Five CrossFit Games Masters titles. A sixth on the horizon. It’d be easy to kick back, let my name carry me, and coast on the wins. But that’s not me. The truth? Success can breed ego, and ego can kill hunger. At 49, I’m still fighting to stay a student, stay humble, and stay relentless. Here’s how I keep the fire burning without letting pride take the wheel.
The Trap: Resting on Laurels
Winning changes you—or at least, it tries to. After my first Games title in 2019, I felt invincible. By the fifth in 2024, the temptation was real: lean into the hype, let “Jason Grubb, 5-time champ” do the talking. I could skip a workout, half-ass a session, or assume I’m above the grind. But that’s a trap. The moment you rest on your name, you stop growing. I’ve seen it happen—athletes who let ego outrun their work ethic, only to fade. I refuse to be that guy.
The Reality: Stay a Student
Staying hungry means staying curious. I’m not the smartest guy in the room, and I don’t pretend to be. I study programming, tweak my Bolder Athlete plans, and ask questions—always. Last week, I was on a call with a coach half my age, picking his brain about mobility drills. Felt like I was back at square one, and I loved it. That’s the deal: titles don’t exempt you from the work. If I’m not learning, I’m not winning.
Humility’s my anchor. I’m proud of my streak, but I’m not above cleaning plates off the gym floor or cheering a rookie’s first pull-up. Success doesn’t make you special—it makes you responsible. And relentless? That’s non-negotiable. I’m still up at 6:30 a.m. for capacity sessions, still grinding 2-4 p.m. in the garage, still chasing that sixth title like it’s my first. Comfort zones are for suckers.
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Coaching Takeaway: Ego’s the Real Enemy
Here’s what I’ve learned: ego whispers you’ve arrived; hunger screams you’re just getting started. Success doesn’t mean you’re done—it means you’ve got more to prove. Stay a student by seeking out one new idea a week. Stay humble by lifting others up. Stay relentless by showing up, even when it sucks. I’m not perfect at this—some days, I catch myself puffing up. But I reset, refocus, and get back to work.
Your Move: Keep the Fire
You don’t need five titles to fight ego—everyone faces it. Here’s how to stay hungry:
Learn Something New: Read an article, watch a tutorial, or ask a coach. Stay curious.
Serve Someone Else: Spot a lift, share a tip, or just listen. Humility grows when you give.
Commit to One Hard Thing: Pick a tough workout or goal this week. Prove you’re still in it.
I’m heading into 2025 chasing six, not because I’m the best, but because I’m still hungry. What’s keeping your fire lit?
Stay Bold,
Jason Grubb 5-Time CrossFit Games Masters Champ Bolder Athlete Founder
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