#1322 Katie Rose Hejtmanek - The Cult of CrossFit: Christianity and the American Exercise Phenomenon
RECORDED ON OCTOBER 13th 2026.
Dr. Katie Rose Hejtmanek is Professor in the Department of Anthropology and the Children and Youth Studies Program at Brooklyn College, CUNY. Her current research examines sports practices and social change. Her teaching includes courses on the anthropology of sport, and gender and sexuality at New York University and Brooklyn College, CUNY, USA. She is a three-time competitor at IPF World Masters Powerlifting Championships and is a Trauma-Informed Weightlifting-certified strength coach. Her latest book is The Cult of CrossFit: Christianity and the American Exercise Phenomenon.
In this episode, we focus on The Cult of CrossFit. We talk about an anthropological take on CrossFit, what CrossFit is, its origins, and why it is so intense. We explore cultural and political ideas associated with CrossFit like salvation, the American hero, fascism, the cult of the body, white supremacism, and militarism. We discuss how CrossFit has been influenced by American Christianity, and how it has become increasingly popular. We talk about the influence of neoliberal capitalism. We discuss whether CrossFit can be healthy. Finally, we talk about how culture influences the way we think about exercise.
Time Links:
Intro
An anthropological take on CrossFit
What is CrossFit, and what are its origins?
Why are CrossFit regimes so intense?
Salvation, and the American hero
Fascism, the cult of the body, and white supremacy
Militarism
Cultural Christianity
Why and how has it become increasingly popular?
The influence of neoliberal capitalism
Can CrossFit be healthy?
How we look at exercise
Follow Dr. Hejtmanek’s work!
Follow Dr. Hejtmanek’s work:
Our first interview: https://youtu.be/2BLi0_pTOBk
Faculty page: https://bit.ly/3SjwnuM
The Cult of CrossFit: https://tinyurl.com/5565j57z