Hybrid Fitness Media

Willow CollinsBreaking Gonzaga’s 3K school record at the timeRunning 15:50 in her first 5KFinding HYROX after collegeRacing in New York, at Worlds and in Salt Lake CityImproving burpee broad jumps and wall ballsHer goal of breaking 60 minutesRacing Women’s Doubles with Molly ChambersOlympic Trials ambitions in the marathonFollow Willow on Instagram:“Mo” IqbalThe original FitLab vision and why it made sense on paperWhy operational experience and discipline matter in fitness acquisitionsWhat happens when founders leave after their companies are acquiredThe role Nike’s partnership may have played in investor confidenceWhy FitLab’s u...

This week, Matt, Cheryl and Dave discuss Joanna Wietrzyk’s apology and withdrawal from HYROX Beijing, what a real return to racing could look like, and the misinformation that followed the incident.Cheryl recaps racing HYROX Salt Lake City with her son, including his first HYROX experience, the event’s crowd and finish-area issues, the new sled runners, and the U.S. debut of HYROX Youngstars.Also covered: HYROX co-founders Christian Toetzke and Moritz Fürste confirming their involvement with XENOM, why the CrossFit-focused competition has struggled to gain traction, and DEKA’s announcement of new two...

Liz Plosser on HYROX Beijing, Reporting, and Sauna CultureLiz Plosser joins Matt to discuss her GQ story on the HYROX Beijing incident, why nobody stopped Joanna Wietrzyk during the race, and the responsibility judges and officials have in moments like that. They also discuss covering controversy in a niche sport, social-media backlash, misinformation around the false PUMA rumor, and reporting fairly while still having relationships within HYROX.Then Liz explains Aufguss, the German sauna ritual combining heat, music, essential oils, and towel work. They talk sauna and cold-plunge routines, recovery, wearable data, aging, and...

Matt B. Davis, Cheryl Snow, Ugly Dave and Matt Kemp discuss the most global story in HYROX History.The global reaction to Joanna Wietrzyk’s Beijing race incident.Whether Hybrid Fitness Media was right to report the story.HYROX China’s statement and the lack of a clear protocol.Why judges could have intervened under existing rules.How the extra lap affected Joanna vs. Alyssa McElheny.The wider issue of inconsistent HYROX penalties and DQs.Why athletes may be reluctant to publicly challenge HYROX.Ne...

We were live in Crystal Palace last weekend for the first ever Deadly Dozen World Champs. We spoke with a ton of podium finishers plus more in attendance.Gemma RouseDavid ParkinAlexia YannarosJude ReynoldsHoyeon YooRachel HodgkinsonNatalie Lawrence & Jana LebenstedtFabian Eisenlauer & Jennifer NikolausTony Revell & Ciaran ParkinsonNatalie Crompton & Rachel HodgkinsonJude Reynolds & Chad HeadfordTobias Kiefer & Lukas ZajonsTania Thies & Noelia Perez TurJason Curtis<...

HYROX founders Christian Toetzke and Moritz Fürste are back in control of the company. Matt, Cheryl, Dave, and Kevin discuss what the ownership change may mean for the future of HYROX, including Elite 15 prize money and why racers likely will not see immediate changes.Kevin shares his experience as a Core Head Judge at HYROX DC, including how the new judging program worked, the value of repeated shifts, and where the system still needs improvement.Matt also recaps the Deadly Dozen World Championships, from the event’s atmosphere and unique format to the judging que...

Returning to Ayr, Scotland to capture HPX 2026. We interviewed the podium from all categories, plus a few others, and the man behind the race, Liam Walker.MixedCorey Cringan & Erin RumseyLucy Welsh & Gavin HogarthEmily Robertson & Dylan ThompsonWomenEilidh Boyd & Emma DeardenNiamh McNally & Emily RobertsonShannan Brown & Nicole MurphyMenKristoffer McSherry & Graham HallidayJorg Gurney & Aaron BlainJoseph Strain & John CarlisleCheck out some great photos from the event.Today’s episode is sponsored by Wodify. When your HYROX gym needs to run smoothly, Wodify delivers. From scheduling an...

Lars Rademaker joins Matt to talk HYROX racing, SkiErg and RowErg efficiency, and why going faster on the machines is not always the goal. Lars explains his approach to damper settings, recovering during the race, compromised running, and the techniques that can help athletes save energy for the second half.They also get into Squad Judge, the app Lars and his business partner built to assess wall-ball depth, and the larger issue of judging consistency in HYROX.We also hit on:Lars’ background as a six-time Dutch national champion in track and fieldWhy burpee br...

Pete Saenz is the new USA Regional Director of Deadly Dozen USA. He and Deadly owner Jason RedBeard Curtis join us to talk all about the future of Deadly. Then the Mayor of Deka Town, Kevin Bubbles Gregory joins to talk DEKA Raleigh.Pete named Deadly Dozen's new regional director for the US, based in Laredo, TexasNew affiliate program giving partner gyms 100% of ticket sales instead of the old 50/50 splitPete's largest gym event yet, over 300 participants on a professional soccer pitchDeadly Dozen's global footprint, already in 35 countries with...

Nicky the Good’s rapid growth on Instagram.How he chooses the House of the Dragon moments to turn into songs.Why Criston Cole’s death became one of his biggest videos.The creative process behind his AI-assisted music.Writing lyrics, building hooks, and finding the right sound for each song.Why AI can assist the production without replacing the creator.Nicky’s nostalgia content and love of 80s and 90s movies.His path from Barstool wrestling contributor to X Games producer.Growing up wit...

Matt, Cheryl, and Dave talk about fitness becoming more performative, Nike’s new looks, HYROX influencers, and whether saying you “did HYROX” after a relay is a little misleading.Then Kris Rugloski joins the show to talk about finishing the Mongol Derby, a 1,000km, 10-day horse race across Mongolia. She explains how riders draw new horses at each station, navigate the course, stay with local families, chase down runaway horses, and why she may already be considering going back. Kris also shares the award she brought home: Most Mongolian.Fitness as a costume and the performative side o...

Once in a while it's nice to take a break from wall balls. Bryan of House Darling and Matt B. Davis break down all the amazing action, death, betrayals, and more from Season 3. Episode 8, Season Finale, of House Of The Dragon. AKA HotD. Today we discuss:Aegon’s incredible return and why fans are now rooting for him Ulf’s betrayal and the destruction at Tumbleton Hugh Hammer and the dragonseeds finally pay off Daemon’s moment in the battle Rhaenyra’s increasingly impossible choices Helaena’...

Why Ryan is skipping DC to race HYROX Acapulco.What Ryan needs to do to qualify for the Elite 15 in Hamburg.The birth of the “Mid 15” nickname.HYROX prize money, athlete investment, and the new Elite Series.Judging controversies and why race-altering calls matter most.The packed 2026/27 North American HYROX calendar.Why HYROX course times are not always directly comparable.Ryan’s singles goals and potential doubles partners.Balancing software sales with the pursuit of being a full-time athlete.What athletes should...

Kevin Bubbles Gregory joins Matt, Dave and Cheryl.DEKA Philadelphia, including attendance, judging, and Josh Gonzalez’s podium streakPrize money from the canceled DEKA New York event moving to RaleighAtlanta’s upcoming DEKA Ultra World Championship and prize moneyThe new DEKA EMEA ChampionshipHYROX’s new volunteer portal and reward-point systemHYROX’s new Core Head Judge and Event Head Judge structureCole Learn’s popularity and win in JapanWhether HYROX’s Elite prize money has actually increasedVivian Taf...

A packed episode featuring three very different conversations. Eddie Hertzman of Athletech News joins to discuss building a media empire from an anonymous newsletter and the flood of institutional money into fitness and wellness. Then Matt reconnects with actor Aaron "Rock" Dozier, who played Roy Stalin in the cult classic Better Off Dead, to talk Hollywood almost-breaks and life after fame. Finally, Matt Witalia of Sisu Fitness previews their upcoming HYROX sim event in Minneapolis, breaking down the Half Rox division and their community-driven approach to competition.Reconnecting with Aaron "Rock" Dozier, aka Roy Stalin from Better...

Matt B. Davis and Ser Bryan of House Darling recap Episodes 6 and 7 of House of The Dragon. 6 was late so here's 6/7.Episode 6House of the Dragon episode six reactions and why critics may be too focused on book changes.Criston Cole’s death, the Butcher’s Ball, and whether the show handled it better than expected.Rhaenyra’s increasingly shaky leadership and Daemon’s failures in King’s Landing.Alicent’s captivity, Helaena’s growing importance, and the mystery of Aemond’s dragon eggs.Gawain Hightower’s deception at Tumbleton and Daeron’s relationship with his uncle.Rhaena, Baela...

The cancellation of HYROX’s cruise Elite Series race and why wind may not be the whole story.Which Elite 15 athletes were reportedly asked to attend the cruise and why that is a tough commitment before Hamburg.HYROX’s new Elite Series prize structure and why athletes are questioning the total payouts.Vivian Tafuto speaks out about athlete license fees, qualification costs, and delayed Worlds prize-money announcements.Whether HYROX treats its elite athletes as true professionals or as part of its marketing product.Why Deadly Dozen’s big prize purse...

Simon "Evil Twin" and Steven Rayner join the show to discuss:CrossFit Masters coverage and frustration with the FloElite broadcast.Simon explains his work as a HYROX Master Judge and judging across CrossFit and weightlifting.How judging standards should differ between Elite 15, Pro, and mass participation athletes.The balance between strict standards, encouragement, and a positive race experience.Should fitness races create a true “just for fun” category?HYROX relay, doubles, and other ways to make fitness racing more accessible.How relay has evolved from an e...

Matt and Clayton race DEKA Mile teams.DEKA’s shirts, medals, and Spartan branding.Kevin’s 10-race DEKA Boston weekend.The cancelled DEKA New York event and missing prize money.DEKA Boston’s volunteer, production, and judging issues.Whether DEKA can fix its event format.HYROX ticket demand and RoxRadar.The rumored HYROX Elite Series schedule, including Bangkok, Las Vegas, and Lyon.BTWE, China’s new fitness race, and its prize money.LT Games adds more spots.First thoughts on the n...

Andrea Ferroni answers HYROX judging questions:HYROX’s new Core Head Judge program explained.Why the role may be difficult for judges with full-time jobs.Why HYROX needs more local teams as the schedule expands.The coming HYROX Head Judge course.Overjudging, standardization, and social media criticism.Why the new Burpee Broad Jump rule could be a nightmare.How often athletes actually argue with judges.The right way to give athletes feedback during a race.Keeping HYROX fun as the sport ge...