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. 1D AGO

    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

  2. FEB 26

    Becoming a Bolder Affiliate with Roar O'Brien and Steve Hagarty | #35

    In this episode, Josh Boonstra sits down Steve Hegarty and Roar O’Brien, from Cork, Ireland, for a thoughtful and practical conversation about coaching, programming, and building long-term athlete success as a Bolder Affiliate. Drawing from their diverse sporting backgrounds—including Irish hurling and Taekwondo—they reflect on how their early athletic experiences shaped their coaching philosophies and ultimately led them to become a Bolder Affiliate. They share how Bolder’s approach has transformed their gym, creating a training environment that supports athletes of all ages and abilities while prioritizing injury prevention, sustainability, and long-term progression.Throughout the conversation, Steve and Roar offer an inside look at how programming decisions are made behind the scenes, the value of clear structure and color-coded systems, and how managing intensity is key to member longevity. They discuss the importance of coaching context—understanding the “why” behind training decisions—and how that clarity improves both coach confidence and athlete trust.Beyond programming, this episode highlights the power of community and cohesion inside a gym. From member feedback to navigating competitive seasons like the Open, the trio explores how thoughtful leadership and aligned systems create a positive, motivating training culture.Whether you’re a gym owner, coach, or athlete, this episode offers practical insights into delivering better training experiences, building stronger communities, and creating programming that truly stands the test of time.Chapters: 👋 Introduction and Backgrounds🏑 Exploring Hurling and Athletic Experiences🥋 Roar's Journey into Taekwondo🔄 Transition to Bolder Programming🧠 Behind the Scenes of Programming🎨 Color Coding and Coaching Dynamics❤️‍🔥 Managing Intensity and Member Longevity🔎 Understanding the Importance of Context in Coaching🧩 Identifying the Right Fit for Bolder Programming🚀 Looking Ahead: The Open and Future Coaching Goals

    52 min

  3. FEB 19

    Behind Bolder - with the Bolder Athlete Leadership Team | 34

    In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, the leadership team pulls back the curtain on the people and priorities shaping the community—spotlighting the personal backstories of Aaron Buley and Adam Aldridge, sharing some areas top of mind for Bolder, and addressing questions submitted from the Bolder Athlete Community. Get to know more about Adam and Aaron - moments that shaped who they are today, from growing up on a farm, building and selling a tech company, to battling back from cancer. Their journeys not only shaped who they are, they help shape Bolder Athlete’s values and how we approach building community. Hear what's top of mind for the leadership as they invest in expanding the Bolder Affiliates program, explore potential training camps, strengthening community and support for the women of Bolder and continuing to gather feedback from the Bolder Athlete community - reinforcing their commitment to listening and adapting quickly.The team also addresses questions submitted from the Bolder Athlete community, including alignment with CrossFit HQ, support for scaled and longevity-focused athletes, and injury prevention strategies. At its core, Bolder Athlete is growing—but staying rooted in what matters most: relationships, responsiveness, and a community built to last.Chapters: 🎙️ Introduction 👟 Meet the Team: Adam Aldridge's Journey💪 Aaron Buley's Inspiring Story🌄 The Power of Perspective and Community🏔️ Top of Mind: Bolder Athlete Experience♀️ Empowering Women in the Community⚡ Nimbleness in Feedback Response📈 Growth of Bolder Affiliates🔁 Responding to questions from the community

    1h 9m

  4. FEB 12

    Behind the Scenes of the Qualifier Cycle - Up Next - with Jason Grubb | 33

    Surge is nearly complete and the Qualifier Cycle is up next. In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, Josh Boonstra and Jason Grubb go behind the scenes on how the upcoming Qualifier Cycle is built, why it’s structured the way it is, and how it sets athletes up for success as the CrossFit season ramps up. They unpack key training decisions, the role of interference, and how different tracks are designed to meet athletes where they are while still driving performance forward. The conversation also dives into how to train through the CrossFit Open without derailing long-term progress, highlighting the balance between specificity, volume, intensity, and recovery. From gymnastics endurance and weightlifting batteries to capacity sessions and community challenges, this episode pulls back the curtain on what’s coming—and how to approach the season ahead with confidence, clarity, and purpose.Chapters: 🎙️ Introduction 🔄 Transitioning from Surge Cycle to Qualifier Cycle ⚙️ Understanding Interference in Training 🏁 Exploring Training Tracks: Elite vs. Compete 🔥 Training Through the Open 🎯 Specificity in Training 🤸 Building Gymnastics Endurance 📊 Managing Volume and Intensity 🛠️ Addressing Movement Inefficiencies 🔋 Battery Sessions Explained 😴 Importance of Recovery Protocols 🤝 New Community Challenges

    50 min

  5. FEB 5

    Addiction, Recovery, and Rediscovery with Andie Scelsi | 32

    In this deeply honest episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with Andie Scelsi for a raw conversation about identity, survival, and rebuilding a life from the ground up. Andie shares her unique journey from earning a full-ride college swimming scholarship, struggling with a loss of identity, to her drug and alcohol addition, and becoming homeless before ultimately rebuilding her life. Motherhood sparked a profound shift—awakening a desire not just to survive, but to heal. Through recovery, coaching, and rediscovering competition as a master’s swimmer, Andie slowly rebuilt her sense of self. Her journey continued with CrossFit, where she found new challenges, community, and a renewed belief in her own strength.This episode is a powerful reminder that identity can be rebuilt, purpose can be rediscovered, and transformation is possible—even after losing everything. Andie’s story is one of courage, accountability, and hope for anyone navigating difficult circumstances in life. Chapters: 🌱 Introduction 🖤 Journey Through Addiction and Homelessness🔄 Reflections on Recovery and Personal Growth💪 Becoming a Mother and Rediscovering Fitness🏊‍♀️ Rediscovering Passion for Swimming🧠 The Shift in Competitive Mindset🏋️‍♀️ Exploring CrossFit and New Challenges🤝 The Power of Community

    39 min

  6. JAN 22

    Training For Life and Longevity with Gerry Reyes | 31

    In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with Gerry Reyes, gym owner and the first-ever Bolder Athlete Affiliate, to explore what it means to build a gym—and an athlete—around intentional programming, community, and longevity.Gerry shares how his gym became an early adopter of Bolder Athlete affiliate programming, what immediately stood out about the structure and philosophy, and how it transformed both his coaching approach and training. From refining athlete development to creating a sustainable model for long-term health, Gerry explains why Bolder’s programming was a natural fit for his vision.The conversation also traces Gerry’s roots as a lifelong basketball player, detailing nearly 30 years on the court and how those experiences shaped his competitive mindset, coaching style, and eventual transition into CrossFit. Gerry opens up about the challenges of gym ownership—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic—sharing how equipment rentals, adaptability, and strong relationships helped keep his community moving when doors were forced shut.Throughout the episode, Gerry emphasizes training for longevity, family, and health, offering insights for athletes and gym owners alike who want to balance performance with sustainability. This episode is a powerful look at leadership, evolution, and what it takes to build something that lasts.Chapters: 👋 Introduction 🏀 Gerry's Basketball Journey👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Coaching and Family in Sports🔄 Adapting During COVID-19🏋️ Gerry’s Journey to Bolder Athlete📊 Affiliate Programming Insights🎯 The Role of Training Zones💪 Bolder’s Impact on Competitive Fitness🔥 Aspirations for Upcoming Competitions🔮 Looking ahead to Bolder Athlete Programming

    48 min

  7. JAN 15

    Still Rising: The Making of Louie McMaster | 30

    In this episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, host Josh Boonstra sits down with Masters CrossFit Games athlete Louie McMaster to unpack the journey behind his pursuit of fitness. From his early days growing up in Ireland, training with makeshift equipment and working construction alongside his father, to raising two children, to opening his own gym, discovering CrossFit in 2013, and eventually competing on the CrossFit Games floor. Louie’s story is rooted in grit, passion, and persistence.This episode dives into:- How Louie built an elite physique through balance- His approach to nutrition, fueling performance without sacrificing enjoyment- The lessons CrossFit has taught him about longevity and sustainability- Navigating fatherhood, including raising a child with special needs- Becoming a Bolder Athlete and competing at the Legends Championship Be sure to check this one out as it's loaded with insight, humility, and competitive spirit.

    53 min

  8. 12/11/2025

    Surge Cycle - Your recipe for success in this year's Open | #29

    In this special episode of the Bolder Athlete Podcast, hosts Josh Boonstra sits down with 6x Champ, Jason Grubb, to recap learnings from the Keystone Cycle and how they've shaped what's next - The Surge Cycle. This Surge Cycle is the direct pipeline to the CrossFit Open, built to ensure every athlete is confident and capable this Open season. They detail the strategy: a heightened focus on foundational strength, an increase in second-session intensity, and the integration of specialized open-style workouts. And they go deep on why trusting the programming (aka following the recipe) and adhering to intensity levels is the key to unlocking your best performance. Whether your considering your first CrossFit Open or have ambitions to move on to the the next stages, you don't want to miss this insightful conversation that's sure to get you excited what next - Surge. Chapters🎙️ Introduction🔑 Recap and adjustments of the Keystone Cycle🧑‍🍳 The Importance of Following the Recipe🔥 Understanding Workout Intensity and Volume🌊 Introducing the Surge Cycle🎯 Preparing for the Open🏆 Looking Ahead to Quarterfinals

    49 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
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Bolder Athlete
  • Show Website
    Bolder Athlete Podcast

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