Explore every episode of the podcast Race Brain Podcast

We’re back after a brief hiatus! In this episode, we catch up on everything happening in the world of Hyrox, OCR, and even Jack’s championship performance at the Goofy Games. Is OCR dying? What’s the future of Race Brain? We get into it all.

00:08 - Welcome Back! Where We’ve Been
01:22 - The Evolution of Race Brain & OCR’s Decline
07:36 - The Future of OCR & Spartan’s Struggles
15:55 - What’s Next for Race Brain?
22:32 - Jack’s Goofy Games Recap 🤯
38:06 - European Hyrox Championships Breakdown
46:12 - The Debate: Age Group Podiums & Hyrox Pro Weight

This week, the RB squad ranks the best "world championships," diving into controversies, competition quality, and what truly makes a championship stand out.

[00:08] Welcome to the Episode
"Ranking OCR World Championships begins."

[05:36] Metal Games Drama
"A controversial event with surprising outcomes."

[11:33] Women’s Race Controversy
"A tied finish sparks debate in the OCR community."

[26:08] Too Many Championships
"Frustration over the overload of world titles."

[39:00] Team Champs Debate
"Analyzing the value of team championships in OCR."

[51:00] OCRWC vs. FISO
"FISO 3K stands out with better competition and depth."

[52:15] Sprint vs. 14K
"Comparing Spartan Sprint and FISO 14K pathways."

Join Rich Ryan, Bracken Crocker, and Jack Bauer on the Race Brain Podcast as they dive into the highly anticipated updated rankings for the greatest male obstacle course racing athletes of all time. This episode is packed with debates, blind comparisons, and in-depth discussions on the legends who shaped the sport.

• [0:00] Welcome & Overview
• [1:15] Top Spot Debate: Atkins vs. Call
• [5:00] John Albon’s Legacy
• [10:00] Blind Comparisons Begin
• [20:00] Sergey Perelygin vs. Gregory Basilico
• [30:00] Hunter McIntyre’s Career
• [40:00] Regional vs. Global Impact
• [50:00] Final Rankings & Closing Thoughts

In this episode, we dive deep into the Top Women's OCR Rankings of All Time!

[00:00] Intro & Focus on Women's Rankings

[02:15] Lindsay Webster’s Dominance

[20:30] Alyssa Petrova Climbs the Ranks

[40:45] Career Longevity vs. Peak Performance

[1:15:10] Vision for a GOAT Roundup Event

Do you agree with our picks? Drop your thoughts below! ⬇️

#OCR #HybridAthletes #PodcastHighlights

Follow HYROX Rundown presented by Race Brain to catch the Hybrid Racing Awards 👇

https://open.spotify.com/show/62SiSBqkKt1Q1yOf8D2KnX?si=dNW7mMYRQqKHICLVvIAdBA

In this special episode of Race Brain: The OCR Show, Rich Ryan, Brakken Kraker, and Jack Bauer host the fourth annual OCR Awards, where we honor the standout performances, moments, and athletes of the 2024 season. From record-breaking wins to unexpected upsets, the trio reflects on the biggest races, top battles, and unforgettable controversies of the year.

Plus, an exciting announcement: we’re launching a new show, Race Brain HYROX Rundown! Tune in for all things hybrid racing on a dedicated feed.

Chapters:
0:00 – Welcome to the OCR Awards and Announcements
10:15 – Top OCR Performances of the Year (Male & Female)
30:40 – Biggest Upsets and Moments of 2024
50:00 – Best Race Battles and Surprises
1:10:30 – Breakout Athletes of the Year
1:30:15 – OCR Athletes of the Year (Hobie Call Award)
1:50:00 – Looking Ahead to 2025 and New Race Brain HYROX Rundown

In this episode, we sit down with Dylan Scott, the reigning DEKAFIT World Champion and HYROX North American Champion, to discuss his training philosophy, racing strategies, and what it takes to balance elite competition with life as a father and coach. Dylan shares his approach to hybrid fitness, why he believes fitness is fitness, and how he maintains his high-level performance across both DEKAFIT and HYROX events.

We also dive into his mindset during races, how he compartmentalizes challenges, and why he’s so passionate about growing the sport. If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to consistently compete at the highest level while staying grounded, this episode is for you.

Chapters:
0:00 – Introduction and Meet Dylan Scott
8:20 – Winning the DEKAFIT World Championship: Reflections
18:40 – Training Philosophy: Fitness is Fitness
30:10 – Key Differences Between HYROX and DEKAFIT
45:15 – Mindset and Compartmentalizing Challenges
58:30 – Balancing Racing, Coaching, and Family Life
1:15:00 – Future Goals and What’s Next for Dylan

Tune in for insights, stories, and lessons from one of the top hybrid athletes in the game. Don’t miss it! 🎙️

Support RB on Patreon https://www.patreon.com/c/racebrain The DEKAFIT World Championships brought out the best in hybrid racing, and we’re here to break it all down. From the men’s and women’s elite performances to the surprising strategies, transitions, and chaotic finishes, this was a season finale to remember. We analyze the races, celebrate the champions, and dive into the details that defined this year’s championship.

Chapters:
0:00 – Intro and Sponsors
5:20 – Jack Bauer’s Recap from the Field
15:30 – Men’s Elite Race: Key Performances and Dylan Scott’s Win
35:15 – Women’s Elite Race: Lauren Weeks Sets a New World Record
50:00 – Transition Chaos: Impact on Results and Suggestions for Improvement
1:10:45 – Team Races: Controversial Finishes and Tactical Moves
1:30:30 – Final Thoughts on DEKAFIT 2024 and What’s Next

Tune in to hear all the insights, controversies, and standout moments from this year’s DEKAFIT finale. Don’t miss it!

Join Pelayo, Menendez Fernandez, elite Hyrox competitor and coach, as he shares insights on achieving peak performance through mindset, training, and dedication. In this episode, Pelayo talks about his journey in Hyrox, his mental preparation for multiple high-level races, and his passion for anaerobic coffee brewing. Learn about his coaching business and how he merges Hyrox and triathlon training for ultimate results. Tune in for inspiration and motivation!

• 3:20 - Elite 15 Doubles & World Championship Goals
• 7:00 - The Power of Mindset in Racing
• 10:30 - Managing High-Intensity Races
• 14:15 - Coaching Insights Performance
• 18:00 - Triathlon & Hyrox: Merging Two Sports
• 21:30 - Coffee Talk: Anaerobic Espresso
• 24:00 - Wrapping Up: Coaching & Future Goals

In this episode, we recap the HYROX weekend with standout performances, dive into DEKAFIT World Championships predictions, and discuss the rise of global hybrid racing stars. Who will take the crown?

[02:30] HYROX U.S. Highlights

[12:00] HYROX Women’s Field

[18:00] International HYROX Events

[26:00] Hunter McIntyre’s Changing Legacy

[34:00] DEKAFIT World Championships Draft – Men’s Field

[46:00] DEKAFIT Women’s Field Draft

[58:00] International Athletes in DEKAFIT

In today's episode, Maria shares her incredible journey, the mental challenges behind training for extreme sports, and how she found her true passion for performance-driven fitness.

In this episode, the RB Squad talks about the 14th Spartan Race World Championships. The deep field of men and women provided some great outcomes. Then they update their Power 11 rankings. Tune in for takes!

00:00 Intro

01:40 Men's Recap

24:15 Women's Recap

40:00 Race Brain Teaser

46:50 Power 11 Updates

01:05:40 World Obstacle Dubai Champs

In this episode Matt sits down with Camilla Massa to talk about the ups and downs in her athletic career as she pursues excellence in HYORX.

In this episode, the RB squad discusses the most recent US HYROX event in Dallas. Then, they turn their attention to the final world championships of the OCR season, Spartan Race Abu Dhabi Beast.

The RB Squad shares their initial thoughts on the second major of the 2024/25 season in Hong Kong

In the episode RB squad talks about the second major of the season in Hong Kong and review the performances in Chicago.

In this episode Matt brings on special guests Rich Ryan and Marcus Wallace. They talk about the upcoming race HYROX in Chicago. Then they switch gears to talk about the Rogue Invitational.

In this episode the RB squad talks about the 2024 WTM and their favorite moments all-time. Then they do a quick look at HYROX Chicago.

00:00 WTM recap

30:00 The WTM trajectory

50:00 Out favorite moments

This episode, Matt sits down with newcomer on the HYROX elite scene, Dawson Miller. Dawson is one of the most accomplished runners in the HYROX space, and Matt talks with him about how he has transformed his fitness for competitive HYROX.

In this episode the RB squad recaps the 2024 Spartan Trifecta WC, the legacy of WTM, and Hyrox Hamburg and Poznań.

00:00 Landscape of HYROX Training 20:00 Spartan Trifecta Results

55:00 WTM

60:00 HYROX Hamburg / Poznań

In this episode of the #HyroxRaceBrainPodcast, host Matt Mason dives into performance analytics with Jon Holman, founder of #RocksOpt, the new data-driven tool taking the #Hyrox community by storm! Whether you’re aiming for a personal best or a spot on the podium, this episode shows how Rocks Opt insights can help you train smarter, not harder.

https://www.roxopt.com/

• 00:00 - Introduction to Rocks Opt and how it predicts athletic potential
• 10:00 - Jon's journey from data science to developing a tool that breaks down every aspect of #HyroxTraining
• 20:00 - Step-by-step overview of a Rocks Opt report, helping athletes analyze their races
• 30:00 - Key insights: how to target specific stations for optimal gains and set realistic goals with predictive analytics
• 40:00 - Using #MachineLearning to customize strategies for athletes at all levels
• 50:00 - How Rocks Opt is reshaping #EnduranceSports and #RaceTraining for the future of Hyrox

 #RaceAnalytics #AthletePerformance #EnduranceTraining #Hyroxcommunity #DataDriven

In this episode, we dive into the latest in OCR! We cover Spartan World Championship changes, the rise of multiple events, and the controversy over trifecta races. Join us for insights, predictions, and lively debates on the future of OCR! 00:00 Changing of the Guard in OCR - New Hosts and Format 05:00 The Rise of Multiple World Championships in Spartan Racing 15:00 Trifecta Weekend Recap and Why Athletes Keep Coming Back 28:00 Controversy Over the New Super World Championship at Mammoth Lakes 45:00 Debating the Value and Number of OCR World Titles 1:00:00 How Prize Money Affects Athlete Participation and Legacy in OCR 1:15:00 Predictions on Top Athletes to Watch This Season #OCRUpdate #SpartanRace #WorldChampionship #OCRCommunity #TrifectaChallenge #ObstacleCourseRacing #AthleteInsights #SportsDebate #OCRPredictions #FutureOfOCR

Kate Davey joint Matt to talk about her progress in HYROX after her impressive performance at HYROX Amsterdam.

In this episode, the RB squad answers some questions that they are getting asked often. 

00:00 Hyrox Incheon and Milan Results

20:00 Is HYROX growing too fast?

32:00 What would you do with a Million dollars to invest in the sport of OCR

40:00 How fast could a Hyrox doubles team go?  

1:00:30 What should change of the structure of OCR to help the sport grow?

RB on Patreon ⁠patreon.com/racebrain

#hyrox #dekafit

This week, Marcus Wallace (aka Deebo) appears on the Race Brain Hyrox show. Marcus and Matt discuss his progression as a HYROX athlete after his 57:57 in Hyrox Toronto.

In this episode of Race Brain, the team discusses HYROX's acknowledgment of errors during the first major race in Amsterdam and breaks down the epic battles at the Spartan Race in Croatia. They explore key athlete performances, race controversies, and the intense competition across both events. Tune in for expert analysis, insights, and the latest updates from the world of hybrid racing.

The Race Brain HYROX show gives their immediate reactions to the first race in Amsterdam.

A new re-occurring Race Brain show will focus on HYROX and Hybrid Fitness Race. In this episode, the squad drafts teams for the first major of the season in Amsterdam.

In this episode, the RB squad recaps the OCRWC in Mammoth and then discusses the most competitive field we have seen in OCR this season.

In this episode, the Race Brain squad dives into their bold predictions for the upcoming OCR season.

03:00 New talent emerging from grassroots events
08:00 Controversial rule changes shake up competitions
13:00 Veteran athletes making a comeback
27:00 The rise of team-based formats
40:00 Shocking upsets in major races
44:00 Predictions for the next world record
52:50 Increased participation in youth categories
1:00:30 OCR becoming a mainstream sportGive to

USAOCR
https://givebutter.com/2024EOYUSAOCRSupport RB on Patreon
patreon.com/racebrain

In this episode, the Race Brain squad projects their favorite storylines for the 24/25 HYROX season.
 
03:00 Less Roll Downs
08:00 Wrong athletes make worlds
13:00 Young athletes will blow up
27:00 Someone will fail a drug test
40:00 Major shake-up on the worlds podium
44:00 No world records this years.
52:50 Highest rolldown position at a major
1:00:30 Hyrox will be bigger than Triathalon
 
Give to USAOCR
https://givebutter.com/2024EOYUSAOCR
Support RB on Patreon
patreon.com/racebrain

In this episode, the Race Brain squad reviews the Spartan Race PanAm champ's results in Washington State. They discuss Baylen Bean's ascendancy and Nicole Mericle's dominance and then turn their support to the upcoming USAOCR Championships and organization. Plus, they update the OCR Power 11.

00:00 State of the Sport for OCR
18:30 USAOCR Fundraiser (link below)
27:00 Spartan Race Seattle
1:00:00 Power 11 Updates

Give to USAOCR
https://givebutter.com/2024EOYUSAOCR

Support RB on Patreon
patreon.com/racebrain

In this episode, the RB squad talk about Jack's controversial victory in Ocala, Flordia, and the final field for the DEKA World Champs. They then update their OCR Power 11 Rankings after the Spartan Euro Champs. Finally, they draft the top athletes for the Spartan race PanAm Championships in Seatle, WA.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro

02:45 Deka Ocala

32:45 Spartan Euro Champs Review and Power 11 Updates

47:47 Spartan Pan American Champs Preview

#spartanrace #ocr #hyrox #dekafit #spartanrace

In this episode, the RB squad discusses the loaded field at the upcoming Spartan European championships in Austria. Then, they are joined by Dave Claxton, the newly appointed Head Judge of DEKAFIT. The four go over Dave's role and preview Deka in Ocala.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro

04:35 Spartan Euro Champs

11:15 Women's Field

32:54 Men's Field

54:00 Dave Claxton!

55:00 Talking Rules

01:27:00 Deka Florida Preview

This week, the RB squad discusses the most recent FISO OCR World Championships in Costa Rica. Then, they update the OCR power rankings to reflect the sport's most recent performances. Finally, they touch on the new contenders in DEKAFIT PA and some penalties that were dished out.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro

01:48 FISO WC

03:11 FISO Info

08:00 3k Results

19:28 15+/-

22:40 Controversy!!

35:30 Why does this always happen with OCR?

42:42 OCR Power Rankings

01:20:20 YouTuber takes over FISO

01:11:50 DEKAFIT PA

01:17:50 DEKA Penalties

#spartanrace #ocr #hyrox #dekafit #spartanrace

In this episode, the RB squad chats about the most recent HYROX event in Brisbane and some of the crazy fast times, the second FISO OCR World Championships, and a stacked field for the upcoming DEKAFIT in Oaks, PA.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro

03:05 HYROX Brisbane

10:34 Brisbane Course Layout

17:45 Brisbane Men

23:05 Men's athlete DQ'd

32:11 FISO OCR World Championship

01:02:40 FISO Women's Field

01:25:30 FISO Men's Field

01:42:40 DEKA PA

#hyrox #spartanrace #hyroxtraining #dekafit #podcast

In this episode, the RB squad discusses topics such as whether we think HYROX could make the Olympics, what training trends we have noticed for HYROX, the impressive performances at the CrossFit Games, and our final chat about track and field.

00:00 Intro

04:00 Does OCR being in the pentathlon matter?

13:34 Could HYROX be in the Olympics?

27:48 Training Trends for HYROX

55:27 CrossFit Games

57:38 CrossFit 1600m

01:30:30 Track and Field - The Final Chat

#hyrox #spartanrace #hyroxtraining #dekafit #podcast

In this episode, Jack does some serious homework to tell us how correcting HYROX times changes the elite 15 field. They discuss their observations around the Olympics regarding formatting and competition, and then they go hard on some track and field.

00:00 Intro

02:38 Jack's BUTT

07:55 Hyrox Times Shake-ups

09:00 Women's

20:20 Men's

52:33 What we've learned from the Olympics

01:24:10 Olympic Track Talk

#hyrox #dekafit #athletics #podcast #spartanrace

In this episode, the RB squad talks about the pros and cons of the new Hyrox Major season and the World Championships qualifications.

00:00 Intro

03:24 Brakken's late takes

07:23 Quick Olympic Talks

15:44 Hyrox Qualification 24/25 System

19:08 Happy with stability

21:00 Two races minimum for time qualifiers

48:22 LCQ backfill for World Champs

58:00 Prize money bumped

59:15 Increase doping testing

01:04:44 Too many autos?

01:13:00 Season is too long

01:19:00 Hong Kong con

01:27:00 Current Elite 15 list

#hyrox #spartanrace #dekafit

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, the RB squad previews the upcoming events for Spartan Race Utah and DEKAFIT Ultra in Fort Wayne, IN.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro

01:19 Spartan Utah USNS Preview

10:38 Men's Top Contenders

22:18 Women's Top Contenders

29:20 Hoka Tecton X 3 - Quick Look!!

32:27 First Ever Deka Ultra

36:25 Deka Ultra Men's Field

38:18 Deka Ultra Women's Field

45:04 How fast will they go?

57:27 What would we want an Ultra Hybrid to look like?

01:12:30 BK does Chad

01:26:20 DEKA Ultra Predictions

#spartanrace #ocr #hyrox #dekafit

In this episode, the RB squad covers the recent Spartan Ultra World Championships in Morzine, France, and the allure of ultra racing. Then, they rank the current top ten athletes in OCR.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Spartan Ultra WC Recap

06:41 Spartan Ultra World Champs Results

08:55 Fantasy Results

16:20 The appeal of Ultra Racing

30:10 The possibility of a Spartan Super Championship

34:33 Should Spartan only hold championships outside of North America?

51:03 OCR Men's Power Rankings

01:09:00 OCR Women's Power Rankings

01:26:00 Other News

#spartanrace #ocr #hyrox #dekafit

In this episode, the RB squads draft teams for the upcoming Spartan Race Ultra World Championship. Then they discuss the remainder of the USA Track and Field Olympic Trials. Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠ 00:00 Intro 05:51 Spartan Ultra World Champs Details 38:17 Spartan Ultra WC Draft 01:18:43 Track and Field!! #spartan #ocr #hyrox #dekafit

In this episode, the RB squads chat about the recent race in Concord, North Carolina, and spend a good chunk of time chatting about the Olympic Track and Field Olympic Trials. 00:00 Intro 02:45 DEKAFIT Concord NC04:30 Results 06:13 Deka Women's Recap17:13 Deka Doubles Chat 22:55 Deka Men's Recap 42:35 Ronco's 5k time 50:44 Spartan Weekend Results 57:39 Track and Field Olympic Trials Chat #hyrox #dekafit #spartanrace # trackandfield

In this episode, the RB squad chat about the OCR European Championships, some residual conversations from the HYROX World Championships, and the newest footwear we look forward to.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro

09:20 OCR European Championships

17:35 15k Controversy

24:45 Should the Euro Champs be the World Champs?

31:15 How many more generations can OCR sustain.

46:43 Spartan Race Ultra Championships Teaser

57:52 Hyrox WC International Relay

01:03:13 Hyrox Drug Testing

01:26:20 Shoe talk!!!!

#spartan #ocr #hyrox #dekafit

In this episode, the full RB squad discusses the event of the year, the Hyrox World Championships. The team goes over the results, their implications, and some rumors for next season. 

#hyrox #dekafit #spartanrace 

Lauren Smith joins Rich and BK to review the 2024 Hyrox World Championships. The team discussed the big stories they are looking forward to and then draft fantasy teams. Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠ ⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠ 00:00 Hyrox NYC Recap 22:00 Our top stories to watch at Hyrox World Champs 38:10 Hyrox Fantasy Draft #spartan #ocr #hyrox #dekafit

In this episode, the RB squad discusses ideas for making OCR a great sport once again. They discuss race organization, marketing, product development, and revenue generation.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

#spartan #ocr #hyrox #dekafit

In this episode the RB squad chat about the weekend races for Hyrox Anaheim and Spartan Race Big Bear.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro

05:15 Rich's Hyrox Doubles Recap

20:40 Hyrox LCQ Anaheim Recap

30:30 LCQ Fantasy Review (Men's and Women's Results

40:05 Hyrox Women's Race Recap - Camilla Mass Impresses

49:27 Women's World Championships Finalized Field

56:35 Hyrox Men's Race Recap - Luke Storath Dominates

01:05:55 Men World Championships Finalized Field

01:14:09 European male athletes smash the US athletes

01:16:44 Spartan Race Big Bear

01:17:55 No More 3k at Spartan Seattle

01:28:18 Big Bear Fantasy Results

01:30:51 Spartan Race Women's Results

01:34:00 Hawk Call's historic performance

01:37:29 Spartan Race Men's results

#hyrox #spartanrace #dekafit

In this episode, the RB squad discusses the rule changes at Deka, the loaded LCQ in Anaheim, and the second stop at the Spartan National series in Big Bear.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠

⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro 

02:00 Dekafit Ruling Changes from Sacramento.

18:09 New Deka penalties for specific stations.

28:30 Deka Spain update

34:04 Rich and Pelayo to run Doubles - Split analysis 

45:45 Hyrox Doha recap 

1:08:23 Hyrox Anaheim LCQ Draft 

1:58:30 Spartan Race Big Bear Draft

#dekafit  #hyrox #spartanrace

In this episode, the RB boys talk about the most recent results and controversies at DEKAFIT Sacramento.

Support RB on Patreon⁠⁠⁠https://www.patreon.com/racebrain⁠⁠⁠

00:00 Intro 

01:24 Jack's race recap 

13:36 DEKAFIT Sac Men's results 

22:00 DEKAFIT Sac Women's results 

35:06 DEKA DQ's 

39:30 Deka Rulebook Review 

1:02:52 Should Deka Use Video Review? 

1:10:50 Should there be specific penalties for each station?

1:18:35 Deka movement standard review

1:24:00 Was there a precedent?

1:35:35 What is the solution?

1:45:00 Nonsense

#dekafit #hyrox #spartanrace