On The 'Rox' Podcast

Rucking Around the DEKA FIT Tree – A British Perspective on the DEKA World Championships

In this powerful and deeply human episode, Marshy sits down with the first-ever athletes from outside North America and Canada to complete the DEKA Trifecta in the Ruck division at the DEKA World Championships.

This is a raw, honest, and inspiring deep dive into the world of DEKA Ruck—from what the Ruck division really demands, to the rapid growth of Rucking within DEKA in the UK, and the ethos and community that sit at the heart of DEKA worldwide.

We follow the journey from the UK to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, unpacking what it’s really like to travel internationally with a ruck, the emotions of arriving at the Convention Center, and the overwhelming feeling of stepping onto the world championship floor.

The conversation goes far beyond racing. We talk openly about:

• Being a mum of three, the reality of mum guilt, and the emotional weight of leaving family behind to chase a world championship dream

• The moment it all becomes real inside the arena

• Gemma’s unforgettable story of leaving absolutely everything out on the course

• Kirsty’s one-year journey—from to returning and completing all three Ruck divisions to earn the DEKA World Championships Trifecta RUCK!

You’ll also get real insight, practical advice, and training tips for anyone considering their first DEKA Ruck, shared by two of the UK’s leading Ruck division athletes.

If you’re thinking about doing a Ruck, already racing DEKA, traveled to the World Championships, or simply love the world of fitness racing and the DEKA community, this is an episode you cannot miss.

🎒🌍 Ruck heavy. Dream big. Leave it all out there.

In this episode of On The Rox, we sit down with Rachel – elite road runner turned hybrid-fitness racer, and now the British Record Holder in the Deadly Dozen.

Rachel opens up about her journey from high-level running into the fast-growing world of fitness racing, how ADHD has shaped her training and performance, and what ultimately led her to her breakout moment at the Deadly Dozen Macclesfield finale, where she smashed the British record in her first ever attempt.

We dive into:

🏃‍♀️ Rachel’s transition from elite road running to fitness racing

🏋️‍♀️ How ADHD influences her training style, focus and competitive mindset

🔥 Her first season inside the hybrid world – HYROX and Deadly Dozen

🇨🇾 The Deadly Dozen Cyprus Hybrid Training Camp – how it worked, what it involved, and exciting hints at future camps

🏅 Top 3 tips for anyone taking on their first Deadly Dozen event

💥 What’s next for Rachel and what’s coming in the 2026 Deadly Dozen season

This episode is packed with insights for runners entering hybrid fitness, athletes with ADHD, Deadly Dozen rookies, HYROX competitors, and anyone inspired by the huge growth of fitness racing in the UK.

In this powerhouse episode we sit down with Athlete Mimi and Coach Mark to dive deep into the exploding world of hybrid fitness. From HYROX… to DEKA… to the Deadly Dozen… we explore how the industry has ignited a new fire in athletes across the world.

We talk honestly about managing a competition-year diary, balancing training across multiple formats, and what it takes to peak for several different race categories in one season. Mimi and Mark share how hybrid racing has become a second athletic chance for so many people—relighting passion, drive and competitiveness.

We celebrate the visionaries of the sport, from Yancy and the DEKA global community to Jason Curtis and the rapid rise of The Deadly Dozen. With DEKA World Championships 2026 on the horizon, we reflect on whether the 2025 Worlds may have been the greatest hybrid event ever held.

We go deep on performance mindset:

• Why hard work beats talent every time

• What it means to be a coachable athlete

• How athlete–coach relationships can change careers

• Why the hybrid world might now have a true “Big Three”: DEKA, Deadly Dozen, HYROX

And finally, we look ahead at Mimi’s potential future in the sport—through the eyes of her coach, Mark, who believes she genuinely has the world at her feet.

This is a big conversation about ambition, growth, race culture, and the future of hybrid fitness.

If you love this sport, this is an episode you DO NOT want to miss.

In this episode, Marshy sits down with Martin for a wide-ranging conversation on all things hybrid fitness racing. From the origins of Hyrox and its first races in the UK, to the groundbreaking first DEKA Fit UK arena event, and the unique challenge of the Deadly Dozen, we dive deep into the sport’s past, present, and future.

We explore:

🏋️ The rise of hybrid racing and how Hyrox, DEKA, and Deadly Dozen are shaping the scene

🎥 Martin’s journey as a YouTuber — why he started, how authenticity fuels his content, and why it resonates with the community

📈 The booming business side of hybrid racing and why growth may eventually plateau

🌍 The exciting announcement of the first Deadly Dozen UK & World Championships

🇬🇧 DEKA Fit’s bold UK expansion with three arena events coming in 2026

👧 Martin’s daughter’s inspiring YouTube journey through parkrunThis is a must-watch episode for athletes, fans, and anyone passionate about the future of hybrid fitness racing.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth conversations on the sport we love.

The First Ever Elite Winners Of DEKA FIT UK

This week’s podcast is a special on-site episode from the very first DEKAFIT UK arena event! Recorded straight after the elite solo races on Saturday, we had the privilege of interviewing the podium finishers from both the men’s and women’s elite categories.From the women’s race, we chat with Emma, Kate, and Mimi. From the men’s race, we hear from Jack, Jude, and Dave. Each athlete shares their story — from their background in hybrid racing and previous DEKA experiences, to how the elite race unfolded on the day.

We dive into:

🥇 Their breakdown of the race and key moments from the competition

How DEKA compares to other hybrid fitness formats

🌍 Why DEKA has a real place in the hybrid fitness industry •

👊 Why you should get involved and give DEKA a go

This is a landmark moment for hybrid racing in the UK, and we’re bringing you first-hand insights from the athletes who made history as the first ever elite winners of DEKAFIT UK.Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or fan of the sport, this episode is packed with inspiration and inside knowledge about the future of DEKA and hybrid racing.

In this episode of the On The Rox Podcast, Marshy sits down with Bex, the trailblazer who became the first ever female to complete the Deadly Dozen Ruck division.

Bex shares her journey through the hybrid fitness racing world — from a multi-sport athlete in her youth, to discovering Hyrox, to qualifying for the 2024 World Championships in Nice and fulfilling her dream of representing her country on the world stage.

The conversation dives deep into Bex’s first taste of Deadly Dozen at the Lee Valley race, exploring the unique demands of the event, the incredible atmosphere, and the role of the judges in creating a race experience unlike any other. She compares the Deadly Dozen environment to Hyrox, explaining why this format has such a strong place in the future of hybrid fitness racing.

We then relive Bex’s history-making moment — tackling the entire Deadly Dozen course with a 6kg Ruck vest and proving she could not only survive it, but beat the race. Bex reflects on the physical and mental demands of competing with and without the Ruck, her proudest achievements, and her vision for where Deadly Dozen can go next in our ever-growing hybrid fitness community.

If you’re a fan of hybrid fitness, race-day stories, and hearing from athletes who break barriers, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

What is KELTX? | The Origins of the UK’s Newest Premium Fitness Race

In this episode of the podcast, Marshy sits down with James—one of the five co-founders of KELTX (pronounced Kelt-X)—to unpack the story behind the UK’s newest fitness race.

💥 We dive deep into:

• The origins and founding vision of KELTX

• Why Cornwall and the South West was chosen as the launchpad

• The core values of KELTX and its emphasis on human movement

• What makes this competition different and why it’s being called a premium fitness race

• A full breakdown of the workout format, the stations, and the programming decisions behind each element

• The vital role of the next generation and how KELTX is building around the foundations of movement, health, longevity and most importantly community

Whether you’re a competitor, coach, or curious listener, this episode gives you an exclusive look behind the scenes of a race that could serve the UK hybrid fitness scene.

📍 First KELTX event: 11th October 2025

🧠 Built on movement. Driven by purpose. Powered by community.

👉 Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy the episode!

World Records & Community Power: Cam on Deadly Dozen, Rancher Strong & the Rise of Hybrid Fitness🟡🟣

In this episode of On The Rox, Marshy sits down with Cam — the reigning world record holder in the Deadly Dozen track race at the time of recording — to dive deep into the mindset, training, and community behind elite hybrid fitness.

Cam opens up about his experience at the Deadly Dozen Lee Valley event, where he broke the world record, and discusses whether his training was tailored for the event or simply a reflection of consistent hybrid readiness. As an F45 franchise owner, Cam also gives insight into leading a team of athletes into the hybrid race space, sharing how the Deadly Dozen has energized fitness communities and opened doors for everyday gym-goers to become race-day warriors.

From top tips on conquering the Deadly Dozen to stories from Red Bull’s Rancher Strong event in Fort Worth, Texas, this episode is packed with takeaways for fitness fans, studio owners, and hybrid racers alike.

We also explore the bigger picture — how hybrid racing is reshaping the fitness industry and where the Deadly Dozen fits into this evolving competitive landscape.

Raw Reactions from the Elite 15: Zara, Kate, Lauren & Jade on World Champs, Family & the Future

In this unique episode, we rewind to the electrifying finish of the first-ever Women’s Elite 15 Doubles at the HYROX World Championships. Join us as we catch up post-race with four of the biggest names in hybrid fitness: Zara Piergianni, Kate Davey, Lauren Weeks, and Jade Skillen.

From brutally honest race reflections to deep dives into their 2024–2025 seasons and what’s ahead for 2025–2026, this is a rare behind-the-scenes glimpse into the mindset of top-tier athletes.

🔥 Will Zara and Kate team up in 2026?

💥 How did each duo handle the pressure of the first Elite Doubles season?

💜 What role does family and emotional support play at this level?

Lauren and Jade both open up about the people behind their success and what it takes to train like an Olympic-calibre athlete in a sport still writing its own rules.🎤 Filmed on-site and in the moment — this is real, raw, and refreshingly human.Don’t miss it.

Subscribe and join the conversation.#hyrox #Elite15 #HybridFitness #LaurenWeeks #JadeSkillen #ZaraPiergianni #KateDavey #DoublesElite #PostRaceInterviews

HYROX WORLD CHAMPION at 62: Carol Norris on HYROX Glory, Standards & Rule Changes At Hyrox World Championships 

In this powerful episode of On The Rox Podcast, Neil sits down with Carol Norris, the newly crowned HYROX Doubles World Champion (Age 60-69) at the 2025 World Championships in Chicago. This conversation dives deep into Carol’s three-year journey to the top of the podium, the raw emotion of walking for England in the opening ceremony, and the unforgettable moment of hearing the national anthem play while standing on the world stage at the top of the podium. 

Neil and Carol don’t shy away from the tough topics — including a frank debate on standards in the sport, whether age should affect judging, and if an athlete should be crowned world champion without meeting movement standards. They also discuss the emotional weight of solo vs. doubles racing and what truly separates a participant from a real champion.

Carol shares her role in influencing new HYROX rule changes for the 2025/2026 season and how HYROX has positively responded to athletes’ concerns. We also touch on Carol’s plans for next season, speculation on her next doubles partner, and her sights on going for solo gold.

If you love this sport — whether you’re in it, on the sidelines, or cheering from home — this episode is for you. Expect honesty, insight, and heart.

👉 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more deep dives into the world of hybrid fitness.

#Hyrox #HyroxWorldChampionships #OnTheRoxPodcast #CarolNorris #HybridFitness #PurpleArmy #ChampionMindset #RuleChange #HyroxMasters #AgeGroupAthlete