“It Feels Fresh”: Pat Vellner and Danielle Brandon Reflect on the First World Fitness Project Event, Sharing What Made It Different and Deeply Motivating

Competitive fitness entered an exciting new chapter with the launch of the inaugural World Fitness Project (WFP) in Indianapolis.

With 20 signed pros per gender and eager challengers ready to grab their shot, stop one on the 2025 WFP tour delivered intensity, drama, and a refreshing new format.

From standout veterans like Pat Vellner to rising stars like Danielle Brandon, the new tour is already reshaping how athletes prepare, compete, and build careers in the sport.

If you’ve been craving a new system that rewards consistency, values community, and challenges the elite, WFP might be your next obsession. Here’s what went down — and why this fitness tour could change everything.

WFP Brings a Fresh Format to the Competition Scene

The World Fitness Project is not your average fitness competition. Designed with longevity and development in mind, its structure includes three tour stops, with Indianapolis marking the first of the season. Each tour stop features 30 competing athletes—20 signed professionals and 10 additional competitors who qualify through open spots or the Challenger division.

The format breaks the mold of “one-and-done” competitions. Athletes accumulate points across tour stops to earn or keep their pro cards, adding an episodic plotline that gives spectators something to follow throughout the year.

“There’s a lot of excitement just that it feels fresh,” said seasoned competitor Pat Vellner. “Everybody wants to take a pro card and nobody wants to lose one. It makes it compelling.”

Danielle Brandon: Audacious, Emotional, Dominant

Few made a bigger impression than Danielle Brandon. Known as an athlete who shows up with intensity and full authenticity, Brandon captured attention with more than her athletic performance. Her unapologetic fire makes her polarizing — and magnetic.

“I’m not afraid to just be an athlete and be a competitive athlete. I’ve been that way my whole life,” said Brandon. “Screw the haters.”

She backed it up with performances that swung between spectacle and grit. In one of the workouts, she adjusted her plan mid-event, shifted gears, and surged to a first-place finish in her heat.

“She every competition will have one event where she just puts on a show,” remarked a nearby coach. “It’s just a moment.”

Veteran Leadership: Pat Vellner Remains the Gatekeeper

Now over a decade in the sport, Pat Vellner might be older than most competitors, but he’s not going quietly into the background. While battling injury, family changes, and limited preparation, Vellner’s strategic mind and veteran savvy kept him in the mix.

“Reality is, the guys are really sharp right now because they’ve been competing all year,” acknowledged Vellner. “It’s frustrating, but sometimes a punch in the teeth is a good reminder.”

His performances mixed highs and lows. He notched a massive 11 lb personal record on his split jerk—376 lbs, a new best since 2017—demonstrating strength gains even at age 34. However, early event mistakes and torn hands left him below his standard. Still, Vellner knows how to rebound.

A Consistent Climb

“I’ve had a lot of slow starts,” he said. “But one thing I’m good at is washing it away and saying, ‘we have to take the next at-bat and swing.’”

Challengers and Opportunity: A Pro Card Is Within Reach

One of WFP’s most exciting innovations is its Challenger division. These are high-performing athletes who just missed a professional bid and now have a clear path to earn one. They compete in similar workouts with slightly modified standards. Their top finishers can earn temporary pro cards for the next event — and if they continue to excel, full pro status for next season.

“If you’re an up—and—coming athlete trying to make this a career, it gives you the path,” said WFP Director of Sport and former Games athlete Will Morad.

The parity between divisions means new talent gets noticed—while established pros feel the pressure. “Everybody’s gunning for your spot,” said Morad. “You can’t slack.”

Workout Intensity and Real-Time Strategy

Across six events in Indianapolis, workouts ranged from endurance-focused running and rings, to brute strength with sled pushes and yoke carries, to complex gymnastics and split jerk maxes.

• The intensity favored well-rounded athletes with pacing intelligence.
• Danielle Brandon surged with a second place overall, using smart pacing and gritty finishes.
• Vellner experienced inconsistency, but flashed brilliance with his PR lift and a top finish on rope climbs.

“I’m not the guy with the clean run,” Vellner admitted. “I’m going to break some eggs, rebound, and finish strong.”

Beyond the Floor: Community and Athlete Impact

The WFP isn’t just about podiums. Athletes visited local gyms, coached CrossFit classes, and even rode laps at the famed Indy 500 Speedway. For Brandon, meaningful moments came full circle as gym owners told stories of joining CrossFit after seeing her compete years ago.

“The aspirational component, the connection—that magic is back,” said Morad.

That connection wasn’t lost on athletes either. Post-event reflections were raw and candid. Vellner’s self-awareness? Honest. Brandon’s electricity? Contagious. Athletes wore fatigue on their faces but spoke with pride.

Danielle Brandon’s Breakout Sets the Tone

By the final leaderboard tally, Danielle Brandon secured second place overall. For her—and her fans—that momentum was everything. Emotional, yet unsatisfied, she’s now eyeing a big leap at stop two in Mesa, Arizona.

“I’m excited to keep training… It can only go up from here,” she said. “This was a great first start.”

What’s Next for the WFP?

The next stop for the World Fitness Project is in Mesa, with the final scheduled for Copenhagen. With valuable points up for grabs and pro cards on the line, the pressure mounts for athletes to adapt, evolve, and deliver under fire.

For the sport itself, the WFP could become a model of growth: combining structure and spontaneity, rewarding both consistency and excellence, and fostering deeper bonds between athletes and their audience.

As Vellner put it: “I’ve had more great weekends than bad ones. But when a tough one hits, you learn a lot. And I’m not done learning yet.”

Bottom Line

The World Fitness Project has officially made its mark. With a fresh competition format, real developmental pathways, and high-level athlete storytelling, it’s a welcome new fixture in the fitness calendar.

Tour stop one showed us the rise of Brandon, the resilience of Vellner, and the promise of a better system—for athletes and fans alike. All eyes now turn to Mesa. The fight is far from over — and the best may be yet to come.