WORLD-CLASS COACH EVALUATION -- CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HSN -- 0:00 – Introduction 1:39 – Nicole’s Journey: From Dietitian to Nutrition Coach 3:48 – Early Coaching Challenges and Lessons Learned6:01 – Personal Story: How Cancer Inspired a Focus on Nutrition 9:25 – Nutrition in CrossFit: Paleo, Zone, and Finding What Works 12:20 – Starting Small: The Key to Sustainable Client Success 22:00 – Lessons from Early Mistakes in Nutrition Coaching 29:04 – How to Find and Empower the Right Nutrition Coach 35:31 – Expanding Healthy Steps Nutrition

Brad Marshall started his CrossFit gym in a two-car garage and successfully transitioned to taking over an established affiliate. Brad shares the challenges of scaling from a small, intimate community to a thriving commercial space, the importance of building culture, and lessons learned in creating a sustainable business. Tune in to hear how passion and strategic decisions turned a garage gym into a vibrant affiliate with over 80 members. -- Looking to boost revenue at your CrossFit Affiliate? CLICK HERE to Grab the FREE “Raise Prices Without Pissing Off Your Members” Mini-Course -- CLICK HERE to learn more about Affiliate University -- CLICK HERE to learn more about Push Press Gym Software -- 0:00 - Introduction 1:12 - Meet Brad Marshall: The Story Behind Greater Culture CrossFit 3:02 - Garage Beginnings: Building a Gym Community at Home 6:07 - The Garage Gym Setup: Growth, Challenges, and Creative Solutions 7:28 - Taking Over an Affiliate: Navigating the Transition Process 9:56 - Growing Membership: From 30 Members to Over 80 in 7 Months 13:00 - Establishing Culture: The Role of Communication and Connection 19:00 - Rebranding and Renovating: Creating a Fresh Start for Members 22:40 - Pricing Adjustments: Managing Member Expectations and Revenue 29:10 - Programming Changes: Shifting to a New Coaching Philosophy 35:10 - Building a Thriving Culture: Language, Leadership, and Community 39:03 - Reflecting on Growth: Lessons Learned from Garage to Affiliate

After suffering a life-threatening heart attack, Andy Hendel’s decades of fitness and commitment to CrossFit played a crucial role in his survival and recovery. From his time in the NFL to coaching on CrossFit Seminar Staff, Andy’s resilience and fitness prepared him to overcome the odds. His story is a powerful testament to how a lifestyle of health and movement can save lives. -- CLICK HERE TO LEVEL UP YOUR COACHING INSIDE THE KNOWLEDGE PRO⁠ -- CLICK HERE TO UNLOCK THE FREE WORLD-CLASS COACH EVALUATION -- 0:00 - Introduction 0:40 - Meet Andy Hendel 3:00 - The Early Coaching Journey and Lessons Learned 7:10 - Discovering CrossFit and Starting an Affiliate 12:00 - Building CrossFit Charlotte: The Early Days 16:45 - Transitioning from Athlete to Coach 23:00 - The Importance of Lifelong Learning in Coaching 33:00 - The Day Everything Changed: Andy’s Heart Attack Story 39:15 - How Fitness and CrossFit Helped Andy Survive 43:00 - Recovery and Getting Back to the Gym 46:50 - Life Lessons and Advice After a Heart Attack 51:00 - Inspiring Others Through Resilience and Coaching

Thinking about buying an Ice Barrel for your gym? This video breaks down the pros, cons, and business impact of adding cold therapy to your gym's recovery services. Learn how to maximize the benefits for your members while deciding if it’s the right investment for your Affiliate. -- Looking to boost revenue at your CrossFit Affiliate? Grab the FREE “Raise Prices Without Pissing Off Your Members” Mini-Course -- CLICK HERE to learn more about Affiliate University -- CLICK HERE to learn more about Push Press Gym Software -- CLICK HERE to learn more about Ice Barrel and cold therapy

This episode of Behind the Knowledge dives into the inspiring journey of Coach Josh Melendez, from his early days as a novice CrossFit coach to earning a Level 4 credential and joining CrossFit Seminar Staff. Through resilience, dedication, and a relentless pursuit of feedback and education, Josh shares valuable lessons on overcoming challenges, building trust, and becoming a leader in the coaching world. -- LEVEL UP YOUR COACHING INSIDE THE KNOWLEDGE PRO⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.besthouroftheirday.com/theknowledge⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- FREE WORLD-CLASS COACH EVALUATION https://www.besthouroftheirday.com/world-class-coach-evaluation -- 0:00 - Introduction 0:55 - osh Melendez: Level 4 Coach and Seminar Staff 5:09 - First Coaching Experience: From Athlete to Leader 6:22 - The Impact of the CrossFit Level 1 Certification 8:18 - Becoming a Gym Owner: Transitioning from Coach to Business Leader 9:54 - Deep Dive into Coaching Education and Online Courses 11:02 - Key Takeaways from the CrossFit Level 2 Certification 13:19 - Restructuring Programming and Gaining Athlete Trust 17:02 - Continuous Learning: Online Courses, Certifications, and Mentorship 21:08 - The Road to the CrossFit Level 3 Credential 25:03 - Internship Challenges and Lessons with Seminar Staff 29:10 - Overcoming Feedback and Building Resilience 33:09 - Achieving the CrossFit Level 4 Credential 34:48 - Joining Seminar Staff: The Reward of Persistence 38:18 - Building a Culture of Development with Coaching Staff 42:26 - Final Reflections: The Power of Perseverance and Leading by Example

Fern dives into the "3 Essential Questions" every CrossFit Affiliate Owner must answer to build a successful gym. These foundational questions help clarify your business purpose, define the game you’re playing, and ensure you’re on the right track for long-term growth. Discover how addressing these critical points can close the strategy gap and set your affiliate up to thrive. -- Grab the “Raise Prices Without Pissing Off Your Members” Mini-Course -- BOOK A FREE CALL & LEARN HOW TO GROW YOUR AFFILIATE https://www.besthouroftheirday.com/affiliate-university -- LEARN MORE ABOUT PUSH PRESS GYM SOFTWARE https://www.pushpress.com

Jason and Fern dive into the topic of gym rate increases, covering why they’re essential for sustainable growth and how to approach them effectively. They share insights on preparing members, communicating value, and navigating potential pushback to help CrossFit Affiliate Owners successfully implement price changes without losing community support. This discussion provides actionable strategies for Affiliate Owners to increase rates confidently while improving the overall member experience. -- ⁠CLICK HERE to grab the “Raise Prices Without Pissing Off Your Members” Mini-Course⁠ -- Learn more about Affiliate Universityhttps://www.besthouroftheirday.com/affiliate-university -- Learn more about Push Press Gym Softwarehttps://www.pushpress.com -- 0:00 - Introduction 1:21 - The inevitability of raising rates in business 5:02 - Low-ticket versus high-ticket pricing strategies 10:14 - Addressing members on grandfathered rates 16:02 - Recognizing members who support a rate increase silently 18:52 - Keeping up with operating expenses as a reason for rate increases 23:22 - Covering costs for staff, systems, and fulfillment 25:57 - Why value-added improvements make rate increases logical 30:22 - Communication strategies for a smooth rate increase 32:56 - Addressing members’ concerns about increased rates in person 34:36 - Ideal lead time for notifying members about rate changes 37:11 - Real-life scenario: gym acquisition challenges due to poor finances 41:02 - Adapting to uncontrollable external changes in business 46:45 - Strategies for handling member feedback on rate increases