Emilie Dahmen’s journey into HYROX is unlike almost any other. Just one year prior to making the Elite 15, the 21-year-old Dutch athlete was cutting apples and bananas at the finish line of a HYROX race to earn study credits. Today, she’s competing with the best in the world and even representing Nike on the Elite stage.
In only a handful of races, Dahmen has gone from complete beginner to winning the Last Chance Qualifier in Barcelona and lining up in the Elite 15 at the Chicago World Championships. We got to catch up with her to find out more about this incredible athlete and one of HYROX’s brightest stars.
From Bananas to Barcelona
Emilie first discovered HYROX almost by accident. Volunteering at an Amsterdam event earned her a free entry, which she decided to use with a minimal amount of preparation. “I had never pushed a sled before,” she laughed, recalling how she only tried some stations for the first time in the warm-up zone. But the raw talent was undeniable and broke Dutch records in her debut race.
A Sporting Engine
Before HYROX, Dahmen’s background was in field hockey, tennis, and later triathlon training. That base, combined with her love for volume / endurance / movement, gave her an engine that translated well to hybrid racing. “I think if HYROX were twice as long, I’d be even better,” she admitted.
Her training weeks now reach 20–25 hours, mixing running, cycling, swimming, strength, and machine work. Learning to balance intensity has been a big step: “Easy days are supposed to be easy, hard days are supposed to be hard. I’m finally starting to learn that.”
Breakthrough Moments
The turning point came in Barcelona in May 2025, where Dahmen entered the Last Chance Qualifier with little expectation. “I signed up thinking it would just be a nice trip with my best friend,” she said. Instead, she stunned the field with a dominant performance that booked her ticket to the Elite 15.
That performance put her firmly on the radar – by the time she lined up at Chicago Worlds, where she finished sixth, she was already in talks with major brands. “It was scary – I even cried before the race thinking I wasn’t good enough. But if you don’t do things that scare you, you won’t grow.”
Soon after, she signed with Nike, a surreal moment for someone who grew up dreaming of wearing the swoosh. The partnership not only validated her rapid rise but also gave her stability to support travel, coaching, and training at the elite level.
Mindset and Future Goals
When it comes to racing, Dahmen leans on the grind of training. “Some sessions are harder than the race itself. What is pain? It’s only an hour – and the faster you go, the faster you’re done.” Her ambitions are clear: sub-60, a top-five finish at Worlds, and ultimately, the world championship title. “You always have to aim high. Why not try?”
To check out the full interview, watch below or listen on the Rox Lyfe podcast.
