#54 - Cheung Pakhung - The Dark Side of Being #1 in the World
In this episode, Pakhung, a world champion in rope skipping, shares his journey from a passionate athlete to a social media influencer and entrepreneur. He discusses the evolution of rope skipping as a sport, the impact of social media on its popularity, and the importance of teamwork and community in maintaining motivation. Pakhung also opens up about the pressures of competition, the significance of mental health, and his personal definition of success. He emphasizes the value of failure as a learning experience and offers advice for aspiring athletes and entrepreneurs.Subscribe on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3AeqJQTJVTfiOeo0tn09Aa?si=f467cc42b56a48cfFollow Abnormal on IG: https://www.instagram.com/abnormalpod/Follow Pakhung on IG: https://www.instagram.com/pakhungjai/
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#53 - Ant Haynes - The Dark Side of Discipline: Life as a CrossFit Games Athlete
Ant Haynes is one of Hong Kong’s most respected CrossFit athletes, a multiple-time CrossFit Games competitor, former Hong Kong rugby player, and co-owner of Coastal Fitness. But behind the medals and highlight reels lies a powerful story about sacrifice, burnout, and rediscovering balance.In this episode, Ant opens up about his journey from professional rugby to CrossFit, how he built one of Asia’s top training communities, and the moment he realised that success was costing him the relationships that mattered most.Chapters00:00 The Cost of Athletic Pursuits03:01 Navigating Life Changes: From Hong Kong to Dubai05:54 The Journey from Rugby to CrossFit09:01 Transitioning to Coaching and Business12:00 The Evolution of CrossFit and Personal Training15:00 The Challenges of Competing at a High Level17:50 Programming for Longevity in Fitness21:00 The Reality of Competition Preparation29:47 The Pain of Preparation31:55 Lessons from Competition33:29 Training Adaptations and Resilience36:52 The Evolution of CrossFit Training39:32 CrossFit vs Other Sports44:20 The Mental Game of Training49:32 Shifting Priorities55:39 Redefining Success59:30 Legacy and Impact01:01:18 Courage Over Comfort🎧 Listen to the full episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube.👉 Subscribe for more conversations with people doing Abnormal things.Follow Ant: https://www.instagram.com/anthayneshk/
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The Rise of Hyrox: How a Fitness Revolution Took Over the World
Re-release: A listener favourite from the Abnormal archivesHyrox has exploded across the world — but how did it reach Asia?In this conversation, Gary Wan, the man responsible for bringing Hyrox to Asia, joins us to share the story behind one of the fastest-growing fitness movements on the planet.Gary talks about how he discovered Hyrox, the early struggles of launching it in a new region, and the cultural differences that shaped its growth. From athlete psychology to building community, this episode is a blueprint for anyone who’s ever tried to take an idea global.Whether you’re a Hyrox competitor, a business founder, or just someone who loves pushing your limits, Gary’s story will fire you up.🎧 This is a special re-release of one of our most popular early episodes — because some stories deserve to be heard twice.
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#52 - Anton Dubrov & Andrei Vasilevski — The Team Behind Aryna Sabalenka’s METEORIC Rise to World No.1
What does it really take to build a world number one?In this episode, I sit down with Andrei Vasilevski and Anton Dubrov, the coaching masterminds behind Aryna Sabalenka, to reveal the truth about what it takes to reach, and stay at, the top of the tennis world.From the emotional highs of Grand Slam victories to the unseen struggles behind the scenes, they share how trust, discipline, and daily 0.1% improvements turn potential into greatness.Whether you’re chasing excellence yourself or just curious about the mindset behind champions, this is a masterclass in discipline, teamwork, and belief.🎙️ Abnormal is the podcast for normal people doing abnormal things.Subscribe for more stories from the world’s best performers, athletes, and thinkers.
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#51 - Gabe Heck - From Corporate Job to World-Class Athlete
From burnout to Bangkok, this is the story of Gabe Heck, one of the fastest-rising athletes in the Hyrox world. Known as the Beast of Bangkok, Gabe went from a corporate job in Singapore to living his dream as a full-time coach and elite athlete in Asia.In this episode of Abnormal, Gabe shares how he rebuilt his life after injury, discovered the power of endurance sport, and created a business doing what he loves. From his training philosophy to his mindset around failure and growth, this conversation is packed with lessons for anyone looking to chase their passion, reinvent themselves, or find meaning through challenge.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Gabe Heck: The Beast of Bangkok01:20 Gabe's Journey in Hyrox04:47 Life in Bangkok: The Unexpected Move10:09 Transitioning to Full-Time Coaching14:31 The Decision to Pursue Coaching and Racing16:41 Building a Brand Through Racing20:14 Balancing Competition and Coaching22:41 The Pain of Hyrox: A Unique Challenge25:53 Understanding Variables in Hyrox Racing27:29 Optimizing Training for Hyrox30:39 Building an Aerobic Base: The Long Game32:01 The Role of Genetics in Athletic Performance34:58 Age and Experience in Hyrox Competitions39:04 Balancing Strength and Endurance Training41:12 Mental Health and Overtraining in Sports45:58 Finding Personal Motivation in Athletic Endeavors50:50 The Joy of Coaching and Client Success56:07 Lessons Learned from Personal Struggles01:01:06 Creating Urgency and Taking Action in LifeFollow Gabe on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gabeheck/
The podcast for normal people who want to do abnormal things.Hey, I am Pete Laverick, an Ex-professional athlete living a pretty normal life in Hong Kong. I talk to people who many of us view as 'abnormal', or having achieved abnormal things. I want to know if these 'abnormal' people are that much different from the rest of us, what was it that made them go from being normal people, living normal lives, to wanting to do something completely different and make that first step outside of their comfort zone.
Australia