EPISODE · Nov 26, 2025 · 1H 11M
Growing Pains: When Grassroots Goes Mainstream
from Afternoon Snack · host Meredith Root and Alex Parker
How do you embrace progress without losing the soul that made a sport special in the first place? That's the question we toy with in this episode. We are experiencing a strange déjà vu as athletes in two niche sports going mainstream. CrossFit exploded during the 2014-2018 years, which were also our most competitive as athletes. And now gravel is following a similar arc. In this episode, we look at the parallels we’ve experienced firsthand. Both CrossFit and Gravel Biking began as a countercultural resistance to the more serious and overproduced mainstream versions of their sport. CrossFit grew from gritty garage gyms to a global spectacle with the rise of the CrossFit Games, title sponsors, and a flood of new unaffiliated athletes. Gravel was once a quiet, adventure-driven niche and is now full of pro teams, big-money races, aero arms races, and media attention. It's a conversation about culture, values, commercialization, and nostalgia. We unpack why these shifts feel emotional, even when growth brings better racing, safer events, and more opportunity for everyone. 💪 Train With Us: Get access to expertly designed daily workouts at www.tacticworksout.com 🥦 Need Personalized Nutrition Support? Work 1-on-1 with a coach to tailor your nutrition to your goals at www.tacticmethod.com 💥 Want More? Get bonus episodes, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes access by supporting us on Patreon 👉 www.patreon.com/teamtactic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
What this episode covers
How do you embrace progress without losing the soul that made a sport special in the first place? That's the question we toy with in this episode. We are experiencing a strange déjà vu as athletes in two niche sports going mainstream. CrossFit exploded during the 2014-2018 years, which were also our most competitive as athletes. And now gravel is following a similar arc. In this episode, we look at the parallels we’ve experienced firsthand. Both CrossFit and Gravel Biking began as a countercultural resistance to the more serious and overproduced mainstream versions of their sport. CrossFit grew from gritty garage gyms to a global spectacle with the rise of the CrossFit Games, title sponsors, and a flood of new unaffiliated athletes. Gravel was once a quiet, adventure-driven niche and is now full of pro teams, big-money races, aero arms races, and media attention. It's a conversation about culture, values, commercialization, and nostalgia. We unpack why these shifts feel emotional, even when growth brings better racing, safer events, and more opportunity for everyone. 💪 Train With Us: Get access to expertly designed daily workouts at www.tacticworksout.com 🥦 Need Personalized Nutrition Support? Work 1-on-1 with a coach to tailor your nutrition to your goals at www.tacticmethod.com 💥 Want More? Get bonus episodes, exclusive content, and behind-the-scenes access by supporting us on Patreon 👉 www.patreon.com/teamtactic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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Growing Pains: When Grassroots Goes Mainstream
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