Masters In Motion

CORRECTION — SUICIDE RISK (40:44–41:38)
The discussion incorrectly suggests that people who talk about or threaten suicide are probably safe or less likely to act. Talking about suicide is a warning sign, not evidence of low risk. Take every mention seriously and seek help promptly. In the U.S., call or text 988; call 911 for an immediate life-threatening emergency. Source: National Institute of Mental Health.
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About this conversation
Ian Koch recognized something in Jason Grubb's behavior before they had ever talked about his drinking. Jason thought Ian was joking. Ian wasn't.
Jason and Rick Stevenson sit down with Ian, a licensed clinical drug and alcohol counselor and founder of Surfside in New Jersey. Their relationship began with Jason coaching Ian in CrossFit. Over time, Ian became the person Jason turned to for help with drinking, family life, and patterns he had learned to treat as normal.
Jason describes what his evenings actually looked like, why limiting himself to a couple of glasses of wine was harder than he wanted to admit, and how his competitive discipline coexisted with a drinking problem. He talks about the conversation with Gina that preceded his decision to stop, the extra contact with Ian during those first days, and his frustration when quitting did not immediately improve his recovery numbers.
Ian shares his own experience of sobriety since 2005 and explains why he started an adventure-based recovery program that includes surfing, climbing, and CrossFit. The conversation covers family patterns, accountability, the shame around asking for help, and where someone can start looking for support.
In this episode
* How Ian recognized a problem before Jason talked about his drinking
* Why success in CrossFit did not mean Jason had control of his alcohol use
* The difference between intending to have two glasses and actually stopping at two
* Gina's observation on New Year's morning and Jason's decision to stop
* The first days without alcohol: accountability, expectations, and recovery numbers
* Family patterns, shame, and the reluctance to ask for help
* Ian's recovery story and the start of Surfside
* How to reach out for yourself or someone you care about
Chapters
00:00 — The moment Ian saw the problem
01:45 — Meet Ian Koch and Surfside
03:50 — From coaching Ian to asking him for help
05:26 — Thirdzy sponsor message
06:10 — Ian's recovery story
08:55 — Why Ian started Surfside
11:42 — Why asking for mental-health help feels different
13:50 — Jason's drinking and the patterns underneath
18:08 — Gina joins the conversation
19:44 — Trying to limit the drinking
26:54 — New Year's and the decision to stop
28:42 — Accountability in the first days
29:14 — Why quitting didn't fix recovery numbers overnight
31:02 — The question of drinking again
34:02 — Watching how much everyone else drinks
36:40 — Family patterns, shame, and asking for help
40:41 — Suicide-risk discussion — see correction above
42:34 — When family members need support
44:01 — Ian's concerns about cannabis
47:55 — How to reach out for help
50:10 — Direct conversations and the relief of asking
52:40 — CrossFit and recovery
53:52 — Bolder Athlete sponsor message
Guest and support resources
Learn about Ian's program and contact the team at Surfside.
This episode shares personal experiences and does not replace individualized medical or mental health care. Take any talk of suicide seriously. In the U.S., call or text 988 for crisis support. See NIMH's suicide-prevention guidance.
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Stuff I Wish a CrossFit Judge Had Told Me
Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down with veteran CrossFit judge and former competitor Dave Hardie to explain what athletes can do before, during, and after a competition to avoid preventable no-reps and penalties.
Dave has judged at every level of the sport. He shares the lessons he wishes he had known while competing: stay out of the gray area, train movement standards before competition day, film qualifier videos so every rep can be judged, and communicate with the head judge before taking the floor.
They also discuss how experienced athletes respond to a no-rep without losing time, what makes an appeal useful instead of emotional, why signing the scorecard matters, and the growing shortage of experienced judges in CrossFit.
In this episode
* Why clearly valid reps beat living in the gray area
* How to train movement standards before competition day
* Video-submission mistakes that cost athletes reps
* Why your camera angle and judge choice matter
* What to communicate in the corral and on the competition floor
* How top athletes respond to a no-rep without wasting time
* What to include in a useful competition appeal
* Why CrossFit needs more experienced judges
* How to begin judging local and major events
Chapters
* 00:00 Meet Dave Hardie
* 05:09 Stay out of the gray area
* 09:41 Train to competition standards
* 11:55 Video-submission mistakes
* 15:05 Use a judge who actually judges
* 19:07 Review your video before submitting
* 22:43 What athletes need to know in person
* 27:03 How the best athletes handle no-reps
* 28:24 Watch the head judge
* 29:02 Sign the scorecard and leave the floor
* 31:14 How competition appeals work
* 37:09 CrossFit's judge shortage
* 39:12 Why judging is worth it
* 43:27 How to become a CrossFit judge
* 45:09 Does judging pay?
* 47:03 Where to find Dave
Sponsor
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.
Programs and links
* Bolder Athlete training
* 1:1 training and 12-week programs
* Instagram
* Jason's deals/partners


Get full access to Masters in Motion at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

Dave Castro on Programming the 20th CrossFit Games—and What Comes Next
Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down with Dave Castro to discuss the challenge of programming the 20th CrossFit Games and where the competition could go next.
Dave explains why programming a full Games week is more than choosing individual workouts. Event order, recovery windows, venue limitations, staffing, and athlete flow all affect whether the competition works. He also shares what he learned from this year's schedule and the feedback he received afterward.
The conversation then turns to the Masters divisions: what Masters athletes represent for CrossFit, where the competition currently works, and what better integration could look like without creating a logistical mess.
In this episode
* Why the 20-event anniversary format was difficult to program
* How event order changes athlete recovery and safety
* What Dave learned from the biathlon, obstacle course, and throw events
* The logistical limits that shape Games programming
* How CrossFit HQ views the Masters divisions
* Field size, staffing, sponsor, and media constraints
* What Masters athletes demonstrate about long-term health and performance
* How future competitions could integrate divisions more effectively
Chapters
* 00:00 Introduction
* 00:48 Dave Castro joins the podcast
* 02:18 Programming 20 events for the 20th Games
* 07:20 What worked and what Dave learned
* 08:40 Athlete feedback, logistics, and recovery windows
* 10:00 Event callbacks and the throw event
* 13:00 The biathlon and obstacle course
* 15:30 Masters competition and consistent separation
* 16:30 CrossFit HQ's view of the Masters divisions
* 19:50 Field size, volunteers, and athlete experience
* 23:30 What Dave values about Masters athletes
* 25:20 Sponsors, media, and the economics of competition
* 27:30 Future integration and venue options
* 29:30 Longevity and the larger CrossFit message
* 30:00 Closing
Watch on YouTube
Watch Episode 129 on YouTube
Sponsor
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.
Programs and links
* Bolder Athlete training
* 1:1 training and 12-week programs
* Instagram
* Jason's deals/partners


Get full access to Masters in Motion at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

Powered by Bolder Athlete — Training for Masters by Masters - get 3 weeks free here: bolderathlete.com
In this episode of the Masters in Motion Podcast, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson take a deep dive into XENOM, the new Decathlon of Fitness built around 10 standardized events completed over two days.
Rick is preparing to compete, so the conversation goes beyond a basic event preview. Jason and Rick examine the competition format, scoring system, athlete divisions, event logistics, and the challenge of preparing for strength, endurance, gymnastics, and high-intensity tests within one weekend.
They break down the first day of events, discuss unfamiliar equipment and movement combinations, and explore how athletes should manage pacing, recovery, and effort across multiple tests. Rick also shares his thoughts on the clean ladder, the challenge of lifting heavy after accumulated fatigue, and how training for a fixed-event competition differs from preparing for the unknown programming common in CrossFit.
XENOM uses a points-based scoring model inspired by the Olympic decathlon, creating a repeatable benchmark athletes can use to compare performances across events and competitions.
Whether you’re considering competing, following Rick’s journey, or curious about the future of multi-event fitness competitions, this episode provides a clear look at what XENOM is trying to build—and what athletes should expect.


Get full access to Masters in Motion at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

Powered by Bolder Athlete — Training for Masters by Masters - get 3 weeks free here: bolderathlete.com
In this episode of the Masters in Motion Podcast, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson take a deep dive into XENOM, the new Decathlon of Fitness built around 10 standardized events completed over two days.
Rick is preparing to compete, so the conversation goes beyond a basic event preview. Jason and Rick examine the competition format, scoring system, athlete divisions, event logistics, and the challenge of preparing for strength, endurance, gymnastics, and high-intensity tests within one weekend.
They break down the first day of events, discuss unfamiliar equipment and movement combinations, and explore how athletes should manage pacing, recovery, and effort across multiple tests. Rick also shares his thoughts on the clean ladder, the challenge of lifting heavy after accumulated fatigue, and how training for a fixed-event competition differs from preparing for the unknown programming common in CrossFit.
XENOM uses a points-based scoring model inspired by the Olympic decathlon, creating a repeatable benchmark athletes can use to compare performances across events and competitions.
Whether you’re considering competing, following Rick’s journey, or curious about the future of multi-event fitness competitions, this episode provides a clear look at what XENOM is trying to build—and what athletes should expect.


Get full access to Masters in Motion at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe