Today we’re talking to Blaine McConnell, currently a member of Team USA’s Bobsled National Team. He’s also arguably the world’s strongest bobsledder Blaine is a former collegiate and Arena football player who found success in CrossFit, competing on a team at the 2016 CrossFit Games. After finding out about Team USA’s bobsled combine through a friend — a story we discuss in this recording — Blaine found his current sport. We talk about the unique strength and explosiveness requirements in bobsledding, along with training at the elite level and how those interested in the sport can learn more and get involved.
On this episode of The BarBend Podcast, host David Thomas Tao talks to Blaine McConnell about:
- Living and training in Northern Iceland (1:50)
- Blaine’s current training schedule (3:50)
- Top countries in bobsledding (7:00)
- Being the “world’s strongest bobsledder” (9:48)
- How do you get into the sport of bobsled? (14:00)
- What makes a great bobsledder? (18:00)
- Why CrossFitters should run more (21:20)
- How Blaine discovered bobsled (24:10)
- Your first-ever bobsled ride (27:00)
- When Blaine decided the CrossFit Games was not his long-term athletic pursuit (29:00)
- The hardest events at the CrossFit Games (31:00)
Relevant links and further reading:
