Abnormal

• #53 - Ant Haynes - The Dark Side of Discipline: Life as a CrossFit Games Athlete

  Ant Haynes is one of Hong Kong’s most respected CrossFit athletes, a multiple-time CrossFit Games competitor, former Hong Kong rugby player, and co-owner of Coastal Fitness. But behind the medals and highlight reels lies a powerful story about sacrifice, burnout, and rediscovering balance.In this episode, Ant opens up about his journey from professional rugby to CrossFit, how he built one of Asia’s top training communities, and the moment he realised that success was costing him the relationships that mattered most.Chapters00:00 The Cost of Athletic Pursuits03:01 Navigating Life Changes: From Hong Kong to Dubai05:54 The Journey from Rugby to CrossFit09:01 Transitioning to Coaching and Business12:00 The Evolution of CrossFit and Personal Training15:00 The Challenges of Competing at a High Level17:50 Programming for Longevity in Fitness21:00 The Reality of Competition Preparation29:47 The Pain of Preparation31:55 Lessons from Competition33:29 Training Adaptations and Resilience36:52 The Evolution of CrossFit Training39:32 CrossFit vs Other Sports44:20 The Mental Game of Training49:32 Shifting Priorities55:39 Redefining Success59:30 Legacy and Impact01:01:18 Courage Over Comfort🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.👉 Subscribe for more conversations with people doing Abnormal things.Follow Ant: https://www.instagram.com/anthayneshk/

  --------  

  1:04:53

  --------

  1:04:53
• The Rise of Hyrox: How a Fitness Revolution Took Over the World

  Re-release: A listener favourite from the Abnormal archivesHyrox has exploded across the world — but how did it reach Asia?In this conversation, Gary Wan, the man responsible for bringing Hyrox to Asia, joins us to share the story behind one of the fastest-growing fitness movements on the planet.Gary talks about how he discovered Hyrox, the early struggles of launching it in a new region, and the cultural differences that shaped its growth. From athlete psychology to building community, this episode is a blueprint for anyone who’s ever tried to take an idea global.Whether you’re a Hyrox competitor, a business founder, or just someone who loves pushing your limits, Gary’s story will fire you up.🎧 This is a special re-release of one of our most popular early episodes — because some stories deserve to be heard twice.

  --------  

  52:03

  --------

  52:03
• #52 - Anton Dubrov & Andrei Vasilevski — The Team Behind Aryna Sabalenka’s METEORIC Rise to World No.1

  What does it really take to build a world number one?In this episode, I sit down with Andrei Vasilevski and Anton Dubrov, the coaching masterminds behind Aryna Sabalenka, to reveal the truth about what it takes to reach, and stay at, the top of the tennis world.From the emotional highs of Grand Slam victories to the unseen struggles behind the scenes, they share how trust, discipline, and daily 0.1% improvements turn potential into greatness.Whether you’re chasing excellence yourself or just curious about the mindset behind champions, this is a masterclass in discipline, teamwork, and belief.🎙️ Abnormal is the podcast for normal people doing abnormal things.Subscribe for more stories from the world’s best performers, athletes, and thinkers.

  --------  

  1:05:11

  --------

  1:05:11
• #51 - Gabe Heck - From Corporate Job to World-Class Athlete

  From burnout to Bangkok, this is the story of Gabe Heck, one of the fastest-rising athletes in the Hyrox world. Known as the Beast of Bangkok, Gabe went from a corporate job in Singapore to living his dream as a full-time coach and elite athlete in Asia.In this episode of Abnormal, Gabe shares how he rebuilt his life after injury, discovered the power of endurance sport, and created a business doing what he loves. From his training philosophy to his mindset around failure and growth, this conversation is packed with lessons for anyone looking to chase their passion, reinvent themselves, or find meaning through challenge.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gabe Heck: The Beast of Bangkok01:20 Gabe's Journey in Hyrox04:47 Life in Bangkok: The Unexpected Move10:09 Transitioning to Full-Time Coaching14:31 The Decision to Pursue Coaching and Racing16:41 Building a Brand Through Racing20:14 Balancing Competition and Coaching22:41 The Pain of Hyrox: A Unique Challenge25:53 Understanding Variables in Hyrox Racing27:29 Optimizing Training for Hyrox30:39 Building an Aerobic Base: The Long Game32:01 The Role of Genetics in Athletic Performance34:58 Age and Experience in Hyrox Competitions39:04 Balancing Strength and Endurance Training41:12 Mental Health and Overtraining in Sports45:58 Finding Personal Motivation in Athletic Endeavors50:50 The Joy of Coaching and Client Success56:07 Lessons Learned from Personal Struggles01:01:06 Creating Urgency and Taking Action in LifeFollow Gabe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabeheck/

  --------  

  1:04:17

  --------

  1:04:17
• #50 - Benny Cee - Resilience, Mindset & Building the Life You Want

  Ben Cullen, aka Benny Cee, is a DJ, producer, entrepreneur, and MC whose energy seems limitless. But his journey hasn’t been easy. From arriving in Hong Kong with nothing, struggling to pay rent, and even eating bananas for dinner because he couldn’t afford food, to now DJing in Ibiza, MCing for global Hyrox events, and running successful businesses, Ben’s story is one of resilience, positivity, and relentless drive.In this episode of Abnormal, Ben shares the highs and lows of building a brand, the “back against the wall” mentality that shaped him, what it really takes to balance multiple careers, and why he believes in going all in on your dreams. Whether you’re chasing a business, a creative career, or just looking for motivation to push through tough times, this episode will inspire you to keep moving forward.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Benny Cee: The Unstoppable Force02:22 Current Endeavors: Balancing Business and Music04:03 Vision for the Future: Dreams and Aspirations06:39 The Hyrox Experience: Energy and Engagement08:34 Unexpected Opportunities: The Journey to Hyrox10:51 Traveling the World: A Life of Adventure13:11 Contradictions of Lifestyle: Balancing Routine and Freedom16:17 Sacrifices and Investments: The Cost of Ambition18:40 The Role of a Business Coach: Guidance and Growth24:33 Creative Trap Doors: Merging Music and Fitness30:39 Navigating Business Ideas and Personal Aspirations35:15 Building a Personal Brand: The Journey of Benny Cee40:10 The Creative Process Behind Benny Cee's Music42:42 Reflections on Struggles and Growth in Hong Kong49:25 Lessons Learned from Hard Times52:41 The Back Against the Wall Mentality58:54 Legacy: Hard Work and Uplifting OthersFollow Benny on IG: https://www.instagram.com/bennyxcee/

  --------  

  1:02:22

  --------

  1:02:22

More Education podcasts

Trending Education podcasts

About Abnormal