[CFMS SERIES] Calley Means and the Fight to Fix a Broken Healthcare System (EP. 045)

This marks the fifth episode of a special CrossFit Podcast collaboration with the CrossFit Medical Society. 

Calley Means is a former food and pharma lobbyist turned healthcare reform advocate. He co-authored “Good Energy” with his sister, Dr. Casey Means, and co-founded TrueMed, a company working to make root-cause health solutions like exercise and nutrition eligible for HSA/FSA dollars. 

In this conversation, Calley explains why our healthcare model is built to manage disease instead of preventing it, how CrossFit and lifestyle interventions are effective, and what policies and cultural shifts could finally turn the tide against chronic illness.

Topics Covered

• Why the U.S. healthcare system is built to manage, not prevent, disease
• The role of food policy, SNAP reform, and FDA guidelines in chronic illness
• Calley’s personal journey from industry lobbyist to health advocate
• The promise of functional medicine, biomarkers, and personalized care
• TrueMed and making fitness/food eligible for HSA/FSA healthcare dollars

Resources Mentioned

• Good Energy by Dr. Casey Means and Calley Means
• Levels Health (continuous glucose monitoring)
• TrueMed (Calley’s company leveraging HSA/FSA dollars for root-cause health)
• SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) reforms FDA nutrition and food additive guidelines

Community Highlight

Nick Johnson founded CrossFit Liminal, a nonprofit affiliate outside Atlanta serving one of the most diverse refugee communities in the U.S. What started in his garage with five members from Syria and Nepal, has grown into programs for Afghan women, refugee youth training for free, and community events like “Ruck for Refugees.”

As Nick puts it: “Trauma gets you out of your body. CrossFit gets you back in it.”

Know someone you think deserves to be highlighted? Nominate them here.

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