Hybrid Fitness Media

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 Eybergen
Vivian Tafuto
Rachael Wade
Chelsea Ribeiro
Lindsay Bessegato
Laura Sliapnic
Courtney Hayre
Bethany McChesney
Frédéric Dubé
Ryan Douglas
Stirling Peters
Ryan Callahan

Before 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 Tvedten
Christina Matthews and Charlotte O’Neill
Quinlan Hickey and Lindsay Bessegato
Imogen Cross and Elise McClintic
Isaac Sanderson and Brendan Neely
Jarrett Newby and Matt Baysinger
Kevin Gregory and Ryan Casey
Stirling Peters and Chase Stevenson
Jack Driscoll and Kelly Meredith
Cole Learn and Frédéric Dubé
Ryan Reid and Shane McKenzie

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.
Listen on Apple or Spotifyw

Matt, Kevin, and Dave are back after HYROX Toronto, with Cheryl joining the conversation from home. They break down the weekend, including the Canadian-heavy podiums, the venue and spectator experience, judging, and what stood out on course. They also discuss LT Games, and why it is a strong event that needs better promotion.
Then it is a deep dive into the HYROX Elite Town Hall:
The plan for recurring Elite Series cities and separate grid racing
Why athletes were frustrated by the pre-submitted-question format
Ticket access, Flex passes, and qualification loopholes
Rulebook clarity, judging consistency, and who should make the rules
Athlete kits, outside content teams, media accreditation, and sponsor conflicts

They also talk about XENOM’s new Foundations division and one-day events, plus CrossFit’s new Open Doubles format.
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.com
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 community
What goes into programming more than 100 F45 workout formats
F45’s global footprint and studio growth
The history of F45 Playoffs and the evolution into Peak 500
Plans for larger Peak 500 events open to the public in 2027

Then, 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 live
How the play handles Harrenhal, Robert’s Rebellion, Rhaegar and Lyanna, the Mad King, and the Tower of Joy
The set design, battle scenes, casting choices, and whether the four-hour runtime works
A Game of Thrones rewatch: the great early-season moments, character arcs, and details that pay off later
Why 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.com
Listen on Apple or Spotify

Matt B. Davis, Cheryl Snow, and Matt Kemp discuss:
HYROX Major schedule, Elite 15 prize money, and kit rules
The new Challenger 15
PUMA’s Project Podium and athlete sponsorships
Matt Kemp's first ATHX workout at Strong New York
HYROX’s upcoming Elite Athlete Town Hall
DEKA World Championship ticket prices
Toronto weekend and the LT Games

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.com
Listen on Apple or Spotify

Willow Collins
Breaking Gonzaga’s 3K school record at the time
Running 15:50 in her first 5K
Finding HYROX after college
Racing in New York, at Worlds and in Salt Lake City
Improving burpee broad jumps and wall balls
Her goal of breaking 60 minutes
Racing Women’s Doubles with Molly Chambers
Olympic Trials ambitions in the marathon

Follow Willow on Instagram:
“Mo” Iqbal
The original FitLab vision and why it made sense on paper
Why operational experience and discipline matter in fitness acquisitions
What happens when founders leave after their companies are acquired
The role Nike’s partnership may have played in investor confidence
Why FitLab’s use of merchant cash advances raised concerns
What the fitness industry can learn from FitLab’s collapse

Learn more about SweatWorks
Aaron Travers
Moving from Gaelic football and boxing into HYROX
Running a 56-minute HYROX while weighing more than 240 pounds
A 16:28 track 5K and a 16:43 road 5K at 253 pounds
Winning the ATHX events in Dublin and Copenhagen
His goal of winning the ATHX World Championships
Training with Chris Baines to improve his strength and mobility
Holding records in TRYKA and The Hybrid Games
SkiErg marathon record - 2:29:52 with no breaks
Why DEKA, Deadly Dozen and other fitness races may suit him next

Follow Aaron
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.com
Listen on Apple or Spotify