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Locked in.


“The successful warrior is the average (wo)man , with laser-like focus.”

Life’s been feeling a little dull lately, but there’s one thing keeping me fired up; the experience of a lifetime is just around the corner. In just four weeks, I’ll be heading to Chicago to compete in the Hyrox World Championships, and I’m locked in.

For many competitive and athletic kids, the dream is to make it to the Olympics or stand on a world championship stage in their sport. While Hyrox may not be the Olympics, for me, this is kind of that moment. This is my ‘world stage’; I can’t wait to soak it all in and add it to the list of things I’m proud of.

This idea sort of started on my 40th birthday this year. While most people celebrate with a party and cake or a getaway, I made a wild choice: I booked my place in the Hyrox World Championships with my doubles partner. Bold? Definitely. Crazy? Probably. Worth it? Without a doubt.

The last time I pushed myself this hard was back in 2019 when I trained for a CrossFit competition in the Philippines. I barely made the cut, trained like a maniac, and finished 4th. That taught me something: when I commit, I deliver. And I’m back in that mode again; fully committed.

Here’s what that looks like right now:

• My doubles partner and I have hired a coach to take over our programming, targeting some weaknesses and supporting with strategizing.
• I’m currently training six days a week; 1 upper body session, 1 lower body session, 1 HyROX specific session (which I typically do alone and demands a strong mind), 1 track session to build speed, 1 long run to improve endurance as well as a group HyROX class, which is 72 minutes of pure HARD WORK!
• I’m constantly trying to fuel and hydrate properly to support the workload.
• I’m dedicating lots of time to recovery: massages, cupping, sauna, cold plunges, manis and pedis, pool and beach days, and a whole lot of movies on the couch.
• I’m going to bed and waking up very early on a regular basis.

Honestly, my days have started to feel like a hamster wheel: sleep, work, train, eat, recover... repeat. It’s a loop, but one I chose. One that’s shaping me, physically and mentally. Balancing this current routine with a full-time teaching job is no joke. By the end of the school day, I’m already exhausted, then training kicks in. It’s tough, and I complain more than I should... but deep down? I’ve actually been enjoying the challenge. Every tough session, every sore muscle, every early alarm, it’s building something. And I’m genuinely proud of what I’m doing.

One of the biggest shifts during this training block has been rediscovering my love for running. It’s something I hadn’t felt in a while, but with the volume and consistency I’ve been doing, it’s come back in a big way. That said, I still miss the variety of CrossFit and especially the feeling of lifting a heavy barbell. There's something incredibly satisfying about that kind of power and strength. But here’s the upside: my body has felt less battered overall. After dealing with a back injury last year, this style of training has been kinder on my spine, and I’ve noticed far less pressure and strain. It's been a smart shift for this season, and one my body seems to be grateful for. To add to all this, my body’s changing. I’m getting leaner, something many would celebrate, but to be honest, I prefer feeling strong over looking a certain way. I’ve had to remind myself that this phase is about performance, not aesthetics. I’m not training for a mirror, I’m training for a moment.

Flights are booked. Hotel’s confirmed. Leave of absence approved. It’s happening. I’m prepared, I’m focused, and I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.

In four weeks, I’ll step onto that floor in Chicago, fully ready to show what I’m made of.

Let’s go!

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