Hybrid Fitness Media

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 Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

Fun to watch who will qualify for HYROX Worlds Full breakdown of Rancher Strong race in Texas Why Red Bull keeps winning in this space XENOM launches and calls itself the Decathlon of Fitness $500 entry fees, max snatches, and muscle ups 26.1 wall balls and the HYROX handshake meme Matt walks through Rancher Strong from the Pro Am all the way through my race effort. What went well, what I overthought, and why HYROX training absolutely showed up when it mattered. It was short, violent, and a great reminder that fear is usually worse than reality. We also dig into XENOM and whether it actually learned anything from HYROX. Big funding. Big talk. But accessibility still matters. Then we hit 26.1, Open numbers, and a full HYROX DC preview. The women's race feels structured. The men's race feels unpredictable. Doubles could get spicy.

• Alyssa's 1:00:55 Vegas debut • Marathon to HYROX transition • Sled push issues and split analysis • Elite 15 cutoff timing • License rule change confusion • Non-counted qualifying races • Guadalajara scramble • Leaderboard and alternate reality Summary Alyssa McElhaney joins after her 1:00:55 HYROX debut in Vegas. We talk marathon background, sled push problems, and what she needs to clean up to push into true Elite 15 territory. Then Ryan Callahan breaks down the Elite 15 athlete license confusion that invalidated two of his early times, forcing a last-minute qualifying scramble. We unpack communication issues, leaderboard quirks, and what alternate status really means heading into DC. Guest Links:  Alyssa McElheny | Ryan Callahan Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG    

• Vegas was not the "exhale" after Phoenix, 17,000+ showed up • Mandalay Bay venue exceeded expectations • Lounge couches, neon relay vibe, and actual Vegas energy • Judging adjustments post-Phoenix and penalty transparency questions • Daria on NYC ticket chaos and affiliate presale reality • $270 solos and $450 doubles and pricing creep • Should NYC expand beyond two weekends? • Dave's DEKA Strong PR and Strong as a bigger lane We break down why Vegas was anything but a quiet follow-up to Phoenix. Mandalay Bay handled the volume, the relay felt like a nightclub, and HYROX leaned into the Vegas vibe in a way that actually worked. We also dig into judging changes, ongoing penalty confusion, and the NYC ticket madness — including what really happened with presale links and why tickets vanished in 90 minutes. Plus pricing talk, relay age group frustrations, and Dave's latest DEKA Strong effort. Plus Bryan The Hedge Podcaster comes on to discuss KOTSK Final Episode of Season 1. Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Daria from The Training Lab NYC. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

Bobby Capobianco came on the program after a HYROX weekend and discusses: • Why HYROX works • From elite basketball to burnout to rebuilding • Why some brands connect and others miss • The power of visuals and experience • Authenticity in the influencer era • The ceiling of HYROX Summary This one starts casual and turns into a bigger conversation about HYROX and the fitness moment we are in right now. Bobby shares his path from high level basketball recruit to completely burned out former athlete who gained 100 pounds on purpose, then rebuilt through CrossFit and eventually moved into the experiential side of the fitness industry. At the core of the episode is why HYROX works. Not just the format, but the feeling. The look. The shareability. The fact that it makes everyday people feel like athletes. The conversation explores why other brands have not captured that same energy, where authenticity fits in a world of paid influence, and why real world experience may matter more than product specs. It is part sports talk, part business breakdown, and part where is this all headed. Plus Bryan from House Darling aka The Hedge Podcaster returns for KOTSK Episode 5. Guest Links: Big Bobby Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG             Leave a Reply

HYROX Vegas tickets, map, and relay start times DC getting the buzz over Vegas Glasgow as a HYROX hotspot Gauntlet UK format and 30kg hurdles as a fun twist Doubles twist: hold kettlebells while your partner skis Puma shoes and NYC tickets Buc-ee's yay or nay Matt debates the merits of Buc-ee's after his first visit while driving back from Alabama. Daniel Clafferty joins from Glasgow to break down the Gauntlet UK's unique station format, including 30kg hurdles and a doubles twist where partners hold kettlebells while the other skis. The crew previews HYROX Vegas at Mandalay Bay with ticket updates and late relay times, discusses why DC is getting more buzz than Vegas, and explores Glasgow's emergence as a HYROX hotspot. Puma shoe launch and NYC ticket sales round out the conversation. Guest Links:  Cheryl Snow | Gauntlet UK | Daniel Clafferty Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

HYROX Chundering with Lauren Stockley. Plus Squeaky Toy Judging with Mark Day. Matt sits down with Mark Day and Lauren Stockley to discuss Elite 15 judging controversies and athlete experiences. Mark breaks down his viral videos on Rich Ryan's wall balls and movement standard inconsistencies, advocating for professional judging pathways. Lauren shares her devastating Phoenix DNF after throwing up on the rower, her Stockholm penalty, and balancing full-time teaching with Elite 15 racing. Guest Links: Mark Day | Lauren Stockley  Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

• Elite 15 judging controversy from HYROX Phoenix • Wall ball depth calls and sled line penalties • Judge positioning and why some no reps are impossible to see • Why HYROX should back judges publicly and fix issues privately • Passport and birth certificate requirements for regional championships • Certified copy confusion for U.S. athletes • U.S. versus European passport culture • Spartan DEKA Discovery activations at race festivals • What worked and failed with Spartan Games • Mixed doubles judging and workload imbalance • Why sim times do not count as real race results This Monday Not So Live starts with the HYROX regional championship requirement that you prove you're actually from the region, and the big twist for Americans: it is not "show your license," it is "bring a passport or certified birth certificate." From there the episode bounces through passport culture differences, studio upgrades, and a surprisingly smart Spartan move, DEKA Discovery activations at Spartan festivals that funnel muddy OCR people into fitness racing. The second half is the real meat: Phoenix judging. Cheryl and Dave lay out why the Elite 15 backlash feels louder this time, from wall ball depth calls to sled line penalties that look impossible to judge from the assigned position. They argue HYROX is trying, but the sport is now too big and too high stakes for anonymous, inconsistent officiating. They want better judge positioning, clearer standards, more tech support, and more accountability. The episode closes with a side quest on mixed doubles and why it is hard to regulate at the elite level, plus Matt's ongoing crusade that sim times are not race results and will never impress him the way a real chipped race does. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

Matt B. Davis and Cheryl Snow breakdown their HYROX Mixed Doubles and how they took off almost 5 minutes from last year's time with Coach Matt Kemp. Then we head into more interviews from the HYROX floor over the weekend in Phoenix with Mo Fuerste, Christian Totske, Faith In Pink, Kat Fahsbender, Amy Bevilacqua, Emilie Dahmen, Vicky McIntosh, Danielle Low, Lauren Rantala, Karyn Guidry, Kris Mendoza, Jack Goras, Jarrett Newby, Brendan King, and Lance High aka Losing with Lance. Finally Bryan Darling, Hedge Podcaster joins us for Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Ep 3 breakdown. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

We caught up with so many athletes over the weekend in Phoenix. Here is Part One. For starters: Rich Ryan, Charlie Botterill, and Dylan Scott on Wednesday evening. Then a quick chat with Kate Hutchinson and Riho after their open doubles finish as they were first across the line on Thursday. Thursday Night - Elite 15 Singles Finish Line Joanna Wietrzyk Vivian Tafuto Linda Meier Lena Putters Emilie Dahmen Rich Ryan Sean Noble Cole Learn Dylan Scott Charlie Botterill Luke Greer Jon Wynn Beau Wills Alexander Roncevic Friday Night - Elite 15 Doubles Finish Line Morgan McKay and Kat Fahsbender Vivian Tafuto and Lauren Weeks Jess Pettrow Hunter McIntyre Ben and Harry Sutherland Ciaran Parkinson and Tony Revell Gustav Cordua and Sebastian Ifversen Jack Bauer Tom Franssens and Pieter Maes Rich Ryan and Pelayo Fernandez James Kelly Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Elite races and overall event takeaways from HYROX Phoenix Stadium venue pros and cons versus convention centers Live stream quality, graphics, and atmosphere Women's Elite race dominance and watchability Men's Elite race drama, late surges, and execution Judging standards, no-reps, penalties, and consistency issues Wall ball controversies and athlete–judge dynamics Doubles racing, records, and standout performances Tailgate activations, sponsor presence, and what actually worked Merch, branding choices, and the "plum/purple" qualification experiment Pro card confusion, wave assignments, and communication breakdowns Registration flow, warm-up logistics, and athlete experience inside a stadium U.S. expansion outlook and why stadiums may be the future DEKA crossover notes and early-season leaderboard credibility Support this channel - https://buymeacoffee.com/hfmedia

Ugly Dave Claxton hops on to talk all about the new 2026 DEKA FIT Rulebook. DEKA rulebook updates and why they surfaced now Dumbbells allowed in Zones 1 and 10 and what it actually changes Front rack versus shoulder carry strategy for lunges Clarified protest period and timing desk process Zone 10 weighted burpee standards with dumbbells Age group standards tied to end-of-season age Farmers carry line-crossing clarification and why calf taps are gone Sled push and pull rule clarification after Worlds Penalty updates including missed laps and removal of make-up laps DEKA Strong team burpee loophole and how it was closed Why most athletes won't notice these changes How and why DEKA updates its rulebook Early thoughts on the new HYROX elite points system Concerns about race volume, loopholes, and competitive balance Why auto qualifiers disappearing is a net positive Debate over same-country doubles teams Alternative ideas for majors, LCQs, and open qualification Then Bryan from House Darling comes on to talk Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms, Episode 2. (Includes spoilers) Winter storms, shoveling ice, and being a "hedge knight" in real life Neighbors, tractors, backhoes, and modern-day smallfolk solidarity ChatGPT as Merlin and problem-solver for people who don't know shit about plumbing Frozen pipes, checklist thinking, and learning by doing instead of calling for help Back house problems, mini-split fixes, and leaving instructions before travel Using AI as a safe place to ask "dumb" questions Things that happened in hybrid fitness this week that never happened in OCR Dylan Scott signing with Nike Training and what it signals for hybrid racing Hybrid crossing into true mainstream brand territory The Hedge Knight Episode 2 reactions and structure Tournaments, jousts, melees, and confused race formats Legacy, lineage, and whether great knights come from hedges or castles Egg's identity becoming clearer and Dunk's motivation shifting Random HBO moments, tonal whiplash, and unnecessary body humor Targaryens on screen and power dynamics with smallfolk Why the show is still about legacy even at ground level Concerns about episode pacing and season length Rewatch culture, great movie years, and shared media shorthand Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Bryan Darling Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Phoenix HYROX week kickoff and event buildup Accidental HYROX NYC date leak and calendar implications Elite points system breakdown including strength of field, carry in (dormant) points, and tiebreakers Why majors matter more than local races under the new system Access and fairness concerns for newer elite athletes Doubles rule change backlash around the same nation requirement Phoenix Elite Men's field analysis and qualification scenarios Phoenix Elite Women's field analysis and podium contenders Impact of penalties on elite race outcomes Late night elite start times and global viewership issues Doubles elite storylines and prize money stakes Phoenix race schedule context and qualification pressure Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Bryan Darling Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG    

Topics HYROX's new Elite 15 points system and why it replaces time-based qualification How points are earned, counted, and retroactively applied Why course variance made the old system unsustainable Strength of field and how tiebreakers will work What this means for Elite Singles and Elite Doubles athletes Increased racing demands and injury risk concerns North America vs Europe race access imbalance Summary Cheryl and Matt sit down with Kris Rugloski, the 2022 HYROX World Champion, to break down HYROX's newly announced Elite 15 points system. The new framework shifts qualification away from raw finishing times and toward race placement, consistency, and points earned across multiple events, with results retroactively counting back to last season. They discuss why the change was necessary, how strength of field and tiebreakers factor in, and what this means for athletes trying to qualify in regions with fewer races. Later in the episode, Kat Fahsbender shares her perspective on how the new system could reshape elite racing, scheduling, and long-term sustainability for athletes. This episode breaks down what matters, what's still unclear, and why this change represents one of the most significant competitive shifts HYROX has made to date. Guest Links: | Cheryl Snow | Kris Rugloski | Fahsy Fit Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG    

Topics  Garage gym setups and why home gyms win for hybrid athlete The HYROX Cruise pricing, capacity, and who it is really for bunq banking and whether race day perks are worth switching banks Surf dating and why fitness dating apps struggle to land Gambling partnerships and the risks for a growing sport OnlyFans sponsorship backlash and what the reaction revealed Audience fatigue, teaser culture, and brand trust When a fast growing brand should say no to partners Matt, Cheryl, and Dave dig into the HYROX Cruise rollout, bunq banking partnership, Surf dating app, and gambling sponsorships, questioning who these partnerships are actually for and whether they add value for athletes or simply create noise. The conversation expands into sponsorship fatigue, teaser culture, and the growing tension between growth and trust. The episode closes with a candid discussion about the backlash surrounding an OnlyFans sponsored HYROX athlete, how quickly audiences jump to moral judgments, and what it says about the state of the community. The core question remains whether HYROX is building a meaningful ecosystem or stretching the brand too far. Then Matt is joined by Bryan from House Darling to discuss the first episode of A Knight Of The Seven Kingdoms Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Bryan Darling Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG    

Cole Lindbergh has lived a life that sounds improbable. Amusement park folk hero, This American Life subject, air guitar champion, game show contestant, musician, podcaster, and relentless starter of creative projects. In this conversation, Cole and Matt trace how curiosity, saying yes, and embracing weirdness led to opportunities that rarely arrived on schedule, but arrived nonetheless. They talk about early brushes with attention, missed reality TV moments, and the discipline of building a long body of work without obsessing over numbers. Cole breaks down air guitar culture, what it takes to win, and how becoming Slappy Nutz unlocked a new creative chapter. The episode also explores loss, disappointment, patience, and the strange emotional aftermath of being eliminated from a major game show, before closing with Lindy Land and the belief that if something feels interesting, it is worth doing, even if you do not yet know where it leads. • Cole Lindberg's path from amusement park ringleader to air guitar champion • The This American Life story and how sudden attention reshaped his life • Fame opportunity and why some doors close before the right ones open • Air guitar culture competition and winning the US Championship as Slappy Nutz • The reality of game shows 99 to Beat early elimination and emotional whiplash • Building a body of work versus chasing downloads • Creative identity starting things and letting projects end • Lindy Land property projects barn restoration and long term vision • Patience appreciation and trusting what comes next • Friendship shared history and following what genuinely interests you Guest Links:  Cole Lindbergh Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG          

John Wooley returns to the show to unpack why fitness racing has taken off and why CrossFit never fully leaned into a format that was right in front of it. We talk about how HYROX filled a gap for everyday athletes who wanted measurable competition without complex gymnastics, why certain body types thrive in fitness racing, and why HYROX training has proven more sustainable for long term health and performance than traditional CrossFit cycles. The conversation also covers judging standards, pacing mistakes, the appeal of age group podiums, and how athletes actually get smarter race to race. We then zoom out to the bigger picture. The CrossFit sale, shrinking affiliate numbers, media missteps, and whether newer projects like World Fitness Project can survive in a crowded fitness economy. Less hype, more honesty, and a clear look at what is actually working right now in fitness racing. Guest Links: John Wooley Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

Matt and Cheryl break down the latest HYROX developments, including the new Elite 15 plum and black kits, what that does for sponsors trying to match colors, and why HYROX giving athletes 24 hours to respond to certain emails feels aggressive in a global sport. They get into doubles roll downs and reshuffled pairings, why doubles is harder to follow than singles, and the latest curveball: the HYROX cruise, its heavy marketing push, and the fine print that appears to limit participation to EU and UK permanent residents. The conversation also moves through a spoiler-heavy Pluribus discussion, the "agreeable AI" problem, and an unexpectedly useful detour into relationships, trust, and the idea of deposits and withdrawals. Topics include: HYROX Elite 15 kits and broadcast clarity Sponsor kit matching, hex codes, and enforcement The 24-hour email window and why roll downs carry real risk Doubles roll downs, partner swaps, and narrative challenges HYROX cruise details and residency restrictions Pluribus spoilers and agreeable AI The trust bank and the 5 to 1 ratio Guest Links:  Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

Happy New Year. Let's try something new.

TOPICS • Holiday Not-So-Live catch-up with the crew • Backyard studio build progress and spending decisions • Home gym equipment tradeoffs and personal setups • World Fitness Project "Project One" workout breakdown • Online qualifiers, judging, and cheating in hybrid races • CrossFit "fittest on earth" tagline and fitness format comparisons • HYROX's pending points-based Elite 15 system • Wins vs depth of field vs Majors weighting debates • Athlete burnout and how much racing is too much • Fitness boom, content saturation, and whether hybrid races peak SUMMARY We close out the year with a wide-ranging Not-So-Live. I update where the backyard studio build stands and how I'm thinking about spending more on HVAC, plumbing, and peace of mind. We talk gear, home gyms, and why people wrestle with equipment decisions. Dave walks through the World Fitness Project "Project One" workout and why it felt heavy on running and lighter on strength. That leads into a broader chat about online qualifiers, community policing versus rules, and why judging online is almost harder than in person. We also debate CrossFit's "fittest on earth" slogan and how different formats test fitness differently. Then we get into HYROX: whether we're at peak HYROX, what the new points-based Elite 15 system might mean, how wins might stack against field depth and Majors, and whether requiring multiple races could push athlete burnout. Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG