Atalanta

On this weeks episode we had the pleasure of sitting down in person with Rachel O'Connor.

Rachel is a seasoned Elite 15 athlete in the doubles division with her partner Maire McGinley, they competed in all 4 majors of the 25/26 season, narrowly missing out on qualifying for the Elite 15 Doubles at World Champs. They then went on to take the win in Stockholm for their AG division 35-39, becoming World Champions.

Rachel shares the highs and lows of the 25/26 season and what the coming season looks like for her. With rule changes and different qualifying systems we talk about what that means for some athletes and Rachel and Maire's partnership going forward.

We also dive into Rachels training, recovery and nutrition, how she is aiming to develop her performance as a solo athlete and some lessons learned over the years from training at a high level.

There's so much to take from this conversation ,Rachel is very humble and down to earth and shares invaluable advice about her training, race strategy and trusting the process. We loved recording this one, there's something really nice about sitting down together for an uninterrupted chat and getting to know a little more about the top athletes in the sport.

Follow Rachel over on instagram : @rach3oc

If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.

LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKD
MyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

HYROX isn't just a physical challenge—it's a mental one too.This week, we're joined by performance psychologist Dr. Haley Perlus, who has spent decades helping Olympic athletes, professional sports teams and high performers build confidence, perform under pressure and unlock their full potential.In this episode, we dive into what separates athletes who perform when it matters most. From dealing with pre-race nerves and overcoming negative self-talk to building genuine confidence and using pressure to your advantage, Hayley shares practical strategies that every athlete can apply—whether you're chasing a World Championship or your first HYROX finish line.We also discuss:- Why confidence isn't something you have—it's something you build.- How to reframe pressure into an opportunity.- Managing race-day nerves and anxiety.- The power of visualisation and mental rehearsal.- Why failure is one of the greatest performance tools.- Creating routines that help you perform consistently.If you've ever doubted yourself before a race, struggled with confidence or wondered how the best athletes stay composed under pressure, this episode is packed with takeaways you'll use long after you've finished listening.Follow Dr Haley over on instagram : @drhaleyperlus If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKDMyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

Vivian Tafuto has quietly become one of the most consistent athletes in HYROX.

An Elite 15 regular and now Elite 15 Doubles World Champion alongside Lauren Weeks, Vivian has spent the last few seasons proving that success isn't built on one standout performance—it's built on showing up, race after race.

In this episode, we catch up after the World Championships to talk about the highs of winning a world title, the disappointment of her individual race, and why she's already looking ahead to what's next.

We also dive into the mindset that's helped her stay at the top of the sport, balancing training with a full-time career, racing alongside Lauren Weeks, and why confidence, patience and consistency matter more than chasing perfection.

We also discuss body image in elite sport, social media pressures, and why focusing on what your body can do will always outweigh how it looks.

Whether you're chasing your first HYROX or racing at the highest level, this conversation is packed with honest reflections and lessons from one of the sport's very best.

Follow Vivian over on instagram : @Viviantafuto

If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.

LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKD
MyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

The 2026 HYROX World Champion is here!!

Just months after making the jump from elite marathon running to HYROX, Alyssa McElheny has reached the very top of the sport. But while the result looked effortless, the journey to that world title wasn’t that straight forward. 

In this episode, Alyssa takes us behind the scenes of her race week in Stockholm, including the freak accident just days before competing that left her questioning whether she'd even make it to the start line. She shares exactly what was going through her head, how she managed the pressure of racing the world's best, and why she was able to smile throughout the race!!

We also dive into what's changed since becoming World Champion, the lessons she's learned from her first HYROX season, how she's adapting her training as the sport evolves, and why recovery and longevity are becoming just as important as chasing performance.

Whether you're racing HYROX yourself or simply fascinated by what it takes to become the best in the world, this is an honest conversation about resilience, confidence, and embracing every moment of the journey.

Follow Alyssa over on instagram : @alyssamcelheny

If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.

LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKD
MyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.

What does it take to coach some of the best HYROX athletes in the world?
This week we're joined by Lauren Calvert – coach at Phase 7, coach to Elite 15 athletes including Gabby Moriarty, Zara Piergianni and Kat Parnell, alongside being an accomplished athlete herself and working full-time in the supplement industry.
We chat about how she balances it all, her coaching philosophy, and why building trust is at the heart of helping athletes perform at their best.
In this episode we discuss:
What separates the very best athletes from everyone else
The importance of resilience, communication and trust
Lessons from competing on SAS: Who Dares Wins
Building Phase 7 alongside Camille Grimes
The realities of juggling a full-time career, coaching and training
Why good coaching is about so much more than programming

Whether you're a coach, an athlete chasing your next PB, or simply fascinated by what goes on behind the scenes at the top of HYROX, this episode is packed with honest conversations, practical insights and plenty of laughs along the way.

Follow Lauren over on instagram : @laurencalvertj @phaseseven7

If you enjoyed this episode please consider following the show and leaving a review, it helps us reach more people and speak to more incredible guests!  Find us @weareatalanta and remember to tag us when you listen! Thank you, see you next week!

As always, a huge thank you to our sponsors for supporting us on this journey.

LSKD : Use code ATALANTA for 15% off LSKD
MyProtein : Use code ATALANTA for discount at checkout.