Atalanta

This week we’re joined by Emilie Dahmen — Elite 15 athlete, Nike athlete and 7th place finisher at the 2026 HYROX World Championships.We catch up with Emilie after a huge season that saw her qualify for the Elite 15 at the final opportunity in Warsaw before going on to finish 7th at Worlds in Stockholm.We talk about the pressure of qualifying, racing with the expectation of knowing you should be there, and how Emilie learned to trust her own race rather than getting caught up in what everyone else was doing.We also get into life as a Nike athlete, the team now behind her training, why she chose to take a longer off-season, and what she’s working on to find the next few minutes in her performance.With more strength to build, running to improve and big goals in mind, Emilie is just getting started.Follow Emilie over on TikTok & Instagram : @emilie.dmnIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

This week we're joined by Hannah Heggarty — HYROX athlete & ambassador and coach at Elation Gym. Hannah shares her journey from studying sports coaching and working in a leisure centre to taking the leap into self-employed coaching, joining Elation Gym and discovering HYROX.We chat about her first HYROX, going from taking nearly 90 minutes in her first race to a podium finish in Valencia, racing singles, doubles and mixed doubles, and the pressure that came with getting better and wanting to constantly chase the next PB.Hannah opens up about losing some of the enjoyment in training and racing, putting too much pressure on herself, and the mindset shift that helped her find the fun again.We also dive into her experience completing a backyard ultra — covering 140km over 21 hours — what she ate to keep herself going, and how her HYROX experience helped her mentally when things got tough.Alongside her own training, Hannah talks about coaching women, working with mums and why she believes there's no need to rush back to the gym after having a baby. We also discuss nutrition, fuelling, confidence and the importance of not comparing yourself to what you see on social media.A really honest conversation about finding balance, backing yourself and remembering why you started in the first place.Follow Hannah over on instagram : @elationhannah and @elationgymglasgowIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

In this episode, we're joined by Rachael Wade, who has had an incredible first season in HYROX and looks set to make her mark on the Elite 15.Rachael went from signing up for her first HYROX race just two weeks before the event, with virtually no experience of the sport, to finishing 3rd overall in the Pro Women’s field at the World Championships, 2nd in her age group and breaking the 60-minute barrier.We chat about her journey from soccer and collegiate distance running to HYROX, how she went from a 1:05 first race to a sub-60 performance, and what it has been like racing against some of the best women in the world.Rachael is also a registered dietitian and the founder of Rx Nutrition, so we dive into nutrition for performance, fuelling around training and racing, carbohydrate loading and why eating enough matters. She also opens up about her own experience with restrictive eating, under-fuelling and injury, and how changing her relationship with food has completely changed the way she trains and competes.Alongside all of that, we talk about balancing HYROX with running a business, being a mum to two young children, moving across the US and what it could look like if she earns her place in the Elite 15 next season.A brilliant conversation with lots of takeaways, Rachael is one to watch in this sport that’s for sure!Follow Rachael over on instagram : @rachaelwade_ and @rxnutritioncounseling If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

On this weeks episode we had the pleasure of sitting down in person with Rachel O'Connor. Rachel is a seasoned Elite 15 athlete in the doubles division with her partner Maire McGinley, they competed in all 4 majors of the 25/26 season, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Elite 15 Doubles at World Champs. They then went on to take the win in Stockholm for their AG division 35-39, becoming World Champions. Rachel shares the highs and lows of the 25/26 season and what the coming season looks like for her. With rule changes and different qualifying systems we talk about what that means for some athletes and Rachel and Maire's partnership going forward. We also dive into Rachels training, recovery and nutrition, how she is aiming to develop her performance as a solo athlete and some lessons learned over the years from training at a high level. There's so much to take from this conversation ,Rachel is very humble and down to earth and shares invaluable advice about her training, race strategy and trusting the process. We loved recording this one, there's something really nice about sitting down together for an uninterrupted chat and getting to know a little more about the top athletes in the sport. Follow Rachel over on instagram : @rach3ocIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

HYROX isn't just a physical challenge—it's a mental one too.This week, we're joined by performance psychologist Dr. Haley Perlus, who has spent decades helping Olympic athletes, professional sports teams and high performers build confidence, perform under pressure and unlock their full potential.In this episode, we dive into what separates athletes who perform when it matters most. From dealing with pre-race nerves and overcoming negative self-talk to building genuine confidence and using pressure to your advantage, Hayley shares practical strategies that every athlete can apply—whether you're chasing a World Championship or your first HYROX finish line.We also discuss:- Why confidence isn't something you have—it's something you build.- How to reframe pressure into an opportunity.- Managing race-day nerves and anxiety.- The power of visualisation and mental rehearsal.- Why failure is one of the greatest performance tools.- Creating routines that help you perform consistently.If you've ever doubted yourself before a race, struggled with confidence or wondered how the best athletes stay composed under pressure, this episode is packed with takeaways you'll use long after you've finished listening.Follow Dr Haley over on instagram : @drhaleyperlus If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

Vivian Tafuto has quietly become one of the most consistent athletes in HYROX.An Elite 15 regular and now Elite 15 Doubles World Champion alongside Lauren Weeks, Vivian has spent the last few seasons proving that success isn't built on one standout performance—it's built on showing up, race after race.In this episode, we catch up after the World Championships to talk about the highs of winning a world title, the disappointment of her individual race, and why she's already looking ahead to what's next.We also dive into the mindset that's helped her stay at the top of the sport, balancing training with a full-time career, racing alongside Lauren Weeks, and why confidence, patience and consistency matter more than chasing perfection.We also discuss body image in elite sport, social media pressures, and why focusing on what your body can do will always outweigh how it looks.Whether you're chasing your first HYROX or racing at the highest level, this conversation is packed with honest reflections and lessons from one of the sport's very best.Follow Vivian over on instagram : @Viviantafuto If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

The 2026 HYROX World Champion is here!!Just months after making the jump from elite marathon running to HYROX, Alyssa McElheny has reached the very top of the sport. But while the result looked effortless, the journey to that world title wasn’t that straight forward. In this episode, Alyssa takes us behind the scenes of her race week in Stockholm, including the freak accident just days before competing that left her questioning whether she'd even make it to the start line. She shares exactly what was going through her head, how she managed the pressure of racing the world's best, and why she was able to smile throughout the race!!We also dive into what's changed since becoming World Champion, the lessons she's learned from her first HYROX season, how she's adapting her training as the sport evolves, and why recovery and longevity are becoming just as important as chasing performance.Whether you're racing HYROX yourself or simply fascinated by what it takes to become the best in the world, this is an honest conversation about resilience, confidence, and embracing every moment of the journey.Follow Alyssa over on instagram : @alyssamcelhenyIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

What does it take to coach some of the best HYROX athletes in the world?This week we're joined by Lauren Calvert – coach at Phase 7, coach to Elite 15 athletes including Gabby Moriarty, Zara Piergianni and Kat Parnell, alongside being an accomplished athlete herself and working full-time in the supplement industry.We chat about how she balances it all, her coaching philosophy, and why building trust is at the heart of helping athletes perform at their best.In this episode we discuss:What separates the very best athletes from everyone elseThe importance of resilience, communication and trustLessons from competing on SAS: Who Dares WinsBuilding Phase 7 alongside Camille GrimesThe realities of juggling a full-time career, coaching and trainingWhy good coaching is about so much more than programmingWhether you're a coach, an athlete chasing your next PB, or simply fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes at the top of HYROX, this episode is packed with honest conversations, practical insights and plenty of laughs along the way.Follow Lauren over on instagram : @laurencalvertj @phaseseven7If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

What do female athletes actually need to know to train, recover and perform at their best?This week we're joined by Dr Bryna Chrismas - exercise physiologist, former GB race walker, researcher at Loughborough University, and member of the HYROX Sports Science Advisory Council.Bryna has spent her career improving the health and performance of female athletes, from recreational exercisers through to Olympians, and is helping shape the future of athlete education within HYROX.In this episode we chat about:Why female-specific research has been overlooked for so longThe biggest mistakes women make with fuelling and recoveryLow energy availability and why your menstrual cycle mattersIron deficiency, heavy periods and practical supplementation advicePelvic floor health, perimenopause and the conversations coaches should be havingHeat, race day performance and what HYROX is doing behind the scenesWhat separates elite athletes from the restWhether you're training for your first HYROX, chasing a PB, or simply want to understand your body better, this episode is packed with practical advice that every female athlete (and coach) should hear.Follow Dr Bryna over on instagram : @drbrynachrismasIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

After years competing in CrossFit, Annie took a chance on HYROX after a coach spotted her potential through physiological testing. Fast forward a few months, and she's already clocked an incredible 57:38, with her sights firmly set on the Elite 15.In this episode, we chat about her sporting background, why she made the switch from CrossFit, training around recurring shin splints, and how she's built her fitness by spending more time on the SkiErg and RowErg than running.We also dive into racing strategy, recovery, balancing a full-time job alongside elite competition, and why Annie believes the best part of competing isn't race day—it's the training that gets her there.A brilliant conversation with one to watch in the sport.Follow Annie over on instagram : @anniemilssonIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

Kris Rugloski's route into HYROX is anything but conventional.A former obstacle course racer and ultra-runner, Kris first entered HYROX simply because it looked like something she'd enjoy. Just a few years later, after qualifying for the World Championships on a roll-down, she shocked the field by winning the 2022 HYROX World Championship.In this episode, Kris shares her journey from OCR to HYROX World Champion, why she still spends her summers running ultras in the mountains, and how she balances elite competition with a life far bigger than sport.We dive into the mindset that has shaped her approach to training and racing, the lessons she's learned through injury and adversity, and why gratitude, perspective and being capable for life matter more than results.This is a conversation about resilience, purpose, adventure and finding joy in the process.Whether you're training for your first HYROX, chasing a PB, or simply trying to become a stronger version of yourself, there's something in this episode for everyone.Follow Kris over on instagram : @krisrugloskiIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

Aimee Oliver is the founder of BodyFit Mums, a community that has spent the last 10 years supporting women through pregnancy, postpartum recovery, and every stage of life beyond.In this episode, Aimee shares her personal journey with pelvic health and stress incontinence following the birth of her first child. What started as her own search for answers became a mission to help other women realise they don't have to suffer in silence.We discuss the realities of living with pelvic floor dysfunction, the impact it can have on confidence, mental health, training, and sport, and why so many women still feel uncomfortable talking about it. Aimee also opens up about continuing to compete at a high level in volleyball and Hyrox while managing these challenges, and how she is determined not to let it stop her. This is an honest and eye-opening conversation about pelvic health, motherhood, resilience, and the power of normalising conversations that too often stay behind closed doors.Follow Aimee over on instagram : @bodyfitmumsIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

This week, we’re joined by HYROX athlete, coach, gym owner, and all-round endurance powerhouse Sam Pretty.Fresh off winning her age group in Berlin to secure a HYROX World Championship qualification, Sam shares the whirlwind few weeks that also saw her claim the Deadly Dozen UK Championship title in the women’s doubles. We dive into racing strategy, handling pressure, competing with different partners, and what it takes to perform consistently at the top level of the sport.Beyond racing, Sam reflects on her journey from school track athlete and PE teacher to marathon runner, HYROX competitor, and co-owner of Storm Performance Centre. She talks about balancing training, business, family life, and the realities of chasing Elite 15 qualification while running a gym and raising two children.We also discuss community, leadership, delegation, and why asking for help might be one of the most important skills for success.Whether you're chasing a podium, building a business, or simply trying to juggle life's competing demands, this episode is packed with lessons from someone doing it all.Follow Sam over on instagram : @sam_pretty_hybridFollow Storm Performance : @storm_performance_centreIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

This week on the Atalanta Podcast, we sit down with Jess Towl – former British Triathlon athlete, CrossFit competitor, HYROX Elite 15 athlete, and one of the most versatile endurance athletes you'll meet.Jess shares her journey from triathlon, to discovering CrossFit, before eventually finding HYROX and immediately making her mark on the sport. We dive into why variety in training and competition has been key to her longevity, the lessons she's learned from competing across multiple disciplines, and why patience beats chasing instant results.We also discuss life as a HYROX athlete based in Dubai, the realities of travelling internationally to race, her experiences competing in Elite 15 doubles alongside Roisin Egan, and her recent partnership with Kate Davey as they chase success at World Champs.Jess also opens up about being diagnosed with ankylosing axial spondyloarthritis, an autoimmune condition that left her living with chronic pain and fatigue for years without realising it. She shares how finally getting answers transformed her training, racing, and overall quality of life.This episode is packed with lessons on resilience, perspective, consistency, and why enjoying the process matters more than obsessing over the outcome.Follow Jess over on instagram : @jesstowlFollow Gym Nation Middle East : @gymnation_meIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

This week we’re joined by Elite 15 athlete Kate Hutchinson. From representing England at the Commonwealth Games in swimming, to age-group triathlon world championships, to now racing on the HYROX Elite 15 doubles circuit alongside Fern Gardner — Kate’s sporting journey is seriously impressive.We chat about balancing marathon training with Hyrox racing, running a huge 3:09 PB at the London Marathon, the reality of juggling elite sport with everyday life, and how the gym and it’s community became an important outlet during a difficult chapter after losing her dad to MND.Kate also shares stories from the Elite 15 majors this season, qualifying for Worlds, racing through the chaos of Hamburg (did someone say penalties), and why she and Fern have never taken any of these opportunities for granted.A really honest and inspiring conversation with one of the most down-to-earth athletes 🤍Follow Kate over on instagram : @katehutchinson.hyIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

This week on the podcast, we sit down with HYROX 45-49 AG World Champion Amy Brown — a runner turned HYROX powerhouse who proves that it’s never too late to chase something big. Amy opens up about her journey from marathon running and chasing a sub-3-hour marathon, to finding her place in HYROX and becoming World Champion in the 45-49 age group in Chicago . She also took to the floor earlier this season in the Americas Regional with her doubles partner Anne Marie McNiven. We talk about balancing motherhood, coaching, elite competition, and the mental side of all of this.We also dive into:Transitioning from endurance running into HYROXTraining with purpose vs training for exhaustionRecovery, sleep, and longevity in sportManaging confidence and pressure as a competitive athleteZone 2 training, pacing, and smart programmingCompeting in doubles and Elite 15 racingThe realities of training through your 40s and perimenopauseAmy brings such an honest and inspiring perspective to performance, consistency, and self-belief — and this conversation is packed with insights for anyone navigating sport, fitness, or ambitious goals alongside real life.Follow Amy over on instagram : @runwithurheartIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.Enjoy the episode 🎧

This week, we’re catching back up with Bryony Keys after her incredible performance at the BPN Backyard Ultra, where she became the last female standing and finished in the top 10 overall after running for 37 hours straight and covering 155miles.Bryony takes us behind the scenes of one of the toughest endurance race formats in the world, sharing what it really takes to keep going hour after hour when sleep deprivation, fatigue and mental battles start to hit.We chat about:- How she prepared for a Backyard Ultra after her previous ankle injury- Why her training looked very different to what most people expected- The mindset shifts that helped her keep going for 37 hours- Pacing, fuelling and recovery between laps- The mental side of ultra endurance racing and managing the highs and lows- Why consistency and simplicity mattered most in trainingThis episode is packed with honest insights into endurance, resilience and learning how to stay in the fight when things get hard.Follow Bryony over on instagram : @coachbryony @fuelledlabIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

This week we’re joined by Alyssa McElheney — 2:34 marathon runner turned Elite 15 Hyrox athlete.With a strong background in distance running, Alyssa made the switch to Hyrox just a few months ago and has already made a serious impact — finishing 3rd in Warsaw in her first Elite 15 race, securing her spot at the World Championships in Stockholm.Making herself known for being one of the smiliest athletes on the course, Alyssa somehow managed to smile her way around the entire race in Warsaw — a reflection of the mindset she brings to competing.We dive into her journey from qualifying for the olympic marathons trials to becoming an Elite 15 Hyrox athlete, how her training has evolved, and what it takes to perform at the top. Follow the over on instagram : @alyssamcelhenyIf you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.