Best Jason Ackerman Podcasts (2025)

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Taylor Self vs. Jason Ackerman on Overtraining, Identity & CrossFit Gym Culture 1:02:43

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9h ago1:02:43

1:02:43

Taylor Self and Jason Ackerman go head-to-head on the issues every CrossFit coach and affiliate owner wrestles with overtraining, identity, and the culture you allow inside your gym. This conversation digs into the hard truths behind why coaches burn out, why athletes chase volume, and what it really takes to build a healthy, professional CrossFit …

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Jason Ackerman 30:51

1d ago30:51

30:51

Fresh Direct is an online grocer that disrupted the traditional food supply chain by sourcing food where it’s produced and delivering it to consumers without going through additional retailers. Fresh Direct launched in 2002 from its headquarters in a former paper plant in Long Island City, Queens. Jason speaks with Jessica Harris about how he launc…

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Campfires Not Stadiums: Building Belonging: Charles Vogl 22:36

29m ago22:36

22:36

Here are three big insights that emerge from this Change Signal conversation with Charles Vogl: Leadership maturity means rejecting the “Superman” myth of doing it all alone; Real change requires creating spaces where the rules are rewritten; and Belonging — and transformation — scale through small, steady “campfire” gatherings, not grand events. C…

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Virtuosity in Programming: How to Make the “Sucky Stuff” Fun for Athletes 1:00:59

18h ago1:00:59

1:00:59

Taylor Self joins Todd and Kristin to unpack what “virtuosity in programming” really means and how to apply it in daily training. They explore how great coaches make the hard, unglamorous work engaging and help athletes stay motivated through the stuff they need but don’t always love to do -- Learn more about Sentinel Training here: https://www.tra…

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Common Mistakes in Leading Transformational Change: Linda Ackerman 29:59

1h ago29:59

29:59

Here are three provocative questions that arise from this Change Signal conversation with Dr. Linda Ackerman Anderson: What if change were treated like finance? Are your leaders modelling the change — or just managing it? And what hidden costs are you paying for “too much change, too fast”? For forty-plus years, Linda has studied what actually dera…

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How Eric Hinman BUILT a Lifestyle Brand CrossFitter Can Copy 38:23

3h ago38:23

38:23

Filmed live at AffiliateCon, Eric Hinman shares how he built a lifestyle brand that attracts opportunities without chasing them. Learn how gym owners and coaches can use authenticity, consistency, and daily habits to turn their life into their most powerful marketing tool. -- Ready to grow your box, increase profit, and make an impact? Apply for Af…

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Are You Pretending Change Has No Cost? Paulo Pisano 35:45

18m ago35:45

35:45

Here are three big questions that arise from this Change Signal conversation with Paulo Pisano: Is complexity masking your real priorities?; What sacrifices are you pretending aren’t happening?; and How are you building protagonist mindsets? Paulo Pisano, CHRO at Booking.com, has spent his career leading transformation in large, global organization…

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Stop Overcomplicating Nutrition: EC Synkowski on What Really Works in the Gym 1:01:50

1h ago1:01:50

1:01:50

Most CrossFit coaches overthink nutrition. EC Synkowski is breaking down how to simplify nutrition coaching inside your affiliate so members actually understand it, apply it, and see real results. -- Learn more from EC and OptimizeMe Nutrition https://optimizemenutrition.com --Ready to your develop your coaching, advance your career, and level up y…

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What Happens When Your Coach Opens Their Own Gym | CrossFit Avitas 1:34:08

9d ago1:34:08

1:34:08

When your best coach leaves to open their own gym, it can feel like betrayal, but it might actually be a sign you’re doing something right. In this episode, Ackerman , Chad, and Karen unpack the hard truths, lessons, and opportunities behind one of the toughest parts of affiliate ownership. --- Ready to grow your box, increase profit, and make an i…

1
John Zimmer 30:22

12d ago30:22

30:22

Lyft is a transportation network company with a peer-to-peer mobile app that enables passengers to request rides with their smartphones. Prior to starting Lyft, John co-founded Zimride in 2007, a carpooling ride-share company available predominantly in college communities. Zimride was sold to Enterprise Rent-A-Car in 2013. Lyft is available across …

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A Fresh Take on Courage for Change: Dave Ulrich 29:53

6d ago29:53

29:53

Here are three provocative questions that emerge from this Change Signal conversation with Dave Ulrich: Why do so many leaders know what to do in change but fail to actually do it? If change is always messy and iterative, how can leaders set expectations without killing momentum? What does it really take to lead through paradox instead of choosing …

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How to Sell a CrossFit Gym (Without Getting Screwed) 35:01

3d ago35:01

35:01

Ready to sell your CrossFit gym? In this episode, Ackerman, Fern and PushPress CEO Dan Uyemura break down how to value your affiliate, prepare for the sale, and avoid leaving money on the table when it’s time to exit. --- Watch "How to Buy A CrossFit Gym" https://youtu.be/nrWn0OiYtgw -- Ready to grow your box, increase profit, and make an impact?Ap…

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Essie Weingarten 30:14

7d ago30:14

30:14

Essie started her eponymous brand in 1981 with $10,000 after working in the hosiery business. When Essie launched, there were very few companies making nail polish, and nail salons were rare. Essie nail polish is now available in roughly 25,000 salons in more than 100 countries. The company was bought by L’Oreal in 2010. Essie speaks with Jessica H…

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Why We Partnered with Mayhem (and What’s Coming This December) 1:01:59

6d ago1:01:59

1:01:59

We’re teaming up with Mayhem to take affiliate and coach development to the next level. In this live conversation, Austin Malleolo joins us to talk about why this partnership matters, what it means for the CrossFit community, and what’s happening at CrossFit Mayhem this December that every affiliate owner and coach needs to know about. -- Join the …

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Are You Your Own Saboteur? Kirstin Ferguson 29:44

8d ago29:44

29:44

Here are three provocative questions that emerge from this Change Signal conversation with Kirstin Ferguson: Why does character matter more than competence when it comes to inspiring transformation? Do everyday leadership moments shape culture more than big, staged gestures? What happens when leaders ask better questions instead of always giving an…

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How to Buy a CrossFit Gym (Without Getting Burned) | Dan Uyemura (PushPress) 40:03

23d ago40:03

40:03

Thinking about buying a CrossFit gym? 💡 In this episode, Fern and PushPress CEO Dan Uyemura reveal the hard truths, hidden costs, and smart strategies every buyer needs to know before signing the deal. -- Ready to grow your box, increase profit, and make an impact? Apply for Affiliate University 👉https://www.besthouroftheirday.com/affiliate-univers…

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Tristan Walker 30:55

23d ago30:55

30:55

Walker & Company makes beauty and health products for people of color. Prior, Tristan was the first African American entrepreneur in residence at the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. He is also the founder of Code2040, a program that connects Black and Latino coders with Silicon Valley startups for summer internships. Tristan speaks with J…

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How Jason’s First Business Mentee Turned One Studio into Six 51:32

27d ago51:32

51:32

Jess was the first person Jason Ackerman ever mentored in business, and her leap of faith turned a 700-square-foot “house studio” into six thriving hot yoga locations. In this episode, they revisit the advice, mindset shifts, and wild moments that shaped both of their entrepreneurial journeys. -- Ready to grow your box, increase profit, and make an…

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The Hidden Politics of Change Leadership: Dan Pontefract 28:32

15d ago28:32

28:32

Dan Pontefract’s three big insights on modern change mastery and leading meaningful organizational transformation: Managing up is a critical part of change leadership, and there are smarter ways to do it; Culture isn’t “soft” — it’s the real work of change and can’t be delegated away; and Purpose, balance, and generational shifts are forces shaping…

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The 3 Skills Every New CrossFit Coach Must Master | Lisa Ray & Denise Thomas 1:06:54

1M ago1:06:54

1:06:54

CrossFit Flowmasters Denise Thomas and Lisa Ray break down the three non-negotiables every new coach needs to develop. If you’re coaching on vibes and hoping it lands, this episode shows you what to master first. -- Join us at AffiliateCon Oct 24-26 in Dallas, TX ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.besthouroftheirday.com/affiliatecon⁠⁠⁠⁠ -- Ready to your develop your …

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Luis von Ahn 30:43

1M ago30:43

30:43

Luis is an inventor and computer science professor at Carnegie Mellon. He is one of the creators of CAPTCHA, a system that allows websites to determine whether you’re a human or a computer. CAPTCHAs are wavy, distorted words that people need to type out when they’re submitting a form to a website. Luis’ company ReCAPTCHA proved users were humans wh…

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Is Your Exec Team BORED of change? Probably. Kate Lye 16:30

20d ago16:30

16:30

Here are three provocative questions that emerge from this Change Signal conversation with Kate Lye: Why do executive teams excel at functional expertise but falter at systems thinking? Can CEOs transform their organizations without first transforming themselves? What happens if change leaders never secure permission to call out executive sabotage?…

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Does Insubordination Help or Hinder Change? Todd Kashdan 30:06

22d ago30:06

30:06

Here are three provocative questions that arise from this Change Signal conversation with Todd Kashdan: Are you cooperating too much for change to succeed? What personal costs are you willing to pay for principled rebellion? Why do people hide their real beliefs just to fit in? My friend Todd Kashdan, psychology professor and author of The Art of I…

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She Was My First Member at Albany CrossFit (and She's Still Crushing It at 83) 35:53

1M ago35:53

35:53

Jason reconnects with his very first CrossFit client, Donna, who started training with him before Albany CrossFit even opened. Now at 83, she’s still working out, traveling the world, and proving what longevity in fitness really looks like. -- Ready to grow your box, increase profit, and make an impact? Apply for Affiliate University 👉https://www.b…

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Robert Stephens 31:24

1M ago31:24

31:24

Robert Stephens started making computer tech-support house calls on his dirt bike while he was a college student at the University of Minnesota in 1994. He’d arrive to a customer’s house on time, take off his shoes, wear a clean uniform, and fix the problem. His cheeky “law enforcement” marketing theme caught people’s attention, and the company gre…

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How to Coach Gymnastics Without Losing the Rest of the Class | Pamela Gagnon 59:22

1M ago59:22

59:22

Pamela Gagnon is a former Division I gymnast, multi-time Regionals and Masters competitor, and co-creator of Performance Plus Programming, where she specializes in gymnastics progressions for CrossFit athletes. In this episode, we’re digging into how coaches can better teach and program gymnastics movements in group CrossFit classes—from strict str…

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How Great Leaders Create Buy-In Without Forcing It | Saša Mirković 1:35:47

1M ago1:35:47

1:35:47

Saša Mirković shares how real leadership is built through trust, delegation, and resilience under pressure—not authority or force. This episode explores why people choose to follow some leaders instinctively while resisting others, and what it takes to earn genuine buy-in. -- Join us at AffiliateCon Oct 24-26 in Dallas, TX ⁠https://www.besthourofth…

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The Hidden Rituals of Change: Michael Norton 29:54

1M ago29:54

29:54

By Michael Bungay Stanier

2M ago2:22:00

2:22:00

After 16+ years of affiliate ownership and a lifetime of lessons, Fern has learned firsthand why running a business is never easy. In this episode, he shares the hard realities of gym ownership and what it truly takes to succeed.-- 📈 Want to GROW YOUR GYM WITHOUT SACRIFICING YOUR PASSION? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Learn more about Aff…