In this episode of the Deadly Dozen Podcast, we sit down with Neil Marsh, owner of Neil Marsh Health and Fitness in Cambridge. Known for his Purple Army, Neil shares his journey from a background in sport and triathlon to becoming a prominent figure in fitness racing. From starting his gym to navigating post-pandemic recovery, Neil dives deep into how fitness racing revolutionized his gym. We talk about his early adoption of Hyrox, DEKA, and Deadly Dozen, and how they boosted his gym's community. Plus, hear about his personal transformation from weight struggles to completing marathons, ultras, and Ironman challenges.

Listen as Neil discusses the power of community and fitness racing, the lessons he's learned along the way, and why he's all-in on making fitness racing accessible to everyone. This episode is packed with inspiration, practical advice, and an insider's view into the evolution of fitness racing and gym ownership.

Tune in now for an insightful conversation with one of the fitness community's rising stars!

In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason sits down with Dave Parkin, the current Deadly Dozen world record holder and the first athlete in history to break the 40-minute mark, stopping the clock at 37:59.

Dave's story is one of the most powerful journeys in fitness racing. A decade ago, he had no fitness background, weighed over 18 stone, and joined the gym to lose weight. Fast forward to today, and he's rewritten what's possible in the Deadly Dozen — not once, but twice — lowering the world record from the low 40s to under 38 minutes.

In this conversation, Dave and Jason cover:

• How Dave went from zero training to elite endurance performance

• The mindset and consistency required to break a world record

• Why the Deadly Dozen Track Race rewards smart pacing over raw speed

• Lessons learned from cycling, endurance sport, and high-volume training

• What's next, including targets like Deadly Gross and future championships

This episode is a must-listen for anyone who thinks they "aren't an athlete", anyone chasing performance gains, or anyone inspired by what long-term consistency can really achieve.

From first gym class to fitness racing history — Dave Parkin's journey proves what's possible.

In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason sits down with DEKA's head honcho, Yancy Culp, to dig into the origins, philosophy and future of one of the biggest names in fitness racing.

Yancy shares how DEKA was born in Joe De Sena's kitchen, how it evolved from a simple idea into a global race system, and why the brand is built around one standard for every athlete – from first-timers to world-class performers. Jason and Yancy explore the relationship between DEKA, Deadly Dozen and the wider fitness racing ecosystem, discussing why collaboration beats competition and how both formats are working together to grow the sport worldwide.

They also dive into: •⁠ ⁠Why low technical barriers and simple kit unlock millions of potential racers

•⁠ ⁠How fitness racing can become a lifelong sport for "professional amateurs"

•⁠ ⁠The role of independent gyms, coaching and community in making the sport sustainable

•⁠ ⁠Jason's upcoming book on the history and philosophy of fitness and fitness racing

If you care about where fitness racing has come from, where it's going, and how DEKA and Deadly Dozen can help shape the next 10–20 years of the sport, this is a conversation you don't want to miss.

In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Ciaran Parkinson, an Elite 15 Hyrox athlete, shares his journey from a lockdown runner to one of the top competitors in fitness racing. Alongside his success in Hyrox, Ciaran also discusses his evolution as a coach, helping others reach their fitness goals. Whether you're aiming for personal fitness growth or training to compete, Ciaran's insights are invaluable.

Key Takeaways:

• Ciaran's Journey to Hyrox Elite 15: From discovering running in lockdown to achieving success in one of the toughest fitness races.

• The Power of Consistency in Training: How Ciaran's consistent approach to fitness helped him break through limits and reach top-tier results.

• Coaching Insights: How Ciaran's coaching methods help athletes build strength and stamina for Hyrox and other fitness challenges.

This episode is a must-listen for anyone looking to learn about competitive fitness, coaching, and the role of consistency in training.

In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason sits down with James Kelly — one of the world's elite hybrid athletes — and his sister Bernice Kelly, Director of Deadly Dozen Australia.

James and Bernice share the story behind their rapid rise in the world of fitness racing, from race wins and records in Brisbane to launching and expanding Deadly Dozen events across Australia. They discuss what it takes to compete at the highest level, how training methodology differs between Hyrox and Deadly Dozen, and why hybrid racing is becoming one of the fastest-growing sports globally.

Key topics covered:

• James Kelly's progression into elite hybrid racing

• The launch and growth strategy of Deadly Dozen Australia

• Hyrox vs. Deadly Dozen: event structure, pacing, and athlete demands

• Training philosophy and strength programming for peak performance

• Predictions for the Deadly Dozen World Championships in London

Whether you're an athlete, coach, or fitness racing fan, this episode offers valuable insights into competition mindset, training structure, and the future of the sport.

In this episode, Jason sits down with Vanessa to tackle the most frequently asked questions from Deadly Dozen athletes around the world. From transfers and selling your ticket, to race-day logistics, spectator rules, photos, results, and deferrals — nothing is off the table.

With Deadly Dozen now active in 22+ countries and scaling into 2026 with bigger tech, timing, and support teams, the race experience is evolving. Jason and Vanessa walk through the new streamlined systems that allow athletes to manage transfers themselves from their dashboard, the introduction of on-the-day transfers, and what to expect when racing Solo, Pairs or Relay.

They also break down:

• How ticket transfers work (free + self-managed via your dashboard)

• When race-day transfers apply, and the small admin fee

• Why deferrals aren't permitted as the race calendar expands globally

• Wave times, race schedule (Solos AM / Pairs & Relay PM), and elite wave structure

• When results & photos are released and how facial recognition works

• Spectator rules and why events remain family-friendly

This episode is your go-to guide for navigating the Deadly Dozen experience with confidence — whether it's your first race or your tenth.

How do you race Deadly Dozen—not just survive it? In this episode, Jay breaks down the opening phase of the race: the first 400 m run, the Farmer's Carry, and the Kettlebell Deadlift. We get into solo vs pairs pacing, oxygen debt (and why the first 400 m can ruin your day), how to approach a 240 m carry without red-zoning, and the deadlift strategies that keep you moving fast and legal. We also touch on judging standards, inclusivity, and where fitness racing sits alongside HYROX, DEKA, OCR, and CrossFit.

What you'll learn

• Solo vs Pairs: Why pairs "go hot" and solos must pace—even for elites.

• First Run Tactics: Managing the inevitable oxygen debt; avoiding the "too-fast 400 m" trap.

• Farmer's Carry Strategy (240 m): Shuffle vs run, why continuous carry beats frequent drops, and realistic target times (~2:00–3:00).

• Training for the Carry: Grip first; heavy barbell work (deadlifts, rack pulls), single-arm rows ("Kroc rows"), hangs, suitcase carries.

• Deadlift Race Technique: Stance width, hinge vs squat bias, "finger-tip" grip for extra range, anatomical breathing, smart rep schemes (30/30, 20/20/20, etc.).

• Standards & Culture: Full extension, simple rulebook, inclusive-first ethos with pro-level judging for elites.

• The Bigger Picture: Why conventional fitness racing works—simple tools, low skill barrier, high demand.

Jason Curtis sits down with Natalie Crompton — HYROX world qualifier, coach, corporate leader, and parent — to unpack a stacked journey from "accidental" marathoner to elite fitness racer. Natalie explains how ADHD shapes her love of high-intensity training (and dislike of long rest periods), why running is her superpower, and how a 5 a.m. routine and sleep discipline fuel performance while juggling a senior corporate role and coaching. She opens up about recovering from past restrictive dieting, choosing intuitive eating, and the mindset that keeps her resilient on and off the course: be the hardest worker in the room.

We explore the rise of fitness racing beyond the big arenas—why Natalie's steering some athletes toward smaller, more accessible events, her plans to step back from full-gas HYROX to chase endurance goals (think Backyard Ultra and Everest Base Camp), and how ex-athletes and busy professionals can find purpose through competition. Natalie closes with practical advice: book the race, then work backward—because accountability changes everything.

In this episode of the Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason Curtis sits down in Dubai with Sean Clancy — former professional footballer turned gym owner and fitness innovator behind Coyote Gym and Rejuvenate. From his roots at Liverpool Academy to pioneering training concepts in the UAE, Sean shares his journey from the pitch to performance, and how fitness racing has reignited his competitive fire.

They explore: • Transitioning from pro sport to entrepreneurship • The rise of functional fitness in Dubai and the GCC • How ex-athletes are finding purpose through fitness racing • Building a global fitness community in extreme heat

Sean also reflects on his success in HYROX races, what makes Dubai's fitness scene unique, and his first experience with the Deadly Dozen Fitness Test under 38°C heat.

In this Dubai sit-down, Jason chats with May — one half of the partnership behind Deadly Dozen South Africa and the new UAE/GCC expansion. They unpack how they sold out races across SA by leaning into culture and community, what will shift in Dubai (more athlete-focused, race-first experience), and the realities of running events at scale. May shares her non-fitness background, her past as a national-level javelin thrower, and why fitness racing for her is about health, not pressure. The big vision included the Deadly Dozen as a truly global, accessible race featured in every major fitness calendar.

What you'll hear:

• South Africa's secret sauce: banter, pride, and community that feels like family
• Why Dubai/GCC will be 'athlete first' (and how that changes marketing)
• Mixed-pair standards, weights, and making the race tough but accessible
• Managing race day: the overwhelm, the learnings, and the post-event exhale
• Competing without the anxiety—shifting from 'beat others' to 'beat the race'

This episode shows how May is helping shape the Deadly Dozen's future — from South Africa's community spirit to the UAE's athlete focus — and why global growth is only just beginning.