What the Open Reveals, and What We Wish We Knew Sooner | Episode 11

Use the Tools: How Fortem Monthly Can Make You Better ⎸ Ep. 14

Fortem Monthly is more than a gym newsletter. It is a collection of tools to help you get more out of your training and build a healthier life outside the gym too. In this episode, we walk through everything included each month: 1. Mindset and coaching blogs 2. Practical meal prep recipes 3. Monthly movement challenges 4. Accessory and gymnastics skill work 5. Member stories and community updates You do not need to add another hour of training to your week. A few intentional minutes before or after class can go a long way. This episode will help you understand how to actually use Fortem Monthly!

Real Fitness: The 100-Word Blueprint ⎸ Ep. 13

What does real fitness actually look like? In this episode, we break down CrossFit’s classic “World-Class Fitness in 100 Words” and talk about why it still gives such a clear blueprint for what we’re building at Fortem. We talk through: • Why nutrition comes first • Why everyone needs to lift weights • Why gymnastics skills are worth the work • Why conditioning should include hard, fast efforts • Why routine can hold you back • Why your fitness should show up outside the gym If you’ve ever wondered why we train the way we train, this episode is for you.

Bring a Friend: Why CrossFit Is Better Together ⎸ Ep. 12

Trying CrossFit for the first time can feel intimidating, but it does not have to be. In this episode, we talk about Bring a Friend Week at CrossFit Fortem, happening April 27 through May 2, and why it’s such a great opportunity for someone new to get a real feel for what we do. We talk about: 1. What Bring a Friend Week looks like 2. Why a full week gives a better first experience than one random class 3. How coaching, scaling, and community make CrossFit approachable 4. Our own very different first experiences with CrossFit 5. Why inviting someone might be a bigger deal than you realize Whether you’re already part of Fortem or you’ve been curious about trying CrossFit for the first time, this episode is for you.

What the Open Reveals, and What We Wish We Knew Sooner | Episode 11

What the Open Reveals, and What We Wish We Knew Sooner ⎸ Ep. 11 The Open is over, but the bigger question is: now what? In this episode, we debrief the 2026 Open and talk about what it really exposes, what actually helps you improve, and the lessons we wish we knew when we first started CrossFit. We talk about: 1. What this year’s Open showed people about their fitness 2. Why pacing, consistency, and skill work matter 3. How nutrition changes everything 4. Why the Open is really about growth, not just scores 5. The CrossFit lessons we had to learn the hard way Whether you’re new to CrossFit or a few years in and still figuring things out, this episode is for you.

Get Stronger and More Durable: Six Simple Training Upgrades ⎸ Ep. 10

Getting fitter doesn’t always mean doing more. Sometimes it means doing the right things more consistently. In this episode, we break down six simple training upgrades that support strength, durability, and long-term progress, without adding chaos to your schedule. We talk about: 1. Strict pull-ups and why they matter 2. Overhead joint health and stability 3. Accessories and muscle as protection 4. Static holds and control 5. Carries and real-world strength 6. Low-impact steady state work and recovery These are small inputs with big returns. Pick a couple, commit to them, and let the basics carry you forward.