Masters In Motion

💤 Powered by Thirdzy — Better recovery starts with better sleep.Thirdzy’s Rest & Recovery Collagen helps you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up more refreshed — without melatonin or sedatives.👉 Save 20% at thirdzy.com with code Jasonzzz.
In this episode of Masters in Motion, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down with Micah Shoemaker, the driving force behind the Magic City Games, to unpack the upcoming Masters in-person semifinals and what they mean for athletes competing this season.
With the CrossFit season evolving, Masters athletes now have new pathways to qualify, and this conversation digs into exactly how those qualification processes work, what athletes should expect from the in-person semifinal experience, and why events like Magic City are becoming such an important part of the competitive landscape.
Micah shares his background in organizing large-scale CrossFit events and explains the thinking behind the Magic City Games — from athlete experience and competition flow to safety, logistics, and venue selection. The group also discusses the Birmingham Crossplex, weather expectations for May competition, and how event organizers are working to create a professional and fair environment for Masters athletes.
They also explore the broader future of Masters competition, including the balance between in-affiliate qualifiers, online formats, and in-person events, as well as the financial and logistical realities that go into running competitions at this level.
If you’re a Masters athlete aiming for semifinals — or simply want a behind-the-scenes look at how these competitions come together — this episode offers valuable insight into what lies ahead.
🔑 Key Takeaways
* Masters athletes now have dedicated in-person semifinal opportunities
* The Magic City Games is becoming a key event in the Masters competitive season
* Qualification pathways continue to evolve to improve fairness and access
* Event logistics are designed around athlete experience and safety
* The Birmingham Crossplex provides a professional venue for high-level competition
* Weather in Birmingham during May typically falls in the low-to-mid 80s
* In-affiliate and in-person competitions offer very different competitive dynamics
* Community engagement plays a major role in successful events
* Financial realities influence how qualifiers and semifinals are structured
* The future of Masters competition looks increasingly professional and athlete-focused
🧠 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Masters in Motion02:58 – Quarterfinals Experience and Athlete Insights05:39 – Transitioning from Quarterfinals to Semifinals11:35 – Micah Shoemaker’s Background and the Magic City Games17:44 – Understanding the Structure of In-Person Semifinals23:50 – Magic City Games Details and Expectations26:10 – Creating a Safe and Competitive Environment27:33 – Exploring the Birmingham Crossplex Venue29:11 – Competition Logistics and Event Planning30:12 – Weather Expectations for May Competition31:15 – In-Affiliate Semifinals Overview32:10 – In-Person vs Online Competition Perspectives35:08 – The Importance of Community Support38:07 – Upcoming Qualifiers and Events39:36 – Financial Realities of Running Qualifiers43:25 – What This Season Means for the Future of Masters Competition
🔥 Also sponsored by Kineon Move+Reduce pain, speed up recovery, and keep training harder for longer with Kineon Move+, the red-light therapy device trusted by athletes who need to stay in the game. I use the Move+ daily on knees, elbows, and shoulders — anywhere inflammation tries to slow me down.
If you want faster healing, less pain, and better movement…👉 Save 10% with code: jasongrubbfitness at kineon.io


Get full access to The Jason Grubb Journal at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

💤 Powered by Thirdzy — Better recovery starts with better sleep.Thirdzy’s Rest & Recovery Collagen helps you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up more refreshed — without melatonin or sedatives.👉 Save 20% at thirdzy.com with code Jasonzzz.
In this episode of Masters in Motion, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson break down everything you need to know heading into the CrossFit Quarterfinals.
With workouts released ahead of time, this phase of competition becomes less about reacting and more about planning, execution, and discipline. Jason and Rick walk through the structure of the Quarterfinals, explain why early workout release changes the game, and share exactly how athletes should approach these tests.
They dive into four key workouts, covering pacing strategies, transitions, and where athletes are most likely to make costly mistakes. From capacity-based pieces like deadlifts and double unders to more technical components, this episode gives you a practical framework for approaching each event.
A major focus is also placed on judging and score validation. At this stage, details matter. Small technical misses can lead to penalties or invalid scores, and understanding expectations ahead of time can make or break your weekend.
If you’re competing in Quarterfinals — or coaching athletes through it — this episode will help you move from guessing to executing with intention.
🔑 Key Takeaways
* Early workout release shifts the focus to strategy and preparation
* Quarterfinals demand consistency across multiple tests, not just peak effort
* Capacity-based workouts will expose pacing mistakes quickly
* Deadlifts and double unders are more about sustainability than speed
* Transitions between movements can significantly impact overall score
* Proper judging and video standards are critical to avoid penalties
* Technique breakdown under fatigue is one of the biggest performance killers
* Recovery between workouts is just as important as execution
* Athletes should prioritize repeatable effort over early intensity
* Planning your approach ahead of time gives you a major advantage
🧠 Chapters
00:00 – Introduction to Quarterfinals and Workout Overview10:08 – Understanding the Quarterfinals Structure19:59 – Workout Breakdown: Strategy and Execution21:29 – Managing Transitions Between Movements24:38 – Deadlifts and Double Unders: A Capacity Test27:56 – Pacing Strategies Across Workouts30:43 – Technique and Judging Standards35:50 – Recovery Between Events39:45 – Preparing for Quarterfinals and Beyond
🔥 Also sponsored by Kineon Move+Reduce pain, speed up recovery, and keep training harder for longer with Kineon Move+, the red-light therapy device trusted by athletes who need to stay in the game. I use the Move+ daily on knees, elbows, and shoulders — anywhere inflammation tries to slow me down.
If you want faster healing, less pain, and better movement…👉 Save 10% with code: jasongrubbfitness at kineon.io


Get full access to The Jason Grubb Journal at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

💤 Powered by Thirdzy — Better recovery starts with better sleep.Thirdzy’s Rest & Recovery Collagen helps you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up more refreshed — without melatonin or sedatives.👉 Save 20% at thirdzy.com with code Jasonzzz.
In this episode of Masters in Motion, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down for a deep dive into CrossFit Open Workout 26.2. After seeing the community’s reactions and reviewing athlete performances, they unpack what this workout really tested — and where many athletes got it wrong.
The conversation covers everything from movement standards and judging accountability to pacing strategies that separate strong performances from early blowups. Jason and Rick also revisit lessons from 26.1 and explain how those insights carry into 26.2.
One major theme in this episode is standards. In a competition where athletes are often responsible for judging themselves, clarity and integrity matter more than ever. The hosts discuss the importance of lockout positions, video validation, and how inconsistent judging can affect leaderboard results.
They also break down the strategic side of the workout — managing fatigue, making smart breaks, and understanding how specific movements accumulate fatigue faster than expected.
Finally, the episode closes with some predictions about what might be coming next in the Open, and what athletes should start preparing for now.
If you’re competing in the Open — or simply want to understand the programming and strategy behind workouts like 26.2 — this conversation will give you a clearer perspective.
🔑 Key Takeaways
* Clear movement standards are critical for fair competition
* Athlete integrity matters when self-judging Open workouts
* Dumbbell snatch lockout standards must be obvious and controlled
* Smart pacing can prevent major performance drop-offs
* Fatigue management is often the deciding factor in Open workouts
* Lessons from 26.1 still apply when approaching 26.2
* Video validation has become an important part of leaderboard accuracy
* Community reactions often highlight unclear standards or expectations
* Strategic breaks can outperform pushing to failure
* Upcoming Open workouts may continue to test classic CrossFit movements
🔥 Also sponsored by Kineon Move+Reduce pain, speed up recovery, and keep training harder for longer with Kineon Move+, the red-light therapy device trusted by athletes who need to stay in the game. I use the Move+ daily on knees, elbows, and shoulders — anywhere inflammation tries to slow me down.
If you want faster healing, less pain, and better movement…👉 Save 10% with code: jasongrubbfitness at kineon.io


Get full access to The Jason Grubb Journal at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

💤 Powered by Thirdzy — Better recovery starts with better sleep.Thirdzy’s Rest & Recovery Collagen helps you fall asleep faster, sleep deeper, and wake up more refreshed — without melatonin or sedatives.👉 Save 20% at thirdzy.com with code Jasonzzz.
In this episode of the Masters in Motion podcast, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down with two-time CrossFit Games athlete Josh Boonstra to break down everything you need to know about CrossFit Open Workout 26.1.
Josh shares his unique path to the Games, the lessons he’s learned from competing at the highest level, and how those experiences shape his approach to programming and strategy today. This conversation goes beyond surface-level tips — it dives into what really determines performance in a workout like 26.1.
From managing heart rate under fatigue to navigating high-rep wall balls and box jumps, this episode is packed with practical insights for athletes looking to maximize their Open performance. If you’ve ever underestimated how quickly leg fatigue can derail your plan, this one will hit home.
They also unpack how body mechanics, relative strength, and movement efficiency play a bigger role than most athletes realize — especially in workouts that look simple on paper but demand sustained capacity.
Whether you’re trying to squeeze out a few more reps or just survive the workout with a solid plan, this episode gives you a smarter way to approach 26.1.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
* 26.1 is less about raw strength and more about sustained capacity
* Leg fatigue will dictate your pacing far more than you expect
* Heart rate management is critical — blow up early and it’s over
* Efficient movement patterns can save more time than faster transitions
* Relative strength and body mechanics play a bigger role than most athletes realize
* Breaking early and intentionally is often the smarter strategy
* Athlete awareness and pacing discipline separate good performances from great ones
* Simplicity in workouts often hides the biggest challenges
* Mental control under fatigue is just as important as physical ability
* Preparation for the Open should focus on repeatability, not just intensity
🧠 Chapters:
00:00 – Introduction and Guest Introduction03:28 – Josh Boonstra’s Background and Journey06:31 – Experiences at the CrossFit Games09:23 – Overview of CrossFit Open 26.112:01 – Strategy Breakdown for 26.115:00 – Heart Rate Management and Intensity Control17:44 – Final Thoughts on Workout Execution20:52 – Programming Philosophy and Strategy24:53 – The Art of Creative Programming29:26 – Athlete Strengths and Performance Analysis32:11 – Height, Leverage, and Movement Efficiency36:19 – Preparing for the Open: Mindset and Execution
🔥 Also sponsored by Kineon Move+Reduce pain, speed up recovery, and keep training harder for longer with Kineon Move+, the red-light therapy device trusted by athletes who need to stay in the game. I use the Move+ daily on knees, elbows, and shoulders — anywhere inflammation tries to slow me down.
If you want faster healing, less pain, and better movement…👉 Save 10% with code: jasongrubbfitness at kineon.io


Get full access to The Jason Grubb Journal at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

As we look at this massive 2026 calendar, the one thing that will determine your success is how well you recover between these high-intensity blocks. That’s why we’re partnered with Thirdzy. Their PM Recovery Collagen is a staple for us because it’s melatonin-free and focuses on actual restorative sleep and joint health. If you’re serious about competing this year, don’t overlook your sleep. Go to thirdzy.com and use code JASONZZZ for 20% off your order.”Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson kick off the New Year by tackling the most pressing topic for any competitive athlete over 35: the 2026 Masters Competition Calendar. With the season structure evolving, Jason and Rick provide a high-level overview of the major milestones ahead, from the upcoming CrossFit Open to the specialized qualifiers that define the Masters journey.
The conversation goes beyond simple dates, diving into the logistical and strategic realities of the season. They break down the “backfilling” process for major events, the nuances of the new semifinal structure, and why this year feels more “stacked” than ever before. Whether you are aiming for the Masters CrossFit Games in San Jose or looking at community-driven events like Wodapalooza, this episode serves as your essential guide to navigating the year ahead. Jason also shares a personal story about a recent ride-along with his son in Denver, offering a grounded perspective on life outside the gym and the importance of finding balance amidst a busy competitive schedule.
Key Takeaways
* The 2026 Schedule is Loaded: Between the CrossFit Games season, Legends, and community events, athletes have more opportunities—and decisions—to make than ever before.
* Mastering the Qualifiers: A deep dive into how qualification paths work this year, including the technicalities of how spots are backfilled for major competitions.
* Priority Planning: Why understanding the full year’s calendar now is critical for managing your recovery, budget, and peak performance windows.
* Recovery is Non-Negotiable: As the volume of available competitions increases, prioritizing tools like Thirdzy becomes essential for staying healthy throughout a long season.
Chapters
* 00:00 New Year Greetings and Weather Talk
* 01:20 Jason’s Personal Update: The Denver Ride-Along
* 06:09 2026 Competition Calendar Overview
* 08:22 Current Qualifiers and Events
* 09:57 Upcoming CrossFit Open and Wodapalooza
* 19:28 Qualification Paths for Masters Competitions
* 21:27 The Backfilling Process Explained
* 23:21 Upcoming Semifinals and Community Events
* 28:55 The Busy Competition Calendar for 2026
* 33:02 Looking Ahead: Future Competitions and Opportunities


Get full access to The Jason Grubb Journal at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe