f2fpodcast

In the midst of an unprecedented pandemic, political unrest, & fire tornados, how are you adjusting to the new normal?

Today, Sissi and Arwin share what life has been like in the wake of COVID-19 and everything beyond. Hear how the effects of the spread and the subsequent government response in California has changed their lives. They dive into how they’re prioritizing health and fitness and adjusting to working from home. 

Find out what’s surprised them the most about this experience as they talk about essential supplies, being prepared and staying considerate in spite of the circumstances. They share their predictions about what lies ahead and more on this episode of the Fight 2 Finish podcast.

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Connect:

Find | The Fight 2 Finish Podcast

On Instagram: @f2fpodcast

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On Spotify

Find | Sissi G & Arwin

On Instagram: @gisforwarrior

@milsimjunkie

Sean Fender grew up testing the limits in Southern California. At the time, he didn't realize he was developing a foundation of athleticism that he would call on later in his career as a CrossFit coach and volunteer firefighter. 

Today, Coach Sean sits down to talk CrossFit, Olympic lifting and more with Arwin and Sissi (who he still coaches!). Find out what got him started in the sport that would turn into his career and learn about his plans for a future as a first responder. As both a professional CrossFit coach and volunteer firefighter, Sean also offers valuable insights into maximizing safety and fitness during the current COVID-19 pandemic.

Episode Timeline:

• [00:01] Intro
• [00:48] Meet Coach Sean Fender
• [01:33] Growing up in California and getting into competitive fitness 
• [03:27] What led him to become a CrossFit coach
• [04:59] His first client experiences
• [06:22] Sissi's growth as a coach 
• [08:32] Olympic lifting and technique
• [12:00] Pet peeves and bad habits in clients
• [14:36] Sissi and Arwin’s wedding
• [16:46] How much athletics in his youth influenced his career today
• [20:11] Advice for people who want to try CrossFit
• [22:45] What standards he strives for as a coach
• [26:09] The difference between those who quit and those who persevere
• [29:36] Volunteer firefighting and other emergency responder professions
• [33:59] Pursuing firefighting
• [36:05] The most challenging part of the journey
• [38:11] What surprised him about becoming a volunteer firefighter
• [42:35] Advice for staying safe during the COVID-19 pandemic
• [47:01] His first CrossFit open workout
• [48:57] Shrooms and the Jaws of life
• [51:47] What it takes to become a top athlete
• [55:10] Mat Fraser and thoughts on the CrossFit Games
• [58:11] Adjusting to life during the Coronavirus pandemic
• [1:00:18] Fight 2 Finish Youtube & Candy bars
• [1:03:17] What advice Sean Fender would give his past self
• [1:04:27] What he'd want to know from his future self
• [1:05:41] Where to find Sean Fender
• [1:08:41] Outro

Resources Mentioned:

• Team Exos
• Crossfit West Santa Cruz

Standout Quotes:

• “For me, CrossFit and training, there was a time when it was a lot about trying to be competitive and go in that direction but now for me, it's more just about being ready for whatever comes my way.” -Sean Fender [35:42]
• “The biggest thing is it takes time. It takes a level of commitment and discipline and being okay with skipping some other things... You just gotta know what you're getting yourself into and realize that's what it takes.” -Sean Fender [52:36]

Connect:

Find | The Fight 2 Finish Podcast

On Instagram: @f2fpodcast

On TikTok: @f2fpodcast

On Apple Podcasts

On Stitcher

On Spotify

Find | Sean Fender

On Instagram: @fenderlebender

Find | Sissi G & Arwin 

On Instagram: @gisforwarrior

@mat_marauder

If you took a look into engineer Zach Pereyo’s Silicon Valley garage on any given week, you won't find him hunched over behind a screen. Instead, you’d find him pulling loaves of natural bread out of ovens for his passion startup, Briarwood Bakery.

As a Google engineer, a 17-time endurance event participant, father, and partner— Zach has seemingly always been good at multitasking. Now, with orders lining up, he can officially add the title of bread master to his resume. 

In today’s episode, Arwin and Sissi join Zach and his partner Amanda in their home, to hear the story behind Briarwood Bakery. Listen in to find out how discovering a passion for baking helped him to work through major loss while injecting more meaning into his life. 

Episode Timeline:

• [00:00] Intro
• [01:21] The story behind Fight 2 Finish
• [04:15] Meet Zach and his passion for bread
• [09:27] Briarwood Bakery and a lesson in bread history 
• [18:20] Health benefits of eating real bread
• [19:31] How important is it to feed your soul?
• [29:40] GORUCK events and meeting his partner Amanda 
• [25:22] A challenging backpack event pre 1000
• [37:44] Deciding to retire from endurance events
• [41:08] Being your own worst critic
• [49:10] How Bread making parallels life 
• [52:21] Knowing how to tell real bread from fake
• [59:38] Building the business and looking to the future
• [01:06:00] Where to find Briarwood Bakery
• [68:56] Outro

Resources Mentioned:

• GORUCK Events

Standout Quotes:

• “It does not pay the bills as well as being an engineer but sure, it gives my life a lot more meaning and a lot more passion” -Zach [7:04]
• “I think that really is important to kind of just feed the beast and feed your own curiosity because you never know what you're gonna unlock.” -Arwin [23:03]
• “there's a point at which you feel like you're gonna die and the demons are telling you to quit and then you get the light you know, the morning light comes and you just feel new again.” -Zach [36:25]
• “Sometimes the failures are just as important as successes, right? To help guide you to where you need to go, right? It's a path that you don't need to take anymore. Because you went down that already. But now you know.” -Zach [48:59]

Connect:

Find | The Fight 2 Finish Podcast

On Instagram: @f2fpodcast

On Apple Podcasts

On Stitcher

On Spotify

Find | Briarwood Bakery

On Instagram: @briarwood_bakery

Find | Arwin & Sissi G

On Instagram: @mat_marauder

@gisforwarrior