Hybrid Fitness Media

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  

I talked with Lauren Weeks about a viral clip that questioned a judging call and what actually happened on the floor. We broke down lunge standards, what judges are looking for, how yellow cards are communicated, and why some calls look different on video than they feel in the moment. We also got into judging consistency, human error, and why certain movements like burpees are still the hardest to officiate cleanly. Then I was joined by the two guys behind XTRON Live to talk about their race format and why they built it the way they did. We covered their virtual seasons that qualify athletes for a free live final, how they score and monitor results, the 20 percent rule that forces people to back up their numbers on race day, and why keeping the event accessible in any gym matters to them. We also talked about where they're hosting finals, upcoming seasons, and what they're building next with Gym Wars. Guest Links: Lauren Weeks | X-Tron Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

Topics • HYROX points system replacing time qualification • They sure are nice in Sweden • Race minimums, Majors, and access • Elite 15 media obligations and fines • Clarified penalties and appeals • DEKA Worlds corrections • Vancouver turnout and Worlds planning Summary This episode focuses on the implications of HYROX moving to a points-based qualification system, including how many races should count and whether the structure creates pay-to-play pressure. We also discusses Elite 15 media obligations, fines, clarified penalties, DEKA Worlds corrections, and pleasant surprises in Vanvouver. Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

Topics • Anaheim weekend fatigue and the familiar Day 3 emotional swing • HYROX recovery zones and why unmanned spaces are a problem • Judging consistency, warnings vs. penalties, and the "foot on the line" issue • Wall balls: presentation vs. practicality, no-reps, and the box decision • Shoes off for wall balls and grip issues with newer balls • CrossFit criticism of HYROX and why it misses the point • Greyson Kilgore's medical incident and how the community responded • Recognizing danger signs vs. normal race pain • CNS load, cumulative racing, and when to pull the plug • Community, identity, and why HYROX hits differently • Anaheim course layout and spectator experience • Melbourne broadcast notes and on-air shoe marketing • Elite 15 qualification changes: what's confirmed vs. rumored • Doubles inclusion and January timing for details Summary Matt opens the show deep into Anaheim fatigue and the familiar HYROX arc where Day 3 feels brutal until racing resets everything. The conversation quickly turns to operational issues, including recovery zones, judging standards, and penalties, with frustration over unclear rules and inconsistent enforcement, particularly around wall balls and line calls. The episode centers on Greyson Kilgore's medical incident, with Greyson joining to explain what he felt during the race, how medical handled the situation, and why athletes need to distinguish between normal suffering and real warning signs. The discussion expands to cumulative load, ego, and the strength of the HYROX community, before wrapping with Anaheim course takeaways, Melbourne broadcast notes, and a clear split between what is confirmed and what remains rumored regarding Elite 15 qualification changes. Plus live from the Anaheim weekend, interviews with several Amazfit athletes, plus coaches and community voices: Julia Dorsey (pre-race) Brian Segher, Resolute Coffee Julia Dorsey with Kat Todorovic (post-race) Wade Critides with Greg O'Brien Brittany McCall and Leanna Girard Bethany Sachtleben (pre-race) Bethany Sachtleben with Christian Vitagliano (post-race) Molly Arena Aycan Kara Samantha Faddis Matt Tralli (pre-race) Matt Tralli (post-race) Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG    

TOPICS • Why Brian started TRYKA and what the hybrid space was missing • Dublin TRYKA race weekends and the Portugal finale • TRYKA 500, family divisions, and company participation • Free affiliates, supporting gym owners, and simple scoring • RAMs instead of wall balls and rotating workout plans • AI judging, split standards for pros vs open athletes • UK expansion and ticket-swap marketplace • Why TRYKA favors community over cash prizes • Samantha Faddis on HYROX, DEKA, Battle Bunker, and training as a parent • Where she can gain time in HYROX and how she approaches sleds and rowers • Hybrid garage training, parenting chaos, and Mom Life Rocks • Viral sled-turf reel, relatable content, and dealing with trolls • AI, backyards, and why the robots aren't ready yet SUMMARY Brian Lee joins Matt to talk about TRYKA, an Irish hybrid fitness race built to feel welcoming, local, and accessible without watering the challenge down. They dig into the race-weekend structure in Dublin, the Portugal finale, shorter TRYKA 500 options, free affiliates, company divisions, and why RAMs replaced wall balls. Brian also breaks down ticket demand, AI squat-depth judging, standards for pros vs open athletes, UK expansion, and why TRYKA is leaning toward charity-based rewards instead of cash prizes. In part two, Samantha "Smoose" Faddis comes on to discuss life as a hybrid athlete and parent. She talks HYROX Anaheim and Phoenix, whether DC is still in play, recovery challenges between races, and where she thinks she can still gain real time. Matt and Sam get into sled strategy, rower fatigue after burpees, home-garage training, and the day-to-day realities of raising two kids while trying to train seriously. They also cover the viral sled-turf reel that took off, how MomLifeRox came to life, and why relatable content beats perfect content. The episode closes with a quick detour into AI logos, backyard designs, and why the tech still isn't close to replacing real people. Guest Links: Brian Lee | TRYKA | Mom Life Rox Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG    

Dave clarifies a couple of items that came up during last night's call regarding the DEKA World Championships and judging.

Topics • When podiums should and should not change after the fact • Athlete responsibility to protest versus sport responsibility to enforce standards • Perception of favoritism toward "beloved elites" • Janelle's frustration with self-policing reps after the fact • Brooklyn's tank clip and the problem with "imaginary lines" in judging • Why DEKA needs a clearer tank rule: wheels to the tape versus bolts • Burpees, lunges, and movements that break judges • Cheryl's line: "the best way to kill a good idea is to underfund it" • Men's team mile penalty and why communication matters • Hunter's season debut in Melbourne • Cole Learn hype and the loaded women's field • Anaheim weekend plans Summary Dave joins the show after winning the DEKA Strong Ruck 45 plus world championship and the group breaks down everything that happened at DEKA Worlds. The crew debates when podiums should ever change after the fact, how much responsibility belongs to athletes versus the sport, and whether judging inconsistency is pushing people out of the system. Janelle explains why she should not have to review her own reps on video, walks through the Brooklyn tank clip, and makes the case that the current rules are nearly impossible to enforce in real time. They also hit the men's team mile penalty, the updated mile layout, and whether DEKA has underfunded its own growth. The show wraps with a short HYROX Melbourne preview and plans for Anaheim. Guest Links: Ugly Dave | Cheryl Snow | Janelle Teal Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

LT Games has confirmed its return for April 25, 2026. This episode covers the updates to the format, the new digital rulebook, heat structure, judging standards, athlete staging, and how registration will be handled for Lifetime members versus the general public. We also discuss what the organizers want to prove before expanding divisions or adding new formats. Guest Links: Wes Robertson | Konner Fleming Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

TOPICS • HYROX Regionals format and Open feeding Worlds • New Elite 15 last chance qualifier and prize money • Puma's upcoming HYROX shoe • Deadly Dozen crossover week • Thanksgiving running misery • Dave's run together race story • DEKA China's production level • DEKA Worlds preview • Elite FIT field including Greyson, Kent, Ryker, Isaac, Aitor, and Cole Walkington • Women's field including Kat Fassbender, Brooklyn, and Lauren Griffith • Judging standards and what athletes should expect • Medals, shirts, and production hopes • Travel plans, who is racing what, and what the crew wants to see this weekend SUMMARY Matt, Cheryl, and Ugly Dave jump into a full hybrid week. HYROX Regionals gets ripped apart for mixing Open weights with Worlds qualifiers, and everyone agrees it is messy and needs to be separate from Pro. Prize money for the new Elite 15 LCQ is confirmed, and the upcoming Puma HYROX shoe gets early reactions from the crew. Thanksgiving running gets recapped, including Matt's brutal Atlanta hills, Cheryl's short but steep four miler, and Dave's classic run together move that ended with him sprinting away 500 meters in. DEKA China looked unreal with smoke, lighting, a full stage finish, and huge production value. Now the focus shifts to Fort Lauderdale as Dave heads down Wednesday for DEKA Worlds. He is judging, he is racing multiple events, and everyone wants to see how the FIT fields stack up on a fully judged floor. The show covers who is in form, what the judging will look like, what production pieces DEKA needs to nail, and why athletes should film their full race if they want clean evidence for disputes. Plenty of laughs, plenty of inside jokes, and a lot of excitement heading into one of the biggest weekends of the DEKA season. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Jamie Filer Topics • Rates, value, and the tension around telling your spouse to raise their prices • Jamie's path from bodybuilding dot com live coverage to editor in chief of a Canadian muscle magazine • Building the "anxious lesbian" niche and why mental health has to be part of coaching • Eating disorders, control, and how strength training replaced calorie counting • Hybrid athletes, aging, and stacking habits for mental health • Subaru jokes, U Hauls, queer language, and why "lesbian" still matters • Cancel culture, old tweets, and why neither of you is afraid of getting canceled over silliness • How Matt actually uses ChatGPT as a business coach, therapist, and sparring partner Bianca Sierra Topics • Bianca's journey from Auburn to the Mexican national team and the NWSL • Playing in Norway and Iceland, pregnancy, ACL rehab, and the lack of postpartum support • Starting the Madre Movement in Monterrey to help moms return to sport • Discovering HYROX post-retirement and winning her first race in Mexico City • Breaking down her splits, sled technique, burpees, and why altitude smashed everyone • Plans for pro weights, triathlon, and finding a second competitive career Summary: Matt sits down with two guests who rebuilt their athletic identities in completely different ways. First, coach and creator Jamie Filer talks about being an "anxious lesbian," the Subaru/U-Haul cultural clichés, and how she turned bodybuilding media work into a strength-focused coaching business with mental health at the center. Matt and Jamie get into cancel culture, pricing, marriage dynamics, and how ChatGPT unintentionally became part business advisor, part emotional support. Then former pro footballer Bianca Sierra joins from Monterrey to tell her story: choosing Auburn over swimming, representing Mexico, grinding through the NWSL as a trialist, tearing her ACL on the morning she thought would be her last match before pregnancy, and navigating a postpartum comeback with almost no support. She explains how she started the Madre Movement for women, discovered HYROX through a gym invite, and ended up winning her first race overall at altitude in Mexico City. They talk about identity, retirement, training, and finding a new way to compete after leaving professional football. Guest Links: Jamie Filer Bianca Sierra Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG    

– What HYROX got right in Dallas – Why the bridge setup needs to be at every major race – Judging updates and wall ball enforcement – Sled carpets, mixed doubles volume, and course flow – Brendan King's race, volunteering, and big PR breakthrough – How adding track work changed his performance – Behind-the-scenes observations from the crew all weekend Summary Matt, Dave, Cheryl, and guests Matt Kemp and Brendan King break down the entire HYROX Dallas weekend. The group digs into the good, the bad, and the structural decisions that changed the flow of the race. Brendan talks about juggling racing and volunteering, what he saw inside the venue, and how he hit a huge PR after adding track work to his training. The crew also debates judging consistency, wall ball standards, mixed doubles volume, and why sled carpets continue to trip up athletes across events. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

We were at Chicago HYROX all weekend for three days of racing. Here are your complete pre and post race interviews. Dustin Needham and Kim Stocklmeir Aaron Ordway and Sydney Hudson (Pre Race) Cassandra Gillis and Joe Martello Bailey Cook Aaron Ordway and Sydney Hudson (Post Race) Bethany Sachtleben Brooklyn Cole Gabi Nikora-Baker Michelle Navarro and Kelsey Hochleitner Lauren Weeks Katie Duke, Greyson Kilgore, Cole Learn Jack D. Fitness Colin Stiefer Paul Kaup Today's show is sponsored by Amazfit. Amazfit gives you real data you can trust, without the $600 price tag. Clean zones, accurate tracking, and a watch built for hybrid athletes. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG      

Chicago HYROX course feel, bridge flow, rock zone, and whether it was "fast". Movement standards, judging, and BBJ hand placement clarity. Finish line photos, lighting, and why phones still win without perfect camera settings. Doubles race strategy with Lauren, splitting stations, running by feel. Drug testing at Chicago and how pro cards factor in. DEKA's 2026 expansion to Boston, Chicago, and Philadelphia. CrossFit vs HYROX culture and why mass-participation wins spectators. Row mechanics, breathing cues, and quick fixes that helped on race day. Phoenix, Anaheim, and what to train next. Summary Matt, Cheryl Snow, and Ugly Dave break down Chicago HYROX weekend from the floor and from the livestreams. Was the course quick or just well designed. What improved with movement standards. Why finish line lighting made the photos pop. Matt and Lauren talk through a PR in Doubles and how pacing by feel beat staring at a watch. We hit random testing in the U.S., DEKA's move into big-city venues, and the ongoing CrossFit vs HYROX conversation. Practical takeaways on rowing, sled work, and running steady when your brain wants to tap out. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

TOPICS: • Matt's CrossFit vs Hybrid rant • Why "CrossFit is dead" / "HYROX is better" clickbait is garbage • Mass-participation fitness trends vs forging elite fitness • Why hybrid races are winning right now • Flat Out UK: format, stations, judging, and accessibility • Matt's upcoming Amazfit coverage at HYROX Chicago DESCRIPTION: Matt opens with a full rant on CrossFit, hybrid fitness, and why the internet keeps pushing fake "versus" narratives. He breaks down why CrossFit staying tied to "forging elite fitness" limits mainstream appeal, how HYROX and hybrid races exploded by meeting regular people where they are, and why the future of fitness is community-driven, social, and Accessible, not elite only movement standards. He then shifts into his conversation with Patrick from Flat Out UK, covering their race format, every station, how judging works for open vs pro athletes, and why Flat Out is becoming a popular gateway into hybrid training across the UK. They talk accessibility, realistic expectations for first-timers, pacing strategies, and what separates fun community races from serious competition. Guest Links:  Flat Out Fitness Race Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG  

• BBJ judging fix with tighter lane lines. DEKA relay strategy and pairing by strengths. The rower power curve and why drive then pull matters • HYROX ticket trends, pricing, and schedule saturation • Flex Pass, transfers, and resale • U.S. travel limits vs Europe • ATHX format and how it could push HYROX • BBJ judging fix with tighter lane lines • Shoes for training and race day Summary: Matt, Cheryl, and Dave unpack a DEKA relay where partner strengths changed everything, then show how the rower power curve becomes a simple form check you should lead with. They discuss why Atlanta's slower sales point to schedule saturation and price more than Halloween, how Flex Pass and transfers should work, and why U.S. events need firm calendars earlier. Matt outlines the Athex layout and why it is the right kind of pressure on HYROX. They finish with a clear BBJ judging solution and a few shoe notes.  

Topics Covered: • From Cairo to Rutgers: Ali's soccer journey and how he discovered fitness • How CrossFit shaped Egypt's early fitness scene • The birth of AlphaX: a new hybrid race format for the Middle East • Hosting an international event beside the Pyramids • Why the Grand Egyptian Museum launch matters • Event design, pricing, judging, and accessibility • Comparing AlphaX to HYROX Open Summary: Matt talks with Ali and Adam, the founders of AlphaX Egypt, as they prepare for their debut race at the Grand Egyptian Museum. Ali shares his path from pro soccer in Egypt to a D1 scholarship at Rutgers and then back home to build in fitness. Adam explains how an ACL rehab at the U.S. Olympic Training Center pulled him into CrossFit and eventually into running Egypt's largest functional fitness events. AlphaX blends endurance, strength, and power across the year, culminating in "X," a ten-station race with 800-meter runs between stations. Movements include sled push and pull, farmer carry, bear hug carry, burpee broad jumps, box jump overs, lunges, wall balls, row, and ski. Loads and flow are designed to be inclusive and comparable to HYROX Open, with singles, pairs, and relay divisions. Judging focuses on clear standards at high-variance stations like burpees and lunges, with one-to-one judging where needed. Pricing is intentionally accessible for the local market (about $20 USD early bird). Beyond the race, they talk about opening global eyes to Egypt's fitness scene and using iconic locations like the Grand Egyptian Museum to showcase the region. Event Date: December 6, 2025 Location: Grand Egyptian Museum, Cairo Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG