Welcome to Episode 102 of the Built on Purpose Podcast, brought to you by Y Scouts.
In this episode of Built on Purpose, Max Hansen sits down with Greg Glassman, the founder of CrossFit, to discuss his revolutionary impact on fitness, business, and beyond.
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Key Highlights:
✅ The Origins of CrossFit
- Glassman’s journey started as a young gymnast seeking functional strength and endurance beyond traditional training.
- His early work with police and firefighters exposed gaps in conventional fitness, leading him to develop CrossFit’s high-intensity, functional movement approach.
- CrossFit’s rapid expansion, from a small garage gym to a global fitness movement with thousands of affiliates.
✅ Community & Competition in CrossFit
- The unexpected yet powerful camaraderie in CrossFit gyms helped fuel its growth.
- The structured, competitive nature of workouts creates an environment of support and motivation.
- CrossFit became a unifying force across military, first responders, and elite athletes worldwide.
✅ Challenging Traditional Fitness & Medicine
- Glassman discusses the resistance he faced from academic institutions and sports medicine groups.
- The fraudulent research and misinformation campaigns that tried to discredit CrossFit.
- His deep dive into the flaws of modern scientific research, which led to his focus on exposing corruption in public health.
✅ Diet, Sugar & the Health Crisis
- Glassman argues that sugar is the primary culprit behind obesity, metabolic diseases, and chronic health issues.
- The influence of major corporations like Coca-Cola in shaping misleading health science.
- His personal mission to fight misinformation in the health and fitness industry.
✅ The Role of Technology & Devices
- Concerns over the addictive nature of smartphones and digital devices, especially in children.
- The impact of screen time on social interactions, attention spans, and parenting.
✅ CrossFit & The Media Controversy
- How his outspoken nature led to media backlash and his eventual exit from CrossFit.
- The reality behind his departure and how he turned adversity into opportunity.
- His perspective on being “canceled” and why he remains unapologetic.
✅ Final Thoughts
- Glassman shares reflections on his journey, what he’s most proud of, and the broader lessons learned from building a movement.
- Insights into what’s next for him post-CrossFit and his continued passion for challenging the status quo.
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