Bolder Athlete Podcast

Bolder Athlete
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Inspiring stories of strength, wisdom, resilience, and more, from within the masters community. bolderathlete.substack.com

  1. 3D AGO

    Behind the Scenes - DelMar Semifinals and upcoming Divergence Cycle | #43

    In episode 43 of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra and 6x Champ, Jason Grubb, pull back the curtain on Masters competition and the training engine behind Bolder Athlete. Together, they share a candid, detailed breakdown of their experience at the first-ever in‑person Masters Semifinals in Del Mar — a historic milestone and a weekend packed with intensity, strategy, and hard lessons.Jason and Josh revisit the highs, the heartbreaks, and the razor‑thin margins that defined the event, including the brutal chipper that left athletes clawing for every rep and the split‑second decisions that shaped the leaderboard. They talk openly about what it feels like when a Games ticket slips away by seconds — and how to turn that sting into growth.Then the episode shifts into an exclusive behind‑the‑scenes look at Bolder Athlete’s upcoming Divergence Cycle, launching May 11. Jason explains why this is the one time each year when the Elite track breaks away from the rest of the program, what true Games‑level volume looks like, and how the rest of the community will rebuild their foundation with smart, sustainable training. Expect insights into cycle structure, strength priorities, skill development, and the philosophy that keeps Bolder athletes competitive and durable.Whether you're chasing the Games or building your base, this episode gives you a rare look at how elite Masters athletes think, train, and evolve.

    1h 5m

  2. APR 23

    Raising, Coaching, Being - an Athlete - with Gina Cacchiotti‑Wellner | #42

    In this episode of The Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with Gina Cacciotti‑Wellner—a 58‑year‑old lifelong competitor, dental hygienist, NASM‑certified personal trainer, CrossFit Level 1 coach, and Bolder athlete. Gina’s story is a masterclass in longevity, resilience, and the joy of staying in the arena.From growing up as the youngest of four in a sports‑driven family, to competing in everything from college basketball and softball to triathlons, marathons, and even Eco‑Challenge‑style adventure racing, Gina has lived a life defined by movement and grit. She opens up about the blessing and curse of being extrinsically motivated, the challenge of “finding chill mode,” and how she balances humility with an unshakeable competitive fire.Josh and Gina dive into parenting athletes, coaching youth sports, the emotional rollercoaster of competition, and the art of sitting with adversity instead of running from it. Gina also shares her 14‑year CrossFit journey, her approach to this year’s Open and Quarterfinals, and her excitement about qualifying for the Magic City Semifinals—her personal CrossFit Games.This conversation is equal parts inspiring, honest, and deeply human. Whether you're a competitive athlete, a coach, or someone who just loves the grind, Gina’s story will hit home. Chapters 🎙️ Introduction and Background  👨‍👩‍👧 Parenting and Coaching Perspectives  🏋️ CrossFit Season and Upcoming Competitions  🛡️ Navigating Criticism and Feedback  🚀 The Next Level Mindset  🔀 The Journey of a Hybrid Athlete  🤝 The Importance of Community in Fitness  🔥 Resilience Through Adversity  🧘 Sitting in the Mud Puddle

    1 hr

  3. APR 16

    Anything but Ordinary with Carl Christenson | #41

    Carl Christensen may call himself “just a regular dad trying to be as fit as he can,” but his story proves he’s anything but ordinary. In this episode, host Josh Boonstra sits down with Carl—an anesthesiologist, father of two, musician, artist, baker, former collegiate distance runner, and Bolder Athlete—to unpack how one person can balance a demanding medical career, elite‑level fitness, and a staggering list of creative passions.Carl shares what life is really like as an anesthesiologist working 60+ hours a week, including 24‑hour trauma calls, and how he still manages to train at 4 a.m. in his garage—quietly, thanks to his wife’s “no dropping weights” rule. He opens up about mentoring medical residents, the importance of intentionality with time, and how he learned to protect family life by being fully present at home.They also dive into Carl’s surprising artistic side—graphite portraits for athletes like Stacey Tovar and Noah Ohlsen—and his hilariously stressful wedding‑cake‑baking adventures (“transporting a wedding cake is more stressful than a 3‑2‑1 go”).Carl gets vulnerable about overcoming an unhealthy relationship with food that began during his early running years, and how CrossFit helped him shift from obsessing over calories to fueling his body with purpose—thanks in part to a simple but powerful strategy from his wife: “count vegetables, not calories.”Finally, Carl shares his long‑term plan to become a CrossFit Games athlete in the Masters division, the role Bolder has played in his progress, and how community, humility, and even imposter syndrome can fuel greatness.This episode is packed with wisdom, heart, humor, and inspiration—perfect for anyone trying to balance ambition with real life.Chapters: 🎧 Introduction to Carl Christensen 💉 Life as an Anesthesiologist 🏡 Balancing Work and Family Life ⏱️ Intentionality in Time Management 🎨 Exploring Hobbies and Interests 🏋️ The Journey to Becoming a CrossFit Athlete 🤝 Community and Competition in CrossFit 💪 The Importance of Health and Movement 🧠 Embracing Imposter Syndrome 🎯 The Path to the CrossFit Games

    57 min

  4. APR 9

    Coast Guard to Competition - A Story of Discipline, Doubt, and Determination with Eric More | #40

    Eric reflects on the realities of active duty versus reservist life, the influence of family and early athletics, and how parenthood reshaped his approach to training. He shares how he overcame his doubt, feelings of "imposter syndrome," and learning to trust his own abilities.From the high of winning a DECA world championship, to the low of dealing with injury, and the quite, transformative moments in between - found in community - Eric offers a blend of humility and high-performance insight. Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, a leader, or someone striving for personal growth, this episode delivers a candid look at what it means to pursue excellence with purpose.Chapters: 🎙️ Introduction to Eric Moore⚓ Life in the Coast Guard🏃‍♂️ Athletic Background and Family Influence🏆 Winning the DECA Strong World Championship🩹 Navigating Competition and Injury Management🧠 Feeling Like an Imposter: The MFC Experience🤝 The Value of Competition: Motivation and Community🏔️ Joining Bolder: Community and Personal Growth📊 The Leaderboard Obsession: Motivation and Analysis

    41 min

  5. MAR 26

    Quarterfinals Breakdown - Test Runs, Tips, and Targets | #39

    In this very timely episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with CrossFit Games athletes Aaron Houchin, Justin Brewer, and Paul Delanoy to catch up, and share tips & tricks from their test runs of each quarterfinals workout. They talked through each event in detail—what caught them off guard, where they made mistakes, what they'd change, and how they're planning to approach quarterfinals. They discuss pacing strategies, managing fatigue, and nuances within each workout they anticipate having to navigate on gameday —like grip management, the value of transitions, and which workouts to avoid coming out too hot. They also talk about the mental side of this stage of the season — conditioning your mind for the redzone, how to stay composed, and how confidence (or lack of it) can completely change your performance. If you’re heading into Quarterfinals, be sure to catch this post test debrief —sharing what worked, what didn’t, and the tips and tricks that can help you get the most out of your performance.

    57 min

  6. MAR 19

    Comfortable Being Uncomfortable with Karen Rotondo | #38

    In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with Karen Rotondo—aka Fit Grandma—a 63-year-old athlete, registered nurse, and relentless competitor who’s redefining what it means to age strong.With over four decades in healthcare, Karen has seen firsthand the consequences of inactivity—and it’s fueled her commitment to living with discipline, strength, and purpose. From discovering CrossFit in her 50s to pushing the limits of competitive fitness, her journey is equal parts inspiring and cautionary.Karen opens up about the mindset that drives her—“get comfortable being uncomfortable”—and the double-edged sword of that mentality. She shares hard-earned lessons from injuries, including a devastating hamstring tear, shoulder surgery, and a life-threatening pulmonary embolism that she believes her fitness helped her survive.This conversation dives deep into:💪The reality of training hard as a masters athlete ⚖️The thin line between competitiveness and injury 🔥Why discipline in fitness reflects discipline in life 📋The importance of coaching, structure, and recovery 🧠 How to stay mentally sharp and physically capable as you age Karen’s story is raw, honest, and packed with wisdom. Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or just someone who wants to stay capable for life—this episode will challenge how you think about fitness, resilience, and what’s possible in every season of life.

    58 min

  7. MAR 12

    Strength to Serve: Fitness, Fatherhood, and Finding Purpose with Kaleb Campbell | #37

    In the 37th episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with Kaleb Campbell as he shares his inspiring journey, pursing a passion to help others that led him from a career in law enforcement to becoming a dedicated personal trainer. Along the way, he discovered how fitness could transform not only physical performance but also mindset, resilience, and purpose. Kaleb opens up about the challenges and rewards of balancing his professional ambitions with the responsibility of parenting a child with special needs. Through his story, he highlights how discipline and adaptability play a critical role in both his fitness and everyday life. The conversation also goes deep into the mental strategies that help athletes perform at their best and why personalized training beats one-size-fits-all fitness plans. Whether you’re an athlete, a parent, or someone navigating a major life transition, Caleb’s story offers meaningful insights on perseverance, purpose, and building strength—both inside and outside the gym. Chapters: 🎙️ Introduction🚔 The Transition from Law Enforcement to Fitness👨‍👧 The Impact of Parenthood on Career Choices🏋️ Discovering CrossFit 💪 Physical and Mental Transformation ❤️ Motivation to Stay Fit for Family 🩺 The Importance of Health in Caregiving🧠 Mindset Differences: Everyday Athlete vs. Competitive Athlete📈 Building Confidence Through Consistency♟️ The Importance of Strategy in Workouts

    46 min

  8. MAR 7

    Bouncing Back - A story of resilience and determination with Luke Schmitt | 36

    In the 36th episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh Boonstra sits down with Luke Schmitt for an honest and inspiring conversation about resilience, recovering from injury, and the impact of community support. Together, they unpack the stubborn determination it takes to push through setbacks—and why grit alone isn’t always enough.Luke shares personal stories from his own journey through injury and recovery, revealing the mental battles, unexpected lessons, and small daily choices that made the biggest difference. You’ll hear why patience is more powerful than pride, how humor can lighten even the hardest seasons, and why surrounding yourself with the right people can accelerate both mental and physical healing.Whether you're navigating an injury, facing a personal challenge, or simply looking to build stronger habits, this episode delivers practical advice and real-world encouragement to help you take the next step forward—no matter how small.Chapters: 🐺 Introduction - Wolf Pack OG 😂 Using Humor and Finding Support 🚑 The Journey of Injury and Recovery🏥 Surgery and the Path to Recovery🌅 Navigating Recovery and Rediscovering Joy⚡ Lightning Round: Insights and Reflections💪 Lessons in Resilience and Personal Growth

    46 min
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About

Inspiring stories of strength, wisdom, resilience, and more, from within the masters community. bolderathlete.substack.com

Information

  • Creator
    Bolder Athlete
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    43
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bolder Athlete
  • Show Website
    Bolder Athlete Podcast

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