HYROX HEROES the PODCAST

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

After 12 months of chasing, failing, and learning — I finally cracked the sub-60 HYROX doubles milestone at HYROX Sydney alongside my partner Jordan.

But this result wasn’t just about crossing the finish line under 60 minutes. It was about what I became in the process.

In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of my fourth HYROX doubles attempt and break down the 10 key lessons that got me here. These lessons aren’t just about training — they’re about mindset, identity, strategy, and the real work it takes to evolve.

Whether you’re chasing a time goal, building your confidence as a hybrid athlete, or just trying to stay consistent in the face of setbacks… this one’s for you.

🎯 In this episode, I share:

Why failing three times set me up for success

The personal standards I live by in training

How I used identity shifts to unlock better performance

The #1 mistake I made in past races (and what changed in Sydney)

How to think long-term and stay in the game when progress feels slow

This isn’t a highlight reel — it’s the real journey. And I know you’ll find your own story somewhere in it.

👊 Want to join the Hybrid Heroes crew?

Connect with everyday athletes just like you inside our free online group here:

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

📲 Ready to start training with us?

Get access to our full training app, HYROX programs, running plans, and more here:

👉 https://hybridheroes.online/

HYROX Sydney 2025 – what a weekend! In this episode, Damian unpacks the biggest HYROX event in the world to date, with over 19,000 timed competitors and a sea of community, energy, and personal breakthroughs.

You’ll hear:

What made this HYROX so special (hint: overhead bridges, live start shoot cams, and wild merch drops).

How athletes like Gab & Jordan went from everyday life to dominating podiums.

Why two coaches almost settled for comfort—and how stepping into PRO changed everything.

Damian’s own long-awaited sub-60 story, and what it really takes to shave off those minutes.

Plus:

🔥 Behind-the-scenes moments with Switch Nutrition and LSKD

🧠 Lessons on mindset, growth, and why comfort is the enemy of greatness

🧃 His hydration + supplement stack that helped power a personal best

If you’re chasing your next PB or wondering if HYROX is for you — this is your sign.

👊🏼 Listen now, and if you’re ready to train with us, start your 7-day free trial via hybridheroes.online

Switch Nutrition 15% off Link

https://switchnutrition.com.au/discount/HYBRIDHEROES?rfsn=8467261.00dc2a

or use CODE: HYBRIDHEROES

LSKD 15% off Link

https://www.lskd.co/?ref=bbtdaesl

or use code DAMIAN-TEAMLSKD

What drives an everyday bloke to take on 10 HYROX races in a single weekend?

In this episode, Damian sits down with Eliot — a full-time carpenter, husband, and volunteer — who's gearing up to do something extraordinary: compete in 10 HYROX events across 3 days at HYROX Sydney. But this isn’t just about fitness. It’s about purpose.

Eliot shares his powerful transformation story — from late nights and party habits to becoming a disciplined athlete — and how a simple 90-day challenge changed the course of his life. We dive into his physical prep, mental battles, and the heartfelt reason behind the challenge: raising money for Achilles Sydney, a charity that supports visually impaired and disabled runners.

This episode is real, raw, and incredibly relatable — it’s a reminder that the only thing separating most people from greatness is belief and action.

👉 Support Eliot’s Mission:

💛 Donate to Achilles Sydney:

https://achilles-running-club-inc.giveeasy.org/elliot-fagan

🌿 Support through Maple Movement gear:

https://maplemovement.com

👉 Follow Eliot's Journey:

📸 Instagram: @elliotfagan

📺 YouTube: Elliot Fagan

🔥 What You’ll Learn:

What it takes to train for a mission, not just a race

The cost of comparison and power of perspective

How small decisions lead to massive change

Why giving back can be your biggest motivator

🎧 Tune in and be reminded of what’s possible when you move with purpose.

The HYROX World Championships 2025 just wrapped and wow, there’s a LOT to talk about.

From the new sled turf and strict judging to relay race chaos, injuries, DQs, and the lessons every athlete needs to hear… this episode dives deep into what really happened and what it means for your HYROX training and prep.

Whether you’re racing for your first HYROX or chasing a world championship, this is your inside look at how to train, compete, and stay ready for anything.

👇 JOIN OUR COMMUNITY & GET COACHED BY HYBRID HEROES 👇

💻 Train with us: https://www.hybridheroes.online

👊 Join our free Skool group: https://www.skool.com/hyrox-heroes-free