“I’m Not Done Yet” – Tia-Clair Toomey Explains Why She’s Choosing Hyrox Right Now

Tia-Clair Toomey has done it again—this time, outside of the CrossFit arena.

The six-time Fittest Woman on Earth has now added Hyrox world record holder to her athletic resume after a jaw-dropping performance in the Women’s Pro Doubles event alongside partner Joanna Wietryzk. The duo clocked in at 54 minutes and 24 seconds, shattering the previous record and leaving second place 45 seconds behind.

But for Toomey, the most important part of this milestone wasn’t the time on the clock. It was what the moment represented—a return to chasing greatness.

“We executed the game plan to a T,” she said. “We focused on the simple things—fast transitions, efficient handoffs—and that made all the difference.”

Rediscovering the Hunger to Compete

Toomey’s shift into Hyrox wasn’t part of a grand strategy. It started as an experiment, something to mix things up in the off-season.

She first competed in Melbourne, where the vibrant and tight-knit community took her by surprise. The atmosphere brought back memories of CrossFit’s early days—raw, motivating, and deeply personal.

“That community reminded me of the early years of CrossFit,” Toomey shared. “It made me fall in love with training all over again.”

That one race turned into qualification for the World Championships in Chicago. And that qualification turned into an all-in pursuit of High Rocks excellence.

CrossFit vs. Hyrox: Different Beasts, Same Grit

There’s a common narrative online that Hyrox is a watered-down version of CrossFit—less complex, less brutal.

Toomey disagrees.

“You’re a fool if you rock up to a Hyrox thinking it’s going to be easy,” she said bluntly. “It’s how hard you push yourself. If you’re giving it everything, it’ll hurt—just like CrossFit.”

Hyrox eliminates the high-skill elements like muscle-ups, Olympic lifts, and technical gymnastics. But in its place is relentless intensity built around running, sled pushes, rowing, wall balls, and lunges.

It’s not easier. It’s just different.

For many, that’s the appeal. The lower technical barrier allows broader access, especially for athletes from running or endurance backgrounds who may find CrossFit’s skill demands intimidating.

Toomey sees Hyrox and CrossFit as complementary, not competitive. Each pushes the body in unique ways—and together, they create a hybrid athlete with unmatched versatility.

Sacrificing Strength for Speed

In adapting to Hyrox, Toomey has made a surprising trade: she’s deliberately pulled back on heavy lifting to improve her speed and endurance.

“I haven’t touched a barbell much lately,” she admitted. “When I came back from pregnancy, I hadn’t been lifting as much—and my running was faster than ever.”

This balance is tricky. CrossFit demands explosive power and high-rep strength. Hyrox, on the other hand, rewards consistent pacing and high-volume aerobic output.

“There’s definitely risk and setback doing both,” Toomey explained. “But I’m prepared to endure that because I want to challenge myself in the Hyrox world.”

The Hidden Power of Micro-Decisions

At the root of her dominance, Toomey credits a mindset grounded in small, consistent decisions—the ones most people overlook.

“What separates a champion from a great athlete is those daily small decisions,” she said. “What time you go to bed. What time you wake up. Your morning routine. The ritual before bed.”

She believes success is built in the moments no one sees—the early alarms, the disciplined hydration, the relentless attention to recovery and nutrition.

“It’s those micro split-decisions that equate to success. And it’s staying consistent with them that separates you.”

Recovery, Data, and the Role of WHOOP

Pushing limits isn’t sustainable without recovery—and Toomey has learned that lesson the hard way.

She now leans heavily on tools like WHOOP and electrolyte supplementation to keep her body in peak condition, especially during weeks with multiple competitions.

After her record-breaking Hyrox race, she clocked a WHOOP strain of 19.0—near the maximum measurable effort. Her recovery the next day? A shocking 28%, deep in the red zone.

“I wasn’t just drained from racing,” she said. “We’re mixing and mingling with so many people, always ‘on.’ That all adds up.”

To counteract that strain, Toomey relies on Element electrolyte salts, especially before and after events.

“It’s not just water—it’s what’s in the water,” she explained. “The salts make sure the hydration is getting into my muscles and not just passing through.”

Performance in Perspective: Strain Doesn’t Always Equal Pain

Interestingly, the CrossFit Open workout she completed two days after the Hyrox event registered a lower WHOOP strain (9.4), but felt just as intense.

“That last 50-calorie row hurt more than the whole Hyrox race,” she laughed. “My feet were cramping, my lungs were burning. It just shows that intensity takes many forms.”

Comparing workouts using data has become a new way for her to reflect, improve, and even compete with herself.

Fueling Forward: What’s Next for Toome

Her calendar is filling up fast.

Next stop is Hyrox Atlanta, followed by a return home to Australia for the Torian Pro, where she’ll aim to qualify for the CrossFit Games. After that, it’s back to Chicago for the Hyrox World Championships.

Beyond June? Toomey’s not sure. She’s purposefully kept the future open.

“Chicago was the main priority,” she said. “Then I got invited to Torian, and I thought—why not? It means a lot to me, and competing on home soil is always special.”

Reigniting Purpose, Rewriting the Narrative

Despite her decorated career, Toomey sees this chapter as a reawakening.

She’s no longer the athlete everyone’s chasing. In Hyrox, she’s the one doing the chasing—and that’s exactly where she wants to be.

“It’s quite freeing,” she said. “It’s bringing me back to those early days when I had to fight for everything. I haven’t even scratched the surface of what I’m capable of in Hyrox.”