Linchpin Conversations

Linchpin Conversations is a podcast covering health, fitness, personal development and random musings regarding life.

Workouts that haunt me. 05/18/2026

Workouts that haunt me. CFL1 vs CFL2 vs CFL3 vs CFL4 Mental block with Box Jumps Linchpin in one sentence. Understanding the “No-Equipment Option” Bar Path with a Big Belly Workouts that haunt me. Favorite CrossFit Fads Deload Week vs Modulating Intensity Coming back after a 6 year break. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41336525

Physiotherapist shares his expertise. 05/15/2026

Physiotherapist shares his expertise. Ricardo is a physiotherapist living & working just south of Santiago, Chile. When people get injured in sports or daily life, he helps them recover & get back to 100%. He uses classic techniques in his therapy practice as well as incorporating functional movements. This is his story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41309520

Will Zone 2 training improve High Intensity efforts? 05/11/2026

Will Zone 2 training improve High Intensity efforts? Athletes who make smart decisions. Improving Oly lifts. Will Zone 2 improve high intensity efforts? How many Pull-ups & Dips = 1 Muscle-up? No-equipment workout. Active vs Full Rest Days. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41253615

Someone set his gym on FIRE! 05/08/2026

Someone set his gym on FIRE! Tomasz was born & raised in Poland before moving to the U.K. in hopes of a better life. Working a stressful job with long hours did not leave him with a lot of time to workout. He was unhappy with how he looked & ready for a change. He has bounced around various programs from power lifting to body building to fitness. He now calls Linchpin his home & worked out at a local gym in his town until an arsonist set it on fire! This is his story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41219675

Why do people Quit CrossFit? 05/04/2026

Why do people Quit CrossFit? Why do people Quit CrossFit? How to increase your pull-ups. How to approach a 1RM. What’s the point of a cool down? How to use a “landmine attachment”. How do we program Thursdays & Sundays for gyms? A realistic take on mobility. Is accessory work really optional? Are Running, biking & rowing interchangeable? What is my Rest Day routine? /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41145615

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 14 05/01/2026

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 14 Garbage, Recycling, Mt. Kilimanjaro & CrossFit. John is a husband, a father & the CEO of a recycling company. He started doing CrossFit 20 years ago. During that time he has tried many different programs, training styles & even climbed Mt. Kilimanjaro. All of his travels brought him to Linchpin & he explains why. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41118900

"Gwen" & the Zone Diet. 04/27/2026

"Gwen" & the Zone Diet. Thoughts on “Gwen” Dumbbells & weight loss. What does “Rest as Needed” mean? Linchpin & BJJ Pros & Cons of 5am workouts. Getting a Linchpin tattoo Segmented Lifting & Cardio programs Evening training disrupts sleep. Is the Zone Diet relevant in 2026? /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41036700

Aviation, River Guide & the CrossFit Games. 04/24/2026

Aviation, River Guide & the CrossFit Games. Jo is the president of Gem Air, based in Salmon, Idaho. This is a family business that she had no intention of running, but life has a way at laughing at your plans. She has been athletic all her life & even competed at the Crossfit Games on a team. In addition to all of that she has been a river guide for 25 years. This is her story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/41005420

Help! My Back Squat is stuck! 04/20/2026

Help! My Back Squat is stuck! Repeating a year of programming. Back Squat is stuck. Fitness while traveling. Why is Linchpin’s logo orange? Optional Accessory work Warming up or Cooling Down, which is more important Building up load vs Holding the same weight across Program Hoppers Avoiding 1RM Tactical Games Jump Rope Box Get Overs Choosing loading. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40944335

Strongman tries Linchpin. 04/17/2026

Strongman tries Linchpin. Jake is a husband & father of two children. He works as a Corrections Officer in a prison. For years he trained & competed as a Strongman. When his daughter was born he took a hard look at the decisons he was making for his long term health & fitness. This lead Jake to Linchpin & he just celebrated his one year anniversary. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40913375

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 13 04/13/2026

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 13 Ryan is a husband & father of 2 kids. After many years with Linchpin he decided to try different programming. He emailed me about his experience & how trying the other programming solidified his decision to return to Linchpin asap. This is his story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40840160

Women over 40 are under attack. 04/06/2026

Women over 40 are under attack. Warm-ups Gross Movement Patterns When is too old for a 1RM Deadlift? Balancing Training & Sports My Favorite Meal Fitness for Astronauts Fitness IQ Women over 40 are under attack. Linchpin Tests vs Monthly Fitness Tests How to use the VNR cycles Run/Bike/Row & Pull-ups Axle Bar vs Traditional Barbell Shuttle Runs /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40740300

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 12 04/03/2026

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 12 Nick is an active duty member of the U.S. Navy. He has been active his entire life. He attended his Level 1 CrossFit seminar in 2008 & then pursued Olympic Weightlifting for several years. An injury forced him to abandon Oly lifting & start exploring various other training programs. This journey lead him to Linchpin. This is his story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40726150

Only Training 3 Days Per Week. 03/30/2026

Only Training 3 Days Per Week. Building grip strength. Should you do something on Rest Days? Hyrox style workouts. Male & female distances & calories. Ways to approach bike sprints. The VNR “Get your 1st Pull-up” cycle. Getting out of your comfort zone. Help! I can only train 3 days a week. Singles vs Doubles on Heavy Days Let’s talk watches & hobbies. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40674665

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 11 03/27/2026

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 11 Jan's story is interesting. He was a program hopper for many years of his life, bouncing from one to another. However, he has officially been a membr of the Linchpin community for over 7 years! This makes him a true Linchpin O.G. During this interview he explains what drew him to Linchpin so many years ago & why he has stayed. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40644705

Is the CrossFit Open inclusive? 03/23/2026

Is the CrossFit Open inclusive? Is the CrossFit Open really inclusive? Strict vs Kipping Pull-ups Breathing Strategies. Overview of Programming Goals. When did the "AMA's" start? Intensity & Recovery, where is the sweet spot? How to use the VNR cycles with Linchpin. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40595235

Losing 112 lbs in 9 months! 03/20/2026

Losing 112 lbs in 9 months! Steve is a husband, a father, an IT professional & in his own words, an "extroverted introvert". After losing his fahter at a young age he struggled serverely with food issues. He found CrossFit & decided to make sure he was as healthy as possible for his kids so they did not have to lose their father early in life. At nearly 50 years old he is in phenomenal shape & chose Linchpin after hopping around several other programs. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40560015

Lungs or Strength...which is more important? 03/16/2026

Lungs or Strength...which is more important? Jumping Pull-ups Pacing workouts. How big is the Linchpin community? Mobility work? Lungs vs Strength. Toes-to-bar & Strict Pull-ups. Working out after 40. Buying a rower. Low Back soreness vs strength. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40500145

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 10 03/13/2026

Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 10 Jay is a husband, as well as a father to four children. He works in federal law enforcement & his wife is a business owner. Needless to say, they are very busy. Fitness helped save his life in 2016 when he was bitten by a rattlesnake. Through all of this, he has managed to keep fitness a priority in his life. He has bounced around trying out various program, but he chooses Linchpin. This is his story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40445680

Linchpin gets $600 Value for FREE! 03/09/2026

Linchpin gets $600 Value for FREE! This episode is all about the many Varied Not Random cycles that are now available to members of the Linchpin community. There are over 20 different cycles that add up to over $600 in total value. Linchpin gets them for free. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40372460

Ultra Marathons & Linchpin 03/06/2026

Ultra Marathons & Linchpin Ryan is a husband, as well as a father of 3 children. Between his busy job & family commitments there is not much time left to train. This forces him to be efficient with his time. He loves running, especially long distance. He has cracked the code figured out how to train Linchpin while also training for long running races. He is the point of contact for the Unofficial Linchpin Endurance squad. This is his story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40343720

Quick Singles vs Touch & Go. 03/02/2026

Quick Singles vs Touch & Go. Quick singles vs Touch & Go. Box Jumps Intensity. Heavy Lift + Metcon Wearables. Training a deconditioned person Accessory work. Training alone & technique. Back Squat vs Leg Press Cleaning your garage gym. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40285575

4 Hours Meditating & 5000m Elevation. 02/27/2026

4 Hours Meditating & 5000m Elevation. Habib was born in Greece, but he has lived in Dubai, Istanbul, London & Pittsburgh. He is about to move once again & start a new life in the Netherlands. His brother is a Buddhist Monk who lives in a retreat in Nepal. This prompted Habib to make an epic trip to see his brother, practice mediation & hike to 5000m of elevation! /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40254515

When is it time to Scale UP? 02/23/2026

When is it time to Scale UP? Knees-to-elbows grip Bike vs Rower CrossFit terminology Training days & results. Scaling up. Deadlift grip. VNR cycles The CF Open Sugary Treats & discipline /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40206995

11 Year Affiliate chooses Linchpin 02/20/2026

11 Year Affiliate chooses Linchpin Dom is the owner of CrossFit Glabeck. They are located in Germany & have been a CrossFit affiliate for 11 years. Dom has a ton of knowledge & experience training people & building a strong community. He also plays a critical role in developing the Coach's Notes & Lesson Plans which are included in the "Linchpin Private Track for Gym Owners". /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40179025

47 years old & starting over. 02/16/2026

47 years old & starting over. Interval training on a Treadmill Mastering the basics. Accessory work. CFL1 Pull-up bar or Rings? How to improve pull-ups Lifting straps. VNR cycles Starting over at 47 years old. Goal times. Nutrition /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40127055

Two-time All-American & Open Heart Surgery. 02/13/2026

Two-time All-American & Open Heart Surgery. Ingrid is a wife & mother of two children. She is a highly accomplished athlete who became a two-time All-American in the pole vault in 2007, won Pac-10's in 2008 her senior year, & qualified for the 2008 USA Track and Field Olympic Trials. She competed twice at the CrossFit Games as a member of an Affiliate team & participated in the GRID League for 3 seasons. She also had open heart surgery at 24 years old. This is her story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40101440

Major Announcement! 02/09/2026

Major Announcement! VNR cycles for free! How to scale dumbbell workouts. Advice I would change. Working out when sick. Modifying box jumps. Don’t quit. How to test your limits. Fitness & pregnancy. Jumping rope for conditioning. Linchpin complexes. Working around an injury. Doing lunges & carries in a small space. Weight belts & wrist wraps. Prioritizing lifts & skills /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40045775

Clinical Psychology, ADHD & Fitness. 02/06/2026

Clinical Psychology, ADHD & Fitness. Johan is a husband, a father & a clinical psychologist living outside of Stockholm, Sweden. His days are spent assessing, diagnosing, treating, and preventing psychological disorders and emotional distress in his clients. He also has ADHD & has found successful ways to navigate this in his personal & professional life. This is his story. /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/40023645

How to avoid "Ego Lifting". 02/02/2026

How to avoid "Ego Lifting". Low Ceiling - Wall ball replacement How to NOT “Ego lift”. Working out on sore muscles. Respect the GHD. Back Squat vs Belt Squat Ski Erg & sled work. Bodybuilding movements Heavy Days vs Heavy Days at a High Heart Rate /episode/index/show/linchpinconversations/id/39967485

Linchpin Conversations

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