A candid, slightly unfiltered look inside the mind of a longtime coach—on CrossFit, HYROX, labels, training culture, and why most people just want to feel capable again.

Most people think they’re training in Zone 2, but they’re nowhere close. This guide breaks down what Zone 2 actually is, why “feel” lies, and how to find your real Zone 2 using heart rate, Critical Power, and simple testing so you can build a better aerobic engine for CrossFit, HYROX, and life.

It's time for Big Hair Energy Alright, team — real talk for a minute. If you know me, you know I love structure. I love a plan. I love seeing a full cycle come together and watching people test, retest, and see the numbers go up. That’s the nerd in me. The coach. The data guy. But recently, I caught myself in a little mental trap. I realized that sometimes I can fall into the mindset of thinking that because I would do it a certain way,  that if others don’t, it’s not wrong —