[UPDATED] Hybrid Athlete - A new chapter on the journey to find myself! ❤🤙🏃‍♂️🔥💪⭐

Freedom, my dear friend Freedom! NEXT LEVEL! IM LEVELING UP!

I have been doing CrossFit since 2015 and my desire is to be able to do it (whatever name and definition it has) until I’m of old age. But moving forward I will no longer subscribe to CrossFit classes and coaches! …This is not a good bye, I love CrossFit! ❤

2002-2014 I worked as an airplane loader (later Loadmaster / Loading Supervisor) for SAS - Scandinavian Airlines in Sweden. On the very last day I was excited to quit and start a new life with my wife in America. In all that excitement I loaded a pallet box (way too heavy) onto an airplane by lifting it very poorly. We should have used a forklift. This recklessness took out my back and spine! ☠

June 2025 - My fitness is hiding this from the world. // I do plan to focus on fixing it.

Because of this mishap now 10 years ago, my back still gets crooked and tilted anytime I strain a muscle in my hips or back. I was a mess when I moved to America and started a new job as computer programmer, sitting at a desk all day! 💩

A friend of mine, Kurt, pushed me to start working out and exercising! Kurt then later introduced me to CrossFit. Wow! The different gyms I have gone to and the coaches I have had, has not only helped me building up amazing symmetrical strength that has been full on rehab for me, but it has also made me fit for life and the outdoors! — I do recommend for beginners to join CrossFit gyms and subscribe to classes! 🤙 …But even back then I found the wisdom to start walking every lunch break in the park. I’m certain this is why I have stayed healthy and away from the ⚕

Today I run ultra-marathons every year with over 10,000 ft. of vertical gain. Yes, you train by running a lot, but CrossFit has played a massive role for me to get here. It has prepared my mind, core and legs for endurance. Running does not make you weaker, but losing a lot of body weight will have an impact for sure. 🏃‍♂️⛰ …Running has rehabilitated most of my workout related injuries. Even a torn deltoid muscle!

I also have a home gym in my garage. I have (or have had) a squat rack, barbells and weights, bench press station, gym mats with space for any CrossFit workout (Kettlebells, Dumbbells, 150 lb. Sandbag, Abmat sit-ups, etc.), Rower, bike and treadmills. I have spent a lot of money and time on this. I call it independence and it is the single most important skill for personal success!🥊🔥

I’m gonna do today what other people aren’t willing to. So I can do tomorrow, what other people can’t. - MAT FRASER

Today I’m finally at the point where I’m confident/skilled to do my own programming and enough motivated (by Garmin data 😍) to push through alone. It is great to have coaches that can point out whenever form is slacking and getting help learning new things. I would never have learned BMU (Bar Muscle Up’s) without Janeen’s amazing pointers! 👍 It is nice to workout with my friends… but if your training is based on if they show up or not; you are doomed to fail …remember that thing I wrote about independence?

Fitness is so much more to me than just a short WOD (Workout of the day) sprinkled with some random strength programming. Let’s examine some points!

1. Every CrossFit Games athlete is a HYBRID ATHLETE and openly train like one. They train strength and aerobic endurance at a way higher level and are fully committed on their own. ESPECIALLY WHEN NO ONE IS WATCHING. 👈

2. I see guys at class who can lift heavy and spike their heart rate to max for a few minutes per day, but then go sit the rest of the time and fall below 7K steps per day! 👎 This is BAD ENERGY! ☠☠☠☠☠

3. I have seen proof of my own heart getting stronger when I take zone 2 training seriously and balance my training 80-20 on intensity. // A lot of “hybrid athletes” mistakenly remove all high intensity from their training. And the popular Hyrox sport exclude Olympic lifting and gymnastics… Like road runners that never run on trail. Always this narrow-mindedness.

I don’t aspire to go to the CrossFit games or be a professional athlete. But I do aspire to be in the best shape I can for a good life with family and friends. Longevity is the star I follow. ⭐

I plan to log my weekly training and data here on Substack as premium content. Inspired by Wes Plate! Wes is a runner. I am much more than that and I even struggle with the definition Hybrid Athlete….

Garmin Data June 2023 - December 2024 = 18 months

June 2025 — still going: