HYROX Worlds Pro, Boston Marathon Qualifier—And Still Figuring It Out

In this episode, I sit down with Kierin Hopping, a HYROX Worlds Pro and Boston Marathon qualifier, for an honest conversation about what it really looks like to train at a high level as a woman.

We talk about the shift from aesthetic goals to performance goals, how Kierin’s relationship with food changed after bodybuilding, what it means to fuel for endurance and hybrid performance, and why having a menstrual cycle is one of the clearest signs that your body feels safe and supported.

This episode also dives into the side of athleticism that people don’t talk about enough: overtraining, imperfect recovery, the mental load of discipline, and the reality that even elite athletes are still learning how to balance performance with health.

We cover:

• the transition from bodybuilding to marathon running and HYROX
• healing a disordered relationship with food through performance-based goals
• under-fueling, low energy availability, and menstrual health
• balancing aesthetic goals with athletic goals
• signs your training load is outpacing your recovery
• what beginner athletes get wrong about HYROX
• why progress does not require perfection

This is such an important episode for female athletes, high achievers, and women who want to train hard without losing themselves in the process.

🎙️ If you’ve ever felt like you had to have your training, recovery, body composition, or nutrition perfectly dialed in before you could succeed, this conversation will challenge that belief in the best way.

If this episode resonated with you and you’re ready to build a healthier relationship with your body, your hormones, and your goals, my team and I would love to support you.

🎯 Join MPowered Coaching Collective for lifestyle & contest prep — where physique goals meet functional health and community.

📲 DM @madsmichiefitness with your biggest takeaway or topic requests and connect with Kierin here