Wex Appeal - Barbells, Beats & Buffoonery
by Stephen Wexler
Wex takes you on a journey in pop culture, fitness and general buffoonery (behavior that is ridiculous but amusing). We’ll have some guests, fun Top 5 debates on random topics and find out what Wex is doing in the gym this week. Don’t take life too seriously....no one makes it out alive. Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wexappeal/subscribe
Episodes
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Jason Ansley of WFP talks Atlantic Coast Classic CHANGES, July 4th & the Future of ACC | Ep. 88
The Atlantic Coast Classic is entering a new chapter, and not everyone is happy about it. So let’s talk about it.On Episode 88 of the Wex Appeal Podcast — Barbells, Beats & Buffoonery — I’m sitting down with Jason Ansley, President of World Fitness Project, for a conversation about the Atlantic...
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Dani Means on Becoming "VOLTAGE" & Life on American Gladiators - Ep. 87
Dani Means - Better known as "Voltage" from the reboot of American Gladiators - joins the Wex Appeal Podcast for a high-energy, no-BS conversation about what it really takes to step into the arena. ⚡The journey from elite athlete to Gladiator ⚡The physical & mental demands behind the scenes ⚡What...
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Katelin van Zyl - Training, Mindset & What It Takes to Compete | Ep. 86
Katelin van Zyl joins the Wex Appeal Podcast to talk BTS Physical: Asia, training, mindset and what it really takes to compete at the highest level. We get into mental toughness, handling pressure, staying consistent when motivation is gone, and the lessons learned through setbacks and growth. If...
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85. Dana Carvey - Actor/Comedian
In this exclusive episode of the Wex Appeal podcast, Wex sits down with the legendary Dana Carvey—comedian, actor, and Saturday Night Live icon—for an unforgettable deep dive into his career, creative process, and stories from behind the scenes. From classic impressions (yes, Garth and Church…
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84. Danielle Brandon - LIVE from WOD Wars
Danielle Brandon is an ICON in the sport of fitness. So what is more iconic than having a podcast interview on a Pirate Ship? DB talks why she skipped Mayhem, what job she would have if not in fitness, CrossFit Games and WFP. You don't want to miss what she has to say. Brought to you by Blackout...
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83. Carlos Bown - LIVE from Pensacola Beach Brawl
Carlos Bown is one of the best in the content creation game today. He is the Media Director for Pensacola Beach Brawl and is well known for his work in the Functional Fitness landscape. We talk about putting together a great team, how to make your own mark in the industry and what pushed him to...
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82. Jason Grubb - LIVE from Pensacola Beach Brawl
Jason Grubb is the 5x CrossFit Games Masters Champion and the winningest athlete in CrossFit Masters Games history. We had an amazing conversation about training as a Masters Athlete and how Bolder Athlete started. Not only is he winning every time he steps on the floor but now he is bringing…
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81. Claire Bays - LIVE from Pensacola Beach Brawl
Claire Bays wears many hats. MC, Podcast Host, Personal Trainer and is a vibe. She is just a ball of positive energy and came by the Blackout Barbell Tent in between events to chat about life in Texas, Pro Wrestling and her new status of Fiance. We had a short chat before she headed back out onto...
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80. Alli Shiver - LIVE from Pensacola Beach Brawl
Alli Shiver (aka. @alli_loves_lifting86) is a hilarious content creator, CrossFit Coach and social media guru. She stopped by the Blackout Barbell Podcast tent to chat about Beach Brawl and how Dark Humor is the best kind of humor. We had "Tiny Hands" High Fives, a ton of laughs and buffoonery...
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79. Live from TYR WZA - Hattie Kanyo
Hattie Kanyo broke onto the seen last year as a Rookie at the CrossFit Games. Now she is looking towards a second return to the Games as well as throwing her hat in the ring for the World Fitness Project. She talks about what her season is going to look like, her favorite music choices in the gym...
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78. LIVE from TYR WZA - PFAA Panel 2025
Live from the Experience Stage at TYR Wodapalooza in Miami. Wex hosted a panel with Brent Fikowski of the PFAA (Professional Fitness Athletes Association), Ed Blanch from the AFJ (Association of Fitness Judges) and Joshua Hicks the Safety Advisor for the PFAA and Safety Director for TYR...
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77. LIVE from TYR WZA - Fee Saghafi w. Special Guest Host Stella
Friend of the Show Fee Saghafi stops by the TYR Wodapalooza Experience Stage to chat with Wex about he upcoming competitive season as well as how you can "Train with Fee" in one of her workshops. Guest Host Stella Wexler joins the show as well to ask questions of one of her favorite CrossFit...
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76. Brock Yost & Stephanie Price - PIT Fitness Ranch and Directors of the Teen CrossFit Games
Brock Yost and Stephanie Price are the Directors of the Teen CrossFit Games and the leaders of the PIT Fitness Ranch and the FIT Teen Throwdown. They sit down to talk all things teens and the future of Functional Fitness with the next generation. We do a full rundown of the entire season and what...
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75. Shawn McClelland of Blackout Barbell
Shawn McClelland is the Owner of Blackout Barbell Apparel. They are a small business that is making a big impact in the CrossFit space. If you have been to any of the big competitions in the Southeast you have no doubt seen them there. Shawn sits down and talks about how it all started and how…
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74. Duff Goldman - Ace of Cakes and Food Network Star
Duff Goldman first came on the scene with his hit show Ace of Cakes. Since then he has gone on to host and judge in many of your favorite Food Network cooking competitions. He talks about how he got into cooking after being big into sports in school. We talk about the challenges of staying…
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73. Matt Torres & Micah Shoemaker of Brute Strength
Matt Torres and Micah Shoemaker are co-owners of Brute Strength Training. They reached out to have Wex interview them about all the brand new changes that came about this past year. They talk through the re-branding of Brute as well as the move from Naples to Jacksonville and the opportunities…
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72. Colten Mertens LIVE from the WZA Podcast Stage
Colten Mertens has quickly become a fan favorite in the CrossFit Competition circuit. He competed as an individual this year at TYR WZA in Miami and even called his shot for an event win. We talk about his new barbell, trash talk and his move to join the PRVN camp. To help support the Robison...
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71. Dallin Pepper - 5x CrossFit Games Athlete
Dallin Pepper is a 5x CrossFit Games athlete and is the 3x Fittest Teen on Earth. On the show today we take a deep dive into his TYR WZA team that was just announced as well as why he is a true Harry Potter Fan and Jayson Hopper is not. We also talk about moving Brute to Jacksonville and how...
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70. Fee Saghafi - 2x CrossFit Games and PFFA Board Member
Fee Saghafi is a 2x CrossFit Games athlete that trains out of Brute. They just announced a big move with Brute HQ moving to Jacksonville. She sits down to talk about how her life has changed since qualifying to the Games and getting married the following week. She is also on the Board for the…
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69. Sammy Moniz - Chief Brand Officer of HWPO Training, Author of Feeding the Frasers
Sammy Moniz is the wife of Mat Fraser and they just recently welcomed their brand new baby girl into the world shortly after the CrossFit Games were finished. Sammy makes her first media interview since the birth of their baby. Apart from being a new mom she is also the Chief Brand Officer for…
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68. Frank Savarese & Greg Spillane - CoFounders of HERO Barbell Company
Frank Savarese is a former collegiate baseball player, graduate of the United States Naval Academy. After a 20-year Marine Corps career flying F/A-18A-D Hornets he became a decorated combat veteran, carrier naval aviator, TOPGUN graduate, and squadron commander. Having retired from the Marine…
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67. Emily Fenton - Fitness Influencer, Personal Trainer & Fitness Model
Emily Fenton sits down with Wex for coffee and a chat. Emily has been a gymnast since the age of 2 and fell in love with being in the gym in her teens. Her passion for fitness led her to become a certified personal trainer as well as competing in bodybuilding and ranking high as an NPC Bikini...
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66. Arielle Loewen - Third Fittest Woman on Earth
Arielle Loewen returns to the show solo this time off of her best career finish at the CrossFit Games. We sit down to talk about how life changed with her win at The Granite Games and what she would be doing if she was not a Games athlete. Arielle also talks about who she would like to team up…
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65. Don Faul - CEO of CrossFit
Don Faul returns to the show to talk about the state of CrossFit and all the recent changes, announcements and who won The Open between him and Dave Castro. He has been the CEO of CrossFit since just before the 2022 Games and has a vision to reach 30 Million people with the methodology of…
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64. Kelly Sekulovski - Co-Founder of Femme Fit Society and Coach
Kelly is all over the CrossFit space. Her most recent venture in the space brought her to founding the Femme Fit Society along with Lindsey Marcelli from Compete For A Cure and Girls Gone RX. Together they are revolutionizing the narrative for women in the fitness space and bringing light to…
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63. Adrian Bozman - CrossFit Competition Director
Adrian Bozman is a staple in the CrossFit community. His role in the CrossFit Games for the past two iterations has been the Competition Director in charge of leading the programming for the CrossFit Games Season. We dive into what it's been like taking on the challenge of programming for the...
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62. Joshy G - Co-Owner of Deadboys Fitness, CrossFit Games Floor Announcer and CF-L2 Trainer
Joshy G is known in many circles from CrossFit to the WWE. He has been one of the floor announcers for the CrossFit Games. If you were at the Games he was on the mic with Kiki Dickson giving you all the action on the floor. He is also co-owner of Deadboys Fitness with Colby Lopez (aka WWE…
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61. Hunter McIntyre - 3x HYROX World Champion and Current Record Holder
Hunter McIntyre returns to the show. We talk about what he has been up to since he was last on the show and how he keeps himself busy in an out of the gym. Not only is he the HYROX World Champ and current record holder but also holds the record for Murph. Outside of the gym he has started a new...
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60. LIVE from the CrossFit Games - Amy Bream - 3x CrossFit Games Athlete and Public Speaker
Amy Bream is a 3x CrossFit Games Athlete in the adaptive division. She is also a Nike Sponsored athlete and trains out of the PRVN camp in East Nashville. I got to sit down with Amy on Saturday in Vendor Village of the CrossFit Games and we talked about the challenges of fair play in the adaptive...
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59. LIVE from the CrossFit Games - John-Edward Heath - Paralympic Hopeful and Adaptive Athlete Advocate
John-Edward Heath is a Paralympic Hopeful and advocate for the adaptive athletes in Functional Fitness. With his trusty Corgi named Lord Voldemort by his side he is fighting to make sure that the voice of the adaptive athlete is seen in all sports, but more specifically the sport of CrossFit. We...
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58. LIVE from the CrossFit Games - Rob Kearney - Head Coach for HWPO Strong and World's Strongest Man Competitor
Rob Kearney is pound for pound the World's Strongest. He is also the Head Coach for HWPO Strong training program. We sat down LIVE at the CrossFit Games to talk about how he became part of the HWPO Family and how he is also able to continue his training to become World's Strongest Man. You can...
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57. Live from the CrossFit Games - Rory McKernan from Mayhem Nation
Rory McKernan is one of the original OG's of CrossFit Media. We are LIVE in Madison, WI at the 2023 NoBull CrossFit Games and sit down in the Mayhem Lounge to chat about all things Mayhem and his journey that brought him into CrossFit, through cancer and ultimately to joining the Mayhem Family....
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56. Aimee Anaya Everett - HWPO LIFT Head Coach & US Olympic Weightlifting Coach
Aimee Anaya Everett joins us for the third installment of the HWPO takeover. She is the Head Coach for the HWPO LIFT Program as well as the Weightlifting Coach for the HWPO Elite Athletes that are competing in Madison at The CrossFit Games. We talk about how she originally wanted to be an FBI...
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55. Jake Marconi - Director of Coaching for HWPO Training
Jake Marconi is the Director of Coaching for HWPO Training. We sit down to talk about his role with the athletes as well as programming for the HWPO Online Training Program. He talks about his sports background and how Sammy told him that the staff is not allowed to get HWPO tattoos at The Games....
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54. Matt O'Keefe - CEO of HWPO Training
Matt O'Keefe is the CEO of HWPO Training. He was formerly the director of Loud N Live and in charge of running Wodapalooza before leaving to help launch HWPO Training with his long time friend Mat Fraser the 5x Fittest Man on Earth. Known as Chief Keefe, he comes to the podcast to talk about the...
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53. Dave Lipson - Thundrbro Founder, Coach, Former Pro Baseball Player and Competitive Bodybuilder
Dave Lipson is a former Professional Baseball player who is best known as the Founder and Creator of THUNDRBRO. He is married to the 2014 Fittest Woman on Earth Camille Leblanc-Bazinet and together they have become the power couple of fitness. They have both competed in CrossFit and Professional...
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52. Julian Marquez - 2x Emmy Award Winner, CrossFit Games Athlete and part of The Buttery Bros
Julian Marquez is a 2x Emmy Award Winner and sits down with Wex to talk about his time with the NFL where he won those awards for his work with the Oakland Raiders. We also talk about before he was a part of the "Butter Gang" with the Buttery Bros he was a Former CrossFit Games Athlete. Follow…
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51. Dwight Upshaw - Coach with PRVN Fitness and Head of Affiliate Programming
Dwight Upshaw is the Head of Affiliate Programming and one of the Head Coaches for PRVN Fitness. He sits down to talk with Wex about working with the Elite Athletes leading up to Madison for the CrossFit Games as well as partnering with Girls Gone RX and Compete for a Cure. Follow Wex Appeal on...
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50. Norman Woodring - CrossFit Competitor, Owner of Not the Norm CrossFit and Hyrox Competitor
Norman Woodring is a multi year CrossFit SemiFinal/Regional Competitor and a veteran in the sport. He trains with JumpShip Training and made the announcement that this will be his final year attempting to qualify for the CrossFit Games. He has turned his competitive sights towards the Hyrox...
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49. Chase Ingraham & Adrian Conway - CrossFit Games North America East SemiFinal Recap
Chase Ingraham and Adrian Conway join the show to talk about the late night calls that led to the CrossFit Games Podcast Live Stream for Day 2 & 3. We also go over some of the top performances and our thoughts on "Who is CK Guy?" We also talk about what it takes to make something like this work....
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48. Justin Cotler - Owner & Head Coach of Underdog Athletics
Justin Cotler is more than just the lead dog over at Underdog Athletics. He is a man of many talents. We talk about the upcoming CrossFit SemiFinals and how deep Underdog is rolling in all the different regions. We dig in on expectations for my former coach and current Europe SemiFinalist…
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47. Jason Ray - Mayhem Athlete, Owner of CrossFit Valdosta & CrossFit Games SemiFinal Rookie
Jason Ray is definitely someone to look for this year in Orlando at the CrossFit Games SemiFinals for North America East. He will be competing for the first time in SemiFinals after barely missing the cut last year. Jason is also a husband and father of 2 boys as well as the new owner of CrossFit...
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46. Adam Von Rothfelder - CEO of Strong Coffee Company and Entrepreneur
Adam Von Rothfelder is a whole different energy! Which is definitely what you need if you are the CEO of a Coffee Company. Strong Coffee Company is a coffee company that prides itself on giving you quality product to not just start your day but to enhance your health at the same time. Adam is...
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45. Evan Holyfield - Professional Boxer, Author of 12 Rounds of Winning
This week Wex sits down with Evan Holyfield. He is the son of the Hall of Fame Boxing Legend Evander Holyfield and he has made his own name in Professional Boxing. Evan started boxing at a young age and he talks about what it was like growing up and forging his own path. He also talks about how...
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44. Marston Sawyers - from The Buttery Bros and Co-Founder of Podium Supplements
Marston Sawyers is a content creator and entrepreneur that is one half of the creative team called "The Buttery Bros." Marston, alongside Heber Cannon (Episode 26), travel the globe chronicling their adventures with numerous people in the Fitness space. They created a sort of cult following in...
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43. Kekoa Mana - "The Hawaiian Warrior" Professional Wrestler and Head Trainer at House of Champions
On this episode, Wex sits down with Kekoa Mana "The Hawaiian Warrior". He has been wrestling since first falling in love with it at the age of 17 years. He talks about how he got into Professional Wrestling, his sports background and how becoming a father changed everything. This is a great peak...
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42. Rebecca Fuselier - CrossFit Games 2022 Rookie, 2x Teen Games Athlete and Coach at CrossFit Bolt
Rebecca Fuselier previously competed in the Teen Division at the CrossFit Games and make her rookie Elite debut in 2022. She became a community icon after The Capital event where the entire crowd rallied around her on the steps to cheer her to the finish. From that moment people came to find out...
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41. Dylan Malitsky - VP of Sport for Loud and Live, Director of TYR Wodapalooza
Dylan Malitsky has been involved with Wodapalooza since its inception. He joins the show to talk about his first year of being the man in charge as Director of TYR Wodapalooza 2023. Dylan opens up about both the key wins from this year but also the obstacles that came up and how addressing those...
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40. Live from TYR WZA - Tyler Christophel & Sam Cournoyer from Team Mayhem
Huge thanks to the team at The Jedburgh Podcast as this episode was thought to be lost but they had an unknown recorder still rolling. Tyler Christophel & Sam Cournoyer are 2/3 of the Mayhem Team with Rich Froning for the Elite Men's Team Division at WZA. Unfortunately they had to withdraw on...
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39. Lindsey Marcelli - Founder of Compete for a Cure and the Girls Gone RX Fitness Competition
Lindsey Marcelli is the Founder of the Non-Profit Organization called Compete for a Cure with a mission to fund breast cancer survivors' wellness within local communities and provide breast health education for coaches and trainers. They seek to empower the survivor, the gym owner, the event...
About this show
Wex takes you on a journey in pop culture, fitness and general buffoonery (behavior that is ridiculous but amusing). We’ll have some guests, fun Top 5 debates on random topics and find out what Wex is doing in the gym this week. Don’t take life too seriously....no one makes it out alive. Become a Paid Subscriber: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/wexappeal/subscribe
Hosted by
Stephen Wexler