Ryan Kent has been one of the defining figures of HYROX since the sport arrived in the U.S. – the first athlete to break 60 minutes on American soil, a former North American Champion, and winner of the 2023 Chicago Major. But there’s more to Ryan than fast times – his journey over the past few years has been about rebuilding, perspective, and purpose…
Child Prodigy to Hybrid Athlete
Ryan’s path into elite fitness began early. Raised by a father who was both a professional bodybuilder and arm wrestler, discipline and performance were part of daily life. “I was born to be an athlete,” he says. By the age of ten, he was setting national running records – but it wasn’t always enjoyable. “My dad would make me train every day. I just wanted to play with friends.”
That early structure laid the foundation for a lifetime in sport. After a successful collegiate career in steeplechase, Kent found a second chance in endurance competition through Spartan Race – a transition that later led him to HYROX and DEKA FIT. “It felt like this was meant to be,” he recalls. “A second life as an athlete.”
Lessons from The Selection
In 2016, Ryan took part in The Selection: Special Operations Experiment, a brutal two-week test modelled on Special Forces training. “They locked me in a box, threw me in a pool with my hands and feet tied – it was real,” he says. Out of 30 participants, only four finished. “It changed me completely. You realise there’s nothing you can’t get through.”
That mental resilience would become essential in the years ahead.
Coping with Loss and Rebuilding Form
The past two seasons have tested Kent like no other. After losing his father – a defining figure in his athletic journey – he struggled to find rhythm and motivation. “You can’t just go race and pretend it didn’t happen,” he says. A series of DNFs followed before finding stability again through doubles competition, particularly alongside his close friend and doubles partner, the late Rylan Schadegg.
“Rylan believed in me when I didn’t,” Kent says. “We were two guys with chips on our shoulders trying to prove we still belonged.” Their partnership earned podiums and a near world-record – but more importantly, renewed Ryan’s belief in himself. “After Rylan passed, it made me see everything differently. It reminded me to appreciate what I can do – and to do it for him.”
Training, Mindset, and the Long Game
Now 39, Kent continues to coach himself – logging every session by hand since 2007. “Eighteen years of training journals,” he says. “It keeps me accountable.” His current focus: sustainable volume, structured threshold work, and smart recovery. “I’ve learned you don’t need the most speed – you need the strength to hold pace when it hurts.”
He’s candid about the mental side too. “When I race well, I’m like a machine – no emotion, just presence. But you can’t expect that flow every time. Those days are rare – and that’s what makes them magic. You’re riding the high, baby.”
The Why
After decades of competition, Kent’s motivation remains deeply personal. “I don’t know life any other way,” he says. “This is my purpose – to wake up, train, set goals, and chase them. It’s also how I keep my relationship with my dad alive. This was our thing.”
As he works his way back toward the Elite 15, his story is a reminder of what longevity, humility, and heart look like at the top of HYROX.
To check out the full interview, watch below or listen on the Rox Lyfe podcast.
