Hybrid Fitness Media

Amber Tait and Chelsie Grant are two of the most decorated athletes in the DEKA and the co-founders of Build Method, an online training platform they launched in February 2026. We cover how their partnership started, what they've built together, and where it's going. Matt sits down with Eric Botsford to break down the next evolution of fitness racing, including the launch of The Gauntlet under Wodapalooza. The new format introduces five distinct stages with built-in recovery, a central "terminal" for athletes and spectators, and a more gamified, festival-style experience aimed at a broader audience. They also get into the bigger picture. HYROX hitting a tipping point in America, why it took so long, and what most people still misunderstand about growth in the U.S. fitness market. The conversation expands into gym trends, why Nike's fitness concept didn't last, and the constant cycle of what's "hot" versus what actually works Amber and Chelsie How a low-expectations doubles race in 2023 turned into a world record partnership Setting two Deadly Dozen female pair records in a single night Breaking down the full Deadly Dozen format and what makes it different The Build Method origin story and why they built it together Eight programs, targeted pacing, and how it delivers one-on-one results at scale Chelsea's background in web development and how it shapes the brand The virtual DEKA masterclass and what athletes will actually learn DEKA Toronto on Halloween and why the date isn't the problem people think it is The Deadly Sprint, breaking news courtesy of Amber Eric Botsford from WZA Sports. What The Gauntlet actually is and how it's different Five-stage format with mandatory rest periods Why most hybrid races are starting to look the same The "terminal" concept and spectator experience How HYROX finally hit the tipping point in the U.S. Why Americans were late to adopt hybrid racing Wodapalooza expansion and global festival strategy Nike gyms shutting down and what actually happened Fitness trends vs real training (Pilates, biohacking, etc.) Why strength training always comes back Today's episode is sponsored by Wodify. When your HYROX gym needs to run smoothly, Wodify delivers. From scheduling and programming to performance tracking and milestone celebrations, all the tools you need are built right in. Book a demo here. Also by Stryd - Personalized Run Training. Powered by the Best Data. Experience the future of running with our most advanced power meter yet, combined with Adaptive Training. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Elite 15 briefing culture and verbal rulebook tension Warsaw penalty situation with trash and littering enforcement Mid-season rule shifts versus consistency debate Rapid cooling rule clarification and enforcement Athlete perspective rules are clear in briefings even if not public Fan perspective lack of written rulebook creates confusion Grid versus non-grid racing chaos and safety concerns Course factors behind fast times cold weather sleds and layout World record inflation discussion and athlete skepticism DEKA Sacramento preview and format differences versus HYROX Flat Out UK race breakdown and format innovations LT Games preview and elite matchups This episode centered on the growing disconnect between how HYROX communicates rules internally to Elite 15 athletes and how those same rules are understood publicly. According to Elite athlete Marcus Wallace, enforcement in Warsaw was extremely clear in the mandatory briefing, including a strict two-minute penalty for littering, with exact trash can locations shown and emphasized. The issue, as Matt and the crew pushed, isn't whether athletes knew the rules. It's that those rules have changed mid-season and aren't documented in a consistent, public-facing way. That creates a situation where penalties can decide world championship qualification, while earlier races allowed the same behavior without consequence. The broader conversation widened into familiar territory: inconsistent conditions, inflated times, and the credibility of "world records" in HYROX. Even athletes themselves are treating times cautiously, recognizing that course setup, sled conditions, and temperature can swing results dramatically. At the same time, the sport continues to evolve quickly, experimenting with formats, layouts, and enforcement. The tension is clear. HYROX is trying to be responsive and flexible, while the audience increasingly wants structure, transparency, and consistency as the stakes rise. Today's episode is sponsored by Wodify. When your HYROX gym needs to run smoothly, Wodify delivers. From scheduling and programming to performance tracking and milestone celebrations, all the tools you need are built right in. Book a demo here. Also by Stryd - Personalized Run Training. Powered by the Best Data. Experience the future of running with our most advanced power meter yet, combined with Adaptive Training. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Calypso + Meg Open Doubles controversy and backlash after world record Intent vs podium: racing for limits, not placements Should Elite athletes compete in Open divisions? Calypso on fear of failure and committing to Elite 15 Mental shift after Hamburg and chasing potential Meg's background: gymnastics to world champion in sports aerobics Building global run clubs (40+ locations) Growing a following without shortcuts or "thirst trap" content First HYROX race and immediate success Differences between Open vs Elite race dynamics Aleem (Suit Man) How running in a suit started and went viral From finance to content creator and brand builder Business failure, setbacks, and finding running "Momentum gets jealous" mindset Building the "Activate" brand while working full time Summary First, Calypso Sheridan and Meg Martin break down one of the most talked-about moments in HYROX right now, their Open Doubles world record and the backlash that followed. They explain what actually went into that decision, why they weren't chasing the podium, and how they think the sport should handle Elite athletes competing in Open divisions. The conversation also dives into mindset. Calypso opens up about fear of failure and what changed in her approach to chasing Elite 15. Meg shares her background as a world champion in sports aerobics, how she built a global run club movement, and why she's grown a massive following without relying on shortcuts. Next up is Aleem. Better known as the guy running races in a full suit, explains how the idea started, how it went viral, and how he's turning it into a brand. He talks about leaving finance, dealing with a failed business, and how running became both an outlet and a new path forward. Today's episode is sponsored by Wodify. When your HYROX gym needs to run smoothly, Wodify delivers. From scheduling and programming to performance tracking and milestone celebrations, all the tools you need are built right in. We are also sponsored by Stryd. Stryd actively adjusts your real time pacing, creates your training, and guides your racing to improve your running. Compatible with all smart watches. Guest Links: Meg | Calypso | Suit Guy Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Calypso Sheridan breakout weekend and what it means going into Worlds JK does what JK does and closes hard again Luke Penney DQ and the ongoing "how early is too early" problem on the SkiErg The "HYROX Illuminati" and the idea that we just aren't getting explanations Breaking down the official challenge and appeal process and what it actually says Finish line confusion and where the race actually ends Course comparisons and why some times don't translate across events Are we done with world records and fast courses or not Pro card debate and whether majors should be more open Today's episode is sponsored by Wodify. When your HYROX gym needs to run smoothly, Wodify delivers. From scheduling and programming to performance tracking and milestone celebrations, all the tools you need are built right in. Also by Stryd - Personalized Run Training. Powered by the Best Data. Experience the future of running with our most advanced power meter yet, combined with Adaptive Training. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Runner vs hybrid athlete mindset Orangetheory and HYROX and where fitness is heading Why HYROX is dominating social media The importance of authenticity in content and brands HYROX ecosystem and partnerships strategy Roxzone strategy and rookie mistakes Racing for a love connection Doubles race strategy and pacing breakdown Wall balls, lunges, and burpee broad jump lessons HYROX patches, photos, and athlete experience The ROXFit App and why data tracking matters HYROX growth vs traditional running races Summary Matt sits down with Chris Strub to break down HYROX Miami from a first-timer's perspective, starting with a look back at BattleFrog and how the OCR boom compares to what HYROX is building today. Chris shares how he went from skeptical runner to fully bought in, including what stood out most about the event, the athlete experience, and the scale of participation. They cover race strategy, doubles dynamics, rookie mistakes, and why HYROX is pulling athletes from running and boutique fitness. They also touch on how Chris decided to support women on the course and, maybe, find a mate. The conversation also dives into social media, brand authenticity, and how HYROX has built an ecosystem that's driving massive growth. Today's episode is sponsored by Wodify. When your HYROX gym needs to run smoothly, Wodify delivers. From scheduling and programming to performance tracking and milestone celebrations, all the tools you need are built right in. Guest Links: Chris Strub Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Dave's Peak 500 score vs Matt Kemp Matt's AG podium + pacing breakdown Hunter McIntyre's Miami performance Kris Rugloski and Bridget Brown Surf Dating mixed doubles wave Worlds qualification controversy New Elite 15 points system, real data. HYROX Youngstars Sled inconsistency issues Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Rachael Wade On The Verge Of Elite 15 College running career at Texas and Alabama Injuries, disordered eating, and a torn Achilles Last minute Atlanta entry with no idea what she was getting into Las Vegas 1:01:01 and the ChatGPT goal Sled pull and wall balls as her biggest weaknesses The Roxx gym in Birmingham and the growing sim scene Moving to Salt Lake City this summer Houston and Miami back to back. Harry Gordon / Wilder Games From Durham student to co-founder via the Fight Nights Pairs format and why it makes the event accessible to anyone Pricing at £25 a head even if that means losing money 70 poll responses when he expected 15 HYROX pulling teenagers from football and rugby within five years 25+ UK cities and hundreds of thousands raised for charity What it feels like to be in a boxing ring for the first time Why Loughborough became the Wilder Games hub Guest Links: Rachael Wade | Wilder Games Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Topics Is Peak 500 a race, a test, or a multi-stage fitness competition? HYROX's new rule eliminating post-race athlete-on-athlete reporting VAR judging: improvement or more missed calls? Viral "bad judging" content: real issues vs attention-seeking HYROX Division 1: new tier below Elite 15 Mat Lock hinting at salaried or full-time pro athletes ATHX Miami Invitational: Dave's role as Director of Sport Deadly Dozen's rapid international growth vs minimal US footprint ATHX races: no US dates, no clear public schedule Summary This episode covers where hybrid fitness is right now, across competition formats, governance, and growth. Peak 500 is a clean example of a gym-level benchmark. Kemp's 396 shows how it exposes weaknesses fast, but the bigger debate is what it actually is. Not quite a race, not just a workout, more of a structured test. The real weight is on HYROX and the broader ecosystem. Removing post-race protests and introducing VAR-style judging is a necessary shift, but it raises new concerns about missed calls and transparency. At the same time, the conversation is expanding beyond rules into structure. Division 1, potential salaried athletes, and the reality that Elite 15 competitors are still not full-time pros. Zoom out and the space is getting crowded. ATHX is building but still lacks a clear US presence. Deadly Dozen is scaling internationally but hasn't cracked the US. Everyone is moving, but not in the same direction. The sport is growing fast. The structure still isn't settled. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

What actually makes a good coach: knowledge, experience, and care Blame the sled, blame the carpet, blame the erg. Or maybe it's the pizza and beers the night before Why most people pick the wrong coach and stay too long The red flags: long bios, fake credentials, and "business coaches" who've never done anything Why authenticity is starting to win and the cookie-cutter content is getting exposed Content vs experience: why doing the thing matters more than talking about it HYROX vs CrossFit: race vs training methodology Why you can't just "do CrossFit" and expect to be good at HYROX CrossFit missed the fitness racing moment, and HYROX didn't Influencers, media, and the growing tension inside HYROX events The mic situation: rules, respect, and how to handle it in the moment Why most people complaining haven't actually done the race Fitness definitions: what does "fittest" actually mean? Community vs results: what actually matters and what's just a byproduct Boundaries: when to stop giving energy to people who give nothing back Summary This one goes in a few different directions, but it all comes back to the same idea. There's a big difference between talking about something and actually doing it. Steven's content works because it sits right in that space. It's funny, it pokes at HYROX and CrossFit, but it comes from experience. That turns into a bigger conversation about coaching, content, and competition, and how easy it is for people to fake their way through all three. We get into what actually makes a good coach, why people stay in bad situations too long, and how to spot the red flags early. There's also a separate conversation around boundaries. When to stop giving time and energy to people who aren't giving anything back, and how that shift changes everything, both in training and outside of it. From there it moves into HYROX vs CrossFit, what each one is trying to do, and why most of the loud opinions come from people who haven't done both. It ends up being less about which one is better and more about defining what you actually want from training and who you want around you. Once you do that, the rest gets a lot simpler. Guest Links: Steven Rayner Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

The Not So Live Show with Cheryl, Matt and special guest IanK from UKHXR. DEKA production upgrades: new start line, finish line, and overall feel The new Lycan machines: faster times, different feel, and athlete reactions Why changing machines resets the entire leaderboard The real issue: long wait times and races starting up to an hour late Judging, volunteers, and the bottleneck problem inside DEKA Does DEKA owe athletes better communication on major changes? The Fastest HYROX times ever and a suspect course. HYROX London setup: 10-day event, Elite 15, and a new level of production The "Thunderdome" wall ball setup and why it stands out Influencer races: exposure vs actual impact on the sport Kids races, growth in Europe, and what translates to the US Summary DEKA is clearly growing. The event looked better. Bigger setup, more production, new machines, and more people than ever. But the changes didn't come clean. The machines shifted how the race feels, times got weird, and for a lot of athletes it turned into a full reset. And then there's the part that still hasn't been fixed. Long waits, late starts, and a system that struggles to keep up with its own growth. At the same time, HYROX London is running a completely different play. Bigger, louder, more structured, and somehow still scaling. From Elite 15 to influencer races, it's becoming a full week-long production. Listen on Apple or Spotify Support us through The Cup Of Coffee Follow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG