How Jeffrey Adler Went From Volunteer to Fittest Man on Earth — and Why 2025 Will Be His Toughest (and Most Exciting) Season Yet

From humble beginnings pushing barbells as a volunteer to standing triumphant on the CrossFit Games podium, Jeffrey Adler’s journey is a testament to resilience, discipline, and a relentless pursuit of growth.

In 2023, he claimed the title of Fittest Man on Earth. In 2025, he’s doubling down—with a gruelling competition schedule, including the CrossFit Games, Rogue Invitational, and the brand-new, ambitious World Fitness Project.

But it’s not just about winning. It’s about mindset, daily rituals, and the support of a strong team—especially his coach and partner, Carolyn Prevost.

Through setbacks, success, and the grind of elite training, Adler’s story offers lessons for anyone striving for greatness in their craft or fitness journey.

From Fanboy to Champion

A decade ago, Adler never imagined competing in CrossFit at the highest level. He started with a Groupon for group classes. Competitive ambitions came years later, sparked after volunteering at Regionals and the CrossFit Games in 2016.

“That’s when I truly saw the athletes do their thing and I was like, that’s what I want to do,” Adler recalls.

Watching Canadian legend Patrick Vellner rise through the ranks further fueled his desire. A photo from Adler’s volunteer days shows him as a young fan beside Vellner. Fast forward to now—they’re peers, teammates, friends.

The 2023 CrossFit Games: A Bittersweet Win

Adler’s 2023 victory was tinged with mixed emotions. He and Roman Khrennikov were neck and neck until Roman suffered a foot injury, ending his weekend prematurely. The door opened for Adler, who edged into first after the muscle-up sandbag workout.

“It’s not the ending I wanted,” he says, “but injuries are part of sport. That’s how it happened.”

Despite the unresolved finish, Adler acknowledges the magnitude of his accomplishment: “This is something hard to accomplish. You can check it off the bucket list—I’ve won the Games at least once.”

The 2025 Season: Going All In

Fresh off the Games, Adler funneled his emotions into training for Rogue Invitational. “For three months, the only thing I saw when I closed my eyes… was winning Rogue,” he says.

He delivered. And now, 2025 brings even more: another run at the CrossFit Games, continued dominance at Rogue, and a new challenge—the World Fitness Project (WFP).

What Is the World Fitness Project?

• Three pro events across the year
• 20 pros with guaranteed spots
• 10 additional “challenger” slots from online qualifiers
• First league to sign and pay CrossFit athletes to compete

“We’ve never had this many opportunities to compete,” Adler says. “I didn’t live through the first years of CrossFit, but this feels historic.”

Day in the Life: The Routines That Build Champions

Adler’s success lies not just in the gym—it’s rooted in his daily structure. From breakfast to bedtime, everything serves a purpose.

Fueling Performance: Eat Early, Eat Smart

• Breakfast at 9:15 a.m. includes eggs, sausage, Costco bagels, and maple syrup (yes, on everything—even eggs).
• Lunch: often a smoothie, chili, and simple vegetables.
• Evening: oatmeal sprinkled with—you guessed it—maple syrup.

He avoids eating after 7:30 p.m. to improve recovery. “Eating late kills my recovery,” he says. “It makes a huge difference.”

Not Cooking—Preparing

Adler and Prevost aren’t kitchen connoisseurs. “Cooking is a big word,” he jokes. “We prepare food so that we can eat. We heat stuff. That’s it.”

Nap Like a Pro

Every afternoon includes a 45-minute nap—never longer. “I feel like it’s a reset,” he explains. “It lets me go back to my second training session like it’s a new day.”

• Dark room
• Set a timer for 45 minutes
• No caffeine afterward

Training Philosophy: Recover Fast, Go Again

Workouts are purpose-driven. One example: a 36-minute session cycling between running and stair climbing. “Goal is to recover after a hard effort—if you can recover fast, you can do that effort faster than everyone else,” he explains.

Metrics matter. If something feels off, he evaluates everything: sleep, food, stress. If needed, he weighs meals to the gram to get back on track.

Adler and Prevost: A Powerhouse Duo

Adler’s coach is also his partner—and one of Canada’s best athletes in her own right. They met at a CrossFit gym over a shared obsession with double-unders. At first? A bit rocky. “He used to come in late and ignore my classes,” Prevost laughs. “I told him, ‘No sir. That won’t fly.’”

Now, they seamlessly balance coach-athlete dynamics with their personal relationship. “Coaching Jeff makes me a better coach, a better person,” she says. “We challenge each other every day.”

Resilience from Personal Struggles

Adler draws strength from tough personal experiences too. When his blind father suffered a stroke in 2021, Adler was halfway around the world in Dubai. “It was a pretty rough part of my life,” he shares.

That moment made him reflect deeply: “Health is really important. When it goes wrong, there’s not a lot you can do. You just have to roll with the punches and hope for the best.”

The Recovery Ritual: Collagen, Sauna, Ice

His evenings revolve around structured recovery.

• 6 p.m.: collagen blend with mocha and sweet cream
• Hot tub at 105°F for 15 minutes
• Cold dips every 3 minutes for 10 seconds
• Occasional sauna sessions to unwind

Adler emphasizes nighttime recovery to ensure quality sleep. “I try to be done eating by 7:30 p.m. and in bed by 9:30. That way I’m fully recovered for another day,” he says.

A New Chapter for the Sport and Its Star

The World Fitness Project could be CrossFit’s next leap forward. For Adler, it’s more than competition—it’s history in the making.

“Sometimes new things in the CrossFit space aren’t taken well,” he admits. “But it’s time to let go and embrace the new. I want to enjoy my time competing—to make the most of it.”

And as long as he’s competing—he’s competing to win. “It’s in my DNA,” he says. “I want to win every competition I show up to.”