

The Jedburgh Podcast
Fran Racioppi
The Jedburgh Podcast empowers leaders to achieve success on their journey to transform themselves and their organizations. Creator, Host and Special Forces Green Beret Fran Racioppi interviews the world’s most prominent visionaries, drivers of change, and those dedicated to winning.Each episode is an in-depth discussion with trailblazers who’ve earned success through a dedication to talent development, preparation, introspection, and the drive to get things done. Our conversation will empower listeners to define success and operate at an elite level, regardless of the task at hand. In May 1943 the Allied Forces determined a new type of leader was required to win World War II. Operation Jedburgh parachuted three-man teams deep behind enemy lines to win no matter the challenge. Jedburghs lived by the mantra “how you prepare today, determines success tomorrow.” Today's leaders are no different. Fran speaks with leaders in business, athletics, academics, and public service about their personal leadership stories of success, failure, and the road to continuous improvement. Our discussions focus on the character traits of elite performance used by Special Operations Forces to recruit, assess, select and retain elite performers. Through this lens, we show listeners that success in any field must be earned every day.We strive for each listener to take valuable lessons learned and concrete action steps to improve themselves, their teams, and their organizations. Although developed and used by US Special Operations Forces, these characteristics are inherently applicable to building resilient and successful organizations in any sector or industry, as well as in the betterment of our personal and professional lives. The Nine Characteristics of Elite Performance:-Drive: Growth mindset, be better than yesterday, continuous self-improvement-Resiliency: Perseverance in the face of challenges-Adaptability: Adjust one’s behavior to the situation-Humility: Recognize that you do not have all the answers; a willing learner maintains accurate self-awareness-Integrity: Understand what is legal and correct and align actions and words to both-Effective Intelligence: apply one’s experience and knowledge to the situation-Team Ability: Prioritize organizational needs ahead of oneself, work as a cohesive unit-Curiosity: Exploring the unknown, questioning the status quo in pursuit of better-Emotional Strength: Emotional control in stressful situations brings calm to chaos Fran Racioppi is the Founder & CEO of FRsix where he leads operations in critical infrastructure projects. He served 13 years in the US Army Special Forces as a Green Beret. Fran is passionate about building the world's best leaders and the impact our special operators have in service and beyond. He holds a BA from Boston University in Broadcast Journalism and an MBA from NYU Stern, as well as the security industry's highest accreditation as a Certified Protection Professional. The Jedburgh Podcast is an Official Program of The Green Beret Foundation. The Green Beret Foundation is a nonprofit charitable organization dedicated to supporting America's U.S. Army Special Forces soldiers and their families. They provide emergency, immediate, and ongoing support to Special Forces Soldiers and their families. The foundation is committed to growing and sustaining the needs of the Special Forces regiment for decades to come. Since its inception, the foundation has invested over $15 million in support of the Special Forces community, providing aid to more than 13,000 families with 87% of every dollar going directly into their programs and services.Join our Jedburgh Team to reach your dreams!
Episodes
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Jan 19, 2024 • 36min
#133: America's National Will, Bias For Action & Friendless Men - MACV-SOG Green Beret Richard Rice & GORUCK Founder Jason McCarthy (2023 NYC Veterans Day Parade Series)
Great leaders exist in every industry. When we think about great leaders we often remember the things they did. But what’s more important is the impact they had on individuals, teams, organizations and society.For the second episode of our 2023 NYC Veterans Day Parade Series, Fran Racioppi and Psychotherapist Drew Newkirk welcomed two Green Berets from very different wars creating impact across generations. CSM Richard Rice served as a Green Beret in MACV-SOG in Vietnam and later became one of the founding members of Delta Force. Jason McCarthy served in 10th Special Forces during the Iraq war and went on to found GORUCK. Today they’re swapping roles as mentor and mentee as they apply their lessons from Special Forces to entrepreneurism, fitness, mental health and building community. We show you how to build organizations on character, why we must embrace challenge, how to live a life of bias for action, and how society is shaped by America’s Veterans after their military service. Drew also explores the difficulty elite performers have as they age and become friendless men; something scary to many of us. America became the greatest country in the history of the world because of a national call to service since the Boston Massacre. Today, the world is more dangerous than ever. It’s time we bring America’s people back together, rebuild our community and keep America atop the world order. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcoming a legend of the Special Forces Regiment8:34 Why need to do hard things; especially at GORUCK10:59 Preventing “friendless men”15:03 The character traits needed to succeed in elite organizations16:38 The films that shaped Rich’s perspective on the military 18:00 Why America must maintain our national will in the face of our adversaries24:14 Veteran service transcends their time in the military and carries into society25:10 How mentorship builds great organizations28:18 Making the case for military serviceQuotes: “Throughout my entire life I’ve always looked for the challenge. Something to test me.” (5:02)“It isn’t so much the military service…it’s what those Veterans bring back and what they put into our society after they’ve served.” (5:30)“There’s no other way to really know what someone else is made of unless you do something hard with them.” (10:17) “Have a bias for action in the real world and go get after it.” (13:56)“If you’re not honest with yourself, you can’t be honest with others.” (15:48) “We are in a peer-to-peer battle with not one nation, but a number of nation states.” (20:46) “America needs to come back together. You do that through communities.” (23:04)Brought to you in partnership with Just Ice Tea, Longtab Brewing & Talent War Group.

Jan 11, 2024 • 31min
#132: The Biggest Veterans Day Event In America - NYC Commissioners James Hendon & Zach Iscol, Grand Marshal LTG(R) Mike Linnington, UWVC Chairman Nick Angione (2023 NYC Veterans Day Parade Series)
Veterans Day is about more than honoring service; it’s about preparing leaders to serve in the military and beyond. For the 104th running of the New York City Veterans Day parade from atop the red carpet Host Fran Racioppi is joined by special guest co-host Drew Newkirk to navigate conversations through the motorcycles, the sirens, the marching bands and the floats. They kick off the parade with two of New York City's most prominent veterans turned public servants; Commissioner James Hendon's a Reserve Army officer and leads New York City's Department of Veteran Services.Commissioner Zach Iscol served as a Marine, went on to found the Headstrong Project and now serves all New Yorkers leading Emergency Management. The Commissioners show us how to continue our impact post military service while leading our communities. We're also joined by Nick Angione and LTG(R) Mike Linnington. Nick's the chairman of United War Veterans Council, the organization charged with producing the parade and bringing 25,000 people to the heart of Manhattan.General Linnington is the CEO of the Wounded Warrior Project and was honored as the 2023 parade Grand Marshal. Nick breaks down the details of planning and hosting the largest veterans event in the country. LTG Linnington talks about the value that veterans bring to any organization and how hiring veterans isn't a charity move, it's a business decision.Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the 104th New York City Veterans Day Parade5:32 Why America needs Veterans in public service after the military7:27 There’s no panacea for Veterans mental health11:00 The excitement of the parade12:32 Honoring first responders at the parade 16:18 How United War Veterans Council produces the parade23:50 Developing leaders in the military from the first dayQuotes: “We look at all we have and how it’s borne on the backs of so few, it’s so critical for us to give these people their roses on days like today.” (4:01) “The military…is an incredibly effective way to learn the basic tenets of leadership.” (6:47) “There’s no panacea for mental health…you really have to use what works for the individual.” (7:53)“There’s 16+ million Veterans across the country. I’m representing them.” (24:18) “You can’t wait to be told what to do. You’ve got to understand your commander’s intent; your boss's intent. And then you’ve got to be able to act.” (26:03)“Hiring a Veteran isn’t a charity endeavor, it’s a business endeavor. You want to improve your business; hire Veterans.” (28:23) Brought to you in partnership with Just Ice Tea, Longtab Brewing & Talent War Group.

Dec 20, 2023 • 38min
#131: NYC Welcomes Home Its Vietnam Vets - The Wall That Heals Comes to Queens - Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
America's Vietnam Veterans didn't come home to parades. They didn't come home to standing ovations. They didn't come home to a welcoming public that embraced what they did overseas. When many of our Vietnam veterans came home, they got spit on. They were told that their uniform was a disgrace, they weren't integrated into society, and many people shunned them.58,281 of our Vietnam veterans never came home at all. Queens, NY bore more than its share of service and of loss. In September, Fran Racioppi had the chance to welcome home our Vietnam Veterans and all those who served from New York when the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund brought the Wall That Heals to New York City.A 3/4 replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall, the wall comes to those who can’t make it to DC. After the police escort, building the wall and the opening ceremony, Fran sat down under the lights with the Commissioner of the New York City Department of Veterans Services James Hendon, Chairman of the New York City Council Veterans Committee Bob Holden, Vietnam Veterans Association National President John Rowan, and Tony Nunciato, one of New York City's bravest veteran families, having lost his brother and Aniello in Vietnam.They talked about the struggles our Vietnam Veterans faced when they returned, how America's institutions weren't ready for so many who had seen so much, how many of them answered the call to lead in politics and set the foundation for small business and our economy, and what NYC is doing to support Veterans of every generation. Freedom's never free. It wasn't in the past, it isn't now, and it won't be in the future. To all our Vietnam veterans, thank you and welcome home. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 The Wall That Heals comes to Flushing Meadows, Queens5:55 Vietnam War by the numbers8:18 Why Vietnam was a different war than the rest13:16 The family cost of Vietnam19:52 How New York supports Veterans26:29 The biggest improvements in Veteran support since Vietnam30:14 Continuing to serve for the next generationQuotes: “The median age of our Vietnam Veterans right now is 78. We wanted to bring this to folks before it was too late.” (2:18) “We owe it to the men and women who gave their lives. To have this come to Queens is just a tremendous accomplishment.” (4:37) “246 is the number of the most casualties in one single day in the Vietnam War.” (8:10) “We were the flower children. We were the pot kids. Our fathers were the crew cut guys who drank.” (11:08) “He gave his life, he gave everything, to serve our country. To see his name, to see it memorialized…gives me great homage.” (19:04) “Many of our Veterans don’t self identify. You see me, there’s three other folks who served who you don't see.” (21:24)

Dec 6, 2023 • 44min
#130: Health, Safety, Intelligence & the Role of the Chief Security Officer - International SOS Sally Llewellyn, Kelly Johnstone & Dr. Mark Fischer
The security challenges we face today are more complex, less predictable and faster evolving than at any point in recent history. When Fran Racioppi isn’t hosting the Jedburgh Podcast he runs FRsix, his security company. From this year’s industry trade show, Global Security Exchange, Fran sat down with International SOS, the global leader in health and security services, to dig deep on today's biggest threats. International SOS cares for over 9000 organizations in 1000 locations across 90 countries. They field over 11,000 calls for assistance each day. Sally Llewellyn is the global security Director of information and Analysis. Kelly Johnstone served as the Chief Security Officer at Coca Cola. Dr. Mark Fischer is the Regional Medical Director for the Americas. They explain why intelligence is so important in the decision making process for executives of any organization.They define Duty of Care and how it's evolved as we've transitioned from workplace to remote work. They also explain the importance of developing networks of influence, whether that be for intelligence to understand what's happening, or medical support to help people in their time of need. Finally, they break down the roles of the Chief Security officer and analysts and how the information they provide to decision makers is critical for the resiliency of an organization.The world is evolving faster than ever seems to change on a minute-by-minute basis. Our job as leaders is to understand what's happening out there, how it affects our people and our business, and then make decisions and bring in the resources that keep us successful, no matter the challenge. Protection of our people starts with us as leaders. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the International SOS Booth as GSX3:37 Kelly’s lessons from NCIS, to Customs to leading Coca-Cola4:03 Sally explains why intelligence is the first step to decision-making10:22 The evolution of “Duty of Care”17:18 How preparation transitions organizations from react to response21:25 Mark shares how to respond to medical crisis in the most austere parts of the world26:52 The influence of the chief security in executive risk management32:10 The biggest threats to the world todayQuotes: “The threats we’re looking at today…are just so much more difficult to predict.” (5:34) “What’s going on in the world? What might happen next? To try and inform really good decision-making.” (7:41)“Mitigating risk doesn’t eliminate risk. Where there’s a medical case there’s often security. (9:13)“If you’re on a conference call in your car now, do I have a duty of care if you get in a car wreck?” (12:00)“Intelligence doesn’t just serve you from a security perspective…it’s a business enabler.” (28:30) “Our job there is to ensure that the environment is conducive for the business to meet business objectives.” (29:00) “You are the problem solver, so you get the call on everything.” (30:13)

Nov 29, 2023 • 56min
#129: Why Special Operators Succeed In Finance - 51 Vets Executive Director Lindsey Schiro, Board Member Chris Robinson, Member Victor Reyna
The biggest challenge America’s Special Operations Veterans face is not becoming a Special Operator. Their biggest challenge is no longer being a Special Operator. This transition, despite its challenges, is also a Veteran’s biggest opportunity. Data says that 48% of Veterans believe transition was more difficult than they expected, 62% say transition took more time than expected, and 76% say it was stressful. So, how do we create opportunity from challenge? For this episode Fran Racioppi sat down with 51 Vets, a non-profit committed to connecting veterans from elite military units with leading business professionals in the finance industry. From the American Legion in the iconic New York City Athletic Club, Fran is joined by Executive Director Lindsey Schiro, Board Member Chris Robinson, and Member Victor Reyna to break down 51 Vets pillars of support, how 51 Vet’s is using their City Summits to create opportunities for SOF Veterans to work at financial institutions, and explain why companies who live by the mantra “hire for character, train for skill” are scaling their businesses on the backs of our Special Operators. Transition is hard, but the first step is defining the difference between what you want to do vs what you can do. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the American Legion and the 51 Vets City Summit2:30 The biggest challenge of military transition 5:35 Top events that negatively affect Veteran transition7:44 Chris, Victor and Lindsey transition for business and family12:22 Implementing the DOD Skillbridge Program14:00 Why character is the most important component of building a great organization20:18 Hire for character, train for skill; but don’t overestimate!35:22 Why doing what you want to do is the sometimes the hardest thing you can do38:32 Lack of job satisfaction contributes to the Veteran suicide rate 44:46 51 Vets Three Daily Foundations to Success Quotes: “The biggest challenge facing military Veterans is correlating their military service to civilian service.” (3:12) “America's great because of the military that we have and we have a great military because of capitalism.” (6:32) “We can have all the resources in the world. If our people suck, our organization’s gonna suck.” (14:17) “In the Special Operations world the best thing you can be called is a good dude.” (16:35) “Make sure you can learn, earn and collect a merit badge along the way.” (24:51)“Get surgical on what you want to do.” “Proximity to the problem. Proximity to the decision-makers. That’s how we make influence. That’s how we get things done.” (38:19) “We’re saving lives here. We are creating a sense of community. A sense of purpose.” (41:00)

Nov 7, 2023 • 32min
Taking The Podium: Jumping In with CrossFit Games Masters Bronze Medalist Jenn Ryan
A lot can happen in one CrossFit season. Hosts Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff went from CrossFit rookies to Level 1 Trainer Certificate holders and CrossFit Games media. Jenn Ryan went from withdrawing at Wodapalooza to the CrossFit Games podium standing tall as the Women’s Masters Bronze Medalist. For the final episode of the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games and the 2023 CrossFit season Fran, Jessie and Jenn take it full circle as they close out the games from the back of the US Army Fitness Truck.Jenn explains how she battled through early season shoulder injury which found her on the sidelines during our Episode 97 Wodapalooza discussion. Jenn shares exactly how she listened to her body, how she chose her physical therapists and how the burning desire to compete kept her coming back each day to train. She also talks longevity, adapting to change, recovery and the off season preparation required to get back to the competition floor in January. Jenn’s bronze medal finish shows us just how important our attitude and focus are in remaining resilient over time. Learn more on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the CrossFit Games Masters Podium2:21 Starting the season by withdrawing from Wodapalooza5:10 How to listen to your body and search for right physical therapist9:35 The competitiveness of CrossFit equals all other professional sports13:41 How the masters division is changing lives17:39 The best parts of competing at the games21:40 Preparing for 2024Quotes: “I’m a strong believer that movement is still medicine.” (5:30)“It’s definitely a little extra work to find someone exceptional but the difference in results that you get is so huge.” (9:22) “Elite level sport you may see some wear and tear but the fact that these athletes are still coming back and taking the podium is crazy.” (13:12)“You’re not starting too late in the game because there’s no timeline.” (14:55)“There’s nothing like bars at a competition.” (19:12)“If you don’t try to put too much into planning you can adapt and adjust to change a little more easily or readily.” (23:10)This episode is brought to you by US Army, Wodify, Hero Coffee, GORUCK & Compass Workforce Solutions

Nov 4, 2023 • 18min
#128: Default Aggressive, Humility vs Confidence, and a Little Jocko Fuel - Retired Navy SEAL Jocko Willink (CrossFit Games 2023)
Default Aggressive: a leader’s mindset to take deliberate and decisive action. As leaders we face challenges both known and unknown, with real consequences from our action or our inaction. We won’t always get it perfectly right, but doing nothing is almost always wrong. It’s the final day from the US Army Fitness Truck at the 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games where Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff are joined by Jocko Willink, Founder of Jocko Fuel, bestselling author, leadership coach, podcast host and retired Navy SEAL. In this conversation, Jocko shows us the power of taking action aggressively and intentionally, and how the greatest leaders have a bias for action while balancing humility with confidence and a little bit of cockiness when they step into the arena of execution. He also shares the vision behind Jocko Fuel, the hole he saw in the energy drink market and how combining the same caffeine as a cup of coffee with fermented sugar cane is providing the right amount of energy without the crash; and it tastes great. In our drive to be all we can be, doing hard things individually and as teams, combined with a decision-making attitude, humility and some Jocko Fuel is the recipe to make an impact. Learn more and read the transcript on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the CrossFit Games 1:36 Jocko starts a CrossFit affiliate3:13 What’s missing in the energy drink market4:45 We need leaders who are willing to do hard things7:15 How Jocko assesses his team9:22 Default Aggressive vs bias for action12:48 Jocko’s Three Daily Foundations to SuccessQuotes: “People that do CrossFit want to get stronger, smarter, faster and better. That’s what Jocko Fuel is for.” (3:10)“I liked the immediate feeling I would get from energy drinks before, but I would crash and feel like crap afterwards. (4:36)“If you want to be a better human being…you want to be mentally and physically stronger…you’ve got to put yourself under stressful situations.” (6:05)“When you want to unify a team, or build a team, it’s very helpful if you as a team get to do hard things together.” (6:15)“When you step into the arena…you got to get a little cocky.” (8:08)“You’ve got to make your default mode aggressive. You’re gonna go take action and solve these problems.” (11:12)Jocko’s Three Daily Foundations to SuccessKnow what you’re going to do tomorrowAggressively do itAssess what you didThis episode is brought to you by US Army, Wodify, Hero Coffee, GORUCK & Compass Workforce Solutions

Nov 1, 2023 • 1h 5min
#127: Handstands, Extra Work & Saying Yes to Challenge - Power Monkey Fitness Co-Owner Dave Durante (CrossFit Games 2023)
No one cares about achieving your goals more than you; and no one can do the work for you to get there. You have to own that. It doesn’t matter what industry or what dream you wake up with every morning, you better be the first one in and the last to leave if you want to earn victory. Power Monkey Fitness Co-Owner and Former USA Gymnastics Team Member Dave Durante believes the key the podium starts with work ethic and saying yes to challenge. Dave joined Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff from the US Army Fitness Truck at 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games for a conversation on his rise through the gymnastics world, battling to make the US Olympic Team and transitioning from elite athlete to coach and business owner. Dave's philosophy on progress is grounded in progressions; the ability to push forward but take it back to the basics to reinforce our foundations then get back after it. Dave takes us behind the scenes of US Gymnastics, sharing his personal journey of wins, losses and becoming the ultimate teammate on his bid to compete in the 2008 Olympics. Dave also shares the impact of Power Monkey Fitness, where he touches on the struggles of athletes figuring out the next step in their career and how CrossFit opened an opportunity for him to bring gymnastics to everyone. From elite athlete to elite entrepreneur, Dave’s perspective on what it takes to win inside and outside the gym will transform your Monday mindset! Learn more and read the transcript on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the CrossFit Games 2:27 Walking into a gymnastics gym 4:43 Valuing the team over individual performance8:40 The podium is earned outside of the coach’s workout13:00 Making the US Olympic Team20:18 Pushing the idea of failure and saying yes to the challenges26:03 Using progressions to overcome the twisties, fears and mental blocks30:58 Transitioning from elite athlete to coaching44:00 Working together at Power Monkey Fitness Camps52:43 Moving from camps to equipment and an app57:02 Three Daily FoundationsQuotes: “My work ethic was something I leaned into.” (8:00)“Whatever the minimum standard was was not going to allow me to reach my maximum human potential.” (9:22)“I’m someone who says ‘yes’ to those challenges. I can still achieve even though things are not optimal.” (24:09)“Who am I without being an athlete.” (32:55)“Mondays are my favorite day. I despise the idea of retiring.” (39:47)“When I go to bed right now, nobody cares about it more than I do…and I have to own that.” (42:06)Dave’s Three Daily Foundations to SuccessSpend time with my kidsWork out to clear the mindCheck in with my teamThis episode is brought to you by US Army, Wodify, Hero Coffee, GORUCK & Compass Workforce Solutions.

Oct 25, 2023 • 40min
#126: From a Coma to CrossFit Games - Masters Finalist Spencer Whiteley (CrossFit Games 2023)
The mortar landed at his feet, shredding his leg and torso. Despite immediate medical care, he died twice on the helicopter during medical evacuation. He spent a week in a coma. He was told he would never walk again. This was 12 years ago in Basra, Iraq. In August, he competed in his second CrossFit Games finals. Meet Spencer Whiteley, the British Army Veteran who walked into a CrossFit gym on cane over a decade ago with no plan except to find a way to walk . Spencer joined Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff from the US Army Fitness Truck at 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games just after his competition ended to share his story of combat, loss, resilience, perseverance and grit. Performing at our best often requires perspective and the ability to stack small wins day in and day out towards our goal. Spencer shows us how our approach to training and life is based on seizing opportunities, overcoming physical and mental limitations, and balancing our training mindset with ripping our shirt off and competing to win in some small way each day. Learn more and read the transcript on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the CrossFit Games Masters Competition3:23 Spencer dies twice in Iraq after a mortar attack7:26 Don’t waste the opportunity to live9:42 Walking into a CrossFit gym with a cane and accepting the layer principle15:38 The difference between training and competition21:28 Balancing loading vs deloading period through a season25:55 Chasing wins every day32:00 Spencer’s three daily foundations to successQuotes: “We came under attack and a mortar landed at my feet. Literally at my feet.” (4:45)“I felt really determined to do something with my life.” (9:12)“I didn’t have this plan ’I’ll try and go to the CrossFit Games.’ I didn’t even know what it was.” (9:42) “It’s all a layer principle. It just happens over a long period of time of just persistence.” (12:23)“If you start racing or lifting too much beyond your ability, you're on a quick ride to injury.” (19:07)“Once a week, oh I’m feeling tasty on a Friday, rip your shirt off and go for it.” (20:51)“You’re always chasing something.” (25:55)“I believe you should never leave the gym without a win.” (26:49)“The psychological aspect of it is the difference between winners and losers.” (28:07)Spencer’s Three Daily Foundations to SuccessPlan meals for proper fuelingHave a defined routinePlan your dayThis episode is brought to you by US Army, Wodify, Hero Coffee, GORUCK & Compass Workforce Solutions.

Oct 21, 2023 • 51min
#125: Producing CrossFit Games and Lessons From a Student Athlete - Sr. Director of Sport Operations Heather Lawrence
Six days. Hundreds of events. Thousands of volunteers. One mission. Crown the Fittest on Earth. CrossFit Games is a production like none other in fitness, requiring a coordinated effort down to the minute and leadership with an unwavering commitment to winning. CrossFit’s Sport Operations team is charged with making the games happen. They’re also responsible for programming the individual workouts we see in the games, across boxes and on the daily website. Heather Lawrence, CrossFit’s Sr. Director of Sport Operations, joined Fran Racioppi and Jessie Graff from the US Army Fitness Truck at 2023 NOBULL CrossFit Games just after the community 5k to break down just how the games are planned, produced, and executed; and how programming workouts is the key to success in CrossFit as an athlete and a coach.Heather began her athletic career as an Olympic-level diver building an elite career in sport business post competition. She is the author of 20 Secrets for NCAA Student-Athletes & the Event Management Blueprint, as well as a professor of sports administration at Ohio University. As three former collegiate athletes, Heather, Jessie and Fran go deep on what we learn about life from college sports, setting the example for others to follow, and how character is built in micro moments of discipline. Learn more and read the transcript on The Jedburgh Podcast Website. Subscribe to us and follow @jedburghpodcast on all social media. Watch the full video version on YouTube. Highlights:0:00 Welcome to the CrossFit Games and the global 5k4:03 How CrossFit develops coaches with feedback7:05 Breaking down the definition of CrossFit10:20 How CrossFit is programmed each day14:42 Producing the CrossFit Games?21:15 Heather’s transition from student athlete to sport business25:54 What we learn from being a student athlete29:50 Setting the example through micro-moments35:50 The future of CrossFitQuotes: “They are constantly receiving that feedback and giving feedback. It’s not personal.” (5:28)“It is training those core movement patterns that you replicate out in real life.” (8:10)“The majority of your days in the gym are going to be a little bit uncomfortable.” (9:43)“There are other things that you’re learning through sport that are so much more important than an eventual paycheck or an eventual gold medal.” (23:46)“One thing I do see with student athletes is a much better ability when the going gets hard.” (27:40)“Everything that you are doing, you’re a leader in the gym.” (32:56)Heather’s Three Daily Foundations to SuccessAppreciating the people around meTaking responsibility when things don’t wellConsistently ask for inputThis episode is brought to you by US Army, Wodify, Hero Coffee, GORUCK & Compass Workforce Solutions.