Faisal Abdalla has become one of the most familiar figures in HYROX arenas worldwide. He’s the MC who brings energy to every finish line, a long-time coach, a former Barry’s instructor, and an athlete who trains and races while juggling work and family life.
This conversation dives into his journey, his PMA philosophy, and the lessons he’s learned from watching thousands of athletes push through their toughest moments…
Finding HYROX and the Why Behind It
Faisal’s first HYROX wasn’t planned. He jumped into a race the night before an event in Maastricht almost five years ago, and the experience hooked him. His motivation since has stayed simple: challenge himself and see what he’s capable of. “It’s a tragedy if you don’t challenge yourself physically and mentally when you have the tools to do it,” he says.
A Background Built on Movement
Faisal grew up trying every sport he could – rugby, basketball, boxing, BJJ, pilates, volleyball, cross country. That broad base shaped the hybrid athlete he is today. He describes himself as “fairly decent at most things” because he learned to adapt quickly and move well across different modalities. Before HYROX, he carved out a career through Barry’s Bootcamp. The mic, the coaching, the performance element – all of it shaped the presenter and MC people now know.
Acting, Media, and Life Before HYROX
His early years included acting roles and extra work in films like Inception, Captain America, Edge of Tomorrow, and Pirates of the Caribbean. He’s appeared on daytime TV with Holly Willoughby, Gethin Jones, Lorraine Kelly, and others. He enjoys sharing his PMA message on those platforms, even if the fitness segments are limited by the format.
Life as a HYROX MC
Faisal sees his job as making every finish line epic; “Someone might have trained six months for that moment. It’s more than shouting out a name and time.”
He takes pride in helping athletes through tough wall ball sets, bringing families, especially kids, into the moment, adding atmosphere across the whole arena, and giving enough energy to lift people, not distract from their race. Moments with families stand out most for him – bringing a child over the barrier, shouting their parent’s name, watching them run across the line together.
Inside the Elite Arena
He’s worked every major and several World Championships. Staying neutral can be hard when you’ve built relationships with athletes, but he loves being part of those big moments: Alex Roncevic’s major win in Amsterdam, the UK relay team’s victory, and standout comebacks like Megan Jacoby and Linda Meier.
The evolution of the sport excites him. The Hamburg setup in particular showed the level HYROX has reached – powerful visuals, intense pacing, and genuine broadcast-quality racing.
The Power of PMA
Positive Mental Attitude has shaped Faisal’s career, but it didn’t come from a branding exercise. It came from a random detergent advert where a father said to his son, “You’ve got to have a positive mental attitude.” He built PMA into his coaching at Barry’s and it became his identity.
He stresses it isn’t about always being upbeat – it’s about choosing to find solutions and not staying negative for long.
Training, Ironman, and Being a 100kg Athlete
Faisal completed a half Ironman this year. He loved the switch in training because it took him off his phone for long stretches and gave him a mental reset from HYROX.
Despite running big volume, his body stayed around 100 kg. He jokes he’s a “heavy hippo” on the run but takes pride in moving well at that size. The event also sharpened his running fitness for his return to HYROX.
What He Sees That Most People Miss
From standing at the wall balls for thousands of reps, one thing stands out: movement standard. He still sees a lot of athletes – even coaches – not squatting to depth.
More importantly, he sees how emotional the finish line is for so many. People forget the privilege of being able to compete. He’s watched athletes cross the line angry or disappointed, missing the bigger picture of what they just achieved.
Tough Moments and What Gets Him Through
His toughest experience was racing at the Chicago World Championships after days of travel, MC work, and jet lag. He felt awful warming up and had to fight through every station.
When things get dark in a race, he thinks of the people he inspires – and when it gets really tough, he thinks of his kids.
What HYROX Means to Him
He believes HYROX is thriving because it gives people a clear benchmark. A time. A target. A reason to train. He’s proud to be part of its growth from small one-day events to the biggest global fitness races of the year.
“To stand in the Mecca of HYROX every weekend and help people finish… it’s a privilege.”
To check out the full interview, watch below or listen on the Rox Lyfe podcast…
