The season just got sharper. Quarterfinals are back, the pathway is clearer, and the middle tier finally means something again. We break down how the top 25% advance from the Open and why landing inside the top 2,000 in Quarterfinals is the new threshold for Semifinal eligibility. Beyond the headlines, we talk about what this structure does for real athletes who need meaningful checkpoints, not guesswork, to plan their year and build toward in-person competition.

Then we get practical. If “Spiders on Mars” or any long mixed piece keeps humbling you, the problem probably isn’t the movements—it’s pacing. We unpack athlete IQ for metcons: setting reps-per-minute targets for burpee box jump overs, choosing row paces that preserve downstream capacity, and using smaller, faster wall ball sets to win the average. You’ll hear why 45 seconds “earned” on a row can cost minutes later, and how a short-to-long interval progression can teach sustainable effort without blowing up. Take notes, measure your splits, and build a pacing language you can trust on game day.

We also explore mindset: how top athletes stay hungry without obsessing over daily leaderboards, and why chasing “winning or nothing” is a dead end. For most of us, training is a structure for growth—confidence, capacity, bone density, stress tolerance—not just a podium fantasy. If you love group class but want more, we outline a simple method to add smart work: fill the day’s missing bucket—lift, conditioning, skill, or accessory—without wrecking your recovery. Done well, that combo has already taken athletes from affiliate floors to the Masters CrossFit Games.

Ready to train with intent and navigate the new season with confidence? Subscribe, share this with a training partner who paces too hot, and leave a review telling us the one pacing rule you swear by.

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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

If you'd like to join the Misfit family and get fit head to the link in our Instagram bio to get started today.

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https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

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Ever wonder why some athletes crumble under pressure while others seem to thrive? The difference often isn't talent or even preparation—it's confidence. But not the shallow, Instagram-quote variety. We're talking about the deep, unshakeable confidence that comes from understanding exactly who you are and what you're capable of.

In this revealing conversation, we break down the five essential steps to cultivating genuine confidence that holds up when stakes are highest. Starting with the counterintuitive "resistance is a gift" mindset, we explore how embracing challenges rather than avoiding them creates the foundation for mental resilience. This isn't just about positive thinking—it's about creating tangible proof of your capabilities through intentional tracking and documentation.

The most fascinating insights emerge when we discuss vulnerability as the bridge between confidence in comfortable environments and confidence everywhere. Through real-world examples from competitive athletes, we demonstrate how acknowledging reality—even when it's uncomfortable—while maintaining belief in your ability to improve represents the pinnacle of confidence development. Flow state, that magical zone where challenge and interest intersect, becomes accessible when you know exactly what you're capable of and are willing to push just beyond it.

Whether you're struggling with competition anxiety, skill plateaus, or simply want to build a more resilient mindset, this episode offers practical strategies you can implement immediately. The journey to confidence isn't about reaching some mythical destination—it's about embracing the ongoing cycle of challenge, growth, and renewed challenge at higher levels. Ready to transform how you approach difficult situations? This conversation might just be the turning point.

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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

If you'd like to join the Misfit family and get fit head to the link in our Instagram bio to get started today.

Misfit Athletics Programming:
https://strivee.app/marketplace/p/misfit
https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/

Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathletics

Thanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

Does pushing your fitness to the extreme eventually circle back to poor health? How do elite athletes train through injuries and still perform at their best? When does scaling a workout become self-sabotage? The Misfit Athletics podcast tackles these thought-provoking questions and more in this comprehensive Q&A episode.

Drawing from their experience coaching Games-level athletes, the hosts share remarkable insights on injury management during competition season. They reveal how athletes have achieved their highest placings while working around significant limitations, emphasizing the power of creative programming, technique refinement, and maintaining general physical preparedness. The practical strategies they outline apply equally to competitive and everyday athletes looking to train through nagging issues without compromising long-term health.

The episode delves into the fascinating intersection of fitness and health, questioning whether there's a point where pursuing extreme fitness becomes counterproductive. Using examples from special operations forces and professional athletes, they examine how sustained physical stress can lead to hormonal disruption and other health consequences despite peak physical appearance and performance.

Perhaps most valuable for everyday athletes is their detailed breakdown of workout stimulus and pacing. By clearly defining duration categories, pacing approaches, and stimulus types (cardio, gas tank, muscle endurance), they provide a framework that helps athletes make intelligent scaling decisions. This knowledge empowers listeners to maximize their training effectiveness regardless of fitness level.

Throughout the conversation, the hosts balance technical expertise with practical wisdom, addressing questions about body fat percentages, running preparation, weakness identification, and even the irreplaceable benefits of sled training. Their willingness to engage directly with community questions reflects their commitment to supporting athletes at all levels.

Whether you're a competitive CrossFitter looking to optimize your performance or someone simply trying to make more informed training decisions, this episode delivers actionable insights that will transform how you approach your fitness journey. Listen now to gain the knowledge that can help you train smarter, not just harder.

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Misfits! We hope you enjoyed this episode. If you did and you're feeling generous throw us a review and let us know how we're doing, we'd really appreciate it.

If you'd like to join the Misfit family and get fit head to the link in our Instagram bio to get started today.

Misfit Athletics Programming:
https://strivee.app/marketplace/p/misfit
https://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/

Misfit Affiliate Programming:
https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/

Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.com
Instagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathletics
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathletics

Thanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!