89. TRAINING FOR THE UNKNOWN & LIFE BEYOND COMPETITION FT. JOSH BRIDGES
Fri Feb 06 2026
In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Josh Bridges, a former Navy SEAL, CrossFit legend, and lifelong competitor, to talk about how elite performance evolves as life demands more than just training. Josh reflects on the early years of living in extremes, trying to be “all athlete” or “all dad,” and how maturity, presence, and perspective reshaped his approach without ever losing his competitive edge.
Brian and Josh dive deep into training for the unknown, smart programming, and lessons learned at the highest level of sport. Josh breaks down his multi-coach approach, building sessions harder than competition, and the importance of pacing, suffering well, and belief under pressure. The conversation also turns toward fairness in event design, behind-the-scenes insight into programming the Rogue Invitational, and the powerful shift that comes with family, raising his boys, navigating his son’s chronic kidney disease, and using the gym as an anchor for long-term health and resilience.
If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: askbrian@shawstrength.com
Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/
Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/
Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/
Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/
Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH
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In this episode of the Shaw Strength Podcast, Brian sits down with Josh Bridges, a former Navy SEAL, CrossFit legend, and lifelong competitor, to talk about how elite performance evolves as life demands more than just training. Josh reflects on the early years of living in extremes, trying to be “all athlete” or “all dad,” and how maturity, presence, and perspective reshaped his approach without ever losing his competitive edge. Brian and Josh dive deep into training for the unknown, smart programming, and lessons learned at the highest level of sport. Josh breaks down his multi-coach approach, building sessions harder than competition, and the importance of pacing, suffering well, and belief under pressure. The conversation also turns toward fairness in event design, behind-the-scenes insight into programming the Rogue Invitational, and the powerful shift that comes with family, raising his boys, navigating his son’s chronic kidney disease, and using the gym as an anchor for long-term health and resilience. If you have questions for Brian, topics you would like to hear Brian talk about or guests you would like to see on the podcast email them to: askbrian@shawstrength.com Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrengthpodcast/ Brian's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shawstrength/ Clothes, Supplements, and Supportive Gear: https://shawstrength.com/ Behind the scenes content and Giveaways: https://club.shawstrength.com/ Main Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/SHAWSTRENGTH