Masters In Motion

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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 The Jason Grubb Journal at jasongrubb.substack.com/subscribe

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In this episode of Masters in Motion, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson break down the upcoming CrossFit online semifinals, sharing strategy, preparation tips, and key considerations for athletes heading into the next stage of competition.
They start with a recap of the Magic City Games, highlighting what went well, what stood out from the venue and execution, and why the judging and event flow set a strong standard for future Masters competitions. Jason and Rick also discuss the importance of continued communication with CrossFit HQ and how athlete feedback can help improve the structure and experience of future events.
From there, they dive into the newly released online semifinal workouts, including pacing strategies, movement considerations, judging standards, and how athletes should think about workout order and recovery. The conversation covers everything from lateral burpee box jump overs to a Jackie-style test, plus a unique deadlift ladder and clean workout that brings a very different challenge to the weekend.
Whether you’re competing, coaching, or following the Masters field, this episode gives you a practical roadmap for approaching semifinals with better planning, smarter pacing, and a clearer mindset.


Get full access to The Jason Grubb Journal 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 Masters in Motion, Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson break down the upcoming CrossFit online semifinals, sharing strategy, preparation tips, and key considerations for athletes heading into the next stage of competition.
They start with a recap of the Magic City Games, highlighting what went well, what stood out from the venue and execution, and why the judging and event flow set a strong standard for future Masters competitions. Jason and Rick also discuss the importance of continued communication with CrossFit HQ and how athlete feedback can help improve the structure and experience of future events.
From there, they dive into the newly released online semifinal workouts, including pacing strategies, movement considerations, judging standards, and how athletes should think about workout order and recovery. The conversation covers everything from lateral burpee box jump overs to a Jackie-style test, plus a unique deadlift ladder and clean workout that brings a very different challenge to the weekend.
Whether you’re competing, coaching, or following the Masters field, this episode gives you a practical roadmap for approaching semifinals with better planning, smarter pacing, and a clearer mindset.


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.
This episode is as real-time as it gets. Del Mar & In Affiliate Details
Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down and break down the CrossFit Semifinal workouts for Del Mar — as they’re being released. They also talk about the in-affiliate semi-finals and the details released today.
From analyzing event structure and strategy to reacting live to incomplete workout releases, this episode captures the chaos, excitement, and pressure that comes with high-level Masters competition.
They dive into:
The unknown elements of new equipment and programming
The grinder workouts that will separate the field
How pacing, fatigue management, and movement efficiency will decide outcomes
And why some of these workouts are going to hurt a LOT more than they look on paper
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how athletes prepare when workouts drop early — and how smart planning can be the difference between making the Games or going home.
If you're competing, coaching, or just following along… this is the episode you want before the weekend.
🔑 Key Takeaways
* Early workout release shifts the game toward strategy and preparation
* Unknown equipment introduces real unpredictability
* Event 1 will be a long aerobic grinder with a technical finish
* Event 2 is a sandbag separator — not a gymnastics workout
* Event 3 exposes posterior chain fatigue and pacing mistakes
* Event 4 is pure shoulder endurance — no shortcuts
* Judging clarity and setup are critical at this stage
* Small mistakes = huge penalties at semifinals level
* This field is tighter than ever — every rep matters
* Smart athletes will plan, not react competition looks increasingly professional and athlete-focused
🧠 Chapters
00:00 – Breaking News & Workout Release Chaos
02:05 – Semifinal Overview & Context
05:39 – Event 1: Unknown Machine + Double Unders
09:26 – Event 2: Sandbag Capacity Test
11:50 – Event 3: Heavy Barbell Breakdown
17:24 – Event 4: Shoulder Endurance & Handstand Walk
22:00 – Programming Philosophy & Strategy
27:57 – Athlete Mindset & Execution
35:09 – Real-Time Predictions & Concerns
42:44 – Final Thoughts Before Competition


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.
This episode is as real-time as it gets. Del Mar & In Affiliate Details
Jason Grubb and Rick Stevenson sit down and break down the CrossFit Semifinal workouts for Del Mar — as they’re being released. They also talk about the in-affiliate semi-finals and the details released today.
From analyzing event structure and strategy to reacting live to incomplete workout releases, this episode captures the chaos, excitement, and pressure that comes with high-level Masters competition.
They dive into:
The unknown elements of new equipment and programming
The grinder workouts that will separate the field
How pacing, fatigue management, and movement efficiency will decide outcomes
And why some of these workouts are going to hurt a LOT more than they look on paper
You’ll also get a behind-the-scenes look at how athletes prepare when workouts drop early — and how smart planning can be the difference between making the Games or going home.
If you're competing, coaching, or just following along… this is the episode you want before the weekend.
🔑 Key Takeaways
* Early workout release shifts the game toward strategy and preparation
* Unknown equipment introduces real unpredictability
* Event 1 will be a long aerobic grinder with a technical finish
* Event 2 is a sandbag separator — not a gymnastics workout
* Event 3 exposes posterior chain fatigue and pacing mistakes
* Event 4 is pure shoulder endurance — no shortcuts
* Judging clarity and setup are critical at this stage
* Small mistakes = huge penalties at semifinals level
* This field is tighter than ever — every rep matters
* Smart athletes will plan, not react competition looks increasingly professional and athlete-focused
🧠 Chapters
00:00 – Breaking News & Workout Release Chaos
02:05 – Semifinal Overview & Context
05:39 – Event 1: Unknown Machine + Double Unders
09:26 – Event 2: Sandbag Capacity Test
11:50 – Event 3: Heavy Barbell Breakdown
17:24 – Event 4: Shoulder Endurance & Handstand Walk
22:00 – Programming Philosophy & Strategy
27:57 – Athlete Mindset & Execution
35:09 – Real-Time Predictions & Concerns
42:44 – Final Thoughts Before Competition


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