The CrossFit Podcast

Dr. Jason Fung returns to the CrossFit Podcast to unpack the real driver behind weight gain and chronic hunger. Drawing from decades of clinical experience and his new book “The Hunger Code,” Fung challenges the “calorie in, calorie out” model and explains why it has failed so many people for so long.

This conversation goes deeper than macros and meal plans. Fung breaks down the three types of hunger: homeostatic, hedonic, and conditioned. He explains how ultra-processed foods, the modern food environment, and social conditioning override natural appetite regulation. He and host Jocelyn Rylee explore how insulin and other hormones shape body fat regulation, and why long-term success depends on restoring satiety rather than fighting willpower.

Topics Covered

Why calorie restriction fails long-term.

The three types of hunger and how they drive overeating.

How ultra-processed food hijacks appetite and satiety.

Hormones and the body fat thermostat.

Social environments and practical levers for change.

Resources Mentioned

Dr. Jason Fung

Website

YouTube

Instagram

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The Hunger Code by Dr. Jason Fung

The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung\

Hunger by Roxane Gay

Community Highlight 

Travis Ponikiewski doesn’t train for the leaderboard.

He trains because he has two little girls who think he’s invincible, and he plans on keeping it that way for a long time.

When Travis was young, he lost his dad. Now that he’s a father himself, that experience quietly shapes everything. For him, fitness isn’t aesthetic. It’s responsibility. It’s making sure his daughters don’t grow up with missing memories.

At home, that same steadiness shows up in how he supports his wife through mental health struggles. He wants her to feel strong again, on her terms.

He cares less about how his girls look and more about what they’re capable of. Strong bodies. Healthy relationship with food. Confidence that doesn’t shrink to fit the world.

He’s even working toward his Level 1 — not to collect a title, but to better serve the people around him.

Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy this episode with CrossFit legend Chuck Carswell. You can find Chuck starring in the latest content from CrossFit HQ, The CrossFit Effect.

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Chuck Carswell has been part of CrossFit for nearly two decades, making an impact as a coach, mentor, and longtime member of CrossFit’s Seminar Staff. He’s one of the most experienced trainers in the world, having taught thousands of athletes and coaches through the CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Certificate Courses.

In this episode, Chuck sits down with Denise Thomas to share his journey — from playing in the NFL to discovering CrossFit, and dedicating his career to coaching and education. He reflects on the evolution of CrossFit’s training methodology, the lessons he’s learned from coaching at every level, and his philosophy of “Big Team, Little Me.”

Topics Covered:

Chuck’s early athletic career and time with the Miami Dolphins.

His introduction to CrossFit and first experience with the workout Helen.

The evolution of CrossFit’s trainer seminars and credentialing. 

The impact CrossFit has had on the fitness industry. 

Resources Mentioned:

CrossFit Training and Certifications – Learn more about the Level 1 and Level 2 Courses: CrossFit Training

What Is Fitness? (2002) – The foundational CrossFit Journal article defining CrossFit’s approach to fitness

Chuck as a Dawg – Watch the play Denise references

Congrats on making it to the end of the 2026 CrossFit Quarterfinals, presented by Velites!

Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks.

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Jocelyn Rylee is leading the charge to bring nutrition back to the center of the CrossFit conversation. A longtime affiliate owner and Seminar Staff trainer, Jocelyn blends science, education, and deep experience in her approach to food and fitness.In this episode, Denise and Jocelyn dig into the foundations of health, the evolution of nutrition in the CrossFit world, and the difference between eating for performance and eating for longevity. You’ll walk away rethinking your plate and your pantry.

Topics Included

Why nutrition is foundational to the CrossFit methodology.

The Zone diet and the early culture of CrossFit nutrition.

The difference between performance eating and long-term health.

Why we need to cook again — and how it made us human.

Practical, simple, and realistic steps to address nutrition.

Congrats on making it to the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard! 

Stay tuned for an update on the CrossFit Podcast over the coming weeks. Until then, enjoy this episode with of our community favorites, Nick Wells and Gino Aviles. 

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Redemption Road CrossFit started inside Colorado’s prison system, where a small group of men turned CrossFit workouts into the first affiliate behind bars. Today, it’s a nonprofit changing prison culture through mentorship, accountability, and community — cutting recidivism to just 1.6% compared to the national average of 80%.

This week, we welcome Redemption Road CrossFit’s founder Nick Wells and founding member Gino Aviles to the show. Nick and Gino share their journey, from addiction and life sentences to freedom, sobriety, and leadership, and show how CrossFit’s methodology can transform not just fitness, but lives.

Topics Covered

Personal journeys from addiction, incarceration, and transformation

The origins of CrossFit in Colorado prisons

Building Redemption Road: the first affiliate inside a correctional facility

Overcoming stigma, violence, and systemic barriers through community fitness

Partnerships with CrossFit HQ and the broader community

Redemption Road’s measurable impact on recidivism and prison culture

Resources Mentioned

Redemption Road CrossFit – RF2.org

CrossFit Journal coverage of Redemption Road: Community Behind Bars and CrossFit in Prison

Morning Chalk Up articles on Redemption Road: Nick Wells and Mat Fraser

Books used in coach candidate curriculum: Overcoming Gravity,” “Becoming a Supple Leopard, “100 Days of Technique

From now until the end of the 2026 CrossFit Open, presented by Air National Guard, we’re resharing the episodes you all loved the most. Catch a most-played episode every two weeks, right here in your podcast feed. 

Good luck in the Open, and we’ll see you on the leaderboard.

Dr. Rhonda Patrick is a leading researcher in nutrition, aging, and metabolic health. She’s known for translating complex science into practical tools for longevity and performance. Now, after a year of doing CrossFit, she has new insights to share. In this episode, Rhonda joins Denise to break down the cellular mechanisms behind high-intensity exercise, why lactate is more than a waste product, and how CrossFit helps train your brain, not just your body.

They cover topics like VO2 max, mitochondrial repair, post-meal inflammation, aging muscles, and the science behind “exercise snacks.” Rhonda also shares her personal transformation from intimidated beginner to committed athlete and why she believes CrossFit may be one of the most powerful tools for lifelong health.

Topics Included

Why Rhonda started CrossFit — and how her perspective shifted after a year of training

What lactate actually is and why it’s a powerful signal for brain and muscle health

How high-intensity exercise triggers mitochondrial repair and neurogenesis

The relationship between sedentary behavior, inflammation, and cancer risk

The research behind exercise “snacks” and how to use them throughout your day

The benefits of CrossFit for aging adults, and Rhonda’s vision for senior fitness

Resources Mentioned

Dr. Patrick’s website and podcast “Found My Fitness”

Dr. Martin Gibala podcast episode

Rhonda at the CrossFit for Health Summit