Gary and Alea Hemlick open up their desire to start a family, and how their faith in God has helped them deal with things not going exactly as planned. Alea shares the term "God wink" to describe the small ways they're finding beauty in the struggle. You may know Gary and Alea as the only married couple to qualify and compete as individuals at the CrossFit Games. The excitement of them both making it during the 2016 Regional event was a memorable experience for them, and their fans. The Hemlicks talk about what they're up to now: honing in on gym ownership and pouring a lot into their CrossFit Revamped family in Columbia, MD-- the say the people and the community are truly one-of-a-kind. If you're a believer with big faith, or a person whose relied on God during a difficult time, this episode is for you!

Stronger Together

How the Helmicks are Handling the Unexpected & Problem Solving with Big Faith

Ashley & Jeremy aren’t your average CrossFit couple: they bring a unique swag to the grungy gym scene most of us know. The two didn’t flinch at opening a CrossFit gym of their own in 2017, but they had a unique vision to step out of the mold, and create a sleek fitness space, full-on with an all-white backdrop, LED lights, and a fancy, non-fitness logo. They were positioned to succeed, with another business under their belt: We Are The Mitchells — offering wedding multimedia services; the two are no strangers to beautiful places and things! They open up about the decision to start a second business, and how they divide and conquer to be successful in both. Adroit— which means to be clever in skillful in using the hands and mind— is a name that certainly fits their personalities. With a lot support from each other, they took turns leaving traditional “secure” jobs to pursue these more creative endeavors and they admit they wouldn’t be where they are today if a romance hadn’t ensued along the way. If you’re a couple who’s big in style, or eager to make the leap into entrepreneurship, this episode is for you!

Eps. 9: Ashley & Jeremy of Adroit CrossFit: The Duo that Designed Virginia's Most Stylish CrossFit Gym

Ever wonder what it's like to be an Instagram Influencer? Spoiler alert: there's a lot of DMs involved! Fielding hundreds of daily messages from friends, fangirls and sponsors, it was pure fate that Manders decided to click open a message from Austin, a stranger at the time. Austin is a gym owner and personal trainer; he was a follower on YouTube and had shared some of Manders nutrition videos with coaches and clients. His message to her was a simple rally of support to back her when a troll was making fun of her body type (too muscular), and a mutual friend gave Amanda the assurance Austin was trustworthy (and an all-around great catch). A nine-month, cross-country romance ensued and all of Instagram watched as the two grew closer. Finally, the love story culminated when Manders decided to trade sunny Florida for snowy Iowa, and move in with Austin. The two invited us in their new home to chat about common questions they get from their followers (children? marriage?) and their new life and routine together. If you're a fangirl, this episode is for you! 

How an Instagram Direct Message Led to Love for SimplyManders

Travel with us to Quakertown, PA to meet the coaches of CrossFit Q, Halie & Bri! When their father decided to open a box five years ago, the sister duo had no concept of all that CrossFit would bring to their lives, including love--enter, Kyle & Mark--members who became their boyfriends! Bri, Mark, Halie and Kyle open up about life and love at CrossFit Q, sharing the highs and lows of running a small town business together. Listen how the sister duo has expanded the family business bringing their own unique talents to the table: Bri as a beauty vlogger, and Halie, through her online nutrition business. You'll walk away from this episode realizing CrossFit can do a lot more than change your physical appearance-- it can create a lasting, generational impact that fosters family, community, hard work, and even love!

How a CrossFit Family Business Brought Sisters Health, Happiness & Love

Take a peak inside the life and marriage of CrossFit Games Team Champ, Michaela North and listen how she and husband, Craig have evolved in 10 years of marriage, surviving twins and some difficult times along the way. Michaela talks about how the couple discovered CrossFit and how they juggled the kids when she was training for the Games, as well how they divide and conquer today, with roles reserved, as Craig's gym time has become the priority. Be inspired to squeeze in workouts (just requiring yourself to show up and go through the motions) listening to the way it's helped them balance their busy schedules, career transitions and everyday tough moments as a mom. 

6. Evolving As a Couple After a CrossFit Games Win, Twins, & 10 Years of Marriage with Michaela & Craig North

Listen how relationship highs and lows are intertwined with this year's CrossFit Open as we attempt to do all the workouts together! Also hear how we're meal prepping to step away from fast food, wasting money, and aiming for weight loss, but run into a few pitfalls, including major taste differences and an ongoing grocery store feud! Are you team Trader Joe's or Whole Foods? Are you a dark or milk chocolate peanut butter cup person? This episode is a bonus, just for fun! We also make our predictions for 19.3, which we're sure is going to include burpees and/or dumbbells! 

BONUS: The CrossFit Open So Far & Our Whole Foods, Trader Joe's Feud

Jim Gay ranked in the top 200 of the Age Group Online Qualifier during the 2018 CrossFit Open, almost earning a spot at the Games. Listen how he was balancing his own CrossFit peak with a low-point at home, struggling for the first time to stay afloat in his private contracting business. Jim opens up alongside Amy about how CrossFit served as an outlet and distraction. With four kids and a busy schedule, Jim & Amy remind us that when times are tough, turning on your partner doesn't help; rather, allow them to lean into whatever is helping them cope, and trust that they have your best interest in mind as well.  If you’re a family guy — or girl — looking to continue kicking ass at CrossFit, but have a lot on your plate and a busy schedule that leaves little time for your relationship, listening to these two will give you a boost! 

5. Hitting Your CrossFit Peak During a Financial Low Point with Jim & Amy

Welcome to Stronger Together Podcast! This is our very first episode and we thought it would be fiting to share how our relationship and the idea for this podcast came to be! Tune in to hear some embarrassing tidbits from our past (including club nights and first dates, a few fairies and butterflies, and a premature confession of love), as well as a quick serenade from Aaron -- did you know he could sing?? This episode is a good one if you're just getting to know us! Thanks for tuning in.   

1. How Our Relationship & this Podcast Came to Be

Steph "the Hammer" is a Nike-sponsored athlete and the first CrossFit coach with cerebral palsy to obtain the level two certificate. She's used to to the spotlight, but when she first met Ty, he wasn't impressed! He asked "What's a girl in a wheelchair going to teach me about lifting weights?" Only to later discover Steph's unique coaching style was not only effective, it was inspirational. The two weaved a path to North Carolina where they opened Hammer-Driven Fitness, but the road to get there wasn't easy. Steph endured chemotherapy to treat stage 3 lymphoma, but if you ask these two of them about it, they say, "we made it fun," as the gush over memories of weaving through New York City in Steph's powerchair, meeting people and trying new restaurants.  This episode is about making a way out of no way and having the guts to choose. As we listen to this show we can’t help but feel invigorated and optimistic. This one is especially good for coaches, trainers and people who find themselves feeling overwhelmed and defeated at times.

4. Falling in Love & Having Fun Amid a Medical Crisis with Steph "the Hammer" & Ty

In this episode of Stronger Together, we're going all the way to Germany to chat with Laura & Marius about taking the plunge to become sole owners of CrossFit 227 right out of college. They explain how working, training, and living together give them a competitive edge, and their dream to grow their business to include physical therapy and bring more Germans to CrossFit. 

3. Going Against the Grain in Germany with CrossFitters Laura & Marius

When Christina entered her and Oliver into a Reebok-sponsored Instagram competition to win the chance to get wed at the 2016 Reebok CrossFit Games, she had no idea they'd win! Fast forward a few days, and she's frantically calling friends and family to get to the StubHub Center in Carson California for the big event! Surrounded by Games athletes and other CrossFit enthusiasts, Christina & Oliver said their vows and "I do" in a wedding ceremony officiated by Dave Castro himself! We joke about Dave's hair that year (cornrows!) and the bride's athletic-inspired outfit (Christina wore a sports bra and tennis skirt).    After experiencing a flash of CrossFit wedding fame, Christina & Oliver had a son, Magnus, and moved from New York to Texas, where they are getting creative -- with competition and stroller workouts -- to keep up with CrossFit amidst a lot of life changes. Oliver shares his motto, "ego is the enemy" and Christina opens up about mom guilt while the two encourage others to stick with fitness and work together to make it happen, even if it's in small doses.     

2. Life After CrossFit Wedding Fame with Oliver & Christina Dewes

We interview the fittest couples on earth to talk all things life, love and wellness!

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Stronger Together

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