Linchpin Conversations
Linchpin Conversations is a podcast covering health, fitness, personal development and random musings regarding life.
Episodes
8 years with Linchpin!
Nick is one of the Linchpin O.G.'s. He has been a member of the community for just over 8 years. During that time he has learned a lot about himself, what works & what doesn't. He is also a new grandfather at 53 years old. This is his story.
Should you buy a Bike or Rower?
Intro - check out VNR 275 Should you buy a Bike or Rower? "The Seven" & a bachelor party. Mastering Gymnastics. A workout I would like. Landmine Twists. Calories vs Meters for Men & Women. Accessory work & dumbbells. The Medball Side Toss. Accessing the free VNR cycles. Actually using your fitness outside the gym. Creating a CrossFit Games event.
Shift Work, Jiu-jitsu & Linchpin.
Mike is a husband, as well as a father of two children. He is a full time fire fighter that has learned how to manage fitness while having a demanding job that requires him to work 24 hours on & 48 hours off. He also enjoyed doing Jiu-jitsu twice a week. We discussed all of these topics & much more.
Linchpin Monthly Fitness Tests - Part 2
Checkpoint Golf Checkpoint Hotel Checkpoint India Checkpoint Juliet Checkpoint Kilo Checkpoint Lima
How to overcome obstacles.
Jesse is a husband, as well as being a father of 4 kids. During his life he has dealt with difficult times, for example, he attended Grad School while working full time & have a 2 month old baby at home. He has weighed as little as 135 pounds to as much as 220 pounds & everything in between. No matter that sort of chaos life has dealt him, he has put his family first & still found a way to take ca
Bulgarian Split Squats & Supplements.
Skipping the warm-up. New Linchpin Monthly Tests Why do Bulgarian Split Squats wreck me? What do people ask me to add or remove from programming? Humidity, sweat & nastiness. The VNR Back Squat Capacity program. Sandbags are fun. What Supplements do I take?
Bulgarian Split Squats & Supplements.
Skipping the warm-up. New Linchpin Monthly Tests Why do Bulgarian Split Squats wreck me? What do people ask me to add or remove from programming? Humidity, sweat & nastiness. The VNR Back Squat Capacity program. Sandbags are fun. What Supplements do I take?
Busy Mom & Austrian Police Officer.
Amy has been serving in the Austrian police force for 15 years. She is married & has a 10-month old baby boy. She did the "heavy lift + metcon" style of CrossFit for several years before leaving that behind & choosing Linchpin. This is her story.
Power Snatching your Bodyweight 18 times.
Is "Fasting" hype or real? Becoming a better runner. Power Snatching your Bodyweight 18 times. Linchpin & Jiu Jitsu Workouts I like. Shift work makes fitness tough. Why is the Air Runner so tough? Clean & Jerk vs Shoulder-to-Overhead Building out your garage gym. Using Accessory work as a 2nd session.
Female Rugby Player & Program Hopping.
Emily lives in the U.K. & trains in an old barn that is hundreds of years old. She has been into sports her entire life & her true passion is Rugby. She has experimented with classic strength training, long distance running & CrossFit. She is a self-proclaimed program hopper that keeps making her way back into the Linchpin community. This is her story.
Who needs extra strength work?
The mental game of fitness. Muscle-up substitutions. Raising Chickens. Returning to training after illness. Caloric demands of training. Considerations for Rowing. Who needs extra strength work? Uncommon equipment that I enjoy.
Wine, Fitness & more Wine.
Rob is a husband & a father of 3 girls. He entered the Army after college & traveled the world a bit. After the military he got a membership to 24 Hour Fitness & would do whatever workout routine caught his eye. Once he learned about CrossFit he got hooked & never looked back. This is his story.
Strict before Kipping, is it just for Pull-ups?
Strict before Kipping, is it just for Pull-ups? Proper pacing for interval training. Frequently seen movements. Update on my total hip replacement. Why does Linchpin work so well? What to do when you miss a training day? Heavy Lift + Metcon. Training only 3x per week. 4 Euros & a Yank.
10 Strict Chin-ups at 70 years old!
Jim did 10 Strict Unbroken Chin-ups on his 70th birthday. He is setting an example of long term health & fitness that should be a goal for all of us. He has been active his entire life, enjoying a wide variety of physical activities from body building to long distance running. At 60 years old he began powerlifting & competed at the national level. His fitness journey lead him to Linchpin, & he exp
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.
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.
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.
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
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?
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.
"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?
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 ar
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.
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 st
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.
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. T
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.
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!
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
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".
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
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 2
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
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.
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
Homeless & Catching Alligators
Curt is a former Marine who's life has taken him in crazy directions. He was homeless for a time & his friend tried to talk him into doing a robbery. Luckily, he refused. He had a troubled relationship with his father, but mended it to join the family business of catching alligators. He has a fascinating story.
Maple Bacon Cookies & CrossFit
Tierra is a baker by trade. She works in the kitchen of a 200 bed hospital. She is in charge of making a different cookie & dessert every single day of the year! Even though her occupation has her surrounded by tasty treats, she is finding a way to make fitness an important part of her life. This is her story.
Strength vs Lungs.
Strength vs Lungs. Linchpin data. Set loads vs % Workouts I regret. CF Open. Banded Bar Muscle-ups btwb fitness level Lateral movements My personal preferences for workouts. Strength + Metcon = mediocre results De-load weeks Using Linchpin to prepare for BUD/s Rate of Perceived Exertion Overcoming Low Motivation Progressing from Scaled to RX gymnastics Mobility work. Modifications for pregnancy
Ultra Running & Linchpin
Kate is a mom, a wife & a math teacher. She has been running for years & loves long distance challenges. She has run 12 hour races & 50 milers. She has recovered from injuries like torn ACL's & overcome other obstacles. In this episode she discusses how she balances a love of running & Linchpin workouts.
72 Hours of Fasting - my results.
72 Hour Fast Taking time off from training. CFL1 & L2 credentials. The story behind Linchpin. Useful data Fitness & the military. Some people don't care about technique.
Russia, David Goggins & Covid.
Irina was born in Russia & lived there through her early 20's before coming to America. She is a software architect at a tech company in Portland, OR. One of her coworkers is a Linchpin member & during Covid talked her into doing the David Goggins Challenge & into joining Linchpin. This is her story.
Coming back from an Injury.
Coming back from an injury. Avoiding bias when programming. Accessory work. Skill work. Heavy Day at a High Heart Rate. Has the culture of CrossFit changed? Train as a busy parent with a new baby.
Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 9
Ashley is a mom, a wife, a program hopper, a farmer & she holds down a full time job! Needless to say, she is a busy woman. She struggled after her daughter was born to find the time & motivation to workout. In this episode she shares her journey & what works for her.
Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 8
Alistair lives in the U.K., works from home & mostly trains using Linchpin's "limited equipment option". His fitness journey began in 2014 as a runner. Over the last 10+ years he has been a member of several different physical gyms as well as tried out various online programming options. All of this experiences lead him back to Linchpin. He shares his story in this episode.
Linchpin Succession Plan.
Linchpin succession plan. Stats that influence programming. Pacing for interval workouts. Would I go back & change original Linchpin workouts? Things I miss about my time in the Navy. No pull-up bar, what should I do? How long does programming take? Barbell complexes. Difference between the Linchpin Tests & the monthly Tests?
Confessions of a Program Hopper. Part 7
In the past, Forrest has been a notorious program hopper. Over the years he has followed 8 different online competitor programs as well as 6 or more online program for non-competitors. We has run marathons & pursued powerlifting for 3 solid years. After all this, he finds himself back at Linchpin. This is his story.
Training only with Dumbbells, Good or Bad?
Open workouts. 12 Days of Christmas workout. Machines & CrossFit What's new at Linchpin? HYROX Programming Paleo Kits Modifying loads Clean & Jerk vs Snatch Only Dumbbell workouts. Training when you work irregular hours.
Drugs, Alcohol & Hockey.
Rick has always been a talented athlete. From a young age he was playing hockey, running track & competing at a high level. When he was a teenager he became addicted to alcohol & later to drugs as well. These substances negatively affected his athletic goals as well as his entire life. Today he is 22 years sober & helps other people achieve their physical & life goals. This is his story.
What is "Fran Cough"?
Favorite Thanksgiving foods. Ring Rows vs Aussie Pull-ups. How to log dumbbell loads in btwb. Scale the load or the reps? What is "Fran Lung"? btwb "Committed Club". Xebex Rower & calories. Zone 2 for Rest Days. Promoting health with your family. Front Rack positions.
Living full time in an RV!
Chris & Danielle decided to sell their home in Virginia & travel the United States living out of an RV. They sold a bunch of their possessions, put the rest in storage & hit the open road. They have been on a never ending road trip around the U.S. for one year. They have had their ups & downs, highs & lows. No matter where they are, they make fitness happen with dumbbells or an outdoor adventure.
Selling Tulip Bulbs & Being a Mom
Lillian is a busy mom & a business owner. Two years ago she purchased a business that sells tulip bulbs all across New Zealand. She has a 2.5 year old son & a 10-week old son. Needless to say, she has her hands full & her free time is very limited. She does not let this prevent her from finding time every day to workout. This is her story.
Favorite Sandbag movements
Favorite Sandbag movements Getting Humbled. Can't Overhead Squat heavy. Linchpin meet-up & throwdown Pegboard Preparing for Competition Learning HSW & HSPU.
Gym in the U.K. follows Linchpin.
Barry is a husband, father & a grandfather. He played Rugby for about 30 years & lived to tell the tale. He is currently a coach at Defiance Fit, based in Brighouse in the U.K. They follow Linchpin programming & have a thriving community.
I Hate the Olympic Lifts.
Scaling to avoid DOMS? Calculating "Super Fitness Robot" times. Are Cleans & Snatches necessary? Importance of a Squat Rack. Kettlebell Swings Chiropractors...worthwhile or useless?
Race Cars & the Stock Market.
Ike is a husband & father of 3 children. He has spent many years of his life as an investor in the stock market. What he shares in this episode is NOT financial advice, it is just his personal experience & opinions. He also loves racing cars & has been a student, as well as an instructor. This is his story.
What if you Never Kip Again?
What if you Never Kip Again? Rearranging workouts when sick. Bar dips vs Ring Dips. Different style deadlift grips. Building Ring Muscle-up capacity.
6 ft. 7 in. Tall, 53 years old & taking a GLP1.
Jeremy is a husband & father of 3. He has been big, tall & heavy for all of his life. When he stopped playing sports his weight started to become an issue. He decided to take a GLP1 to help him lose weight & improve some of his health markers. This is his story.
The Secret to Long Term Fitness
Training vs Testing. The gym owners dilemma. Life is busy…focus on food or fitness? Learning handstands. Fitness while traveling. (Links to another question) Working out in public. Favorite Ice Cream. Dangerous movement combos. Warm-up sets vs Working sets Midline work.
Living the dream as a Dive Instructor.
Matt is a husband & father of two girls. He has been a fulltime dive instructor for over 25 years. This occupation has enabled him to travel the world seeking adventure & opportunity. He was born & raised in the U.K., but he has called the Philippines home since 2003. He currently owns a dive business & resort focused on scuba adventures. This is his story.
Thumbs around the Pull-up Bar...Yes or No?
Our favorite workout style. The story behind "Linchpin". Reverse Hypers. 2026 Games Meet up? Struggling with Dips. Thumb wrapped around pull-up bar, yes or no? What has CF taught me that applies to life? Testing workouts. Extreme Scaling of workouts. Help! Air Squats destroy me!
Not your typical Soccer Mom.
Steph is a wife & mother of 3. Her days are hectic. She works from home full time as an underwriter. When she is not occupied with that she is caring for her 3 kids & running them around to soccer practice & games. She found fitness later in life & has found a way to make it a daily habit. This is her story.
Doctors, Dumbbells & Doomsday Prepping.
Linchpin Conversations…intro Manual Treadmills The Daily Videos Dumbbells for Heavy Days Doomsday Prepping. Finding a good doctor. Choosing an Air Runner. CrossFit Medical Society. Leaderboards. "Tactical Games"
Helping Amputee Soldiers.
Dawn is an Occupational Therapist who currently works with Ukrainian soldiers who have lost arms and/or legs in the war. She helps them learn to use their new prosthetic limbs so they can function in the real world & perform life's tasks. This is her story.
How to Increase your Deadlift.
Open Heart Surgery & Linchpin. What I wish I knew when I started CrossFit. Weight belts…necessary or not? Odd Objects & the Transverse Plane. Programming Games workouts. Pull-up rep schemes. How long does programming take? Increase your deadlift. Swapping around training days. Wall Walks.
Former State Representative of Missouri
Mike is a husband & father of two children. His life has been a combination of practicing law & serving in politics. He resides in Kansas City, Missouri where he has served the people of that state in various capacities. He talks us through politics as well as his fitness journey.
McDonald's & Competitor Programming.
Hand maintenance. Power Clean stance. How to avoid McDonald's. Dealing with Tendonitis. Pregnancy & core work. Linchpin Test 13 origins. Competitor programming. Programming & AI.
Navy Senior Chief builds Linchpin Army.
Ken is a Senior Chief currently on active duty in the Navy. He has served 16 years so far & is about to transition to a new duty station in Greece. He got exposed to CrossFit while on deployment & was shocked by how difficult the workout was for him to complete. This sparked his interest & he never looked back. He has been the catalyst for many other Sailors & Marines to join the Linchpin communit
HYROX, Back Squats & Cookies.
HYROX racing. Accessory work. Dumbbells & Sandbags. Intentionally "burning out" certain muscles? Distance Conversions for Air Runners. Respect the Heavy Days. Skip the warm-up or Cool down? What if you never Back Squatted again?
Life as an EMT working 24 hour shifts.
Kevin is a husband & a father of a little girl. He spent many years of his life as a coach at various gyms. When he learned he was going to be a father he knew something in his life needed to change. He quit being a coach & became an EMT. This has been a great career transition for him, but his work schedule is demanding. He works two 24-hour shifts each week & still eats well & trains. This is hi
CrossFit Brand vs People's Perception.
CrossFit brand vs people's perceptions. How to train during your lunch break. VNR Jump Rope course. Rogue Invitational in Scotland. Linchpin & Soccer. Top CrossFit Journal articles. Tips for someone new to fitness. Switching training days around. Heavy day strategies. Linchpin workout options explained.
Skinny Runner Adds 30 lbs of Muscle!
Dermot is a husband & a father of two boys. He lives in Ireland with his family & works for the government doing IT work. His commute to the office is 150 km! (93 miles) He does this commute 3 times a week. On those days he gets up & works out at 5:30am. He spent many years as a distance runner, but embraced CrossFit about 10 years ago. This is his story.
