Fortem Talk: The CrossFit Fortem Podcast

Joshua Keith Pollema
  • 5.0 (2)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Semiweekly

Welcome to Fortem Talk, the official podcast of CrossFit Fortem! This is where fitness meets real life. Whether you're new to training or a seasoned athlete, we bring you conversations that inspire, educate, and keep you moving forward. Hear from coaches and members as they share training tips, nutrition advice, mindset strategies, and ways to build lifelong health habits. Strength goes beyond the gym—it’s about how you show up in life. Tune in, stay connected, and keep pushing forward. Let’s get Fortem Strong together!

  1. Jun 16

    Real Fitness: The 100-Word Blueprint ⎸ Ep. 13

    What does real fitness actually look like? In this episode, we break down CrossFit’s classic “World-Class Fitness in 100 Words” and talk about why it still gives such a clear blueprint for what we’re building at Fortem. We talk through: • Why nutrition comes first • Why everyone needs to lift weights • Why gymnastics skills are worth the work • Why conditioning should include hard, fast efforts • Why routine can hold you back • Why your fitness should show up outside the gym If you’ve ever wondered why we train the way we train, this episode is for you.

    50 min

  2. Apr 25

    Bring a Friend: Why CrossFit Is Better Together ⎸ Ep. 12

    Trying CrossFit for the first time can feel intimidating, but it does not have to be. In this episode, we talk about Bring a Friend Week at CrossFit Fortem, happening April 27 through May 2, and why it’s such a great opportunity for someone new to get a real feel for what we do. We talk about: What Bring a Friend Week looks like Why a full week gives a better first experience than one random class How coaching, scaling, and community make CrossFit approachable Our own very different first experiences with CrossFit Why inviting someone might be a bigger deal than you realize Whether you’re already part of Fortem or you’ve been curious about trying CrossFit for the first time, this episode is for you.

    26 min

  3. Mar 27

    What the Open Reveals, and What We Wish We Knew Sooner | Episode 11

    What the Open Reveals, and What We Wish We Knew Sooner ⎸ Ep. 11 The Open is over, but the bigger question is: now what? In this episode, we debrief the 2026 Open and talk about what it really exposes, what actually helps you improve, and the lessons we wish we knew when we first started CrossFit. We talk about: What this year’s Open showed people about their fitness Why pacing, consistency, and skill work matter How nutrition changes everything Why the Open is really about growth, not just scores The CrossFit lessons we had to learn the hard way Whether you’re new to CrossFit or a few years in and still figuring things out, this episode is for you.

    43 min

  4. Feb 11

    Get Stronger and More Durable: Six Simple Training Upgrades ⎸ Ep. 10

    Getting fitter doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes it means doing the right things more consistently. In this episode, we break down six simple training upgrades that support strength, durability, and long-term progress, without adding chaos to your schedule. We talk about: Strict pull-ups and why they matter Overhead joint health and stability Accessories and muscle as protection Static holds and control Carries and real-world strength Low-impact steady state work and recovery These are small inputs with big returns. Pick a couple, commit to them, and let the basics carry you forward.

    39 min

  5. Jan 23

    The 2026 CrossFit Open | Ep. 9

    The Open isn’t just for elite athletes. It’s for regular people who want to test themselves, get better, and be part of something with their gym. In this episode we talk about: What the CrossFit Open is and how it worksWhy everyone can (and should) participateWhat committing to it builds: confidence, grit, and directionWhy doing it together hits differentHow we approach the Open at Fortem and what to expectWhether you’re new to CrossFit or you’ve been around awhile but never jumped in, this episode is for you.

    28 min

  6. 11/17/2025

    Hero Workouts & CHAD1000X: Training Your Mind for Real Life | Ep. 8

    Hero workouts aren’t just long and painful for the sake of it. They’re named after real people, and they’re written to ask a little more of you than a normal training day. In this episode we talk about: What makes a workout a “Hero WOD”Why CHAD1000X (1,000 step-ups) feels so demanding mentallyThe intrusive thoughts, doubt, and boredom that show up in the middleThe difference it makes to do something like this with a room full of peopleHow this kind of training builds durability for everyday life, not just for the gym Whether you’re brand new to CrossFit or you’ve done a bunch of hero workouts already, this is a down-to-earth look at why we keep coming back to them and what they can build in you over time.

    28 min

  7. 10/02/2025

    Real Drivers of Progress in CrossFit and Health | Ep. 7

    Nick, Josh, and Aidan break down the real reasons people improve their health and fitness. You’ll learn: How often to train (and what happens when you overdo it)Why sleep and hydration matter more than supplementsWhat “threshold training” means and why your coach pushes (or holds back)Why mobility and warm-ups aren’t optionalHow to keep improving with just one extra habit: enter Fortem Ruck ClubThis episode is for anyone who wants to stop guessing and start making real progress.

    38 min

  8. 07/11/2025

    Meet Aidan: How CrossFit Changed His Mindset, Habits, and Coaching | Ep. 6

    Nick and Josh sit down with Coach Aidan Guerrero to talk about how he found CrossFit, what brought him to Fortem, and how his own ups and downs with fitness shape the way he coaches today. You’ll hear: How he went from an unhealthy 255 lbs to coaching full-timeWhat makes him believe anyone can changeWhy he leads with care, connection, and consistency Whether you’ve trained with Aidan or are just meeting him for the first time, this episode gives you the full backstory.

    28 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
2 Ratings

About

Welcome to Fortem Talk, the official podcast of CrossFit Fortem! This is where fitness meets real life. Whether you're new to training or a seasoned athlete, we bring you conversations that inspire, educate, and keep you moving forward. Hear from coaches and members as they share training tips, nutrition advice, mindset strategies, and ways to build lifelong health habits. Strength goes beyond the gym—it’s about how you show up in life. Tune in, stay connected, and keep pushing forward. Let’s get Fortem Strong together!

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