CrossFit Podcast Outlines 2026 Open Prep, Teases Colten Mertens Interview

Chase Ingraham and Seminar Staff trainer James Hobart used episode 13 of CrossFit’s Sport of Fitness Podcast to give coaches and athletes a road map for the opening of the 2026 Open season. Published January 14, the episode focused on what affiliates and competitors can expect, covered Open logistics, and framed preparation as both practical and mental work.

The conversation targeted two audiences: gym owners and coaches responsible for running heats and staples of the weekly class schedule, and athletes dialing in their training, scaling and competition strategy. By centering logistics, the episode aimed to help boxes manage judge coverage, heat sheets and traffic on test days, while also reminding competitors to balance workload, recovery and mental game plans heading into the Open.

For affiliates, the episode serves as a prompt to lock down operational details early. Planning judge rotations, spotting judge certification needs, carving out judge and athlete briefings, and sorting equipment and movement standards can reduce friction when workouts drop. For athletes, the episode reinforces testing readiness beyond just practicing movements: pacing, warm-up routines, and how to pick Rx versus scaled options matter for performance and returning to training post-test.

The podcast positioned itself as a coach-friendly resource, not just motivational content. That practical focus makes episode 13 useful for programming meetings, coach clinics and pre-Open briefings at the box. Coaches can use the discussion as talking points for class progressions and for advising athletes on managing intensity during the three weeks of the Open.

A notable tease from the episode: Colten Mertens, the 2025 Open champion, is slated to appear in a later episode to discuss his experience and expectations for 2026. Mertens’ perspective promises a competitor’s view on preparing for the season, selecting workouts, and the mindset needed to handle the spotlight that comes with being the defending champ.

Listen to the full episode at crossfit.com/media to hear the full breakdown and make concrete plans for your box and athletes. With the Open underway, this episode will help teams convert pre-Open anxiety into a clear checklist of actions - from judge assignments to athlete pacing - so clubs can stay focused on coaching, not chaos. Expect the upcoming Colten Mertens interview to add first-hand competitive insight for anyone chasing scores this season.