HYROX ELITE 15 Glasgow // How I Qualified for Worlds

Race day is always a rollercoaster. The nerves, the pressure, the desire to perform—it’s all part of the package. But when you’re racing for a spot at the World Championships, every move counts. It’s not just about being the fastest or strongest; it’s about strategy, mental resilience, and knowing when to dig deep.

That was the challenge I faced in my most recent race—a crucial qualifier for the World Championships. The journey leading up to that moment was full of ups and downs, but I knew that this was my shot. With the competition stacked and stakes high, it was time to show what I was made of.

Preparing for the Race: A New, More Disciplined Approach

As I reflected on past races, I realized something: I had been overconfident before. Sure, I’ve had good performances, but I had underestimated the mental and physical demands of a race of this magnitude. This time around, I wasn’t going to make that mistake. I was going to focus on a disciplined approach—one that would allow me to execute my strategy while staying in control of my body and mind.

Going into the race, I knew the competition would be fierce. Everyone there was fighting for the same thing—qualification. That alone set the tone for what was ahead: I wasn’t the only one gunning for a spot at the top, and that made every lap, every station, and every decision crucial.

Thankfully, I had been putting in the work. My fitness had improved, and I felt stronger, healthier, and more confident than ever. I was ready for this challenge.

A Carefully Crafted Strategy: Patience and Precision

When the race kicked off, I knew exactly how I wanted to approach it. Skiing is one of the opening stations, and I had decided to take it easy at the start. There’s a temptation to push hard early, but I knew that if I burned too much energy too soon, I’d regret it later.

The key was staying patient. Skiing and getting through the first stations would be about pacing, holding steady, and conserving energy. But when I hit the sled, that’s where the real work would begin.

I knew the sled push would be a pivotal moment. It’s tough, and you can easily lose ground here if you don’t have your act together. This is where I’d start taking risks—nothing reckless, but calculated moves that would allow me to make up time.

And as I moved through the race, I had to be strategic about every transition. From the sled push to the burpee broad jumps, and then onto the rowing and walking lunges, each transition had to be seamless. It’s amazing how much time you can lose by fumbling a transition. In a race like this, every second counts.

The Battle of the Mind: Overcoming Setbacks and Keeping Momentum

By the time I hit the sled pull, I found myself in seventh place. Sure, it wasn’t where I wanted to be, but I wasn’t panicking. The plan was still intact—I just needed to stick to it. In moments like this, it’s easy to let the mental stress take over, but I focused on what was in front of me and not where I was in the rankings.

The sled pull was tough, and my muscles were screaming, but I had been here before. I knew I could push through. After that, the burpee broad jumps loomed large. The key here was execution. There’s a real temptation to rush through the movements, but I made sure I hit each jump with precision. If you don’t do that, you risk making a mistake that could cost you valuable time.

Once I got through those, I hit a surge of energy. It’s like something clicked. I transitioned to the run, feeling stronger and more aggressive than I had all race. The running is where I excel, and I knew I needed to capitalize on it.

This moment, after surviving the burpee broad jumps and sled pull, was where I could close the gap. I wasn’t just moving up in positions—I was asserting myself. The race wasn’t over, but my momentum was building.

Digging Deeper: The Final Push

I knew the last part of the race was crucial. I wasn’t going to let fatigue get the best of me. As I hit the rowing machine, I felt that surge of confidence. I had recovered well, and I wasn’t about to let anyone pass me. With each stroke, I reminded myself of why I was here and how far I had come.

The farmer carry tested my endurance, but it also reminded me of how important it was to stay focused. By the time I got to the walking lunges, I knew I was in a great position to secure a podium finish. My strategy of pacing myself, taking calculated risks, and staying mentally focused was paying off.

And then, it happened. I crossed the finish line, securing a podium spot and earning my qualification for the World Championships. It was a surreal feeling—exhausted, but filled with gratitude for all the hard work, preparation, and support that got me here.

The Power of Community and Clean Sport

I can’t overstate how much the support of my community means to me. Whether it’s my teammates, my coach, or the people cheering me on from the sidelines, they’ve all played a part in this achievement. This wasn’t just my victory—it was a collective effort. And when I crossed that line, I knew I wasn’t just representing myself, but everyone who’s helped me along the way.

As I celebrate this accomplishment, I also want to emphasize the importance of clean sport. Integrity matters. I’m committed to competing fairly, and I voluntarily accepted a drug test after the race to make sure that my achievements are a reflection of hard work and nothing else.

Final Thoughts: Grit Is Everything

Reflecting on the race, the one thing that stands out the most is grit. It’s the ability to stay in the game when it seems impossible, to keep fighting when your body is telling you to quit. Grit is what allowed me to push through when the sled push was tough, when the burpee broad jumps felt endless, and when I was gasping for air on the final stretches.

It’s not about perfection. It’s about persistence. Grit is about sticking to your plan, staying in the moment, and continuing to push no matter what challenges you face.

So, to anyone out there training for a big race or working toward a long-term goal, remember this: the finish line doesn’t come from speed alone—it comes from the strength you find when you keep going, even when it hurts.

Are you ready to push through? Let me know when was a time you had to grind it out to succeed. We all have a story to tell.

Want More Race-Day Strategies? Watch This!

If you enjoyed this breakdown and want to see the full race analysis, watch the full video here: Watch Now.

I dive into every detail—strategy, pacing, mental toughness—and how it all played out in real-time. Don’t miss it! Let me know your thoughts in the comments! 💪🔥