On The 'Rox' Podcast

Was CrossFit the Original Hybrid Fitness Race? | Fitness Racing Is Changing LivesWas CrossFit the original hybrid fitness race?And why are so many CrossFit athletes now finding a whole new fire inside fitness racing and hybrid competition?In this final episode of 2025, I sit down with Nikki Waters to explore the journey from CrossFit into the world of fitness racing and hybrid fitness events — and how stepping onto a start line can unlock an athlete you never even knew you had.We talk honestly about: • Transitioning from CrossFit to fitness racing • Discovering the desire to race after giving it a go • The buzz, energy, and community that mirrors the best of CrossFit culture • How fitness racing is genuinely changing people’s lives • The importance of community, goal setting, and identity as an athlete • Balancing training, work, family, and normal life • KELTX events, a KELTX win, and what that journey looks like • ATHX Games Finals qualification and what it means to reach finals levelThis episode is about more than races — it’s about belonging, purpose, and realising that being an athlete doesn’t stop when life gets busy.Whether you’re finishing 2025 strong or listening in early 2026, this episode is designed to light the fuse and get you moving into a massive year ahead.💥 Fitness racing is evolving. Communities are growing. And athletes are being found.

On The Rox – On Location | Inside the Institute of Fitness Racing (Pre-Launch Special)In this special On Location episode of the On The Rox podcast, we take you inside the Institute of Fitness Racing on its pre-launch night—the future home and headquarters of the Deadly Dozen.Before the doors officially open, we’re on the ground, soaking up the atmosphere and speaking to early affiliates, Deadly Dozen fitness racing athletes, and affiliate staff to get their thoughts on what this space represents—not just as a facility, but as a movement within the rapidly growing world of fitness racing.During the opening minutes of the video version, you’ll get an exclusive look around the venue itself—its layout, its energy, and the vision behind it. But whether you’re watching or listening, you’ll come away with a clear sense of what the Institute of Fitness Racing is all about:a purpose-built hub for competition, community, performance, and the future of gym-based fitness racing.This episode captures the feeling of something being built from the ground up—the conversations, the excitement, and the belief that this space will become a destination for athletes, affiliates, and race organisers alike.If you’re part of the Deadly Dozen community—or curious about where fitness racing is heading next—this is one you don’t want to miss.

Rucking Around the DEKA FIT Tree – A British Perspective on the DEKA World ChampionshipsIn this powerful and deeply human episode, Marshy sits down with the first-ever athletes from outside North America and Canada to complete the DEKA Trifecta in the Ruck division at the DEKA World Championships.This is a raw, honest, and inspiring deep dive into the world of DEKA Ruck—from what the Ruck division really demands, to the rapid growth of Rucking within DEKA in the UK, and the ethos and community that sit at the heart of DEKA worldwide.We follow the journey from the UK to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, unpacking what it’s really like to travel internationally with a ruck, the emotions of arriving at the Convention Center, and the overwhelming feeling of stepping onto the world championship floor.The conversation goes far beyond racing. We talk openly about: • Being a mum of three, the reality of mum guilt, and the emotional weight of leaving family behind to chase a world championship dream • The moment it all becomes real inside the arena • Gemma’s unforgettable story of leaving absolutely everything out on the course • Kirsty’s one-year journey—from to returning and completing all three Ruck divisions to earn the DEKA World Championships Trifecta RUCK!You’ll also get real insight, practical advice, and training tips for anyone considering their first DEKA Ruck, shared by two of the UK’s leading Ruck division athletes.If you’re thinking about doing a Ruck, already racing DEKA, traveled to the World Championships, or simply love the world of fitness racing and the DEKA community, this is an episode you cannot miss.🎒🌍 Ruck heavy. Dream big. Leave it all out there.

In this episode of On The Rox, we sit down with Rachel – elite road runner turned hybrid-fitness racer, and now the British Record Holder in the Deadly Dozen.Rachel opens up about her journey from high-level running into the fast-growing world of fitness racing, how ADHD has shaped her training and performance, and what ultimately led her to her breakout moment at the Deadly Dozen Macclesfield finale, where she smashed the British record in her first ever attempt.We dive into:🏃‍♀️ Rachel’s transition from elite road running to fitness racing🏋️‍♀️ How ADHD influences her training style, focus and competitive mindset🔥 Her first season inside the hybrid world – HYROX and Deadly Dozen🇨🇾 The Deadly Dozen Cyprus Hybrid Training Camp – how it worked, what it involved, and exciting hints at future camps🏅 Top 3 tips for anyone taking on their first Deadly Dozen event💥 What’s next for Rachel and what’s coming in the 2026 Deadly Dozen seasonThis episode is packed with insights for runners entering hybrid fitness, athletes with ADHD, Deadly Dozen rookies, HYROX competitors, and anyone inspired by the huge growth of fitness racing in the UK.

In this powerhouse episode we sit down with Athlete Mimi and Coach Mark to dive deep into the exploding world of hybrid fitness. From HYROX… to DEKA… to the Deadly Dozen… we explore how the industry has ignited a new fire in athletes across the world.We talk honestly about managing a competition-year diary, balancing training across multiple formats, and what it takes to peak for several different race categories in one season. Mimi and Mark share how hybrid racing has become a second athletic chance for so many people—relighting passion, drive and competitiveness.We celebrate the visionaries of the sport, from Yancy and the DEKA global community to Jason Curtis and the rapid rise of The Deadly Dozen. With DEKA World Championships 2026 on the horizon, we reflect on whether the 2025 Worlds may have been the greatest hybrid event ever held.We go deep on performance mindset: • Why hard work beats talent every time • What it means to be a coachable athlete • How athlete–coach relationships can change careers • Why the hybrid world might now have a true “Big Three”: DEKA, Deadly Dozen, HYROXAnd finally, we look ahead at Mimi’s potential future in the sport—through the eyes of her coach, Mark, who believes she genuinely has the world at her feet.This is a big conversation about ambition, growth, race culture, and the future of hybrid fitness.If you love this sport, this is an episode you DO NOT want to miss.