THE REST IS FITNESS – REAL STORIES

Episode: Liz Asser

In this episode of The Rest Is Fitness – Real Stories, Graham sits down with Liz Asser for an honest, relaxed conversation about her journey with training at CrossFit Shropshire.

Liz shares how and why she started, what life looked like before training, and the small but meaningful changes she’s noticed since committing to looking after her strength, health, and wellbeing. This is not a story about chasing fitness extremes, it’s about confidence, consistency, and finding joy in movement at a stage of life where many people feel fitness “isn’t for them anymore.”

Graham also reflects on how well Liz is doing, highlighting the progress she’s made both physically and mentally, and why her approach to training is such a great example of what sustainable fitness really looks like.

This episode is especially relevant for retired women or those approaching retirement who may be wondering whether strength training or CrossFit is right for them. Together, Graham and Liz talk through:

1. Why it’s never too late to start training
2. How strength training supports independence, balance, and confidence
3. The importance of community and coaching as we get older
4. Why CrossFit Shropshire is designed to support beginners at any age
5. How training can enhance daily life rather than feel intimidating

If you’re a retired lady, or someone thinking about becoming more active later in life, this conversation offers reassurance, encouragement, and practical insight into why starting now can make a huge difference.

Listen in for a real story, honest reflections, and a reminder that fitness is about living well, not pushing limits.

If this episode resonates, share it with a friend, family member, or anyone who thinks they’ve “left it too late” to start.

In this launch episode, Graham Carless introduces The Rest Is Fitness, a podcast built on a simple but often overlooked idea: fitness isn’t about punishment, it’s about preparation.

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed by extreme fitness advice, burnt out by doing too much, or confused about how training is meant to fit into real life, this episode sets the foundation for a calmer, more sustainable approach.

Graham shares why this podcast exists, what “The Rest Is Fitness” really means, and how strength, recovery, mindset, and consistency work together to build long-term health and confidence.

You’ll also get a full overview of the different episode formats you can expect, so you can choose what supports you most week to week.

Episode formats explained:

1. Shropshire Strong Quickcasts – short, practical 10-minute episodes with simple fitness, health, and happiness advice
2. Fighting Fit Quickcasts – BJJ, grappling, self-defence, and confidence-building concepts for real people
3. The Rest Is Fitness – Real Stories – honest conversations and journeys from real people
4. Coaching Notes – lessons and reflections from the gym floor
5. The Bits You Don’t See – behind-the-scenes stories, humour, and the human side of coaching and gym life

This podcast is for anyone who wants to train for life — not for extremes, trends, or short-term fixes.

Listen, take what you need, and leave the rest.

If this episode resonates, follow the podcast and share it with someone who could benefit from a calmer, more sustainable approach to fitness.

Welcome to The Rest Is Fitness.

Most people train to be good at one thing. They run, they lift, or they grind through cardio sessions and while that looks impressive, it often doesn’t translate well to real life.

In this episode of the Fitness, Health, Happiness Podcast, Graham Carless explains why being good at everything is far more valuable than specialising, especially if your goal is long-term fitness, health, and happiness.

Life doesn’t test your fitness in neat categories. It tests your ability to handle mixed demands — strength, stamina, coordination, and resilience — often all at the same time. This episode breaks down why general fitness beats specialisation and how hybrid training prepares you for the challenges you actually face.

1. Why specialist training often leads to imbalance, injury, and burnout
2. How real-life fitness tests are unpredictable and mixed
3. The difference between being “average” and being truly capable
4. What it really means to train like a generalist
5. The key elements of hybrid training for long-term health
6. Why general fitness matters more as life gets busier and more demanding

You don’t need to be elite at one thing. You need to be capable across many things.

Being strong, fit, and adaptable will always beat being fragile and specialised.

At CrossFit Shrewsbury, we focus on building balanced, real-world fitness through strength training, conditioning, and functional movement. Our coaching is designed to help everyday people become more capable, resilient, and confident, inside and outside the gym.

If you’re local to Shrewsbury and want training that supports your life instead of breaking you down, come and try a session with us.

🎧 Listen to the full episode now and share it with someone who’s stuck in the “I only do cardio” or “I only lift” mindset.