Hyrox

Right now I do not have the words to fully explain my week at the “Leading in the Moment: Values in Action” cohort at the National Medal of Honor Museum’s Griffin Institute. All I know is that I have left some things behind me and have new tools for my journey ahead.

Trying to get those intervals in and learning RPE does not mean Rest, Pizza, and everything else I love.

HYROX can be an individual race, but no one gets there alone. Had the chance to meet the head coach of the UFL Renegades, Bob Stoops this week, and it reminded me that behind every athlete, whether on the turf or on the race floor, is a grind most people don’t see. The early mornings, or late nights, tough sessions, life’s ups, downs, and mental battles. Coaching, training, competing… it’s all about showing up for the work.

“Strength doesn’t come from what you can do; it comes from overcoming what you thought you couldn’t.”

I’m tired as heck…
But am I so proud of myself. I’m so sore. I have no complaints about today. It was gritty. It was emotional. It hurt so much. I never wanted to quit so bad, and I kept going anyway. I gave myself grace. The feeling I have now is haven’t felt in a while. Not bearing myself up because I could have been better. I ran the best race I could today and I love myself for it. The pictures might not show it, but I pushed through a lot today and finished the race. Until the next one !!!!

Soon, I’ll be running Hyrox Pro in Houston—a race I signed up for simply because I didn’t want to run on Sunday. Turns out, that decision was the right one for other reasons, too. Am I going to crush the race and land on the podium? Oh, absolutely not. And that’s not me being hard on myself—it’s just reality. My routines have changed. Family dynamics have shifted. My workouts and nutrition haven’t been what they used to be. Running on Saturday is what’s best for me, and that’s what matters.

I know many people chase that podium, and that’s incredible. But for those who may never stand on it—I see you. I see you pushing yourself while balancing work, family, and life’s chaos. I see you waking up early to train, even when you’re exhausted. I see you fighting battles no one else knows about.

Getting to the starting line after everything life has thrown at you? That’s already a win. So focus on the positives, embrace the challenge, and remember—you’re not alone. See you on the course.

Sometimes life changes and you find peace by changing too. This round of training has been the hardest yet. I have HYROX Houston in a few weeks and I’m trying to keep my mental game positive. Depression has been chasing me like a slow zombie in a movie, it just won’t stop trying to find me and bring me down. It is relentless. I am honestly going through a lot of life stuff… but one day at a time I keep going. Sometimes change looks like me staying in bed while holds up the household so I can mentally and physically rest. Sometimes change means just showing up to workout at a different time. Whatever the change, I am trying to show up, trying to keep going, trying to find peace in the chaos.

Some Saturdays we have to do some work. Deadlines are sorta my favorite. Anyone who works with me knows I get a bit passionate over it and go into “deadline mode”. To me it’s like a competition. I have my team and I push them to do their best work under a time limit. Some people may not like me on deadline mode, but I love the adrenaline. I love the push. I love seeing my teammates push further than they thought they could.

If I could sum up this year in 2 photos, these two are the winners. Though I do not know what is coming up next year, I’m going to continue to push on through. I guess these photos are a great way to start the new year too.

I didn’t think people would be crazy enough to get up and run (or ruck) a bunch of miles on a Sunday morning, but these last few Sundays, this group has grown. Apparently, I’m training for a half marathon in addition to trying Hyrox Pro next year. Bring it on 2025!

I didn’t want to get up this morning to do the but I did it anyway. I think the temp was in the high 30s. No pr, but had a good time anyway and did not die of hypothermia, lol.