Analyzing the Programming | 2025 Syndicate Crown w/ J.R. Howell

Is the CrossFit Games a sport… or something bigger? In this episode we break down why the CrossFit Games defy traditional definitions of sport and stand alone as the world’s most comprehensive test of elite fitness. Unlike football, basketball, or even Olympic events, the Games don’t measure who’s best at a single skill—they measure who’s "The Fittest on Earth". From unknown event programming to the raw versatility demanded of athletes, we’ll dive into why the Games aren’t just a competition—they’re a crucible. A proving ground. A battlefield where athletic specialization takes a backseat to adaptability, grit, and pure, functional capacity. This isn’t about scoring points—it’s about navigating the unknown and unknowable. Is it time to stop calling it a sport and start calling it what it really is? Tune in and decide for yourself.

The Last Chance Qualifier is BACK and... better than ever? 5 Coaches were given the opportunity to program the events as the team from CrossFit Mayhem curated and tweaked them for the final version. Was this the right path? Did we get a good test? How balanced does it really need to be after semifinals? Angelo DiCicco jumps on the show as a surpsie guest as we analyze everything about the Last Chance Qualifier. 

Of all the running that we KNOW will be at the 2025 CrossFit Game and have always been at the CrossFit Games how do you NOT testing running at your Semifinal?

The Northern California Classic has been steadily growing over the last several years and has now gotten their first opportunity to send athletes to the CrossFit Games.... and perhaps their last.

The Torian Pro never disappoints but in the meek landscape that was this years Semifinals was this the best one of the bunch? Did the programming rival that of J.R. Howell and the Syndicate Crown? 

The Rebel Renegade Games had the longest Semifinal competition and most events of all of the in person qualifiers. Do more events allow for a better test or does that open you up for more chances to screw it up?

Are we going to have our very first "Perfect 10.0"!? The man behind the Syndicate Crown programming, J.R. Howell, joins the show to make sure that doesn't happen. You read that correctly....

The biggest weekend of Semifinal Events is looking with 4 qualifiers all over the world will be sending athletes to the CrossFit Games. Today we are join by the mastermind behind the Syndicate Crown programing, J.R. Howell as we take a peak behind the programming curtain.

We had a chance to do something incredible... and missed it. Chase sits down with Bill and tells you all the things we COULD have had with a HYROX race to start off the 2025 CrossFit Games.

8 events in 3 days seems quite like a beefy amount of events for a semifinal but was it really too much? Chase and Bill sit down and determine if the French Throwdown accomplished the task of finding the fittest without over programming the competition.