Hybrid Fitness Media

Calum Marsh joins Matt to discuss his new book, The Glass Box, an inside look at the rise of CrossFit and the people who built it.Marsh spoke with Greg Glassman, Dave Castro, Lauren Jenai, Matt Fraser, and others while reporting the book. They discuss Glassman’s unconventional leadership, CrossFit’s growth without traditional investors, the Reebok deal, the warning signs that came before 2020, and the decisions that helped unravel the company’s media operation and public standing.They also talk about why CrossFit and HYROX are fundamentally different, whether founder-led companies such as CrossFit, Spartan, GORUCK, and the UFC share a common pattern, and the workplace culture allegations that followed Glassman.Topics include:Why Calum Marsh wrote The Glass BoxReporting the book and interviewing Greg GlassmanCrossFit’s early growth and affiliate modelThe Reebok deal and CrossFit’s unusual business approachCrossFit versus HYROXGlassman, Dave Castro, and founder-led companiesThe warning signs before CrossFit’s 2020 crisisMedia, social media, workplace culture, and Glassman’s exitYou can buy the book on Amazon.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.Today’s episode is also sponsored by Metl. MetL™ stands for honesty and health. Every ingredient is listed clearly, no fillers, no hidden sugars, no gimmicks. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a movement redefining what it means to stay energized, for kids, parents, and future generations. Learn more at metldrink.comListen on Apple or SpotifySupport HFM Through A Cup Of Coffee.

HYROX Toronto brought a deep field of Pro athletes and plenty of strong doubles teams. In this combined interview episode, Matt speaks with athletes across the weekend, from the Pro Women and Pro Men races to some of the top doubles teams.Singles interviews:Maddy EybergenVivian TafutoRachael WadeChelsea RibeiroLindsay BessegatoLaura SliapnicCourtney HayreBethany McChesneyFrédéric DubéRyan DouglasStirling PetersRyan CallahanBefore the doubles interviews, Matt catches up with Alyssa McElheny, who was in Toronto supporting some of her teammates.Doubles interviews:Rachael Wade and Dr. Erika TvedtenChristina Matthews and Charlotte O’NeillQuinlan Hickey and Lindsay BessegatoImogen Cross and Elise McClinticIsaac Sanderson and Brendan NeelyJarrett Newby and Matt BaysingerKevin Gregory and Ryan CaseyStirling Peters and Chase StevensonJack Driscoll and Kelly MeredithCole Learn and Frédéric DubéRyan Reid and Shane McKenzieToday’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.Listen on Apple or Spotify.

F45 Deputy Director of Athletics, Johry Batt, joins Matt to discuss how the brand builds its workouts, the athletes featured on its in-studio screens, and the future of F45 Peak 500.How F45 selects its on-screen athletes from within its own communityWhat goes into programming more than 100 F45 workout formatsF45’s global footprint and studio growthThe history of F45 Playoffs and the evolution into Peak 500Plans for larger Peak 500 events open to the public in 2027Then, Matt and Ser Bryan break down The Mad King, the new Game of Thrones stage play at the Royal Shakespeare Theatre, then revisit the full HBO series.Matt’s trip to Stratford-upon-Avon and what it was like seeing The Mad King liveHow the play handles Harrenhal, Robert’s Rebellion, Rhaegar and Lyanna, the Mad King, and the Tower of JoyThe set design, battle scenes, casting choices, and whether the four-hour runtime worksA Game of Thrones rewatch: the great early-season moments, character arcs, and details that pay off laterWhy the first 7 seasons hold up but the ending does not.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.Today’s episode is also sponsored by Metl. MetL™ stands for honesty and health. Every ingredient is listed clearly, no fillers, no hidden sugars, no gimmicks. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a movement redefining what it means to stay energized, for kids, parents, and future generations. Learn more at metldrink.comListen on Apple or Spotify

Willow CollinsBreaking Gonzaga’s 3K school record at the timeRunning 15:50 in her first 5KFinding HYROX after collegeRacing in New York, at Worlds and in Salt Lake CityImproving burpee broad jumps and wall ballsHer goal of breaking 60 minutesRacing Women’s Doubles with Molly ChambersOlympic Trials ambitions in the marathonFollow Willow on Instagram:“Mo” IqbalThe original FitLab vision and why it made sense on paperWhy operational experience and discipline matter in fitness acquisitionsWhat happens when founders leave after their companies are acquiredThe role Nike’s partnership may have played in investor confidenceWhy FitLab’s use of merchant cash advances raised concernsWhat the fitness industry can learn from FitLab’s collapseLearn more about SweatWorksAaron TraversMoving from Gaelic football and boxing into HYROXRunning a 56-minute HYROX while weighing more than 240 poundsA 16:28 track 5K and a 16:43 road 5K at 253 poundsWinning the ATHX events in Dublin and CopenhagenHis goal of winning the ATHX World ChampionshipsTraining with Chris Baines to improve his strength and mobilityHolding records in TRYKA and The Hybrid GamesSkiErg marathon record - 2:29:52 with no breaksWhy DEKA, Deadly Dozen and other fitness races may suit him nextFollow AaronToday’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.Today’s episode is also sponsored by Metl. MetL™ stands for honesty and health. Every ingredient is listed clearly, no fillers, no hidden sugars, no gimmicks. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a movement redefining what it means to stay energized, for kids, parents, and future generations. Learn more at metldrink.comListen on Apple or Spotify

Liz Plosser on HYROX Beijing, Reporting, and Sauna CultureLiz Plosser joins Matt to discuss her GQ story on the HYROX Beijing incident, why nobody stopped Joanna Wietrzyk during the race, and the responsibility judges and officials have in moments like that. They also discuss covering controversy in a niche sport, social-media backlash, misinformation around the false PUMA rumor, and reporting fairly while still having relationships within HYROX.Then Liz explains Aufguss, the German sauna ritual combining heat, music, essential oils, and towel work. They talk sauna and cold-plunge routines, recovery, wearable data, aging, and body image.Alyssa McElheny on HYROX Beijing, Sled Lanes, and Her Road to HamburgHYROX World Champion Alyssa McElheny joins Matt from Beijing after starting her season in China. They discuss her Adidas trip, new COROS partnership, massive fan response in Beijing, and why she chose the race as an early-season test.Alyssa breaks down her difficult sled lane, the extra lap both she and Joanna Wietrzyk ran, travel and illness, racing Joanna, and what she learned ahead of the first HYROX Major in Hamburg. Join Liz Plosser Substack and follower her on Instagram.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.Today’s episode is sponsored by Metl. MetL™ stands for honesty and health. Every ingredient is listed clearly, no fillers, no hidden sugars, no gimmicks. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a movement redefining what it means to stay energized, for kids, parents, and future generations. Learn more at metldrink.comListen on Apple or Spotify

A packed episode featuring three very different conversations. Eddie Hertzman of Athletech News joins to discuss building a media empire from an anonymous newsletter and the flood of institutional money into fitness and wellness. Then Matt reconnects with actor Aaron "Rock" Dozier, who played Roy Stalin in the cult classic Better Off Dead, to talk Hollywood almost-breaks and life after fame. Finally, Matt Witalia of Sisu Fitness previews their upcoming HYROX sim event in Minneapolis, breaking down the Half Rox division and their community-driven approach to competition.Reconnecting with Aaron "Rock" Dozier, aka Roy Stalin from Better Off Dead, after 26 yearsLosing his fortune in the dot com crash and decompressing in ParisGetting close to Top Gun's Iceman role before Val Kilmer signed onHow John Cusack gave him the nickname "Rock Steelflex"We Married Margo and its cameos from Kevin Bacon, Cindy Crawford, and Payne StewartWalking away from Hollywood to teach yoga in Martha's Vineyard and Naples, FloridaEddie Hertzman on launching Sourcing Journal during the 2008 cotton crisisBuilding an anonymous newsletter into a Penske acquisitionBuilding ATN from scratch and why live events legitimize a media brandInstitutional money flooding fitness and wellness, and the FitLab/Ragnar falloutEddie's first HYROX doubles race and why HYROX scales where challenger events can'tMatt Witalia on Sisu Fitness, three gyms under one brand with three separate ownersSisu's upcoming HYROX sim with Wattify, featuring a Half Rox division for new athletesLargest sim in the Midwest with 200 registrants and a stacked HYROX training camp lineupToday’s episode is sponsored by Metl. MetL™ stands for honesty and health. Every ingredient is listed clearly, no fillers, no hidden sugars, no gimmicks. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a movement redefining what it means to stay energized, for kids, parents, and future generations. Learn more at metldrink.comToday’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 SpotifySupport us through The Cup Of CoffeeFollow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

The cancellation of HYROX’s cruise Elite Series race and why wind may not be the whole story.Which Elite 15 athletes were reportedly asked to attend the cruise and why that is a tough commitment before Hamburg.HYROX’s new Elite Series prize structure and why athletes are questioning the total payouts.Vivian Tafuto speaks out about athlete license fees, qualification costs, and delayed Worlds prize-money announcements.Whether HYROX treats its elite athletes as true professionals or as part of its marketing product.Why Deadly Dozen’s big prize purse has not yet pulled more HYROX Elite 15 athletes away.XENOM lowers Miami pricing, but fitness racing entry fees are still getting harder to justify.DEKA Teams pricing, premium race experiences, and the case for more affordable local fitness races.Dave's possible January 2027 HTX event at Farm Girl Fitness.A detour into mortality, legacy, kids getting older, and living in the present.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.Today’s episode is sponsored by Metl. MetL™ stands for honesty and health. Every ingredient is listed clearly, no fillers, no hidden sugars, no gimmicks. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a movement redefining what it means to stay energized, for kids, parents, and future generations. Learn more at metldrink.comAlso 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 SpotifySupport us through The Cup Of CoffeeFollow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG

Matt and Clayton race DEKA Mile teams.DEKA’s shirts, medals, and Spartan branding.Kevin’s 10-race DEKA Boston weekend.The cancelled DEKA New York event and missing prize money.DEKA Boston’s volunteer, production, and judging issues.Whether DEKA can fix its event format.HYROX ticket demand and RoxRadar.The rumored HYROX Elite Series schedule, including Bangkok, Las Vegas, and Lyon.BTWE, China’s new fitness race, and its prize money.LT Games adds more spots.First thoughts on the new Apex Fitness Race.Matt, Cheryl, and Kevin talk about Matt’s first DEKA Mile teams race with Clayton, DEKA’s shirts and medals, and Kevin’s 10-race weekend in Boston. They also get into the cancelled DEKA New York event, prize money, volunteer and judging problems, HYROX ticket demand, RoxRadar, the rumored Elite Series schedule, BTWE’s prize money in China, LT Games, and the new Apex Fitness Race.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.Today’s episode is sponsored by Metl. MetL™ stands for honesty and health. Every ingredient is listed clearly, no fillers, no hidden sugars, no gimmicks. It’s more than a beverage; it’s a movement redefining what it means to stay energized, for kids, parents, and future generations. Learn more at metldrink.comAlso 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 SpotifySupport us through The Cup Of CoffeeFollow Hybrid Fitness Media on IG