Introducing Dylan Scott: The Reigning North American HYROX Champion
In the ever-evolving world of competitive fitness, one name stands out among the elite: Dylan Scott. As the reigning North American HYROX Champion and a defending doubles World Champion, Dylan's journey to the top has been a testament to his unwavering dedication, grit, and passion for the sport.
Hailing from Wales, Dylan's athletic roots trace back to his days as a distance runner, where he excelled in track and cross-country throughout high school. However, a debilitating back injury during his college years threatened to derail his athletic aspirations. Undeterred, Dylan persevered, eventually finding his way to the world of HYROX, a grueling hybrid fitness competition that combines running, rowing, and a variety of strength-based challenges.
Embracing the HYROX Challenge: Dylan's Transition to a New Sport
The transition from distance running to the demanding world of HYROX was not without its challenges, but Dylan's innate athleticism and coachable mindset proved to be invaluable assets. "I've always kind of felt like I was a 'coachy' kind of guy," Dylan explains, "I noticed it even when I was competing in sports like I was the 'Big Brother' on the team."
This natural inclination towards coaching and mentorship led Dylan to collaborate with his friend and fellow HYROX athlete, Marcus Fon, who had recently started a training company. "He was like, 'Hey, if you'd ever like to come on and coach, there's a spot open for you,'" Dylan recalls. "I was like, 'Perfect.'"
Dylan's journey into the coaching realm was a deliberate one, as he wanted to ensure that he could provide his athletes with the highest level of guidance and support. "I really slow-rolled getting into it," he says, "and as of March this year, was when I really felt like everything's stable with the family, you know, having a son who's just like a year and a half old. We needed to make sure that all the kind of ducks were in a row before I started telling people, 'Hey, I'll coach you,' because when I do things, I want to do it well.'"
Unlocking the Secrets of HYROX Training: Dylan's Approach
As an elite HYROX athlete, Dylan's training regimen is a meticulously crafted blend of endurance, strength, and skill development. He emphasizes the importance of running, noting that "you're going to need to run more than you think you should" in order to succeed in the sport.
In addition to his extensive running program, Dylan also places a strong emphasis on ergometer (erg) work, logging an impressive 80-90 kilometers per week on the rowing machine. "I'm on the erg for a good 80 to 90 kilometers a week, which translates to about 50 miles," he explains. "And then I'm on the bike a ton, like I ride the bike around 35 to 40 kilometers a day. That's my morning, 'get up and push for about an hour and a half to two hours.'"
Dylan's training philosophy also includes the importance of "easy work" – long-duration, low-intensity sessions that build muscular endurance and overall durability. "It builds a lot of muscular endurance, builds a lot of durability," he says, "and even if you're not pushing it, pushing it really hard, you're still getting a lot of benefit from those things."
Balancing the Demands of Training and Life
Maintaining such a rigorous training schedule while also juggling the responsibilities of work and family life is no easy feat, but Dylan has learned to prioritize the three most important aspects of his life: "family, training, and work." He acknowledges that his life is not entirely balanced, but he believes that true excellence often requires a single-minded focus.
"I will definitely say my life is unbalanced," Dylan admits, "but I don't know how many people get to the top of anything with a super balanced life. It's not feasible."
Pushing the Limits: Dylan's HYROX Simulation Experience
As the HYROX Amsterdam event looms on the horizon, Dylan's training takes on an even more intense focus. He walks us through a grueling HYROX simulation, meticulously preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.
The simulation begins with a warm-up routine that includes a combination of movements to get Dylan's body primed and ready for the intense effort to come. "A lot of the times I have for different workouts, I'll have different warm-ups," he explains, "but it just depends on how I feel that day, like what do I feel like I really need to get warmed up for the workout today."
Once the warm-up is complete, Dylan launches into the simulation, which includes a 1,000-meter row, a 400-meter run on an assault runner, and a series of wall balls. Throughout the simulation, Dylan closely monitors his performance, making adjustments to ensure that he is replicating the demands of a real HYROX event as closely as possible.
Despite feeling the effects of fatigue and the challenging environmental conditions, Dylan pushes through, completing the simulation with a time of 57:15. "I think the final time on that was what, like 57:15?" he reflects. "Not bad for a simulation here, like you don't really have much of a rock zone, so I didn't have to deal with that that much, but I had basically a rock zone transition for the ski, and was playing with, I think the sleds were heavier than on race day they'll be, so I think that played into it, which is good."
Dylan's ability to push through the discomfort and maintain a strong performance, even when faced with less-than-ideal conditions, is a testament to his mental fortitude and unwavering commitment to the sport.
The Importance of Mindset: Dylan's Perspective on Success
For Dylan, the mental aspect of HYROX is just as crucial as the physical. He emphasizes the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and not letting the sport consume him mentally.
"I understand how fragile the human body is and how quickly this kind of stuff can go away," he says. "I've lost it before in life where I went like three years where I couldn't compete at all due to like chronic pain and issues with nerve problems, and so I just don't ever want to let my mind slip back to where I was the first time I ever got hurt like that because I lost like a sense of self and identity."
Dylan's approach to the sport is grounded in the belief that it should be an enjoyable experience, not just a relentless pursuit of victory. "I just want to make sure that while I'm doing all of this, if I get really worked up about it, I stop myself and go, 'Are you having fun?' Because if you're not having fun, I need you to reassess everything, because this is all just a game. It's all just a game. There's a little money involved, there's a little, you know, pride involved, but at the end of the day, sports is just recess. It's just adult recess with your friends, and you should really enjoy yourself doing it, because it's not that serious."
Embracing the HYROX Community: The Importance of Camaraderie
Beyond the individual pursuit of excellence, Dylan also recognizes the value of the HYROX community and the camaraderie that comes with it. "This is all just a game," he says, "it's all just a game. There's a little money involved, there's a little, you know, pride involved, but at the end of the day, sports is just recess. It's just adult recess with your friends, and you should really enjoy yourself doing it, because it's not that serious."
This sense of community and shared experience is a crucial aspect of Dylan's HYROX journey, as he not only competes for himself but also for the larger HYROX family. "I don't want it to consume me mentally," he explains, "in that like, I understand how fragile the human body is and how quickly this kind of stuff can go away."
Looking Ahead: Dylan's Goals and Aspirations
As Dylan sets his sights on the HYROX Amsterdam event, his goals are both ambitious and grounded in a deep appreciation for the sport. "I want to make it back to Worlds again," he says, "every single year that I've competed, I've been in the elite wave at World Championships, and I'd love to keep that going."
Beyond the pursuit of individual accolades, Dylan's primary focus is on maintaining a healthy and balanced perspective. "Every year I've raced, I've won at least one race, so I'd like to win another race this year at some point," he says, "but the biggest thing, it's just I don't want it to consume me mentally."
Dylan's journey serves as an inspiration to aspiring HYROX athletes, showcasing the power of dedication, resilience, and a positive mindset. As he continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the sport, Dylan's story reminds us that true success is not just about the medals and trophies, but about the journey itself – the challenges overcome, the lessons learned, and the joy found in the pursuit of excellence.
Key Takeaways for Aspiring HYROX Athletes
- Running is a crucial component of HYROX training – you'll need to run more than you think you should.
- Incorporate a balance of endurance, strength, and skill development into your training regimen.
- Don't underestimate the power of "easy work" – long-duration, low-intensity sessions can build muscular endurance and durability.
- Prioritize your mental well-being and maintain a positive mindset – don't let the sport consume you.
- Embrace the HYROX community and the camaraderie that comes with it – it's not just about individual success, but about the shared experience.
As Dylan Scott continues to push the boundaries of what's possible in the world of HYROX, his story serves as a powerful reminder that true excellence is not just about physical prowess, but also about the strength of the mind and the power of a positive, balanced perspective. By following in his footsteps and embracing the challenges of this dynamic sport, aspiring HYROX athletes can unlock their full potential and join the ranks of the elite.