The Race Space Podcast

The Race Space Podcast

A Peer-to-Peer community-driven podcast born in the UAE where we talk all things endurance sports.

  1. Sep 3

    🔥 Forge of Champions: 🔥 Heat, Endurance & Hybrid Mastery 🚨 Spartan Middle East Ambassadors 🚨 Mohammad Bazara & Layton Thomas ⚡️

    🚨 Forge of Champions: Heat, Endurance, & Hybrid Mastery  ⚡️ Ambassador Panel Discussion: Mohammad Bazara & Layton Thomas ⚡️ Date & Time:  01st September 07:00pm - 08:30pm  Host: RA George Contact details - IG Mohammad Bazara @mhdbaz Use Code - MOHAMMAD20 for upcoming races Layton Thomas, @aytonthomass & @mafiamornings Use Code - LAYTON20 for upcoming races Spartan DEKA FIT - Registration link hereSpartan Super and Sprint Al Ain 10th October Registration link hereTough Mudder - 31st October Registration link hereSummary In this episode, we explore the journeys of obstacle course racing athletes and Spartan Middle East Ambassadors, discussing training, event preparation, mental resilience, and the future of the sport in the Middle East. In this episode, we explore the future of AI, training strategies, event planning, and the unique community aspects of obstacle course racing. Our experts share insights on how technology and community shape the sport and personal development. Key Topics Athletes' backgrounds and journey into obstacle course racing Training strategies for OCR and hybrid events Event organization and safety improvements Mental resilience in challenging race conditions The role of brand ambassadorship in sports community Impact of race formats on athlete performance Use of AI in training and race preparation AI's impact on sports and training Community and emotional connection in OCR Peak performance identification and recovery Event planning and location selection Innovative training facilities and locations Takeaways AI helps in sports by providing intuitive, personalized insights. Community and emotional bonds are irreplaceable by AI. Listening to your body is crucial for optimal training and recovery. Consistent scheduling and location planning improve event engagement. Unique locations like Al Kutra Yoga Center can elevate race experiences. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to AI and Community in OCR 00:15 Introduction of Athletes and Event Overview 01:21 Athletes' Backgrounds and Journey into OCR 02:25 AI's Role in Enhancing Sports and Training 03:10 Evolution of Fitness and Race Experience 05:06 Community Building and Emotional Connections in OCR 05:40 Recent Race Experiences and Event Feedback 07:30 Safety and Organization in Races 08:10 Identifying Peak Performance and Recovery Signs 09:42 Training for Different Race Demands 11:56 Event Planning: Fixing Dates and Locations 12:15 Transitioning from Endurance to Explosive Power 13:20 Resilience in Extreme Conditions 14:49 Role of Ambassadorship and Community Influence 15:47 Training Facilities and Location Recommendations 17:10 Overcoming Race Challenges and Mental Toughness 19:16 Lessons from Near Failures and Injuries 20:03 Future Ultra and Spartan Events in the Middle East 22:26 Discipline vs Motivation in Training 24:17 Advice for Beginners and Aspiring Athletes 25:33 Celebrity and Athlete Predictions for OCR 27:29 Preparing for Races in Extreme Heat 29:57 Final Thoughts and Community Engagement 32:51 Integrating OCR Training into Iron Man Preparation 35:16 The Impact of Specific Race Zones on Performance 36:21 The Future of DECA Teams and Race Formats 39:38 Race Day Strategies for Hot Weather 42:22 Use of AI in Training and Race Preparation

  2. Sep 3

    📜 THE AMBASSADOR PLAYBOOK: Beyond the Fire Jump 🔥 | Spartan ⚔️ DEKA 🏋️ Desert Racing 🏜️

    📜 THE AMBASSADOR PLAYBOOK: Beyond the Fire Jump 🔥 | Spartan ⚔️ DEKA 🏋️ Desert Racing 🏜️ ⚡️ Spartan Middle East Ambassador Panel: Justine Welch, Artem Kremko & Nisha Alagha ⚡️ Host: RA George Contact info Justine Welch @ustine1616fitnessArtem Kremko @trustkremNisha Alagha @fit.by.nisha.dxb Spartan DEKA FIT - Registration link here Spartan Super and Sprint Al Ain 10th October Registration link here Tough Mudder - 31st October Registration link here 🏆 2026 Abu Dhabi Spartan World Championship Weekend Registration link here 🏆 Topics: Spartan Racing, DEKA FIT, OCR, Hybrid Training, Endurance, Heat Management, Hydration, Nutrition, Mindset & Coaching 🔥 In This Episode: Justine, Artem and Nisha share their personal Spartan journeys, how they got into OCR and DEKA, the challenges of training in the UAE heat, overcoming mental barriers, preparing for races and what it really means to represent Spartan Middle East as an ambassador. 💪 Key Discussion Points: 🏃 How Justine, Artem and Nisha started their Spartan journeys 🧠 Overcoming fear, self-doubt and mental barriers 🔥 Training and racing in Dubai’s extreme heat and humidity 💧 Hydration, electrolytes and managing fluids during races ⚡ DEKA FIT training and preparing for the different zones 🏃 Zone 2 training and building endurance for DEKA, Hyrox and ultra racing 🏋️ Combining strength, running and hybrid training 🥵 Managing fatigue, recovery and recognising overtraining 🥇 Race-day preparation and achieving peak performance 👟 Choosing the right footwear for different types of races 🤝 Building the OCR, Spartan and fitness community in the UAE 👑 What it means to be a Spartan Middle East Ambassador 🎯 Yancy Culp — Spartan DEKA Co-Creator & Senior Director — asks the panel about celebrating fitness for ALL levels and how DEKA can encourage beginners to start their fitness journey ⚡ How DEKA can make fitness more accessible to people who are new to training 🌍 The future of Spartan and DEKA events across the Middle East 🏆 Upcoming Events Discussed: ⚡ Spartan DEKA FIT — 26th September at Coca-Cola Arena Registration link ⁠here 🏃 Spartan Super & Sprint — 10th October in Al Ain Registration link ⁠here 🔥 Tough Mudder — 31st October Registration link ⁠here 🏆 Spartan World Championship — Abu Dhabi

  3. Jul 18

    🔥 The Unbreakable Circle : Conquering Desert OCR & Hybrid Fitness 🔴

    🔥 The Unbreakable Circle: Heat, Grit, & Mindset for Desert OCR & Hybrid Fitness 🔴 Ambassador Panel Discussion: Haythem, RO, Abdullah & George (Host)  Instagram handle - haythemhosny audiomonkey, abdulla_alfadhul black__incarnation Ambassador's code for the upcoming DEKA FIT event at the Coca-Cola Arena Haythem20Roshan20Addulla20George20 💯 Register for DEKA FIT Dubai @ Coca-Cola Arena here Follow Spartan Race Middle East Spartan Race Middle East - spartanmiddleeastDEKA Middle East deka.middleeastTough Mudder Middle East toughmuddermiddleeastSpartan Run Club on Starva here EPISODE HIGHLIGHTS & THEMES The Reality of OCR: Grit, Guts, and Community What does it actually take to be "unbreakable" in the Middle East obstacle course racing scene? In this episode of The Race Space Podcast, RA George sits down with Spartan ambassadors Haythem, Roshan, and Abdullah. From brutal injury comebacks to surviving the scorching heat of the Liwa desert, they reveal what goes on behind the scenes of the sport—and why raw passion always beats an influencer paycheck. 🔴 The Reality of "Unbreakable": The panel didn't sugarcoat the sport. Abdullah sharing his brutal story of tearing both lats during a Trifecta weekend, Roshan fighting through a three-disc herniation, and Haythem literally crawling on all fours in Liwa perfectly encapsulated the mental grit required. 🔴 Ambassadors vs. Influencers: A powerful segment where the guys emphasized that they do this for the pure passion and community, not a paycheck. They act as the literal backbone and face of the brand in the region. 🔴 Constructive Feedback for Spartan ME: Abdullah dropped some excellent, candid truth bombs about wanting the organization to expand demographically beyond just the UAE to reclaim its true "Middle East" tour status, alongside a call for a clearer, structured ambassador program. Roshan also threw a massive plug in for wanting an Ultra event in the region. 🔴 Tactical Takeaways: Great conversational value for listeners—from the importance of specialized footwear (shoutout to Hoka) and compression socks to the hilarious "what not to do" nutrition tips (like Abdullah's warning about pre-race iced Americanos). 🔴 Subscribe to The Race Space Podcast on Spotify so you never miss an episode!

  4. Mar 5

    💪🔥 Unbreakable Grit – Rise & Conquer: From Obstacles to Triumph 🏆⚔️ 🏃‍♂️🌪️ Hussain Alessa’s Fitness & Spartan Race Legacy 🛡️🔥

    🔥 Episode Overview In this episode, R.A George sits down with Hussain to talk about mindset, sustainability in fitness, Spartan racing, hybrid training, and the difference between passion and talent. From being an extremely skinny child to becoming a Spartan ambassador, Hussain shares the lessons that shaped his journey — and the mindset that fuels his performance. Upcoming Spartan DEKA event - Use code Hussain20 2026 DEKA FIT Skydive Dubai - Register here Hussain Alessa’s IG- coach_hussain Fit Story - YouTube channel here Fit Story - @fitstiry DEKA Strong 13th March T27 Roadshow here DEKA Strong 14th March Spirit Level here 🧠 Key Topics Covered💡 Powerful Quotes🏃 Spartan OCR & DEKA Insights🎯 Advice for Beginners Key highlights: Why most people gain weight during Ramadan (and how to avoid it) Sustainability vs extreme dieting The turning point that made Hussain become a coach Passion vs being “good” at something How Spartan racing builds mental resilience The 3-second mindset rule before any obstacle Favorite obstacle (Monkey Bars) & most hated (Spear Throw 😅) Why discipline beats motivation every time The danger of obsession in fitness Hybrid fitness vs traditional training Preventing overtraining with proactive deload weeks How to find your peak performance zone Why mindset is something AI can never replace “You’re capable of more than you think.” “Discipline over motivation — any day.” “Fitness should complement your life, not take over your life.” “Most limits exist in the mind before they exist in reality.” You don’t need to be elite to start Focus on running comfortably + grip strength No excuses — you can train with minimal equipment Every obstacle is won or lost in the mind first Focus on the bigger picture 9/10 right is better than chasing perfection Recovery is part of training Sustainability beats short-term intensity Hussain Alessa is a certified trainer, Spartan Middle East Ambassador, and podcast host dedicated to making fitness accessible and sustainable. His mission is simple: help people become stronger — physically and mentally.

  5. 04/15/2025

    🔥Unbreakable in the Desert🔥: The Desert Grit - Spartan Middle East Ambassadors Panel

    🔥 Spartan Middle East Ambassadors Panel –Shadi Nasser, Jason Castillo + Fahad Taqi + RA George (Host) Join George in this power-packed episode of The Race Space Podcast as he sits down with Spartan Race Middle East Ambassadors Shadi, Jason, and Fahad for an inspiring panel chat ahead of the iconic race at Bab Al Shams (April 19). USE DISCOUNT CODE : FOR 20% Discount - SHADI20 - JAYSON20 - FAHAD20 -GEORGE20 ***For Night Discount 30% use the following codes*** NIGHT ONLY - SHADINIGHT30 - JAYSONNIGHT30 -FAHADNIGHT30 -GEORGENIGHT30 Spartan Race Middle East - 19th April event - Sign up here Spartan Race The Arena, Bab Al Shams - Dawn 'Til Dusk Super 5km + 20 Obstacles Contaxt details for panel members Shadi Nasser: IG @shadijehadnaseer Jason Castillo: IG @masterjayson Fahad Taqi : IG @Fahad_taqi RA George (Host): IG @black_incarnation 💥 Expect stories, insights, laughs, and serious OCR wisdom from the best in the region! 🏁 Topics Covered: Meet the Ambassadors – Personal stories from Shadi, Jason, and Fahad on how they got into Spartan Racing Most Memorable Races – From brutal 26km challenges to emotional fire jumps and team-based achievements OCR as a Metaphor for Life – Overcoming physical and mental adversity on and off the course Advice for First-Time Racers – Training tips, hydration, gear suggestions, and mental preparation Family and Community Vibes – How Spartan racing becomes a lifestyle, with even kids joining the movement Spartan Race at Bab Al Shams – Expectations, new obstacles, gear recommendations, and heat preparation for the Dubai event Hybrid Fitness & AI in Sport – Thoughts on HYROX, DEKA, and the role of AI coaches in training What it Means to be an Ambassador – Responsibility, passion, and impact on the local fitness community The Iconic Fire Jump – The emotional moment that symbolizes every Spartan’s journey Post-Race Rituals – Recovery routines, cheat meals, and how Spartan racing becomes a family tradition 💬 Key Quotes: “Spartan is not just a race—it’s a lifestyle.” – Shadi “Just sign up. That’s the first step.” – Fahad “Being an ambassador is about inspiring others.” – Jason 🎧 Listen if you: Are racing on April 19 at Bab Al Shams Want to hear what OCR life is really like Need motivation to do your first (or next!) Spartan race Love stories of grit, teamwork, and personal growth Want gear tips, race prep hacks, and post-race rituals 🔥 Final tip: Just sign up. The first step is showing up. The rest will follow. 🙌 📲 Follow us on IG: @theracespacepodcast 🌐 🎉 Don’t forget to rate, follow & share with your Spartan crew!

  6. 01/02/2025

    AI Review 🚀🥊 Cyrus Rustom 🥊 “From Marine to Fitness Maverick: Cyrus Rustom’s Game-Changing Fitness Revolution”

    Episode Title: “From Marine to Fitness Maverick: Cyrus Rustom’s Game-Changing Fitness Revolution” Host: 🤖 AI Review Guest: 🥊 Cyrus Rustom, CEO of Boxica & Director of The Crucible Athlete In this unique AI-powered review of The Race Space Podcast, we dive into the fascinating conversation with Cyrus Rustom. From his incredible journey as a Royal Marine Commando to becoming a fitness pioneer, Cyrus shares how he redefined inclusivity and performance in the fitness world. Whether it’s building a welcoming community with Boxica or creating fair and exciting athletic challenges with The Crucible Athlete, this review explores the transformative impact of Cyrus’s work on fitness enthusiasts and competitors alike. Contact details LinkedIn - https://shorturl.at/ge5n1 Instagram ⁠⁠⁠@coachcyrus⁠⁠⁠ Business ventures ⁠⁠⁠Boxica ⁠⁠⁠ Website - https://boxica.ae/ LinkedIn - https://shorturl.at/dx66n Instagram -⁠⁠⁠@boxica⁠⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠⁠The Crucible Athlete⁠⁠⁠ ⚡️ Cyrus’s Journey: How he went from military life to leading the fitness industry. 🏋️‍♂️ Boxica’s Mission: Creating an inclusive fitness space where everyone feels at home. 🔥 The Crucible Athlete: A revolutionary approach to athletic competitions, focusing on raw performance and fairness. 💪 Lessons in Resilience: Practical insights on staying disciplined, consistent, and goal-oriented. 🎯 Visualization & Success: How goal-setting and vision boards drive focus and achievement. 🪖 Military Roots: How Cyrus applies his Commando discipline to fitness and business. 🤝 Inclusive Fitness Philosophy: Boxica’s innovative approach to creating a supportive fitness community. 🏆 The Crucible Athlete: Designed to challenge foundational athletic abilities, ensuring a level playing field for all. 📈 Adapting to Trends: How Boxica embraces trends like Hyrox without losing its core values. 📝 Entrepreneurial Insights: Cyrus’s advice on setting big goals, staying patient, and building consistency. “Resilience is about staying consistent and doing what needs to be done, especially when you don’t feel like it.” “Fitness isn’t just a lifestyle; it’s a priority that fuels your best self for personal and professional success.” “Set bigger goals for yourself and believe in your ability to achieve them.” Cyrus Rustom is a fitness entrepreneur and former Royal Marine Commando. As the CEO of Boxica, he has built a thriving fitness community in Dubai. Cyrus is also the visionary behind The Crucible Athlete, a competition designed to redefine athletic performance and inclusivity. The Crucible Athlete 📍 Location: ADNEC Center, Abu Dhabi This event focuses on foundational athletic movements, offering athletes of all levels an opportunity to showcase their true potential in a fair and supportive environment. Date: January 25, 2025 Location: ADNEC Center, Abu Dhabi Registration: https://competitioncorner.net/events/14766 Subscribe to The Race Space Podcast on your favorite platform.

    AI Review 🚀🥊 Cyrus Rustom 🥊 “From Marine to Fitness Maverick: Cyrus Rustom’s Game-Changing Fitness Revolution”
  7. 01/02/2025

    ⭕From Battlefield to Peak Performance⭕ Overcoming Challenges and Championing Change – Cyrus Rustom’s Fitness Revolution 🔥

    Episode Title: From Battlefield to Peak Performance: Overcoming Challenges and Championing Change – Cyrus Rustom’s Fitness Revolution Host: George Guest: Cyrus Rustom, CEO of Boxica and Director of The Crucible Athlete Contact details LinkedIn - https://shorturl.at/ge5n1 Instagram ⁠⁠@coachcyrus⁠⁠ Business ventures ⁠⁠Boxica ⁠⁠ Website - https://boxica.ae/ LinkedIn - https://shorturl.at/dx66n Instagram -⁠⁠@boxica⁠⁠ Instagram - ⁠The Crucible Athlete⁠⁠ Episode Overview This episode of The Race Space Podcast features the inspiring journey of Cyrus Rustom, a former Royal Marine Commando who transitioned into a leading figure in the fitness industry. Cyrus is the CEO of Boxica, a fitness community that emphasizes inclusivity, and the visionary Director of The Crucible Athlete, an event redefining athletic competitions. Cyrus shares his personal story of resilience, his decision to prioritize passion over monetary gain, and how his military background shaped his approach to fitness and entrepreneurship. He also delves into the creation of The Crucible Athlete, a competition designed to test raw athletic performance across foundational movements, eliminating skill-based advantages. Cyrus’s Transformation: From battlefield experiences and life-threatening injuries to becoming a successful entrepreneur and fitness advocate. Building a Fitness Community: How Boxica challenges traditional fitness norms and creates a welcoming space for everyone, regardless of fitness level. The Crucible Athlete: The philosophy and structure behind this groundbreaking competition, designed to level the playing field for all athletes. Resilience and Personal Growth: Cyrus shares life lessons on consistency, discipline, and staying true to oneself in the face of challenges. The Role of Habits: Why habits are more important than motivation, and how they form the foundation for long-term success. The Power of Visualization: How Cyrus uses vision boards and daily goal-setting to align his actions with his aspirations. Military Lessons Applied to Fitness: Cyrus discusses how his time as a Commando instilled values of discipline and adaptability, which he now applies to his business and fitness journey. Breaking Down Barriers in Fitness: Boxica’s mission is to create a welcoming, inclusive fitness community for everyone, regardless of experience or fitness level. It focuses on providing a non-intimidating environment where people feel supported as they work towards their goals. Boxica’s Core Offerings and Innovation: While rooted in boxing and strength training, Boxica adapts to fitness trends like Hyrox while maintaining its core principles of functional fitness, community engagement, and accessibility. Event Philosophy: The Crucible Athlete focuses on raw athletic output, featuring movements that test strength, endurance, and performance without requiring technical skill. Navigating Trends: How Boxica adapts to popular fitness movements like Hyrox while maintaining its core values. Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs: The importance of setting ambitious goals, being patient, and finding consistency through habits. "Resilience is about staying consistent and doing what needs to be done, especially when you don’t feel like it." "Fitness isn’t just a lifestyle; it’s a priority that fuels your best self for personal and professional success." "Set bigger goals for yourself and believe in your ability to achieve them." Cyrus Rustom is a fitness entrepreneur and former Royal Marine Commando. With over 17 years of experience in the fitness industry, he has built Boxica, a thriving community-focused gym in Dubai. As the Director of The Crucible Athlete, Cyrus is committed to creating innovative events that challenge athletes to push their limits and showcase their true potential. Date: January 25, 2025 Location: ADNEC Center, Abu Dhabi Registration: https://competitioncorner.net/events/14766 Subscribe to The Race Space Podcast on your favorite platform.

  8. 12/14/2024

    🔥 AI Review of the Episode: Conquering Obstacles – A Spartan Race Ambassador’s Journey of Grit, Fitness & Resilience 💪

    Participants: Spartan OG Ambassadors from the Middle East ⁠Rajeev Kumar⁠, ⁠Ahmad Alnuaimi⁠, ⁠Hussain Mohammed⁠, ⁠Amin Mombani⁠, ⁠Gordana Golovic⁠Host: ⁠RA George⁠ Sign up for Spartan Trifecta in Dubai here - https://race.spartan.com/en/race/detail/8646/overview Use the codes below to get a 20% Discount ⁠GORDANA20⁠ ⁠AMIN20⁠ ⁠AHMED20⁠ ⁠RAJEEV20⁠ ⁠HUSSAIN20⁠ ⁠GEORGE20 🏁 Introduction🔑 Key AI-Generated Takeaways: 1. How It All Began 🏃 2. Challenges and Achievements 🏆 3. Mental Toughness & Motivation 💪🧠 4. Preparation & Gear Insights 🎒 5. Being a Spartan Ambassador 🌟 6. Unbreakable Spirit: What It Means 🥇 7. Advice for Newcomers 🚀 8. Looking Ahead: Upcoming Dubai Trifecta 📅 AI-Generated Episode Overview: Using Notebook LM by Google, this episode was crafted to highlight the inspiring stories of six Spartan Race ambassadors from the Middle East. Their narratives reflect diverse careers and personal journeys in obstacle course racing (OCR). Through AI-powered analysis, we explore how they began their Spartan journeys, conquered challenges, and embodied the Spartan spirit. AI-driven insights emphasize how obstacle course racing has evolved into a global phenomenon. In the Middle East, Spartan Race has fostered a community of resilient competitors. This AI-curated episode spotlights six exceptional Spartan Race ambassadors whose stories of overcoming obstacles and achieving personal milestones exemplify the Spartan spirit. AI identified a shared motivation: the appeal of Spartan racing's multi-skill demands. Initial perceptions of exclusivity were debunked, highlighting the race’s inclusive nature. Cultural references like the movie 300 sparked initial interest, evolving into passionate involvement. Competing in the 2021 World Championship in Sparta proved more demanding than regional events. Overcoming injuries like back pain underscored personal resilience. AI detected a learning curve from brute strength to skill-based performance through coaching. AI-Extracted Mantras: “Mind over matter” and “I am stronger than I think.” Setback Recovery: Returning after a broken arm highlighted mental and physical resilience. Philosophical Insight: “Get comfortable with being uncomfortable” emerged as a central theme. Essential Gear Analysis: AI flagged OCR shoes, gaiters, compression socks, and protective sleeves as must-haves. Training vs. Race-Day Tips: The importance of pre-race gear testing emerged from AI summaries. Unique Rituals: Pre-race pizza loading stood out as an unconventional motivational strategy. Role & Influence: AI recognized the deep sense of responsibility and authenticity driving the ambassadors. Community Impact: Ambassadors' efforts to inspire others align with AI-identified leadership qualities. AI highlighted perseverance as central to the Spartan identity through quotes like: “Finish the race with a smile, focus on solutions.” “Push past limits both physically and mentally.” “Discomfort leads to growth.” Motivational Insights: “Excuses are just delays.” Growth Mindset: AI underscored the importance of learning from failure. Action-Oriented Advice: “Start now” resonated as a key motivational takeaway. Event Insights: The AI spotlighted the significance of the first-ever Dubai Trifecta at Dubai Parks and Resorts. Organizational Recommendations: Key AI-suggested improvements included stricter volunteer roles, experienced referees, and post-race recovery services. 🤖 Final AI Reflection: Through AI-driven storytelling, this episode captured the resilience, growth, and determination of Spartan Race ambassadors from the Middle East. Their experiences remind us that Spartan is not just a race but a lifestyle rooted in grit and personal transformation. 🔔 Stay Connected: Subscribe for more AI-powered podcast reviews showcasing stories of endurance, mental toughness, and the unbreakable Spartan spirit. Ready to face your next challenge? Sign up for the Dubai Trifecta and ignite your Spartan journey! 🏅

    🔥 AI Review of the Episode: Conquering Obstacles – A Spartan Race Ambassador’s Journey of Grit, Fitness & Resilience 💪

About

A Peer-to-Peer community-driven podcast born in the UAE where we talk all things endurance sports.