NO BS Podcast | Hyrox Training and Peak Performance Tips

Brian Stokes Coaching | Hyrox and Hybrid Training Coach
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The NO BS Performance Podcast, hosted by Brian Stokes, dives deep into performance coaching and resilience strategies with elite athletes and experts. Discover real stories and practical advice on training and physical fitness to push human limits and excel in endurance, HYROX, and hybrid training. Transform your mindset and boost your performance with no-nonsense insights from a seasoned performance coach.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Hybrid Training with Purpose | HYROX's Social Performance Advantage

    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

    18 min

  2. 29 APR

    Recovery, Resilience & Elite Performance | Jaco van Gass Part 2

    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/

    1hr 4min

  3. 22 APR

    When Everything Changes | Military Mindset & Human Performance (Jaco van Gass)

    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/

    58 min

  4. 15 APR

    When Your Heart Fails Mid-Race | Resilience & Smart Training Calls

    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/

    9 min

  5. 8 APR

    From Rowing to HYROX: Training Strategies for Extreme Endurance | Mike Ellicock

    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 Episode Rowing 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-60 Resources 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.

    51 min

  6. 1 APR

    From Royal Marines to Olympic Bobsleigh: Elite Performance with Lee Johnston

    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.johnston British 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

    53 min

  7. 25 MAR

    Building Resilience After Combat | Dan Holder's PTSD to Peak Performance

    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/dutyhappybloke https://atomicrambo.com

    1hr 16min

  8. 18 MAR

    Building Resilience After Combat | Dan Holder's PTSD to Peak Performance

    Most endurance athletes overlook a crucial factor that can unlock their full potential, yet many get it wrong by overtraining or neglecting personalised data that could prevent burnout. In this episode, I break down simple, evidence-based strategies to optimise your aerobic engine, improve recovery, and avoid the danger of overtraining, all without overcomplicating your routine. Discover why VO2 max is just one piece of the puzzle, and how consistent base building, smart interval work, and precise heart rate monitoring can boost your performance. I share the best heart rate monitors on the market - warning: not all are created equal and reveal why a chest strap often beats a wristwatch for accuracy. Plus, I dive into how zones like zone 2 are powerful tools, but not magic bullets, emphasising the importance of personalized testing to truly calibrate your training. We also explore the value of lactate threshold and VO2 max tests, and why investing in proper testing can make your training smarter, not harder. Learn how to leverage this data to prevent overtraining, manage fatigue, and harness metrics like HRV for peak performance. If you’re racing soon, I'll give you actionable insights on fuelling, tapering, and race-day nutrition, so you perform at your best when it counts. Perfect for endurance athletes, triathletes, and anyone serious about training smarter, this episode is your guide to building a sustainable, high-performing engine that lasts. If you’re tired of guesswork and want to turn data into results, you’ll want to tune in now. Why this works: The introduction immediately highlights a common pain point, overtraining and lack of personalised data, sparking curiosity with a promise of practical, evidence-based solutions. The detailed breakdown appeals to serious athletes wanting actionable advice, making it both compelling and informative while fitting within platform constraints.

    17 min
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About

The NO BS Performance Podcast, hosted by Brian Stokes, dives deep into performance coaching and resilience strategies with elite athletes and experts. Discover real stories and practical advice on training and physical fitness to push human limits and excel in endurance, HYROX, and hybrid training. Transform your mindset and boost your performance with no-nonsense insights from a seasoned performance coach.

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