Why We Signed Up

Look, this kind of training was NOT in their contracts. (Maybe it should be.) But these team members all had their reasons to say yes. Meet the NOBULL lineup and hear why they signed up for the fittest day of the year.

"One of my favorite lines is 'a grateful pursuit of a better self'. Competing in Hyrox allowed for a fun way to try a new sport, flex that muscle of competition, and maybe peak my fitness more than I normally would."

"I wanted to prove something to myself – that I can still tackle tough challenges."

"After my last marathon, I just wasn't in the mood to run as much. Hyrox was going to be my way back into it enjoying it again."

"I'm always looking for ways to push myself and become a better athlete. Training for the 'unknown' forces you to find new limits."

"I haven't competed in anything since college athletics and was craving having something new and challenging to train for. Working towards something outside of my comfort zone really fired me up."

"This wasn't my first Hyrox, but I was excited to push myself and compete with friends this time."

"I signed up for this thing. So now I gotta finish it."

"Honestly, my motivation was 100% down to the team. I've done triathlons. I've done Spartan races. But what I liked about this was the idea that we were all going to train and participate together. Taking the vision of what NOBULL really is and bringing it to life."

Different perspectives. Different reasons. But one unifying story behind it all – to live the mentality we talk about every day.

"We didn't go to represent the brand. We went to be it. And live it."

Training Together: Strength, Sweat, and Showing Up

The grind started early. Literally. Training sessions that began before most people's alarms went off, with coworker-led workouts, station-specific moves, and runs that hurt in all the right ways. All in (and around) our gym here at NOBULL HQ.

Shoutout to Oliver, who led much of the programming. He kept the plan honest and consistent – and teammates noticed. "I have a coach who prescribed a workout which I did every morning at 7am," Oliver said of his own routine. "This included a mix of strength, accessory, and conditioning." John was dialing his volume up: "This was my second event, so I was doing 7-9 sessions a week this time. I focused on strength days with a full-body lift, accessory lifts, and functional conditioning, plus dedicated cardio sessions and station run-throughs."

"I was so grateful to have one of the fittest and most knowledgeable partners in Oliver, who constantly encouraged me."

"I probably see my coworkers too much now... but I can't stop coming. The training has helped me become a better version of myself."

"Doing hard things together creates unique bonds. You push each other. You want the best for each other. It's a unique and awesome experience."

But as much as you prepare, there are always moments that remind you that we're all human. When it came to race day, our COO-turned-sled-pusher, Susie, showed up a bit less confident than we'd come to expect. She went as far as calling herself "the weakest link". No such thing here.

Because let's be real. None of us are pros. Some have more experience than others. Some are in better shape. But the important part? We all showed up. And as long as you show up – you don't have to be perfect. It's true in competing, in training, and in life.

Race Day: What It's Like Participating in a Hyrox Competition

Nothing matches the feeling of stepping into the arena. Music bumping. People everywhere. The smell of chalk and adrenaline. You see your teammates, and suddenly all those brutal sessions make sense.

"Before the race, it's like, 'Am I going to be able to do any of this?' But once it starts, you see all the people counting on you that have worked their asses off. Suddenly, I'm pushing that sled and I see ten teammates with NOBULL on their chest going 'Go, Sus, go!'. And now you just can't stop pushing that thing. It meant everything to me."

"I SMASHED it! Seeing all the NOBULL people waving and cheering us on – that was all the dopamine I needed."

"You can't ever know where you really stand because people race in multiple waves. In a way, it just becomes about what you can do, or what you and your teammates can do together. Nobody else. That's what I loved about it."

"I learned that there is no simulating the real thing. Event energy and adrenaline will always play a huge part. And the competitor in me immediately wanted to get back to work and beat my time."

By the end, we were a little wrecked. But we were proud. As Susie said, "You can talk about teamwork in a meeting, but when you live it – yeah, that's when it sticks."

Why Our Team Trains in Drive Ripstop: the Versatile Shoe Built for Hybrid Training

Whether you're prepping for Hyrox or just hybrid training for fitness goals, your gear has to keep up.

Most of us trained and competed in the Drive Ripstop, a purpose-built shoe that quickly became the team's favorite. It was designed for exactly this kind of work – stable for wall balls, grippy for lunges, responsive for runs.

"The foundation felt super strong for sled pushes and lunges."

"That Pebax springiness felt amazing every time I pushed off."

Put simply, hybrid workouts demand a balance of cushion and control. The Drive Ripstop nails both.

And when it comes to the rest of your gear? You don't have to reinvent the wheel. Your go-to athletic tee and shorts should get the job done. But if you need a little extra motivation, or just want everyone to know who you're training with – a NOBULLshirt is what you need.

Under the logo, you'll find our performance TENCEL blend perfect for sweating in. Plus, our standout colors are designed to pop – even in a dark, sweaty Hyrox arena. As Megan put it, "I went with a Neon Yellow Fitted Tee, which was incredibly sweat-wicking AND made it easier for my fans (I mean, family and friends) to find me and cheer me on."

Show up, show out.

What Hyrox Taught Us: Training Tips From our Team

When you train for something this tough, you can't help but learn a thing or two.

• Train smart, not just hard. Lift heavy. Run fast. And recover well.
• Don't go it alone. "Marching toward something with colleagues – or any kind of team – helps you disconnect from the grind," Pete said.
• Pace yourself. Ego burns out WAY faster than muscle. Ask any of us. Find your pace and aim for consistency above all else.
• Fuel right. Micha nailed it – "I've gotten to know my body better, and getting enough protein and electrolytes is how I perform at the standard I've actually trained to."
• Show up no matter what. Esther wasn't always motivated. But a little fear works too: "If you don't show up today, it's only going to be that much harder on the big day."

The NOBULL Mentality: Doing Hard Things Together

For us, Hyrox Boston wasn't about a podium finish. It wasn't about PRs, either (though for some of us, the next one might be). It was about proving how far the right team – and the right mentality – can take you.

"You can work with someone every day, but when you train and compete with them, you get to know them on a different level. And that can only really come from doing hard things together. You get to know each other quickly! lol"

"Simple answer? NOBULL belongs at Hyrox because it's all about hybrid fitness, and we make the shoes and the gear. Ok, cool."

"But there's a deeper answer there, too. It's become a place for athletes of all backgrounds and capabilities to show up and push themselves and each other. To "Be U." And look around – everyone's smiling. Sweating, but smiling. That's the difference that teamwork and community make, and that's what NOBULL is all about."

Hybrid fitness isn't a trend. And the NOBULL mentality isn't either. It's how we build. It's how we train. It's how we live. And it's simple:

Show up. Do hard things. Together.