Most people don’t fail because their program is bad — they fail because of how they apply it.

In this episode, we break down how the 2026 PERFORM Program was designed, why running became the foundation, why strength was simplified, and how smart application beats “more work” every time.

Whether you train for HYROX, coach athletes, or write your own programs, this episode will change how you think about structure, pacing, recovery, and long-term progress.

This isn’t about doing more.

It’s about doing what matters — better.

🎧 Listen now and train with intention.

to get a 7 day trial to our training app go to:

Hybridheroes.online

Running is the biggest performance factor in HYROX and most athletes get it wrong.

In this episode, I break down how beginners, intermediates, and advanced athletes should actually train their running for HYROX.

Our training programs:

hybridheroes.online

Our online HYROX group:

https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free

HYROX Melbourne was HUGE.

Biggest event Australia has ever seen — and a massive reminder of what this sport is really about.

In this episode, I break down:

• What stood out across the entire weekend

• Why experience matters more than people realise

• The biggest rule mistakes I saw (and how to avoid them)

• Why running is becoming the separator

• And why HYROX is a long-term game, not a 12-week fix

If you’re racing soon, planning your first HYROX, or chasing a better result — this one’s for you.

👉 Join the Hybrid Heroes Online Community

https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free

Most athletes train hard for HYROX… then ruin their race in the final 2 weeks.

In this masterclass episode, Damian breaks down exactly how to taper and deload so you arrive on the start line fresh, confident, and ready to perform – not fried, anxious, and overcooked.

You’ll learn:

Why the final 7–14 days matter more than any “last chance” workout

How to spot the signs you’re training too hard and need to back off

A simple 10–14 day taper timeline you can follow for any HYROX race

How to balance intensity, volume, and recovery without feeling “lazy”

The mental side of tapering – dealing with anxiety, doubt, and unrealistic expectations

How to keep HYROX fun and sustainable so you actually want to come back for race #2, #3, and #10

If you’ve got HYROX Melbourne coming up – or any race in the next few weeks – this episode could be the difference between just surviving… and putting together your best performance ever.

🎧 Listen now and save this for every future race.

👉 Start your 7-Day Free Trial of the HYBRID HEROES training app at: HYBRIDHEROES.online

👉 Or join our online HYROX group here: https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free

In this honest episode of the Hybrid Heroes Podcast, Damian opens up a conversation that every HYROX athlete, runner, and hybrid trainer needs to hear: how to know when to be kind to yourself… and when you actually need to be better.

After 18 years of coaching thousands of people — from first-timers to elite athletes — Damian has seen the same pattern on repeat:

most people aren’t stuck because their body isn’t capable…

they’re stuck because their mindset, lifestyle, and emotions are out of alignment with their goals.

Inside this episode, we dive into:

The reality of the modern “always on” culture — run clubs, events, social media, and constant comparison

Why HYROX is not just physically demanding, but mentally and emotionally heavy too

The “Be Kind or Be Better” framework — how to use it in real time when you’re tired, stressed, or doubting yourself

When you genuinely need rest, recovery, and compassion (burnout, poor sleep, life stress, kids, work, injuries)

When you’re not burnt out… you’re just uncomfortable and need to step up, stop making excuses, and raise your standards

How sleep, lifestyle, Netflix, nights out, and nutrition quietly sabotage progress — and what to do about it

Why reaching out for feedback (from a coach, friend, or professional) is a strength, not a weakness

The importance of emotional regulation in HYROX training, performance, and everyday life

This episode is for you if:

You feel tired, flat, or overwhelmed and don’t know if you should push or pull back

You’re constantly comparing yourself to others on Instagram, at the gym, or at races

You’ve had a few “off weeks” and are questioning whether HYROX is even for you

You want a simple mental tool to check in with yourself and make better decisions.

Damian’s message is clear:

🔹 Sometimes you need to be kind — create space, recover, and protect your mental health.

🔹 Sometimes you need to be better — tighten up your habits, stop hiding behind excuses, and lean into the work.

Learn how to tell the difference, how to check in with yourself honestly, and how to keep progressing without burning out.

Keep training hard. Know when to be kind. Know when to be better.

And we’ll see you on a HYROX start line soon. 💪

If you’ve ever set a HYROX goal, felt motivated for a few weeks, and then lost momentum — this episode is for you.

In today’s session, Damian breaks down The 5 Key Principles for Setting HYROX Goals That Stick — the proven framework used inside Hybrid Heroes to help everyday athletes stay consistent, build confidence, and finally cross the finish line feeling strong.

You’ll learn how to:

1️⃣ Find your “why” — and use it to stay disciplined when motivation fades.

2️⃣ Assess your current reality so your training matches your actual fitness level.

3️⃣ Build a realistic plan that fits your lifestyle and delivers consistent progress.

4️⃣ Track your progress using data, not emotions.

5️⃣ Create accountability and environment that make consistency automatic.

Because in HYROX, it’s not the athlete with the most motivation who wins — it’s the one with the clearest plan and the strongest “why.”

💥 Ready to start your own journey?

👉 Start your 7-day free trial of the HYBRID HEROES training app today at hybridheroes.online

or

💪 Join our free Hybrid Heroes online community — connect with other athletes, get support, and stay accountable on your path to HYROX success.

👉https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free

In this episode, Damian breaks down how to build transferable training habits that become your race strategy when it counts.

You’ll learn how to:

✅ Understand pacing through measurable running intervals (5K, 1000m, 400m)

✅ Build internal awareness — not just rely on your watch

✅ Train transitions, standards, and discipline that carry over to race day

✅ Use intent and measurability to track progress and prevent burnout

✅ Turn everyday training habits into automatic race performance

This episode will change how you approach training forever.

If you’re ready to train with purpose and race with confidence

💪 Start your 7-Day Free Trial of Hybrid Heroes → hybridheroes.online

👥 Join the Hybrid Heroes Crew → https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free

After years of training everyday people through to Australia’s elite HYROX athletes, I’ve seen the patterns of what creates real progress — and what holds people back.

In this episode, I unpack the undeniable principles that drive results: environment, consistency, community, chasing progress, failing forward, and building the right relationships. I’ll also share the hidden battles athletes face — comparison, doubt, fear — and the mindset shift that separates those who succeed from those who stay stuck.

Whether you’re chasing your first HYROX finish or pushing for a sub-60, these lessons will help you train smarter, think clearer, and grow stronger.

👉 Ready to start your own HYROX journey?

Get a 7-Day Free Trial of the HYBRID HEROES training program here: https://hybridheroes.online/

Join our HYBRID HEROES Online Group for just $9/month: https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free

Whether you’re training for your first HYROX or chasing a PB, the road to race day is full of challenges. In this episode, I break down the 20 biggest problems Hyroxers face — from brutal sled pushes and grip fatigue to pacing mistakes, mental drop-offs, and recovery errors.

You’ll learn how to recognise these roadblocks, why they happen, and what you can do to smash through them. This isn’t theory — these are the hard truths from coaching hundreds of athletes inside Hybrid Heroes and competing at the highest level myself.

💪 Join the Hybrid Heroes Training App – Get your first 7 days free: HYBRIDHEROES.online

🤝 Join our Online Community – Connect with other athletes and get free training tips: https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free

If you're training for HYROX — this episode is your playbook.

Coach Damian Votta breaks down the exact training blueprint to help you build strength, improve endurance, and dominate race day — whether you're a first-timer or looking to PB.

You’ll learn:

How to assess your current fitness level

What your strength and cardio training should actually look like

How to build your aerobic engine without burning out

How to structure HYROX-specific workouts that translate on race day

This isn’t just theory — it’s a full coaching session, built on OPEX principles and tested across 1000s of Hybrid Heroes athletes.

You’ll also hear how we personalise training inside our Hybrid Heroes programs so you can stop guessing and start progressing.

👉 Ready to take your HYROX prep to the next level? Get 7 Day free trial to our training app

Visit www.hybridheroes.online