Savagely Scaled

Blake Walker and Joyce Santos
  • 5.0 (7)
  • Health & Fitness
  • Updated Weekly

Savagely Scaled is where we, average CrossFitters talk about the history of the sport, community, events, workouts and of course the culture! We will also be speaking to our own personal goals and experiences with the sport. We hope this can help introduce the sport to some of you out there who have always been curious about Crossfit as well as a space for current Crossfit athletes to share in their love for the sport.

  1. 3d ago

    Episode 95: Confessions Of A CrossFit Volunteer

    Ever wondered what it's really like to volunteer at the CrossFit Games? In this episode of Savagely Scaled, Blake takes you behind the scenes of the 2026 CrossFit Games and shares what it's like to wear the black volunteer shirt. From the application process and early mornings to setting up events, working Fan Experience, touring the legendary Ranch, and meeting athletes from around the world, this episode gives you a perspective most fans never get to see. Blake and Joyce also talk about: How to apply to volunteer for the CrossFit Games. What volunteers actually do each day. The incredible organization that goes into running the Games. Funny behind-the-scenes stories (including a few awkward athlete encounters!). The friendships built with volunteers from across the globe. Why volunteering gave Blake a whole new appreciation for the CrossFit community. Whether you've dreamed of volunteering one day or just want to know what happens behind the cameras, this episode is packed with laughs, insight, and a reminder of why the CrossFit community is so special. If you've ever volunteered at a CrossFit event, we'd love to hear your experience! Send us a message. 📩 Email: savagelyscaled1@gmail.com📱 Instagram: @savagelyscaled If you enjoyed this episode, please leave us a 5-star review, follow the podcast, and share it with a friend. Every share helps us continue bringing stories from the CrossFit community to athletes everywhere. We appreciate every single one of you—thanks for listening to Savagely Scaled!

  2. Jul 21

    Episode 94: Building Stronger Communities with Dave Rafuse- The Future of Fitness

    Episode 94: Building Stronger Communities with Dave Rafuse What makes someone stay at a gym? Is it the workouts... or the people? This week on Savagely Scaled, Blake and Joyce sit down with Dave Rafuse, longtime affiliate owner, entrepreneur, and creator of the new Train With Us platform, to talk about one of the biggest challenges in fitness today: building genuine community in a digital world. Dave shares his journey from the early days of CrossFit to owning a thriving affiliate with hundreds of members, becoming one of the first HYROX affiliates in Eastern Canada, and developing a platform designed to help gyms create stronger member connections both inside and outside the gym. In this episode, we discuss: Dave's CrossFit journey and how the sport has evolved. The explosive growth of HYROX and what it means for everyday athletes. Why community—not equipment—is what keeps members coming back. How coaches can improve member retention through meaningful relationships. Building friendships as adults through fitness. The role of "micro communities" within an affiliate. How the new Train With Us app helps gyms connect members, improve communication, and strengthen coaching relationships. Dave's vision for the future of fitness and why he believes community is the key to changing lives. Whether you're a coach, affiliate owner, or someone who simply loves the community your gym has given you, this conversation is packed with insights on why connection is just as important as training. A huge thank you to Dave Rafuse for joining us and sharing his passion for growing stronger communities. 📩 Have a guest suggestion, gym story, or episode idea? We'd love to hear from you! Email: savagelyscaled1@gmail.comInstagram, TikTok & YouTube: @savagelyscaled As always, thank you for listening and supporting Savagely Scaled. Stay Savagely Scaled!

  3. Jul 15

    Episode 93: Boundaries Like a Savage – Protecting Your Time, Energy & Training

    .In Episode 93 of Savagely Scaled, Blake and Joyce dive into a topic every athlete faces but doesn't always talk about enough: boundaries. Whether you're a competitive CrossFitter, a busy parent trying to make class, or someone balancing work, family, and fitness, it's easy to feel like you have to say yes to everything. Extra workouts. Competitions. Social events. Coaching. Helping everyone else before helping yourself. This episode explores why healthy boundaries aren't selfish—they're essential for staying consistent, avoiding burnout, and continuing to enjoy the sport we all love. Recognizing when your schedule is becoming too much The difference between discipline and burnout Setting boundaries with training, work, family, and social commitments Why recovery deserves just as much attention as your workouts Learning to say "no" without feeling guilty Protecting your mental health and energy Personal stories from Blake and Joyce about balancing CrossFit, coaching, family, work, and the podcast If you've ever felt overwhelmed, stretched too thin, or like fitness was becoming another obligation instead of something you love, this conversation is for you. Thank you for being part of the Savagely Scaled community! If you enjoyed this episode, please follow the podcast and leave us a 5-star review on Spotify or Apple Podcasts—it helps us reach more athletes and continue sharing stories from the CrossFit community. Have a topic you'd like us to cover? A funny gym story? A question for Blake and Joyce? We'd love to hear from you! 📩 Email us at savagelyscaled1@gmail.com 📱 Follow us on Instagram, TikTok, YouTube, and Facebook: @SavagelyScaled Thank you for listening, and as always... Stay Savage. Stay Scaled. We'll see you in the next episode! Episode 93: Boundaries Like a Savage – Protecting Your Time, Energy & TrainingIn this episode, we discuss:

  4. Jul 7

    Video 16: Goals Check In- Changing the Way We Talk to Ourselves

    Here's the updated version with a call to action at the end: Episode 94: Goals Check-In – Finding Balance & Changing the Way We Talk to Ourselves It's time for another monthly goals check-in! This month, Blake and Joyce get real about what June looked like—the wins, the struggles, and everything in between. Blake opens up about balancing family, training, nutrition, and the negative self-talk that can creep in when life gets overwhelming. Joyce shares her first month of committing to running, what she's learned about patience, pacing, and why progress doesn't always happen overnight. Together, they talk about: Why balance is harder than it looks. The importance of speaking kindly to yourself. Learning from setbacks instead of letting them define you. Finding joy in the process instead of chasing perfection. Setting intentional goals for July and continuing to stack healthy habits. Whether you're chasing a PR, trying to build consistency, or simply looking for a reminder that you're not alone in your struggles, this episode is for you. Remember, progress isn't about being perfect—it's about continuing to show up. We hope this conversation inspires you to keep stacking your goals, celebrate the small wins, and give yourself the same grace you'd give someone you care about. Have a story, question, episode idea, or want to be a guest on the show? We'd love to hear from you! Reach out to us by sending us a DM on Instagram @savagelyscaled or email us at savagelyscaled1@gmail.com. Your message could inspire a future episode, and we're always excited to connect with fellow athletes and members of the community. Thanks for listening, and we'll see you at the whiteboard!

  5. Jun 30

    Episode 92: Ice Baths, Massage Guns & Muscle Gains

    In this episode of Savagely Scaled, Blake and Joyce dive into the world of recovery and the tools athletes use to stay moving, performing, and feeling their best. From sleep routines and hydration to massage guns, cupping, compression boots, CBD creams, and cold plunges, they break down what’s actually helpful versus what might just be hype. The conversation covers personal recovery habits, favorite recovery gadgets, experiences with sports massages, mobility work, and the reality of balancing training with everyday life, work, and family responsibilities. Along the way, you'll hear stories from competitions, thoughts on sleep tracking devices like the Apple Watch and WHOOP, and an unexpectedly passionate debate about bananas. Whether you're training for competition, tackling your weekly CrossFit classes, or simply trying to recover smarter, this episode offers practical insights and honest experiences to help you find what works best for your body. Tune in and join the conversation: What recovery tools or routines have made the biggest difference for you?

  6. Jun 23

    Episode 91: Who is this Bruce Guy?

    Episode 91: New Boss, Same Burpees? CrossFit has a new CEO, and for the first time in a while, it feels like a familiar face is stepping into the role. This week, Blake and Joyce sit down to discuss Bruce Edwards, CrossFit's newest CEO, and what his leadership could mean for affiliates, athletes, coaches, and everyday members. As a former CrossFit COO during one of the sport's biggest growth periods, affiliate owner, and fitness industry executive, Bruce brings a unique combination of CrossFit culture and business experience to the table. The conversation dives into:🏋️ Who Bruce Edwards is and his history with CrossFit📈 Why CrossFit chose him to lead the company🤝 The importance of affiliates and community📣 Why transparency and communication matter more than ever🏆 The challenge of competing with HYROX and other fitness trends💪 Whether CrossFit needs innovation—or simply strong leadership❤️ What makes CrossFit special and why so many athletes continue to call it home Will Bruce Edwards help bring CrossFit back to its roots? Can he rebuild trust and strengthen the affiliate network that built the sport? Blake and Joyce share their thoughts, concerns, and hopes for the future of CrossFit. Whether you're an affiliate owner, coach, competitor, or someone who just loves showing up for class each day, this episode is for you. 🎙️ Grab your coffee, lace up your Nanos, and join the conversation. Stay Savage.

  7. Jun 16

    Video 15: From NCC to Hyrox, New Goals & Challenges

    June means it's time for another Savagely Scaled Goal Check-In! This month, Joyce recaps her incredible experience competing at the Northern California Classic, surviving three grueling days of competition, and the lessons she learned about recovery, mobility, and listening to her body. With NCC in the books, she's setting her sights on HYROX by tackling a new challenge: building her running endurance one mile at a time. Meanwhile, Blake reflects on balancing weightlifting programming, HYROX training, motherhood, summer activities, and everything else life keeps throwing her way. From aggressive weightlifting percentages to finding peace with doing "enough," her June focus is all about balance. The girls also dive into HYROX prep, competition strategy, gym class logistics, Disney dreams, nutrition confessions, and why sometimes a milkshake is exactly what the recovery plan calls for. Remember: goals don't have to be huge. Pick one, stack it, and keep moving forward.

  8. Jun 9

    Episode 90: Best in the West? Joyce Takes on NCC

    Episode 90: Best in the West? Joyce Takes on NCCEpisode Description What happens when you qualify for one of the biggest CrossFit-style competitions on the West Coast and step onto the competition floor as an individual athlete? This week on Savagely Scaled, Joyce takes us through her entire experience at the Northern California Classic (NCC). From qualifying workouts and travel plans to battling through six grueling events over three days, she shares the highs, lows, lessons learned, and everything in between. We dive into the pressure of competing solo, the mental challenges of standing on the competition floor alone, meeting some of CrossFit's biggest names, surviving sore legs and tired knees, and discovering exactly what areas need attention before the next big competition. Whether you're thinking about signing up for your first competition, chasing a qualifier, or just love hearing what happens behind the scenes at major events, this episode gives you an honest look at what it's really like to test yourself against some of the best athletes around. Join us as Joyce shares her NCC journey, the moments that made her proud, and why stepping outside your comfort zone is always worth it. Topics Covered: Qualifying for NCC Competing as an individual athlete The toughest workouts of the weekend Weightlifting PRs and breakthrough moments Meeting CrossFit stars like Jorge Fernandez and Danny Speegle Lessons learned from three days of competition What’s next for Joyce's training Tune in, subscribe, and remember: Don't be a Karen, be a Sharon and keep sharing! Until we meet at the whiteboard again... BYE!

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About

Savagely Scaled is where we, average CrossFitters talk about the history of the sport, community, events, workouts and of course the culture! We will also be speaking to our own personal goals and experiences with the sport. We hope this can help introduce the sport to some of you out there who have always been curious about Crossfit as well as a space for current Crossfit athletes to share in their love for the sport.

Information

  • Creator
    Blake Walker and Joyce Santos
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    129
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Blake Walker and Joyce Santos
  • Show Website
    Savagely Scaled