Show Notes
In this episode we chat with Jay, founder of Deadly Dozen, about the race's origins, his military and fitness background, and how a simple, track‑based format is rapidly scaling into a global, community-driven event. We discuss the importance of judges, accessibility for athletes and the operational and financial challenges he has faced in growing an independent race brand. We discuss the importance of viewing quality customer service as a priority (free transfers and photos), the increasing use of technology in areas such as global leaderboards and in helping judging, mental resilience and stoicism, and how physical training supports mental health. Finally we look forward to the Deadly Sprint in Sheffield this October.
More from The Filter is Off Podcast
The Three Musketeers cover all the latest news including the end of meals for UK hyrox volunteers (* since recording Hyrox have announced that this was a communication mistake and meals have been reinstated, we are awiating parking update. We discuss Sportograph consent bands and Hyrox's cease-and-desist actions over data scraping from third‑party apps. We also consider the financial and access pressures on elite competitors, the implications of higher costs for parity in the sport and the growing reliance on sponsors. After the industry debate we revisit recent races in Budapest and Cornwall, explores marginal gains in training and performance, shares predictions for upcoming Elite series in Hamburg. Michael & Gerry reflect on race-day lessons and look forward to see how good training blocks translate into good race times.
In this conversation with Ciaran Parkinson (ciaran_fit4rox) he talks candidly about his priorities and the challenge of balancing fatherhood, coaching and elite-level Hyrox competition. We discuss a wide and varied range of topics including event travel logistics and sponsorship realities, race strategy and nutrition and supplement habits, his priority for individual client attention in his coaching business. We look at what success means for Ciaran and his goals for the coming season.
In a wide-ranging episode we cover Hyrox' "Ultimate Package" and whether VIP add-ons are worth the cost, concerns over data scraping and third-party apps being forced to remove live results, rules and control around elite athletes and videographers, and a discussion on World Championships qualification standards and should there be a minimum qualifying time. We also touch on race-day logistics, sponsorship kit rules, training mindsets, gimmicky fitness products and the revelation Gerry won't go the World's if she qualifies...perhaps.
We unpack an episode covering the various way that life's stresses can impact performance. We look at a customs perfume false alarm and the toll of family life and emotional stress on training and the non-stop nature of social media. Plus the increasing stress on Elite 15 as they have to travel the world for points. We look at the tough choice between pushing for performance or prioritizing recovery.
With Michael competing in Bordeaux we are delighted to welcome Gerry back as co-host. In a packed hour, aside from finding our shared cynicism for nose strips and crocs, we cover training routines and the need for honesty, nutrition, supplements, the effect of stress and travel on recovery, Hyrox competition culture and escaping instagram algorithms.