Rachael Wade On The Verge Of Elite 15 College running career at Texas and Alabama Injuries, disordered eating, and a torn Achilles Last minute Atlanta entry with no idea what she was getting into Las Vegas 1:01:01 and the ChatGPT goal Sled pull and wall balls as her biggest weaknesses The Roxx gym in Birmingham and the growing sim scene Moving to Salt Lake City this summer Houston and Miami back to back.

Harry Gordon / Wilder Games From Durham student to co-founder via the Fight Nights Pairs format and why it makes the event accessible to anyone Pricing at £25 a head even if that means losing money 70 poll responses when he expected 15 HYROX pulling teenagers from football and rugby within five years 25+ UK cities and hundreds of thousands raised for charity What it feels like to be in a boxing ring for the first time Why Loughborough became the Wilder Games hub

Guest Links: Rachael Wade | Wilder Games

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Topics Is Peak 500 a race, a test, or a multi-stage fitness competition? HYROX's new rule eliminating post-race athlete-on-athlete reporting VAR judging: improvement or more missed calls? Viral "bad judging" content: real issues vs attention-seeking HYROX Division 1: new tier below Elite 15 Mat Lock hinting at salaried or full-time pro athletes ATHX Miami Invitational: Dave's role as Director of Sport Deadly Dozen's rapid international growth vs minimal US footprint ATHX races: no US dates, no clear public schedule

Summary This episode covers where hybrid fitness is right now, across competition formats, governance, and growth. Peak 500 is a clean example of a gym-level benchmark. Kemp's 396 shows how it exposes weaknesses fast, but the bigger debate is what it actually is. Not quite a race, not just a workout, more of a structured test.

The real weight is on HYROX and the broader ecosystem. Removing post-race protests and introducing VAR-style judging is a necessary shift, but it raises new concerns about missed calls and transparency. At the same time, the conversation is expanding beyond rules into structure. Division 1, potential salaried athletes, and the reality that Elite 15 competitors are still not full-time pros.

Zoom out and the space is getting crowded. ATHX is building but still lacks a clear US presence. Deadly Dozen is scaling internationally but hasn't cracked the US. Everyone is moving, but not in the same direction. The sport is growing fast. The structure still isn't settled.

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What actually makes a good coach: knowledge, experience, and care Blame the sled, blame the carpet, blame the erg. Or maybe it's the pizza and beers the night before Why most people pick the wrong coach and stay too long The red flags: long bios, fake credentials, and "business coaches" who've never done anything Why authenticity is starting to win and the cookie-cutter content is getting exposed Content vs experience: why doing the thing matters more than talking about it HYROX vs CrossFit: race vs training methodology Why you can't just "do CrossFit" and expect to be good at HYROX CrossFit missed the fitness racing moment, and HYROX didn't Influencers, media, and the growing tension inside HYROX events The mic situation: rules, respect, and how to handle it in the moment Why most people complaining haven't actually done the race Fitness definitions: what does "fittest" actually mean? Community vs results: what actually matters and what's just a byproduct Boundaries: when to stop giving energy to people who give nothing back

Summary

This one goes in a few different directions, but it all comes back to the same idea. There's a big difference between talking about something and actually doing it.

Steven's content works because it sits right in that space. It's funny, it pokes at HYROX and CrossFit, but it comes from experience. That turns into a bigger conversation about coaching, content, and competition, and how easy it is for people to fake their way through all three.

We get into what actually makes a good coach, why people stay in bad situations too long, and how to spot the red flags early.

There's also a separate conversation around boundaries. When to stop giving time and energy to people who aren't giving anything back, and how that shift changes everything, both in training and outside of it.

From there it moves into HYROX vs CrossFit, what each one is trying to do, and why most of the loud opinions come from people who haven't done both.

It ends up being less about which one is better and more about defining what you actually want from training and who you want around you. Once you do that, the rest gets a lot simpler.

Guest Links: Steven Rayner

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The Not So Live Show with Cheryl, Matt and special guest IanK from UKHXR.

DEKA production upgrades: new start line, finish line, and overall feel The new Lycan machines: faster times, different feel, and athlete reactions Why changing machines resets the entire leaderboard The real issue: long wait times and races starting up to an hour late Judging, volunteers, and the bottleneck problem inside DEKA Does DEKA owe athletes better communication on major changes?

The Fastest HYROX times ever and a suspect course. HYROX London setup: 10-day event, Elite 15, and a new level of production The "Thunderdome" wall ball setup and why it stands out Influencer races: exposure vs actual impact on the sport Kids races, growth in Europe, and what translates to the US

Summary

DEKA is clearly growing.

The event looked better. Bigger setup, more production, new machines, and more people than ever. But the changes didn't come clean. The machines shifted how the race feels, times got weird, and for a lot of athletes it turned into a full reset.

And then there's the part that still hasn't been fixed. Long waits, late starts, and a system that struggles to keep up with its own growth.

At the same time, HYROX London is running a completely different play. Bigger, louder, more structured, and somehow still scaling. From Elite 15 to influencer races, it's becoming a full week-long production.

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Lexi Johnson built her platform long before she ever stepped onto a start line. What started as at-home workouts during COVID turned into a massive online and in-person community. Now she's taking that base into competition, with clear strengths and a lot of room to grow.

Then there's ErgShoot, a new format trying to carve out its own lane. It blends ergs with precision shooting, backed by real tech and early traction inside CrossFit events. The goal isn't just to be part of the space, but to build something entirely new.

Josh van Zeeland is in the middle of a reset. After injury, the focus has shifted from rushing back to building something more durable. He talks through the rehab process, what he's learned from racing at a high level, and how quickly things changed once he broke into the elite side of HYROX.

Lexi Johnson – Topics

• From dental hygienist to fitness entrepreneur during COVID
• The "Dungem" and building a massive audience through authenticity
• Personal mission: father's health transformation driving her purpose
• Community-first growth: events, clients, and real-world engagement
• HYROX journey: strong stations, Pro transition, and improving running

ErgShoot – Topics

• Origin story: CrossFit gym experiment to new sport concept
• Biathlon inspiration: combining ergs with precision shooting
• Early growth: Concept2 support and CrossFit event integrations
• Sport mechanics: cardio plus accuracy under fatigue
• Long-term vision: global expansion, affiliates, and standalone events

Josh van Zeeland – Topics

• Rehab mindset shift: slowing down, patience, and long-term performance
• From rugby and ACL injury to HYROX and endurance racing
• Rapid progression: Open debut to Pro racing and Worlds performance
• Race evolution: pacing, sub-60 barrier, and breakthrough results
• Injury recovery: hamstring surgery and rebuilding the full athlete

Today's episode is brought to you by Xendurance. Clinically proven supplements to improve endurance, energy, and lean body mass

Guest Links: Lexi Johnson | Erg Shoot | Josh Van Zeeland

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We start by catching up with Alyssa McElheny after her attempt to get a 2nd race in before the cutoff for The HYROX Warsaw Major. Saliva slowed her down, let's find out why. Then the Not So Live Show with Cheryl, Matt and Dave.

• Old people talk: seatbelts, 8-tracks, and riding in the back of cars
• HYROX Cancun: race, vacation, or full racecation
• The "I could go sub-60" guy who ran 1:25
• Why HYROX is harder than people think (Murph denial included)
• Cancun race setup: one lap course, rain, platforms, fireworks
• Destination races and the rise of the HYROX racecation
• Fall North America cities announced: Nashville, Tampa, Salt Lake City, Denver
• Altitude debates and racing for fun vs chasing PRs
• HYROX growth moment in America and the viral schedule post
• New women emerging with fast times and the next Elite 15 contenders
• Alyssa's penalty, judging standards, and the "benefit of the doubt" debate
• Elite 15 rule enforcement and communication issues
• The role of media in covering the sport honestly
• New Worlds qualification rule: no roll-downs after the initial offer
• Quick preview of the European Championship race and who we want to win

We start with some old-school nostalgia before getting into HYROX Cancun and the idea of a true racecation. The conversation moves quickly into how hard HYROX actually is, sparked by the classic "I could go sub-60" claim, and what the Cancun course setup revealed about race design.

From there, we get into the bigger picture. HYROX growth in North America, the newly announced fall cities, and the ongoing debate between racing for PRs versus racing for the experience. We also look at emerging athletes, especially on the women's side, and what the next version of the Elite 15 could look like.

The back half of the episode focuses on rules and governance. Alyssa's penalty, judging consistency, and the broader issue of communication from HYROX all come up, along with the newly announced Worlds qualification rule removing roll-downs after the initial offer. We wrap with a quick look ahead to the European Championship and who we think could take it.

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Athletes We Talked To

Friday - Elite 15 Singles

Morgan Schulz - 3rd - $6,000 Kris Rugloski - 5th - $4,200 Carolyn Watkins - 4th - $4,800 Katherine Fahsbender - 11th - $1,800 Terra Jackson - 8th - $2,700 Lauren Griffith - 7th - $3,000 Vivian Tafuto - 2nd - $9,600 Lauren Weeks - 1st - $15,000 Kelsey Hochleitner - 12th - $1,500 Audrey Skiver - 6th - $3,600 Lianne Girard - 13th - $1,200 Rachel Legacy - 15th - $900

Frédéric Dubé - 7th - $3,000 Ryan Callahan - 15th - $900 Cole Learn - 1st - $15,000 Dylan Scott - 2nd - $9,600 Stephen Pelkofer - 3rd - $6,000

Saturday - Elite 15 Doubles

(Prize money paid per team)

Morgan Schulz & Katherine Fahsbender - 2nd - $6,400 Kristen Stein & Alandra Greenlee - 3rd - $4,000 Vivian Tafuto & Lauren Weeks - 1st - $10,000 Brittany McCall & Lianne Girard - 4th - $3,200 Danitza Leon & Madison Yaskowich - 8th - $1,800 Zoe Verkerke & Claire Haines - 12th - $1,000 Maria Fecik & Terra Jackson - 5th - $2,800 Marcus Wallace & Dawson Miller - 2nd - $6,400 Jarrett Newby & Hayden Warner - 3rd - $4,000 Dylan Scott & Stephen Pelkofer - 1st - $10,000 Cole Learn & Jay Muscart - 5th - $2,800 Ryan Douglas & Jack Driscoll - 8th - $1,800 Colin Stiefer & Ryan Kent - 6th - $2,400

Topics

• Cole Learn wins the men's Elite 15 race in Washington DC • Lauren Weeks takes the women's Elite 15 title • Vivian Tafuto finishes second in singles and wins doubles with Weeks • Dylan Scott and Stephen Pelkofer dominate the doubles race • Morgan Schulz podium finish in singles and silver in doubles • Kris Rugloski fifth in singles and third in doubles with Alandra Greenlee • Terra Jackson top 10 singles and fifth in doubles with Maria Fecik • Jarrett Newby and Hayden Warner podium finish in doubles • Ryan Kent and Colin Stiefer finish sixth • Frédéric Dubé top 10 finish in men's singles • Audrey Skiver's one arm sandbag moment • Rachel Legacy racing while pregnant • Quick reactions from athletes across both Elite 15 fields

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After the backlash over the 60+ World Championship race schedule, the company sent a new email saying they are exploring reversing the decision.

Matt, Cheryl, and Dave break down the response, read comments from the first Watergate episode, and discuss new details that came out about the Elite 15 athlete briefing:

• HYROX responds to the 60+ race controversy
• Whether the apology actually fixes the problem
• Community reactions to the first Watergate episode
• Dr. Alondra Greenlee responding in the comments
• New details about the athlete briefing
• Why athletes were told not to record the meeting
• The "yeet" rule and throwing trash on course
• Transparency and rule consistency in HYROX

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• HYROX "Watergate" controversy after Cole Learn dumps water on himself mid-race • Whether rules are actually being enforced consistently in Elite 15 racing • The growing "trust bank" problem between HYROX and athletes • 60+ athletes furious over Stockholm Worlds schedule change • HYROX email claiming the change was "for their benefit" • Age-group athletes forced to choose between singles and doubles • Alondra Greenlee barred from racing after missing athlete briefing • Kent allowed to race despite also missing the meeting • Mandatory race briefings and whether they should exist at all • Transparency problems and HYROX's repeated "no comment" responses • How elite sports normally handle suspensions and rule enforcement • What HYROX needs to do to rebuild trust with athletes and fans

Summary

This emergency Sunday episode digs into what the crew is calling "Watergate" after video surfaced of Cole Learn pouring water on himself during a race, something explicitly prohibited in the HYROX rulebook. The discussion centers on inconsistent rule enforcement and whether the organization is drifting toward the same credibility problems that plagued Spartan in past years.

They also unpack two other major controversies from the weekend: a last-minute schedule change for 60+ athletes at the World Championships that forces many to choose between singles and doubles, and the decision to block Alondra Greenlee from racing after missing a mandatory briefing while another athlete who also missed the meeting was allowed to compete.

The common thread is transparency. With HYROX declining to comment publicly on several incidents, the crew debates whether the sport risks eroding the trust it has built with athletes and fans during its rapid growth.

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Matt sits down with Kaʻeo Kruse from Stryd to break down how running data can improve HYROX performance. Later, Alaskan athletes Chad Trammell and Lars Arneson join the show to talk about their impressive Pro Doubles debut at HYROX Phoenix.

Topics

Kaʻeo Kruse (Stryd)

• Hawaii → Harvard → UVA running career • Training with USA Triathlon in Boulder • Understanding running power and pacing • Matt's HYROX Phoenix data breakdown • Cadence vs stride length • Efficiency and avoiding anaerobic spikes

Chad Trammell & Lars Arneson

• Chad winning World's Toughest Mudder • Lars' Nordic skiing background • Training for HYROX in Anchorage • Fourth place in HYROX Phoenix Pro Doubles • Race strategy and pacing • Why lunges and wall balls cost them time

Summary

First up, Matt talks with Kaʻeo Kruse from Stryd about how running data can help HYROX athletes race smarter. Kruse explains his background as a runner at Harvard and UVA before transitioning to triathlon and training with USA Triathlon in Boulder.

Using Matt's race at HYROX Phoenix as a case study, they break down pacing, cadence, stride length, and running power. The data showed how maintaining consistent effort led to a five-minute improvement and why even small efficiency gains can make a big difference in HYROX racing.

In the second half of the episode, Matt catches up with Chad Trammell and Lars Arneson from Anchorage, Alaska. Trammell reflects on winning World's Toughest Mudder and the early days of obstacle racing, while Arneson talks about his background as a Nordic skier and mountain runner.

The pair recently finished fourth in Pro Doubles at HYROX Phoenix with a time of 50:41, despite only doing a handful of strength workouts together. They break down their race strategy, where they lost time, and whether they'll pursue the Elite 15 Doubles races moving forward.

Guest Links: Kaʻeo Kruse from Stryd| Lars Arneson & Chad Trammell

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