When More Isn’t Better: Paige Semenza on competition overload, recovery, and rebuilding momentum - E.379

In Episode 379, Drew sits down with Paige Semenza to unpack one of the most challenging seasons of her career — a year defined by injuries, travel, overlapping competitions, and hard decisions.They talk candidly about:The hidden cost of chasing every opportunityWhy skipping competitions can be harder than showing upHow narrative and identity shape performanceFinding the “sweet spot” between exposure, recovery, and growthWhy growth — in sport and life — is supposed to feel uncomfortableThis episode isn’t just about elite competition. It’s about decision-making under stress, learning when to pull back, and rebuilding momentum after things don’t go as planned.Whether you’re a Games athlete, a competitive CrossFitter, or someone trying to balance ambition with longevity, this conversation hits deeper than the leaderboard.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

We launch a short-form Misfit Mind and dig into why chasing approval undermines progress, while building substance creates steady gains. From blue-collar brilliance to gym vanity traps, we argue for identity over image and community over novelty.• optics versus substance across upbringing and training• why skills and gear can’t replace GPP• the emotional cost of keeping up appearances• program hopping versus long-term commitment• using “do it for you” as a daily filter• how community deepens when we drop the shellBrought to you by GorillaMind - Use the Code Misfit------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

We lay out a seven-week “stimulus bomb” phase that aligns coaches and members around five by five back squats, pulling gymnastics, and a smart rowing bias, all aimed at real adaptation and Open readiness. We explain the why, show how to coach it, and offer flexible tools for holidays, engine work, and competitors.• Five by five back squats as the universal strength driver• Coaching neutral spine, bracing, stance, and glute activation• Personalising squat style to anthropometry without losing depth• GPP lifts in metcons to test strength under fatigue• Pulling gymnastics through hollow and arch shapes• Logical progressions from strict capacity to kipping efficiency• Rowing bias, zone 2 strategy, and machine rotations• Holiday-friendly swaps and keeping lift-only days intact• Engine add-on structure and Sunday long slogs• Competitor Extras tied to class for retention and readinessHead to gorilla mind.com forward slash misfit or use the code word misfit at gorilla mind for checkout. You support the podcast and save money at the exact same time.You can get started for two weeks for free by going to teammisfit.com, click on sign up now, StreamFit, SugarWod or PushPress. You can also email [email protected] for a two-week PDF preview.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

A stronger engine won’t save a weak strategy. We unpack the Athlete IQ triangle—mind, body, and experience—and show how smarter decisions, realistic expectations, and consistent recovery convert raw fitness into reliable performance. We start with the mind: maturity built from tiny habits, patience to trust the timeline, expectations that stretch without delusion, and dedication that actually fits your life. If the goal demands three hours of training and nine hours of sleep, we talk about how to close that gap or change the horizon, and how a supportive circle makes the heavy lift possible.Experience is your competitive edge. We turn daily training into data by tracking warm-ups that unlock better bar speed, pacing that holds under fatigue, and break points that save your grip. You’ll learn to spot patterns from CrossFit history and apply the OODA loop—observe, orient, decide, act—to make mid-workout adjustments that outpace your rivals. When you iterate faster, you win the quiet battles that decide the leaderboard: transitions, sustainable splits, and efficient movement choices.Body is where belief meets stimulus. GPP expands the ceiling, strength lowers effort at the same output, and skill practice sharpens neurological efficiency under fatigue. Then we zoom into the other 23 hours: sleep, food, and downtime that create supercompensation. If you’re always on, you’re never fully on—turning it off is a performance skill. We close with a coach–athlete pact: both sides go as far as the other. When commitment is matched and the triangle stays in balance, results compound week after week.Hit play to raise your Athlete IQ, then tell us where you’ll level up first. If this helped, subscribe, share with a training partner, and leave a quick review so more athletes can find the show.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

We announce a sponsor we chased for over a year, outline programming changes that bring back quarterfinals prep and a five-week peak, and share big life updates: Hunter takes ownership of Misfit Gym Portland while Drew moves to Colorado to double down on Misfit Athletics. The theme is alignment—letting each of us lead where we create the most impact.• why most supplement deals are bad value and why Gorilla Mind is different• what we use daily: whey, omega-3s, creatine options, nootropic energy drinks, intra-workout carbs and salt• early Black Friday discounts and how to stack our code• affiliate phase dates and the return of quarterfinals prep• a five-week peaking structure that has produced semifinal athletes• camp at Roots details and early bird timeline• Hunter’s ownership focus on culture, coach development and steady improvements• Drew’s move to Colorado and plans for deeper education and remote coaching systems• why AI can assist but should not write programming• garage origins, growth, and how staying true keeps the community stronggorillamind.com/misfit or use code MISFIT at checkout and stack it with current salesmisfitathletics.com for individual programming; teammisfit.com for affiliate programming with two weeks free at signup------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

What if the secret to leveling up this season isn’t a new cycle, but the courage to keep showing up when everything says stay home? We call it monsoon season: the messy middle when daylight fades, holidays crowd the calendar, and motivation leaks. The athletes who keep climbing the leaderboard aren’t chasing hacks; they’re mastering simple behaviors done relentlessly and refining how they think when the day gets heavy.We break down two mental models that turn anxiety into action. Zoom in to shrink overwhelming sessions into solvable chunks: one minute, one transition, one cue. Zoom out to see the long arc: one bad interval among 1,500 training pieces is noise, not destiny. Then we dig into why resistance is a gift. Stress—applied in the right dose—remodels your body: stronger hearts, richer capillaries, better fuel use, calmer baselines. That same logic applies to the winter slump; train the “show up” muscle like you train legs and lungs.Here’s the catch: your gas tank is one system. Life stress, training volume, and recovery all pull from the same reserve. That means more work can make you worse if you’re already cooked. We share practical ways to find the GPP sweet spot, avoid maladaptive volume, and recover on purpose with sleep, breath, sunlight, easy walks, and real downtime. We also connect sport-to-sport mechanics—how fixing early extension in a golf swing mirrors better positions in the snatch—so you can transfer skill, not just sweat.Before each piece, define “get better today.” Sometimes it’s heavier or faster. Sometimes it’s better positions at 70 percent or composure when the plan cracks. And sometimes the win is simply walking into the gym on a day you would have skipped. That identity—rain or shine—compounds into results you can’t out-hack.If this resonates, follow the show, share with a training partner, and leave a review so more athletes find it. Got a small win from today’s session? Tell us—we want to hear it.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

We map the full Phase Two plan and explain how to pick the right track, set clear priorities, and train with intent through the toughest stretch of the year. From squat clean peaking and volume squats to Echo Bike zone two and muscle-up progressions, we show how to build a season-proof base.• choosing between Pro, Hatchet, Masters and GPP• variable training system and what is mandatory vs optional• why intent beats volume for strength progressions• squat clean peak and volume back squat structure• speed bench, push press and pressing balance• positional snatch and overhead squat for bottom stability• deficit deadlifts and learning the earth press• Echo Bike zone two and rowing aerobic work• Cube-stacked intervals to train athlete IQ• weekly skill tracks for muscle-ups and handstand push-ups• how to log ranges and build micro-progressions• mindset for scary season and stacking small winsFree trials are on for one week across all programs. Head to Fitter or Strive and start your trial now. For affiliate programming, visit teammisfit.com and click Sign Up Now for a two-week free trial.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

Most athletes don’t lose because they’re undertrained; they lose because their systems fail when it counts. We unpack a full, practical framework for competition prep and execution that turns hard-earned fitness into points on the leaderboard. From building a “maturity meter” through daily habits to knowing exactly when to chase threshold and when to game a Metcon, you’ll get a clear plan you can run tomorrow.We start with becoming a student of the game: logging strategies, testing at real intensity, and identifying traps in event design before you face them under lights. Then we zoom into the taper: the lowest volume week with smart, safe intensity, plus a competition-week layout with a 3-movement primer Metcon and lift to wake your CNS without draining your tank. Traveling? We cover steps, mobility, time zones, and how to schedule warm-ups to the minute so you hit the floor hot, not flat.Fueling is where many athletes donate positions. Learn how to hold your ideal performance bodyweight in prep, carb load without bloat, and hydrate beyond the bare minimum. On event day, we explain why lowering core temperature via hands, feet, and forehead is the unlock to exit a catabolic state, how to send the “recover now” signal with whey and carbs, and why 40 to 60 grams of carbs per hour for three hours beats lump-sum strategies for later events. We wrap with execution: find your competition-only gear in transitions, micro-pace upgrades, and relentless movement—without redlining in minute two.If you want warm-up templates, taper structure, and between-event fueling you can copy-paste, this is your playbook. Subscribe, share with your training crew, and leave a review telling us the one tactic you’ll implement this week.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

We lay out the Montezuma phase and show how deadlifts and wall walks, paired with smart cardio and GPP rotations, build a sturdy trunk and a stronger culture. We share why narratives matter, how PAP and reset deadlifts teach bracing, and how wall walks outperform handstand walking for GPP.• Montezuma phase theme of midline and posterior chain• Deadlift heavy days with PAP and reset mechanics• GPP rotation and targeted in‑WOD lifting for expression• Wall walk bias with test–retest and skill exposure• Cardio days as shared suffering and measurable progress• Culture of coaching responsibility and athlete ownership• Competitor Extra for retention and smart added volume• Engine program cadence work and Sunday long sessions• Practical scaling, stimulus notes, and warm‑up guidanceGet a two‑week free trial at teammisfit.com—click Sign Up Now at SugarWOD, StreamFit, or PushPress. Or email [email protected] for a two‑week sample of the Montezuma phase. Join our Telegram to connect with coaches and affiliates.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!

We lay out a simple matrix to fix pulling and pressing gymnastics: audit, plan, execute across mobility, stability, strict work, low-rep checks, capacity, intervals, and metcons. Coaches get a system to diagnose and program; athletes get clear steps that trade ego for durable skill.• moving community chat from Discord to Telegram• early-bird camp at CrossFit Roots announced• why practice hard things: growth, challenge, mindset• audit sequence: dead hangs, kip swings, handstand holds• strict strength as the bridge to safe capacity• low-rep checks to confirm core-to-extremity timing• capacity waves: high sets to dense sets• intervals without interference to build athlete IQ• metcon strategy: short/medium/long, cardio/gas/muscle• programming across planes: pull, press, odd objects• mobility test–retest, post-training mobility habits• patience as a coaching and athlete rite of passageHead to the link in bio on Instagram to get signed up for any of our individual programs. TeamMisfit.com for affiliate programming—click Sign Up Now for a two-week free trial at SugarWod, StreamFit, or PushPress. Camp at CrossFit Roots Jan 30–Feb 1—early bird pricing live. Email [email protected] for the Telegram link.------------------------------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/misfithttps://misfitathletics.fitr.training/t/misfitathletics/Misfit Affiliate Programming:https://teammisfit.com/subscribe/Misfit Apparel at sharpentheaxeco.comInstagram: http://instagram.com/misfitathleticsFacebook: https://www.facebook.com/misfitathleticsThanks for clicking like and don’t forget to subscribe!