Season 2 kickoff! Our first-ever guest: Emily Bridgers-Benson, co-owner and managing partner of CrossFit Terminus in Atlanta. A former University of Georgia gymnast, six-time CrossFit Games competitor, and the 6th Fittest Woman in the World (2014), Emily has spent 15+ years coaching and competing — and she joins us for a wide-ranging conversation on what it actually takes to stay strong, capable, and healthy well past 40.
In this episode:
How CrossFit evolved from a "hardcore misfits" niche into a more inclusive, accessible fitness community
Why you don't need advanced skills like handstand pushups to build real strength and mobility
The truth about CrossFit's injury reputation — and what actually causes most injuries
Why strength training may be one of the most important things you can do as you age (and the real risks of sarcopenia)
Recovery then vs. now: what elite-level recovery looked like during Emily's competitive years, and how her approach — and her mental health — has changed since
Nutrition, macros, and why there's no one-size-fits-all diet (including Lou's own keto vs. vegan blood-work experiment)
GLP-1 medications and muscle loss — what to know if you're on one
Raising active, healthy kids without food restriction
Rapid-fire: guilty pleasures, pickleball vs. tennis, and a Georgia-Florida prediction
Follow along for more from Thrive A/F, and if you're in Atlanta, come see what Terminus is all about: https://crossfitterminus.com
Resources:
GRAB THE BLUEPRINT! Get Lou's book, Thrive: A Physical Therapist's Guide to Longevity, available now: https://delraycarept.com/thrive-a-physical-therapists-guide-to-longevity/
Delay Care Physical Therapy: https://delraycarept.com/
Keith’s Consulting Business: https://www.pescadorconsulting.com/
Chapter Timestamps
01:29 Emily’s journey from gymnastics to CrossFit ownership and competition
03:41 What it means to step away from competition
05:27 How CrossFit and CrossFit Terminus have evolved
09:57 Making CrossFit more inclusive
11:09 Managing injury risk and scaling movements
13:18 Recovery after a back fracture and elite competition
16:11 Training for life instead of competition
23:03 Macro balance, diet extremes, and flexible nutrition
31:23 Why strength training becomes more important with age
32:46 Why CrossFit can be a strong entry point for beginners
38:33 GLP-1s, muscle loss, and strength training
54:36 Emily’s current projects and Power Monkey Camp
