From Kona to HYROX: Dan Plews Evolves!
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This week on the podcast, Mikki speaks to Dr. Dan Plews — exercise physiologist, endurance coach, and world champion Ironman athlete — about his latest chapter: stepping into the world of HYROX.
Dan has long been recognised for his scientific, data-driven approach to endurance training and his advocacy for low-carb, fat-adapted fuelling. But his pivot into hybrid fitness has been both a personal and professional experiment — one that’s tested his identity as an athlete, reshaped his training, and sparked new questions around fuelling, function, and long-term health.
In this conversation, we unpack the mindset shift from long, steady-state Ironman prep to the explosive demands of HYROX. Dan shares what he’s carried over from his Ironman days, where he’s had to reinvent his approach, and how his fuelling strategy has evolved in a more glycolytically demanding sport. We also explore the launch of Endurox, his HYROX-specific training platform with Adam Storey, and his thoughts on where hybrid racing is headed. Whether you’re an endurance athlete curious about functional fitness or just intrigued by how world-class performers adapt and evolve — this one’s for you.
Dr. Dan Plews is a sport scientist, endurance coach, and elite athlete with over two decades of experience in exercise physiology and applied coaching. He holds a PhD in Heart Rate Variability and is a world leader in endurance training methodologies. Dan has coached athletes to multiple Ironman and Olympic-level performances, and in 2018, he made headlines by winning the Ironman World Championships in Kona (age group) with a course-record time of 8:24 — the fastest ever by an amateur.
He is the founder of Endure IQ, a science-based endurance education platform, and co-creator of Endurox, which brings a structured, physiology-driven approach to HYROX training. Known for his evidence-based focus on low-carbohydrate fuelling and fat adaptation, Dan’s current work spans high-performance coaching, applied research, and helping everyday athletes train smarter and age better.