Meet CrossFit’s Most Experienced Seminar Staff Member: Chuck Carswell (EP. 002)

The CrossFit Podcast

CrossFit LLC

Health & Fitness

4.3 • 757 Ratings

🗓️ 18 February 2025

⏱️ 57 minutes

🔗️ Recording | iTunes | RSS

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Summary

Chuck Carswell has been part of CrossFit for nearly two decades, making an impact as a coach, mentor, and longtime member of CrossFit’s Seminar Staff. He’s one of the most experienced trainers in the world, having taught thousands of athletes and coaches through the CrossFit Level 1 and Level 2 Certificate Courses.

In this episode, Chuck sits down with Denise Thomas to share his journey — from playing in the NFL to discovering CrossFit and dedicating his career to coaching and education. He reflects on the evolution of CrossFit’s training methodology, the lessons he’s learned from coaching at every level, and his philosophy of “Big Team, Little Me.”

Topics Covered:

Chuck’s early athletic career and time with the Miami Dolphins
His introduction to CrossFit and first experience with the workout Helen
The evolution of CrossFit’s trainer seminars and credentialing
The impact CrossFit has had on the fitness industry

Media & Resources Mentioned:

CrossFit Training and Certifications – Learn more about the Level 1 and Level 2 Courses: CrossFit Training
CrossFit Open Registration – Sign up and test your fitness: games.crossfit.com
What Is Fitness? (2002) – The foundational CrossFit Journal article defining CrossFit’s approach to fitness.
Chuck as a Dawg – Watch the play Denise references

Community Spotlight:

This week, we’re highlighting the team at RISE, a platform dedicated to supporting women in the CrossFit community. RISE provides mentorship, resources, and opportunities for female athletes, coaches, and gym owners, helping them thrive in both fitness and leadership roles.
Learn more about RISE and how to get involved at riseathletes.org or follow them on social @rise_athletes_org.

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here!

Transcript

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0:00.0	Hello everyone, I'm Denise Thomas and welcome back to the CrossFit podcast, a place where we welcome guests who dedicate their lives to making the world a fitter and healthier place.
0:15.1	And these people really care. They believe that CrossFit is the way and we get to dig into what makes them tick.
0:23.2	Now, today on the show, we're taking you all to Chuck Church.
0:28.4	Take me in a church.
0:29.6	That's right.
0:30.5	We've got the one and only Mr. Chuck Carswell.
0:34.7	Chuck is an athlete, he's a coach, he's a manager, he's a mentor and has led the most,
0:40.7	the most CrossFit courses taught in the history of CrossFit. If you've heard the phrase,
0:47.4	Big Team, little me, it probably came from him and there's just no better way to describe him.
0:52.7	He is wonderful, as you will soon learn.
1:02.1	All right, everybody, welcome to the CrossFit podcast. I'm Denise. I'm here with Chuck Carswell,
1:08.0	and he's a mentor to many, and he certainly is is a mentor to me and whether you know it or not,
1:14.4	you've been directly or indirectly touched by the hand of Chuck because if you're listening to this conversation,
1:23.2	you likely love CrossFit, which means somebody taught you CrossFit, and it's quite possible
1:28.8	that Chuck taught those people how to do CrossFit. He's also one of the calmest, kindest,
1:36.2	most generous people I've ever met, and it's really hard to not take a piece of Chuck with you
1:41.7	after you meet him. So Chuck, welcome to the show.
1:46.7	Thank you, Denise. And I apologize that I didn't bring enough money for that introduction.
1:51.7	So, but thank you.
1:54.6	There's just never enough time with you, Chuck. And you're always with me because the first time I met you, you won't remember it.
2:04.2	Maybe as much as I do, but it was at my level one.
2:07.5	It was in 2009, guerrilla fitness, Montclair, New Jersey, shout out, Greg Orsonick.
	...

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