Think you need to be big to perform in HYROX?
Think again.
We sat down with HYROX pro Benny Smith to break down how he trains, races, and competes at the top level as a leaner athlete, and why strategy beats size every time.
🎧 Listen now on Spotify
👉 Follow @itsbennysmith for more HYROX insights
Most HYROX athletes get race week wrong. In this episode, Ben and Jackson break down the real difference between a deload and a taper, and why choosing the wrong one can cost you speed, confidence, and performance.
Perfect for HYROX competitors, hybrid athletes, and anyone prepping for an event or heavy training block.
🔥 What We Cover:
– Taper vs deload: the real definitions– Why they aren’t the same– Why HYROX athletes respond better to deloads– Why marathoners need tapers– When to take a deload (and when to take it sooner)– How to read fatigue vs rigid programming– What to do when you feel overreached or “sick-ish”– Why you won’t lose fitness in a week, but you can ruin your race
Featuring Jackson’s real-world lead-up to Melbourne HYROX.
Key Takeaway:HYROX rewards rhythm, continuity, and smart recovery, not marathon-style tapering. Deloads keep you sharp, confident, and ready to perform your best.
🎧 Listen now and tag us with your takeaway on IG @trainhybrd
What does it really take to perform at the top of HYROX without burning out or losing yourself?
In Episode 72, Ben and Jackson sits down with James Kelly, 4th at HYROX Worlds and one of the sport’s most respected athletes, for an honest conversation about mindset, pressure, training, and identity at the elite level.
Whether you’re a HYROX competitor, hybrid athlete, or someone chasing performance with balance, this episode will hit home.
🔥 What We Cover:
🧠 Mindset at the top, pressure, expectations, staying grounded
🏋 Training highs and lows - motivation, longevity, & growth
📈 Training smart - season structure, avoiding burnout, listening to your body
⚡ Solo vs doubles - pacing, mindset, trust, accountability
🪣 Filling your bucket - community, connection, what truly matters
🎧 Listen now and tag us with your biggest takeaway on IG @trainhybrd
What if your CrossFit engine isn’t built for the HYROX grind?
In this episode, Ben and Jackson break down why training like a CrossFitter won’t make you race-ready for HYROX - and what you actually need to perform, not just survive.
From pacing and aerobic capacity to movement efficiency and muscular endurance, this one’s a reality check for every hybrid athlete out there.
We cover:
🏋️ What carries over from CrossFit to HYROX
❌ Why max strength doesn’t matter - endurance does
⚡ Energy system differences (aerobic vs. anaerobic)
🧠 The pacing problem that ruins most races
🎯 Why specificity beats randomness every time
Whether you’re a HYROX competitor, hybrid athlete, or CrossFitter making the switch, this episode will challenge how you train, race, and recover.
🎧 Listen now and tag us with your biggest takeaway on IG
What if getting older didn’t mean slowing down, but getting better?
Today, Coach Jackson and Ben sit down with Jeff Zwally: fitness coach, CrossFit gym owner, and founder of Live More Age Less, to talk about how fitness, mindset, and curiosity can help you perform for life.
At 62, Jeff’s proving that age is just data. From training smarter and building strength through the decades to staying curious and connected, this one’s all about redefining what longevity looks like.
🎧 Tune in and tag us with your biggest takeaway on IG @trainhybrd
Connect with Jeff on Instagram → @jeffzwally
In today’s episode, Ben and Jackson dive into the science (and suffering) of heat and humidity training, why it’s often called the poor man’s altitude training, and how to adjust your paces when the weather turns savage.
Whether you’re battling a summer heatwave or live somewhere that feels like a sauna year-round, this one’s for you.
🎧 Tune in now for practical tips on training smarter (not just sweatier).
🔥 Grab the free Heat Training Cheat Sheet Ben promised — Training Cheat Sheet.
What does it really take to break 60 minutes in HYROX?
Today, Coach Jackson sits down with Chris Bayens, coach and athlete, to unpack the training systems behind some of Australia’s fastest hybrid racers, including Josh van Zeeland (55:00 Sydney Pro) and Tanguy Cruz (57:37 Perth).
From building aerobic capacity and race-specific conditioning to balancing strength, efficiency, and recovery, this episode breaks down the blueprint for hybrid performance success.
We cover:
🏋️♂️ Chris’s key programming principles (80/20, threshold work, movement efficiency)
🧠 Coaching gen-pop vs. elite HYROX athletes
📊 Structuring training blocks, deloads & recovery metrics
🔥 What separates sub-60 athletes from the rest
💭 Where the sport of HYROX is heading next
Whether you’re a HYROX competitor, hybrid athlete, or runner chasing your next breakthrough, this one will challenge how you think about endurance, strength, and performance.
🎧 Listen now and tag us with your biggest takeaway on IG @trainhybrd👉 Check out all our socials through this link: TrainHybrd
Jackson will go to extreme lengths to get an episode in, even chasing Ben down on a yacht. From the deck, we tackle some of running’s most debated questions:
Is Zone 2 training the ultimate key to performance — or just overhyped?
Could chasing “perfect form” actually slow you down?
Do treadmills deserve a spot in your training plan, or should they be left on the gym floor?
Packed with hot takes, plenty of laughs, and maybe a few ruffled feathers.
👉 Click here for freebies, coaching, and ways to support the cause
How do you keep pushing your training forward when work, family, and life stress are already weighing you down?
In this episode, Jackson and Ben break down the simple yet powerful strategies every hybrid athlete and runner needs to avoid burnout and achieve better results.
This isn’t about doing less - it’s about training smarter so you can eventually train harder. From understanding why stress is stress (your body doesn’t separate work from workouts), to learning how to structure your training year, manage recovery, and take strategic breaks, this episode gives you a framework to stay consistent without burning out.
👉 Check out all our socials through this link: TrainHybrd
Most hybrid athletes either overtrain, undertrain, or just throw random hard sessions together hoping it will carry them through race day. The problem? That approach leaves you burnt out, underprepared, or stuck at the same level.
In this episode, I break down the exact 16-week HYROX blueprint we’ve built at HYBRD - the framework that takes you from base fitness to race-day peak without spending 20 hours a week in the gym.
Here’s what you’ll hear:
Why most athletes fail to peak at the right time (and how to avoid it).
The four key phases that carry you from base → taper.
The underrated Saturday sessions that can make or break your prep.
A simple tracking system that keeps you aligned with recovery, intensity, and performance.
How this plan scales to anyone, from first-timers to sub-70 Pro chasers.
By the end, you’ll understand what makes structured HYROX training different, and how to stop guessing and start progressing.
👉 Ready to dominate your next HYROX? Access the full HYBRD HYROX 16-Week Program here: TrainHybrd
Jackson and Beni dive into training resets, running abroad, and testing their friendship with games and deep questions. From social detox to a 55km fundraiser run, this episode is part laughs, part lessons for hybrid athletes and runners.
👉 Support Ben’s 55km Sea Shepherd run: GOFUNDME👉 Follow us on Instagram: @TrainHybrd
You’ve trained your lungs, built your engine, and logged the miles… but are you leaking speed and energy without realizing it?
In this solo deep dive, we unpack the real meaning of running economy, why it’s more than just VO₂ max, and how it can make or break your performance whether you’re chasing a HYROX podium, crushing hybrid events, or lining up for your next 10K.
Inside, we explore:
The silent performance killer most runners overlook
What happens to your form (and speed) when fatigue hits
Why hybrid athletes have more to gain from economy than pure runners
The training tweaks that help you run faster without getting fitter
The gear, strength, and technique upgrades that can change race day entirely
If you’ve ever wondered why some athletes seem to glide while others grind, or why your splits fade after a sled push or set of wall balls, this episode will connect the dots.
🎙 Listen in, and see if your own running economy is helping you… or holding you back.👉 Support Ben’s 55km Sea Shepherd run here GOFUNDME
For the Hybrid Athlete Chasing Performance - Without the Fluff
You ever feel like you’re doing all the training but still not breaking through?
Still waiting for that perfect routine, the magic pill, or the secret strategy?
This episode isn’t that.
It’s about Hugo Hugemarq - a full-time HYROX athlete quietly stacking elite results with one mindset:
Get. To. Work.
No supplements. No hacks.
Just relentless volume, clear structure, and a surprising love for Fanta.
💥 Why Listen
Training hard but stuck in the grey zone
Tired of overthinking it
Curious what elite athletes actually do
You value simplicity, discipline, and results
🔥 Inside the Episode
What a 56:32 HYROX Pro Men time really takes
Balancing full-time training with real life
Recovery routines, nutrition (yes, Fanta), and mental game
Why he skips traditional tapers - and makes it work
The mindset behind “more training isn’t always better”
No fluff. No filters.
Just one of the sport’s most consistent athletes breaking it all down.
🎧 Hit play and get to work.
For the Hybrid Athlete, the Runner, or Anyone in a Rut
You ever hit one of those weeks where training’s off, work’s a mess, and you feel like you’re ghosting your own life?
Same.
This episode isn’t just another motivational pep talk - it’s a wake-up call.
Inside, you’ll meet 7 voices I call on when I’m stuck in a funk. From savage SEALs to gentle philosophers, each one carries a mindset, a moment, or a mantra to pull you off the couch and back into motion.
💥 Why listen?
You’re training for something but struggling to stay consistent
You need a mental nudge… or a full-body slap
You’re a hybrid athlete or endurance junkie who values both fire and focus
You want reminders that hit deep and stay with you
🔥 Expect:
The Goggins growl that tells you to harden up
Gandhi’s gentle clarity for when you’re overwhelmed
Ali’s swagger, Musashi’s stillness, Brené’s compassion
Tools you can channel this week - mentally, physically, emotionally
🎧 No guests. No fluff. Just 7 mental anchors that might be the reset you didn’t know you needed.
Hit play and see which voice calls you out first.
What happens when your HYROX prep meets ADHD meds, mental walls, and a 55km mission for the planet?
In this episode, Ben and Jackson unpack it all - raw race reflections, hilarious mishaps, and a purpose bigger than fitness.
From Sydney’s HYROX stage to a lighthouse-to-lighthouse endurance challenge, this episode isn’t just about competition. It’s about mindset, momentum, and making it all mean more.
🎯 Inside the episode:
– How ADHD meds nearly derailed Ben’s prep (and how Jackson got caught in the chaos)
– The truth behind a surprise solo PB at HYROX Sydney
– A strategic Doubles Pro breakdown that led to a podium finish
– TrainHybrd client wins that deserve the spotlight
– The wild goal: Ben’s 55km coastal run for ocean conservation 🌊
– Bonus chaos: lost passports, shouting at wall balls, and sketchy sponsor moments
If you're chasing performance while juggling real life, and want to feel part of something bigger than just your next race - this one’s for you.
👉 Support Ben’s 55km Sea Shepherd run here GOFUNDME
For every HYROX athlete, hybrid competitor, or runner who's ever felt off after a big race, this one's for you.
Ever crossed the finish line, only to crash physically or mentally days later? In this episode, we break down the real reasons you feel drained after a major race, and why most athletes ignore the one phase that could unlock their next breakthrough.
Here’s what we dig into:
🔁 Why your body and nervous system need a full reset after a peak event
🌴 How to enjoy the off-season without guilt, and still level up
🧠 What happens if you skip recovery (and how it silently kills your progress)
🗓️ How to periodize your training around one A-race without burning out
📈 The 4 key phases of a smart season, and how everyday athletes get it wrong
🏋️♀️ What to focus on in your off-season if you want to come back stronger, faster, and more motivated
“You’re not behind. You’re just rebuilding. The comeback starts now.”
💭 Whether you're eyeing next season’s HYROX Worlds, looking to bounce back from a marathon, or simply wondering when to push and when to pause, this episode gives you the blueprint to train with intent, not ego.
🎧 Hit play to learn why your next PR starts after your last race, not during it.
And stick around, next episode, we break down how to structure your build phase from the ground up.
In this episode, we sit down with Jackson to unpack how things went at Hyrox World Championships in Chicago. We dive into the pressure we put on ourselves to perform, why post-race reflection matters, and what he’d do differently next time to set himself up for success.Join Our Community:Join Hybrd Program | 💬 WhatsApp Community | 📸 Instagram
🎙 Welcome to the TrainHybrd Podcast!This week’s episode dives into the mental side of competition, why race day pressure can make or break performance.It’s race day. Your heart’s racing, your brain’s spiraling… are you ready, or are you choking? We break down the psychology behind the pressure, how to recognize it, and what to do when it hits.Whether you’re a first-time racer or a seasoned competitor, this one’s for anyone who’s ever felt the weight of the start line.Join Our Community:Join Hybrd Program | 💬 WhatsApp Community | 📸 Instagram
Is the game changing right before our eyes?
In this episode, we’re joined by elite hybrid athlete Ryan Hoffmann just days before the HYROX World Championships. Whether you're deep in the HYROX grind, training as a hybrid athlete, or eyeing your first major race, this one digs into questions you're probably already asking.
What’s really going on with the new fast turf?
Who’s peaking at the perfect time for a podium run?
And is this the most stacked World Champs we've ever seen or just the beginning?
🔥 Inside This Episode:
Ryan’s mindset shift heading into Worlds, and what he’s learned from the pain cave.
The Fast Turf Controversy: Are race times legit when the sleds move like butter?
Elite 15 Predictions: Who’s coming in hot, and who might shock the field?
Why chemistry might trump fitness in Elite Doubles, and the names we’re watching.
Big picture: What this World Champs could mean for HYROX's future.
💭 Expect bold takes, behind-the-scenes insights, and a whole lot of love for the grind.
We’re not giving away the podium… but we’re not holding back either.
🎧 Hit play to hear why this might be the most pivotal race weekend in HYROX history and where Ryan sees the sport going next.
Join Our Community:Join Hybrd Program | 💬 WhatsApp Community | 📸 Instagram
Are you a HYROX athlete, hybrid competitor, or runner trying to level up without burning out?
This episode is your performance audit.
We’re calling out the common training traps that leave athletes wrecked at the finish line, over paced, under-fueled, or just straight-up underprepared for the real demands of race day.
From blindly copying Instagram plans to overrelying on sim workouts, we’re breaking down 7 critical mistakes that look like hard work but actually hold you back.
Inside this episode:
Are you training for your level… or someone else’s?
Does your coach actually get HYROX?
Is your “compromised running” crushing your joints?
Are your strengths becoming a blind spot?
Are sexy workouts sabotaging your aerobic base?
No guest. No fluff. Just honest, experience-backed breakdowns to help you train smarter, finish stronger, and finally get the return your effort deserves.
Hit play and let’s fix the hidden flaws in your programming.
Join Our Community:Join Hybrd Program | 💬 WhatsApp Community | 📸 Instagram