Forget Couch to 5K: These Everyday Athletes Proved the HYROX Fitness Race is for Everyone
Everyday athletes are reclaiming their place in sport, and I’m here for it. The daily doom-scroll through your social media feed can make it feel like everyone is faster, fitter, and stronger than you, and you’d be forgiven for thinking running and fitness races are reserved for the elite. But now, ordinary people who just enjoy exercising and challenging themselves are showing up in droves to try their hand at road running races and, even more recently, fitness races.
HYROX stands out as a race that truly welcomes everyone, no matter their fitness level. This was so perfectly demonstrated by Jenne-Lee Steyl and Rachel Joffe, two ordinary South African women who, with the guidance of their coach at Cape Town gym, HIIT Fitness, transformed from non-runners to triumphant finishers of the HYROX Women’s Doubles in Johannesburg. WomenStuff caught up with the pair to share their HYROX experience, because while it’s great hearing tips from the HYROX pros, sometimes the most inspiring stories come from people just like us.
Their journey is not just about crossing a finish line — it’s a powerful testament to the strength of dedication, the power of teamwork, and the belief that anyone can push their boundaries and achieve what once seemed impossible. This interview is for anyone who’s ever experienced that gut-wrenching feeling of imposter syndrome when standing at the start line for a race, or talked themselves out of evening registering for the race in the first place. If you’ve ever considered completing a HYROX race, this is your sign to just do it — the next South African event is in Cape Town this July, so there’s still plenty of time to train!
The road to HYROX
Jenne-Lee Steyl, who hadn’t run in five years, and Rachel Joffe, who had been away from running for a decade, both found themselves drawn to HYROX for different reasons. Jenne-Lee, initially a spectator at the HYROX Cape Town last year event, was captivated by the race’s intensity but left with a quiet determination to participate in the next one. Rachel, already hooked after completing a HYROX Relay, was eager to tackle the full doubles race. When Rachel sought a partner, Jenne-Lee hesitated at first but was ultimately persuaded by Rachel and their coach JP. Together, they embarked on a journey that would test their physical and mental limits, proving that HYROX isn’t just about being fit, it’s about showing up and giving it your all.
I was inspired to chat to the duo after a brief catch up with their coach, JP Owner of HIIT Fitness, a HYROX affiliated gym in Cape Town’s northern suburbs.
“Witnessing their journey from not having run in years to crossing the finish line at the HYROX Women’s Doubles in Johannesburg was nothing short of incredible,” explained JP. “From day one, their dedication during training at HIIT Fitness was unmatched. They showed up consistently, pushed their limits, and embraced every challenge with grit and heart. There were tough days, no doubt, but they never backed down.” JP continued; “seeing them cross that finish line, overwhelmed with emotion, was one of the proudest moments I’ve had as a coach. It wasn’t just about the race — it was about everything they overcame to get there. That moment captured the true spirit of transformation, and I feel honored to have been part of it.”
JENNE-LEE STEYL: A gentle nudge to the HYROX Johannesburg start line
WS: You’ve gone from doing no running to crossing the HYROX finish line. What inspired you to take on the challenge of the HYROX Women’s Doubles?
JS: Honestly, I was very hesitant at first. Because I was a spectator at the HYROX Cape Town event and could see how tough it was but for some reason I left that day with the thought in my head that I am going to take part in the next one. So, when Rachel, who had already done a HYROX Relay, was looking for a partner to do Doubles (with a little persuasion from my coach at HIIT Fitness) I agreed to be her partner. I hadn’t done any running training since 2020, and had only been doing strength and HIIT training, but in that moment of either bravery (or complete delusion) I said yes. Before I knew it, I was training for one of the toughest races of my life.
WS: HYROX is often called a sport for everyone. How did this event prove that to you personally, and what surprised you most about your own capabilities as you trained and competed?
JS: I love that HYROX doesn’t care what you look like, how much you weigh, or how long it’s been since you last ran. It just asks, can you show up and keep going? During the race, I saw people of all shapes, sizes, ages and differently abled athletes pushing themselves, and it was one of the most encouraging environments I’ve ever experienced.
What surprised me the most? The mental battle. We did our training at HIIT Fitness which is a HYROX-affiliated training studio so we just showed up everyday and they have a workout ready for us to do. Every session, every run, every sled push — I had to argue with myself. “This is tough, I can’t do this. Its tough, but you can do it,” or on a run it was; “I can’t run anymore.” Stop and walk for a bit – then you pick up the pace again.” And somehow, despite all the self-doubt, I kept going. The motivation and work ethic of the coaches at HIIT Fitness really carried me. I also learned that my body can do way more than I give it credit for.
WS: What about the finish line — can you take us back to that moment? What emotions were you feeling as you completed the race, and what did that achievement mean to you?
JS: Oh, there were tears. I really tried my best to fight it back because there were cameras and so many people were still cheering. I spent so much of the race wondering if I was actually going to make it. Even during the last stretch, I still wasn’t sure. And then — I did. Crossing that finish line, I felt everything. Relief. Pride. Exhaustion. Disbelief. And most of all, gratitude for my body. It was a moment I’ll never forget because it proved to me that I was so much stronger than I thought I was.
WS: Training for HYROX is no small feat, especially with your running hiatus. What was the toughest part of preparing for the event, and how did you support each other through those challenges?
JS: The running. Definitely the running. I went from zero running to running multiple times per week, and my legs were screaming at me the entire time. I started off with barely being able to run 1km without having to stop to rest to being very comfortable running a 5km under 35 minutes which has been the best I have ever done. During the runs — this is where choosing the right doubles partner showed — Rachel’s support helped me the most because she was patient when I needed breaks, pushed me when I wanted to quit, and never made me feel like I wasn’t strong enough. That motivated me to even run more, hold out longer and run a little faster.
And don’t even get me started on the burpee to broad jumps. This felt like it was personally trying to ruin my life. Goodness.
The nice thing about doing the Doubles and having a good Doubles partner is that we got to laugh through the struggles and we could feed off each other’s strengths and support each other’s weaknesses. During our training, we took one workout at a time and the same for race day — we took one run at a time, one station at a time and just pushed forward. This was also ingrained into us during our workout sessions by our Coach. He didn’t just focus on getting us physically fit for the race but also mentally fit.
WS: For other women who might feel hesitant to try something like HYROX, what advice would you give them?
JS: Commit before you’re ready. If you wait to feel “fit enough” or “strong enough,” you’ll never do it. I wasn’t ready when I started training, but I started anyway. And somehow, through all the sweat, pain, and mental breakdowns over the burpees, I got there. HYROX has changed how I see my own limits. I used to think of fitness races as something for other people — people who were naturally athletic or had been training for years. Now, I know it’s for me, too. And if it’s for me, then it’s for you, too.
So if you’re sitting there thinking, “I could never do that”—I used to think that too. And then I did it. And so can you.
RACHEL JOFFE: Once you pop you can’t stop!
WS: You’ve gone from doing no running to crossing the HYROX finish line. What inspired you to take on the challenge of the HYROX Women’s Doubles?
RJ: I hadn’t run in 10 years— aside from the odd 500m or so tossed into a conditioning workout — when I first learned about HYROX in June last year. I loved the concept as soon as I heard about it, and knowing it was coming to SA felt like the perfect next-level challenge for my training.
I rounded up three friends and convinced them to tackle the Relay at HYROX Cape Town as a way to dip our toes in and experience the event. In mid-June last year, I did my first training run since 2014 — a very slow and sweaty 4km trot with my relay teammate, who runs as her primary sport, gracefully motivating me.
After experiencing the incredible energy, community, and personal sense of achievement at HYROX Cape Town, I was hooked. I knew I wanted to tackle a Doubles race next to experience the full race while still keeping that element of teamwork and the special bond that comes from pushing through challenges together. When I heard Jen wanted to do HYROX Johannesburg, I approached her to team up. She was a bit hesitant at first, but I knew she was more than capable of crossing that finish line — I’d seen how hard she worked in some of the sessions we attended together. It was never about proving anything beyond the fact that we could finish, have fun doing it, and support each other every step of the way. For me, going from Relay to Doubles is a step up that perfectly captures what inspires me about HYROX — it’s me versus me. It motivates me to put in the work to show up as a better version of myself with every race.
WS: HYROX is often called a sport for everyone. How did this event prove that to you personally, and what surprised you most about your own capabilities as you trained and competed?
RJ: For me, HYROX really drives home that it’s a sport for everyone — I love that there’s no cut off time, so you get to finish at your own pace. No matter where you are on your journey, you can push through and celebrate your own progress. One of the coolest parts is that the loudest cheers often aren’t for the winners, but for those who are visibly struggling yet still giving it their all.
What surprised me most was discovering just how resilient I could be and how tough our minds could be — especially on the days we felt weak in training and particularly on race day. I caught a horrible bug while traveling to Joburg and had hardly eaten anything in the two days leading up to the race, and I was fighting a fever the day before. With a whole bunch of meds in my system, all the work we put in leading up to the day, and Jen’s grace and partnership to get me through on race day, I was reminded that our bodies can handle far more than we expect when our minds are set on finishing what we committed to doing.
WS: What about the finish line — can you take us back to that moment? What emotions were you feeling as you completed the race, and what did that achievement mean to you?
RJ: Although I didn’t have tears at the finish line in Joburg, I vividly remember the moment at Cape Town during the wall balls when it felt like I might never finish and let my team down — huge tears were welling up in my eyes. I remember turning to my teammates watching and cheering at that last station and tearily mouthing, “I can’t.” My coach — who raced with us in our relay — shouted, “YES YOU CAN.” I turned right back around and got to work chipping away until I was done and we could cross that finish line together as a team.
That raw emotion is, in large part, what motivated me to race in Johannesburg, as sick as I was. There was simply no way I was going to let Jen down or waste all the effort we’d invested. Crossing that finish line, I was hit with a rush of relief, pride, exhaustion, and disbelief. It was a powerful reminder that when we push past our limits and lean on our partners when needed, we truly discover just how much strength we have.
WS: Training for HYROX is no small feat, especially with your running hiatus. What was the toughest part of preparing for the event, and how did you support each other through those challenges?
RJ: For me, the toughest part of preparing was keeping the running momentum going. I’m becoming friends with running again, but if it weren’t for HYROX and the hybrid racing I’ve fallen in love with, I sincerely doubt I would have started running again.
We supported each other by taking every training session as it came, celebrating the small wins, and gradually building our endurance and mental toughness. We were graceful with each other on off days, always ready to pick up the slack if needed — and on race day, that mindset was a game changer. Adopting the idea that you go in with a plan, but are ready to adjust it if needed, made all the difference. I vividly remember Jen grabbing my hand in the start tunnel as I felt overwhelmed at what lay ahead knowing I was under-fueled and feeling sick and weak, and telling me, “It’s okay, we take it just like we did in training: one step at a time. We communicate with each other, listen to our bodies and help each other where needed.”
WS: For other women who might feel hesitant to try something like HYROX, what advice would you give them?
RJ: What makes hybrid racing my happy place is that it’s not purely about competing with anyone else (though you can if that’s your thing). For me, it’s about putting in the work to become an (even slightly) better version of yourself every time you tackle another race.
Seeing women of all ages, sizes, and fitness levels sharing their HYROX journeys is what inspired me to give it a shot. If you’re hesitant, start where you’re at. A Relay is a great way to experience the race without the pressure of doing it alone. But know this: if I can do it, you can do it. HYROX truly is a race for everyone.
Don’t compare yourself to anyone else; there will always be someone who’s faster or stronger in a certain area. Focus on yourself and be proud of any and all progress you make. But most of all, be proud of accepting the challenge to show up and take part.
Your road to HYROX starts here!
The stories of Jenne-Lee and Rachel are more than just tales of athletic achievement; they’re reminders that HYROX is a celebration of personal growth and the unyielding spirit of never giving up. Their success shows that with the right mindset, support, and training, anyone can achieve what might seem out of reach. So, if you’ve ever thought that fitness races aren’t for everyone, remember Jenne-Lee and Rachel: they started from where you are, and they finished strong. Maybe it’s time for you to take that first step toward your own HYROX journey?If they can do it, so can you!
Need inspiration to enter? Read the full account of my first solo race at HYROX Johannesburg for training tips, gear suggestions, and more!
HYROX South Africa has confirmed the next HYROX Cape Town event for the 19th and 20th of July 2025. Registration is set to open soon so make sure you nab your entry before they sell out. Find out more here on the HYROX South Africa website.
For updates and confirmations on upcoming HYROX races in South Africa be sure to follow HYROX South Africa on Instagram at Hyrox_SA.
