NO BS Podcast | Hyrox Training and Peak Performance Tips

Episode

• 
  The Addiction Nobody Talks About | When Discipline Becomes Self-Destruction 05.08.2026 10mnt

  In this episode of the No BS Performance Podcast, Brian discusses the fine line between discipline and obsession in fitness. He reflects on his personal journey with exercise addiction, the impact of AFib on his training, and the importance of recovery. Brian emphasises the need for athletes to listen to their bodies and redefine what success means in their training routines.
• 
  7 Performance Principles That Shape Winning Athletes | Discipline & Mindset 29.07.2026 16mnt

  What separates high performers from everyone else?After 25 episodes of conversations with Royal Marines, elite athletes, coaches and everyday people pushing their limits, I've realised that success almost always comes back to the same core principles.In this milestone solo episode, I share the seven performance principles that have shaped my coaching philosophy through over 30 years of military service, emergency services, endurance sport and coaching athletes of all ages.We'll revisit some of the biggest lessons from previous guests and episodes, including why environment matters more than motivation, how confidence is earned through action, why pressure reveals preparation, and the habits that create lasting performance both in sport and in life.Whether you're training for HYROX, triathlon, endurance events, or simply looking to become a stronger, more resilient version of yourself, these are the principles that underpin everything we do at No BS Performance.In this episode you'll learn:Why environment beats willpowerHow to build real confidenceWhy consistency always winsWhat pressure really revealsThe importance of recovery and lifestyleWhy comparison holds athletes backThe common traits shared by every high performerThis isn't just a look back at the first 25 episodes, it's the foundation for everything still to come.
• 
  Mental Toughness Strategy | Former Royal Marine Pete Leahy on Resilience 22.07.2026 38mnt

  Most athletes quit mentally long before their bodies reach their limit. In this episode, mental resilience expert and former Royal Marine Pete Leahy shares the exact psychological triggers that make elite performers push through pain, pressure, and doubt and the practical strategies you can use to recognise when your mind is giving up and how to override it. Learn how to build the peak performance mindset that separates HYROX winners from the rest.
• 
  Why You're Closer Than You Think | The Perseverance Mindset 15.07.2026 14mnt

  Most people quit their biggest goals just before the breakthrough. In this episode, Brian explores the perseverance mindset that separates elite athletes from the rest, why the middle of any journey (HYROX training, business, relationships) is where dreams die, and the one mental resilience shift that changes everything. Real stories from high performers who almost quit, and exactly why you're probably closer than you think.
• 
  Motivation Isn't Enough | The Mental Toughness Strategy That Actually Works 08.07.2026 10mnt

  Motivation is the lie holding you back from peak performance. In this episode, Brian Stokes breaks down the mental toughness strategies elite athletes and military performers use instead, diving into why discipline, systems, and mental resilience beat inspiration every single time. Discover the framework that separates serious HYROX racers from casual dreamers and unlock the real secret to sustainable high performance training.
• 
  The Outcome Trap | Why Parents Sabotage Young Athletes' Growth 01.07.2026 10mnt

  Parents often sabotage young athletes by chasing outcomes instead of fostering passion. In this episode, Brian explores the biggest kids fitness mistake and how elite athlete parents actually think about development, resilience, and long-term performance. Real strategies to build mentally tough, joy-focused competitors.
• 
  Life Lessons From HYROX | Recovery, Community & Mindset at 54 24.06.2026 13mnt

  At 54, Brian Stokes competed at the HYROX World Championships and learned more about life than performance. In this episode, Brian reflects on HYROX training, recovery strategies, and the elite athlete mindset that matter most, why health beats competition, why community amplifies resilience, and why comparison is the thief of joy. Discover the mental toughness framework that separates sustainable peak performance from burnout.
• 
  Recovery Weeks Done Right | Endurance Training for Long-Term Performance 17.06.2026 11mnt

  Recovery and endurance sports training aren't passive, they're strategic. After a Triathlon, HYROX or endurance event, your recovery week determines whether you adapt stronger or regress. Brian Stokes walks through the exact training strategies elite athletes use: active recovery pacing, when to avoid intensity, how to manage fatigue without losing fitness, and structuring your return to training for peak performance. This is the recovery framework that separates competitors from champions.
• 
  Junior HYROX | Is Functional Fitness Training Safe for Kids? 11.06.2026 16mnt

  Junior HYROX | Is it actually good for kids? We cut through the hype on functional fitness training for young athletes. Brian Stokes breaks down whether HYROX training is developmentally appropriate, what coaches and parents need to know, and how to safely introduce hybrid training to kids without burning them out. Real talk on kids fitness from a former Royal Marines Commando.
• 
  Peak Performance Under Pressure | Military Mindset & Elite Athlete Resilience | JD Tremblay 03.06.2026 54mnt

  Peak performance under pressure isn't about toughness alone. In this episode, JD Tremblay reveals what extreme endurance and military environments teach us about resilience under pressure, recovery mistakes, and elite athlete mindset. Discover why high performers crumble, the line between discipline and self-destruction, and what sustainable peak performance actually looks like, no BS.
• 
  Mastering The Grind | How Boring Training Strategies Build Peak Performance 27.05.2026 15mnt

  Elite athletes aren't built on flashy workouts, they're built on the boring stuff. In this episode, Brian Stokes breaks down why mastering training strategies and consistent fundamentals separate peak performers from the rest. Drawing on his military commando background, discover the unglamorous discipline, periodisation, and daily habits that create true elite athletic resilience. If you're chasing peak performance in Hyrox, endurance sports, or hybrid training, this is the mindset shift you need.
• 
  Mental Toughness Under Pressure | Why High Performers Thrive 20.05.2026 16mnt

  Mental toughness and resilience under pressure are what separate good athletes from elite performers. In this episode, Brian reveals why pressure actually unlocks human potential and why most modern training environments remove it completely. Drawing on his military background, racing experience, and coaching insights, discover how controlled adversity builds the mental resilience you need to excel in HYROX and peak performance.
• 
  Functional Fitness For Kids | Why Traditional Programs Fall Short 13.05.2026 17mnt

  Most kids' fitness programs miss the mark, they're disconnected from real performance. In this episode, Brian Stokes breaks down why traditional youth fitness fails and reveals the functional fitness methodology that builds genuine athletic resilience, endurance athlete mindset, and physical fitness that actually transfers to life. If you're coaching young athletes or want to understand what peak performance training looks like from the ground up, this cuts through the noise.
• 
  The Community Effect in HYROX Training | Athlete Mindset Unlocked 06.05.2026 17mnt

  Why do athletes push harder in HYROX training than they ever do alone? This episode explores the real science behind group fitness accountability, structure, and community and how hybrid training environments unlock peak performance. Brian sits down to unpack the HYROX community effect, drawing on functional fitness training principles, military unit cohesion lessons, and athlete mindset research to show why competition and camaraderie aren't just nice-to-haves, they're performance multipliers.hyrox trainingfunctional fitness traininghyrox race preparationphysical fitness
• 
  Recovery, Resilience & Elite Performance | Jaco van Gass Part 2 29.04.2026 1j 3mnt

  In this second part, Brian continues the conversation with Jaco van Gass, diving into the journey of rebuilding after life-changing injury and what it really takes to reach the top of elite sport.Jaco shares how he adapted both physically and mentally in the early stages of recovery, and how sport became a vehicle for purpose and progression. From exploring different pathways in adaptive sport to committing fully to cycling, this episode follows the transition from starting again to competing at the highest level.The conversation also expands beyond sport, covering extreme expeditions including the North Pole and Mount Everest, and the lessons learned around teamwork, trust, and decision-making in high-risk environments. Jaco reflects on the mindset required to perform under pressure, the evolution of his training, and what it took to achieve Paralympic success.This episode brings the full journey together, from rebuilding identity to performing on the world stage.Key topics:Injury recovery and adaptationTransition into adaptive sportExtreme expeditions: North Pole and EverestTeamwork and leadership in high-risk environmentsMental toughness and performance mindsetJourney to Paralympic successTakeaways:Rebuilding starts with small, consistent steps forwardThe right environment and people are key to long-term successTrust and teamwork are critical in high-pressure situationsPerformance is built through discipline, not motivationAdapting to challenges creates new opportunities for growthhttps://www.jacovangass.com/https://www.instagram.com/jacovangass/
• 
  When Everything Changes | Military Mindset & Human Performance (Jaco van Gass) 22.04.2026 57mnt

  In this powerful first part, Brian sits down with Paralympic gold medallist and former Paratrooper Jaco van Gass to explore the early stages of his journey, from military life to the life-changing moment in Afghanistan that altered everything.Jaco shares his path into the Paras, the mindset required for military service, and the reality of deployment. He then opens up about the day of the IED explosion, what he remembers, and the immediate aftermath of his injuries.This episode sets the foundation for an incredible story of resilience, identity, and rebuilding, leading into Part 2, where the journey continues.Key topics:Life in the ParatroopersMindset in high-pressure environmentsThe Afghanistan deployment experienceThe IED incident and injuriesImmediate aftermath and early recoveryTakeaways:Life can change in a moment , how you respond defines what comes nextMental resilience is built long before it’s testedIdentity plays a huge role in how we handle adversityThere is always a starting point for rebuildinghttps://www.jacovangass.com/https://www.instagram.com/jacovangass/
• 
  When Your Heart Fails Mid-Race | Resilience & Smart Training Calls 15.04.2026 9mnt

  In this solo episode of the No BS Performance Podcast, I break down a real moment from racing where something didn’t feel right and why it turned out to be more serious than just fatigue.Mid-race, my heart lost rhythm. Not just high effort… but completely out of sync.This episode is a straight-talking look at:What AFib actually is (without the medical jargon)How it felt in the middle of a raceThe warning signs most athletes ignoreWhy having the right people around you mattersAnd how I’m now adapting my training to stay in control and keep performingThis isn’t about fear, it’s about awareness.If you’re training hard, racing HYROX, or pushing performance alongside a busy life… this is something you need to understand.No fluff, no gimmicks, just real performance.If this episode helps, share it with someone who needs to hear it.And if you’ve experienced anything similar, drop me a message. I reply within 36 hours. https://www.instagram.com/brian_stokes_coaching/
• 
  From Rowing to HYROX: Training Strategies for Extreme Endurance | Mike Ellicock 08.04.2026 50mnt

  Most people wouldn’t even attempt rowing around the UK.Mike Ellicock did it.In this episode, we break down what it really takes to push through extreme endurance challenges, from rowing around Britain to chasing marathon records and now stepping into HYROX.This is a conversation about real performance, not theory.We get into mindset, resilience, fuelling, and what separates those who keep going from those who stop when it gets tough.In This EpisodeRowing around the UK, the planning, execution, and mental resilienceWhat it’s really like dealing with tides, weather, and long days aloneMarathon world record attempt, pacing, fuelling, and lessons learnedThe biggest mistakes endurance athletes are still makingWhy simple training and nutrition principles always winMilitary mindset and how it transfers into performanceHYROX race breakdown, what went right and what didn’tWhat it’ll take to go sub-60Resources https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-ellicock/https://plainnumbers.org.uk/https://www.pegasusround.uk/If you enjoyed this episode, share it, tag us, and let us know your biggest takeaway.
• 
  From Royal Marines to Olympic Bobsleigh: Elite Performance with Lee Johnston 01.04.2026 52mnt

  Lee Johnston built his elite performance foundation as a Royal Marines Commando, then proved it works across three Olympic Games and 12 British bobsleigh championships. Now coaching international teams, he reveals exactly how military discipline, long-term consistency, and pressure protocols create world-class athletes. In this episode, we unpack the systems behind peak performance, from how top competitors train when it matters least to the one coaching principle that separates champions from everyone else.Why the start is everything in bobsleigh (and performance in general)How to build real mental resilience under pressureThe difference between average, good, and elite performersLessons from the Royal Marines mindset applied to sportWhy discipline and consistency beat motivation every timeHow to overcome setbacks, physically and mentallyWhat great coaching actually looks likeInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/backflip_boba/Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lee.johnstonBritish Bobsleigh Team: https://www.britishbobsleigh.co.uk/Olympic Bobsleigh Info: https://olympics.com/en/olympic-games/beijing-2022Sports Psychology Basics: https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/sports-psychologyRoyal Marines: https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/our-organisation/the-fighting-arms/royal-marines
• 
  Building Resilience After Combat | Dan Holder's PTSD to Peak Performance 25.03.2026 1j 16mnt

  One of the most powerful conversations I’ve had, this one goes deep.Royal Marines commando Dan Holder reveals how military performance discipline, PTSD recovery, and extreme endurance sports converge to unlock elite athlete mindset. In this raw conversation, discover the unexpected link between combat resilience and peak performance—and how redefining your limits changes everything. Real strategies. No fluff.resiliencemilitary fitness+ mental resilienceendurance athlete mindsetmilitary performanceGuest links:https://instagram.com/dutyhappyblokehttps://atomicrambo.com