235. What is HYROX and Why Did I Sign Up For It?

Andrew Fix — Tue, 28 Jul 2026 12:00:07 +0000

Dr. Andrew Fix once called HYROX dumb, so why did he sign up for the hardest fitness competition of his life anyway?

Dr. Andrew Fix records this episode from the parking lot of REI’s Denver flagship, prepping for a Run Denver Day event, and uses the moment to talk through his decision to race HYROX this November. He breaks down what the competition actually involves: eight one-kilometer runs split by eight functional stations, sled pushes, wall balls, rowing, and more, all standardized across every city in the world. That global consistency is part of what has turned HYROX into one of the fastest-growing fitness competitions anywhere, but Andrew spends most of the episode on something bigger than the race itself.

What happens to your training when nothing is on the calendar? He argues that a real goal, with a real race date attached, changes the entire relationship between effort and motivation. He’s honest about the parts of HYROX that make him nervous, including how his legs will hold up during the final wall ball station, and he treats that uncertainty as useful rather than something to avoid. Stress and discomfort, he says, are the stimulus for growth.

So what’s your version of HYROX? Andrew makes the case that the specific challenge matters far less than the fact of having one. A half marathon, a 14er hike, a dance recital, a fitness show. The finish line matters less than the discipline required to get there and the person you become along the way.

Quotes

“We all benefit from having some sort of a goal, some sort of a thing on the calendar.” (04:17 | Dr. Andrew Fix)
“It doesn’t matter what the thing is. What matters is that when we have something that’s on the calendar, it gives us something to work towards. It gives us a light at the end of the tunnel and it gives us a why.” (05:07 | Dr. Andrew Fix)
“When we can train with purpose or train on purpose for something, it keeps us motivated.” (05:24 | Dr. Andrew Fix)
“Get out there and do the thing. Put yourself in a scenario that makes you a little bit uncomfortable because we know that stress and discomfort is the stimulus for growth.” (15:04 | Dr. Andrew Fix)
“The real benefits can come from the journey of how you got there.” (15:36 | Dr. Andrew Fix)

Links

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202. Navigating Back Pain While Training

Andrew Fix — Tue, 09 Dec 2025 13:00:43 +0000

Training only moves forward when you know how to pivot on the days your body feels off, and smart adjustments matter more than any single heavy lift.

Dr. Andrew Fix uses a real morning in the gym to unpack a familiar question for anyone who follows a training plan: what do you do when back pain or tightness shows up right as you’re trying to stay consistent with your fitness goals? He talks through judgment calls that keep progress intact without forcing painful reps or drifting into avoidance.

The message lands on a simple truth. Consistency wins. One perfect session never matches the value of showing up again tomorrow. So how do you decide when to scale or swap movements or shift the intention of the work you planned? How do you stay honest about discomfort without letting it take over the whole day?

Andrew brings a grounded mindset that supports long-term training and everyday life. The reminder sits at the core of his story. Movement still matters on the days that feel inconvenient, and the athletes who grow are the ones who adjust with purpose rather than force.