My guest today is Ellie Crabtree — a weight loss coach helping women transform both their minds and bodies. Ellie came second in the NABBA (National Amateur Body-Builders Association) Britain's Miss Novice Toned Figure, and her story is one of grief, rebuilding, and finding purpose. After losing her dad at just 19, she spiralled into emotional eating and isolation. What followed was a remarkable journey — not just of weight loss, but of self-discovery, discipline, and healing. We talk about food as comfort, the emotional crash after competition, why control can be both a shield and a struggle, and how she now helps other women with their own weight loss and mindset journeys.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with Ellie Crabtree.

I'm so excited to tell you about my first ever sponsor Bear Bar, who make the highest quality shower soaps. If you’d like to try them you can get 15% off by heading to https://bit.ly/barejase and entering JASE at checkout.

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 Intro Trailer for Ellie Crabtree

00:00:42 Ellie’s Story, Early Life, Loss of Father & Weight Struggles

00:04:32 Why Bodybuilding

00:05:42 Training Around Her Dad’s Illness

00:07:17 Relationship With Food Then & Now

00:11:40 Coaching Other Women With Food & Body Image

00:12:55 Strategies For Getting Back On Track With Food

00:14:23 Bodybuilding vs Hybrid Training & HYROX

00:17:10 Post-Competition Blues & Structure Collapse

00:19:15 Control, Therapy & Why She Gravitate to Structured Sports

00:22:19 Replacing Addictions & Finding Identity Outside Fitness

00:24:48 Grief & Her Relationship With Her Dad’s Passing

00:27:04 How She’d Handle Grief Differently Now

00:28:29 Turning Loss Into Motivation & Life Philosophy

00:33:05 What Her Dad Was Like

00:35:46 Making The Most Of Her Dad’s Final Months

00:42:00 Competing With NABBA

00:44:10 First Time On Stage & Posing Nerves

00:46:13 Why Dark Chocolate & Pre-Show Nutrition

00:48:21 Peak Week Explained

00:53:08 Current Training & Injury Recovery

00:57:17 Learning To Listen To Her Body

00:58:38 David Goggins' Mindset & Overtraining

01:00:34 Long-Term Fitness Journey & Individual Methods

01:01:25 Goals: Injury Recovery, Marathon & HYROX

01:03:44 Ultimate Goal: Ultra Marathon

01:04:51 Enjoyment-Based Running Approach

01:06:37 Closing Remarks & Final Reflections

01:07:31 Morning Reflection: Practising Gratitude

01:08:58 Where To Find Ellie & Coaching Plug

01:10:32 Outro & Sponsor Reminder

***LINKS***

15% Off Bare Bar (CODE: JASE):

https://bit.ly/barejase

Ellie’s Instagram:

https://bit.ly/3ZpISrU

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

#bodybuilding #grief #weightlossjourney

I'm so excited to tell you about my first ever sponsor Bear Bar, who make the highest quality shower soaps. If you’d like to try them you can get 15% off by heading to bit.ly/barejase and entering code JASE at checkout.

My guest today is HYROX World Champion, Alexander Rončević. We covered a huge range of topics, from his upbringing in Austria and early years in sport, to quitting his teaching job to pursue a full-time athletic career. We discussed his training philosophy, mental strategies, and the tactical differences between Pro and Elite HYROX racing.

Alex also gave a behind-the-scenes look at preparing for the World Championships and shared reflections on his victory in Nice. He spoke candidly about life as a professional athlete, the growth of the HYROX sport, PED testing protocols, and what might lie ahead after HYROX.

This was an insightful and inspiring conversation with one of the sport’s top competitors. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00:00 Intro Trailer for HYROX World Champion Alexander Roncevic

00:00:53 Childhood & Growing Up in Austria

00:04:42 Importance of Family, Plans for Children & Life Balance

00:05:53 Leaving Teaching Career for HYROX

00:06:58 Preparing for World Championships

00:08:16 Career Opportunities in HYROX

00:10:32 Mainstream Media Coverage & Recognition

00:11:19 Cologne Race Recap & PB

00:11:56 Clarifying Elite vs Pro in HYROX

00:12:15 Racing Strategy in Elite Field

00:13:34 Elite Series History & Introduction of Majors

00:15:00 Pacing Strategy in Elite Races

00:17:37 Competitor Analysis & Race Strategy

00:18:46 James Kelly & US Advantage

00:20:11 Travel, Jet Lag & Recovery Protocol

00:22:12 Overseas Racing & Mental Game

00:22:47 Advice for Athletes Moving to Pro Division

00:25:35 Training Philosophy & HYROX Development

00:29:20 Winning the World Championship & Aftermath

00:33:08 Sponsor Message: Bear Bar

00:34:26 Wall Balls at World Championships in Niece

00:36:58 Age Groups & Inclusivity

00:38:01 Fuelling, Nutrition & Race Day Prep

00:39:22 Morning Races & Practical Adjustments

00:42:03 Most Improved Stations

00:43:52 PEDs in HYROX & Drug Testing Protocol

00:49:26 Life After HYROX

00:52:27 Audience Questions

01:00:08 Overrated & Underrated: Food, Exercise, Supplement, Habit

01:03:27 Alex’s 60 Second Message to Every HYROX Participant

01:04:47 2025 Goals & Relay Plans

01:05:54 Daily Reflection & Self-Development

01:07:36 Minimal Routines & Staying Ready

01:07:48 Where to Follow Alex

01:08:54 Closing Thanks

01:08:55 Outro & Sponsor Reminder

***LINKS***

15% Off Bare Bar (CODE: JASE):

https://bit.ly/barejase

Alexander Roncevic Instagram: https://bit.ly/3H3CD6L

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

#hyroxworldchampion #podcast #hyrox

Welcome back to the podcast. This episode is split into two very distinct parts: one long, meandering reflection, and then tools and insights.

So, if you're new to the podcast and you don't give a flying [expletive] about my experience or internal state — the stuff I've been working through — then skip to the bit that I've labelled "lesson."

That part is about how to ensure we don't spend too much time in one particular mode or zone — it's about strategising your life and your calendar, similar to how you'd train, so you don't get burnt out.

If you're an OG and actually interested in the deeper, more reflective side of me, then listen to the beginning — it's much more raw and vulnerable.

I hope you enjoy the episode. Drop us a DM and let me know what you think.

Fully Timestamped Chapter List

00:00 Reflection: Disappointment, Full Brain Experience, Coming Home to your self

03:42 Differences between Dopamine and Serotonin Jason

08:55 The Power of Touch and Connection

14:56 Reflecting on The Importance of Family and Legacy

18:41 Lesson: How to ensure we don't spend too much time in one particular mode/zone

22:26 Tool: Strategizing Life Like Training & Understanding the nervous system load of calendar commitments

26:38 Closing thoughts

***LINKS***

MY STUFF:

Awaken Out Of Context Podcast (YouTube & Podcast Links):

https://bit.ly/3tk8FVv

Follow Me On Instagram (@awakenoutofjason):

https://bit.ly/3RAkKQj

#solopodcast #periodisation #theself