In the January 2026 edition of DOD Dialogues, we kick off the new year by talking about what makes the CrossFit Open such a powerful experience, whether you are a seasoned athlete or brand new to CrossFit. We break down why the Open matters, how it builds community, and how it serves as an annual “fitness checkup” to measure progress beyond the leaderboard.

We also dive deep into training plateaus, especially for athletes who train consistently but feel stuck. We discuss scaling versus intensity, mindset shifts, recovery, and how to keep progressing long term without burnout.

From there, we answer common questions from the gym community:

• How CrossFit uses different energy systems

• Why CrossFit is often considered a glucose-based activity

• How to fuel workouts with carbohydrates, protein, and recovery nutrition

• Managing fatigue, inflammation, and energy levels

• What really impacts metabolism (and what does not)

We close the episode by addressing perimenopause and menopause, including how hormonal changes affect training, weight, stamina, and recovery, and why strength training and CrossFit remain essential tools for health, longevity, and confidence at every stage of life.

This episode is designed to encourage, educate, and equip athletes of all levels as we head into a new year of training.

Links/Resources:

Varied, Not Random Podcast: Episode #243 with EC Synkowski “Menopause, Training & Misinformation” https://youtu.be/dxLhm0Fo6ng?si=Lod-IS6fVjKcIfNc