Chicago HYROX course feel, bridge flow, rock zone, and whether it was "fast".

Movement standards, judging, and BBJ hand placement clarity.

Finish line photos, lighting, and why phones still win without perfect camera settings.

Doubles race strategy with Lauren, splitting stations, running by feel.

Drug testing at Chicago and how pro cards factor in.

DEKA's 2026 expansion to Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia.

CrossFit vs HYROX culture and why mass-participation wins spectators.

Row mechanics, breathing cues, and quick fixes that helped on race day.

Phoenix, Anaheim, and what to train next.

Summary Matt, Cheryl Snow, and Ugly Dave break down Chicago HYROX weekend from the floor and from the livestreams. Was the course quick or just well designed. What improved with movement standards. Why finish line lighting made the photos pop. Matt and Lauren talk through a PR in Doubles and how pacing by feel beat staring at a watch. We hit random testing in the U.S., DEKA's move into big-city venues, and the ongoing CrossFit vs HYROX conversation. Practical takeaways on rowing, sled work, and running steady when your brain wants to tap out.

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TOPICS: • Matt's CrossFit vs Hybrid rant • Why "CrossFit is dead" / "HYROX is better" clickbait is garbage • Mass-participation fitness trends vs forging elite fitness • Why hybrid races are winning right now • Flat Out UK: format, stations, judging, and accessibility • Matt's upcoming Amazfit coverage at HYROX Chicago

DESCRIPTION: Matt opens with a full rant on CrossFit, hybrid fitness, and why the internet keeps pushing fake "versus" narratives. He breaks down why CrossFit staying tied to "forging elite fitness" limits mainstream appeal, how HYROX and hybrid races exploded by meeting regular people where they are, and why the future of fitness is community-driven, social, and Accessible, not elite only movement standards.

He then shifts into his conversation with Patrick from Flat Out UK, covering their race format, every station, how judging works for open vs pro athletes, and why Flat Out is becoming a popular gateway into hybrid training across the UK. They talk accessibility, realistic expectations for first-timers, pacing strategies, and what separates fun community races from serious competition.

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• BBJ judging fix with tighter lane lines. DEKA relay strategy and pairing by strengths. The rower power curve and why drive then pull matters • HYROX ticket trends, pricing, and schedule saturation • Flex Pass, transfers, and resale • U.S. travel limits vs Europe • ATHX format and how it could push HYROX • BBJ judging fix with tighter lane lines • Shoes for training and race day

Summary: Matt, Cheryl, and Dave unpack a DEKA relay where partner strengths changed everything, then show how the rower power curve becomes a simple form check you should lead with. They discuss why Atlanta's slower sales point to schedule saturation and price more than Halloween, how Flex Pass and transfers should work, and why U.S. events need firm calendars earlier. Matt outlines the Athex layout and why it is the right kind of pressure on HYROX. They finish with a clear BBJ judging solution and a few shoe notes.

Topics Covered: • From Cairo to Rutgers: Ali's soccer journey and how he discovered fitness • How CrossFit shaped Egypt's early fitness scene • The birth of AlphaX: a new hybrid race format for the Middle East • Hosting an international event beside the Pyramids • Why the Grand Egyptian Museum launch matters • Event design, pricing, judging, and accessibility • Comparing AlphaX to HYROX Open

Summary: Matt talks with Ali and Adam, the founders of AlphaX Egypt, as they prepare for their debut race at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Ali shares his path from pro soccer in Egypt to a D1 scholarship at Rutgers and then back home to build in fitness. Adam explains how an ACL rehab at the U.S. Olympic Training Center pulled him into CrossFit and eventually into running Egypt's largest functional fitness events.

AlphaX blends endurance, strength, and power across the year, culminating in "X," a ten-station race with 800-meter runs between stations. Movements include sled push and pull, farmer carry, bear hug carry, burpee broad jumps, box jump overs, lunges, wall balls, row, and ski. Loads and flow are designed to be inclusive and comparable to HYROX Open, with singles, pairs, and relay divisions. Judging focuses on clear standards at high-variance stations like burpees and lunges, with one-to-one judging where needed. Pricing is intentionally accessible for the local market (about $20 USD early bird).

Beyond the race, they talk about opening global eyes to Egypt's fitness scene and using iconic locations like the Grand Egyptian Museum to showcase the region.

Event Date: December 6, 2025 Location: Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo

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Matt, Cheryl Snow, and Ugly Dave break down HYROX Atlanta and how the on-site vibe compares to the early Chicago majors. We look at live streams from the weekend, why crowds ebb and flow, and what is working for coverage.

Matt recaps his HYROX Doubles with Clayton, including the extra lap mix-up, the hamstring twinge on lunges, wall balls to close, and the post-race food adventure. We also talk Phoenix and Vegas ticket timing, Atlanta attendance, and why random testing in Europe matters for the sport. Plus quick LT Games notes, judging consistency, and what to expect next.

Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow |

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Jake Dearden joins the show to talk about his 2025 HYROX season, training philosophy, and what it's like competing among the world's best hybrid athletes. We dive into the ongoing debate of volume vs. intensity, HYROX's new athlete license rules, and how the sport is evolving across Europe and the U.S.

We also get into: – His doubles partnership with James Kelly and the top 15 race picture – Why he respects Lauren Weeks' "gamer" mentality – Hunter McIntyre's off-season fitness and what makes him elite – HYROX sleds, technique myths, and course differences – The rise of fitness races like Life Time Games and what's next for the sport

Then we go to the finish line of last weekend's Life Time Games with interviews from Dylan Scott, Terra Jackson, Cole Sager, Marcus Wallace, Jack Driscoll, Janelle Teal, and more.

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Halloween week brings one of the busiest stretches of the hybrid fitness season with HYROX Atlanta on deck, Deadly Dozen Chicago wrapped, and Life Time Games making its debut in Minneapolis.

Matt sits down with Cheryl, Lauren, Dave, and Marcus Wallace to break down every storyline including HYROX's updated Atlanta course map, the latest on elite start times, and how Deadly Dozen is evolving its format. Cheryl shares what made Life Time Games feel like a true fitness festival, and Marcus gives his perspective after going head-to-head with Noah Ohlsen, Dylan Scott, and Cole Sager.

Topics include: – HYROX Atlanta course map mix-up and elite start times – Lauren's Deadly Dozen Chicago recap and why the U.S. turnout still lags the U.K. – Dave's take on Deadly judging, format, and value – Cheryl's inside look at Life Time Games from the floor – Marcus Wallace on competing against Noah Ohlsen, Dylan Scott, and Cole Sager – How LT Games could become the next big hybrid competition – Torque machines, judging controversies, and cleaning crews that put HYROX to shame

Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Marcus Wallace

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Topics include: – Charlie's breakout stretch after HYROX Hamburg and how he's balancing back-to-back races. – The latest updates on HYROX's athlete license rules and how they affect Elite 15 qualification. – A look ahead to Melbourne, Phoenix, and the growing global race calendar. – Ideas for the future of the sport: more majors, brand-based leagues, and national rivalries.

Matt and Charlie talk about the evolution of hybrid fitness, what's working in his training, and why there's still no single blueprint for success in HYROX. They also dive into sponsorships, shoes, and how brands like PUMA, Nike, and Gymshark are shaping the next phase of the sport.

Guest Links: Charlie

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Topics include: – The San Fernando Valley HYROX SIM event and how it's raising the bar for quality and judging. – HYROX's new "independent review committee" and what real transparency should look like. – Updates on DEKA Knoxville, the Lifetime Games in Minneapolis, and the upcoming HYROX majors in Phoenix and Vegas.

Matt, Cheryl, and Dave are joined by Brian from Resolute Coffee, the first sponsor of the show and a long-time supporter of hybrid fitness.

Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Brian Seghers | Resolute Coffee

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Chris Baynes joins the show from Perth to talk about judging standards, wall ball controversy, and how HYROX can tighten consistency across regions. Matt and Chris break down Meg Jacoby's viral wall ball post, Sean's Maastricht no-reps, and what proper hip depth actually looks like.

They also discuss: – The "hand test" judging method and why it fails – The difference between Elite and Open race standards – Why women often hit deeper squats than men – Regional judging inconsistencies and communication issues – Whether boxes or buckets belong in pro races – What HYROX can learn from APAC events

Plus: shoe talk, Fury Road, and the future of elite fitness racing standards.

Guest: Chris Baynes | Shredded HP Health and Performance

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