Trapped in a Sauna at 230°F – The Wells Twins Spill 3 Daily Fitness Habits, CrossFit’s Wild Evolution, and The Creepiest Requests They’ve Ever Gotten

What happens when you take two elite CrossFit athletes—who also happen to be twins—and lock them in a sauna climbing to 230°F?

You get one of the most intense podcast episodes CrossFit fans have seen yet.

On a recent episode of Beat the Heat, sisters Brooke and Sydney Wells sat down inside the literal hot seat to tackle 30 minutes of increasing temperatures, personal trivia, and deep dives into their athletic lives.

The Wells twins aren’t just known for their symmetry. Combined, they’ve competed in 10 CrossFit Games.

Brooke is the seasoned vet and Sydney, the up-and-coming powerhouse fresh out of NCAA track and field.

Together, they bring grit, personality, and honesty that give fans unparalleled insight into what it means to be at the top of the sport—and what it takes to stay there.

Surviving the Heat—Literally and Figuratively

In a segment that blends podcasting with a physiological test of endurance, the Wells sisters entered a sauna preheated to 160°F. The catch? Every five minutes, the temperature increased by 10°F, maxing out at a blistering 230°F. Trivia questions throughout the podcast could trigger an additional heat spike if answered incorrectly. Yet despite the mounting intensity, both sisters made it through the full 30 minutes, earning their coveted “Golden Ladle” trophy for defeating the challenge.

“We sauna all the time,” said Sydney. “But this? This is different.” Brooke agreed, noting, “When that door shut, I got nervous. It got real.”

The CrossFit Journey: From College to Global Stage

Brooke Wells qualified for her first CrossFit Games in 2015 while still a sophomore in college. Fast-forward nearly a decade, and she’s still competing. “I didn’t think I’d make it this long,” Brooke admitted. “My body feels older than it is. I’ve been competing since I was 19.”

Her sister Sydney, meanwhile, began her fitness journey as a Division I sprinter at the University of Missouri. “I only planned to run for a year,” she said. “Then I fell in love with it.” Transitioning to CrossFit brought new challenges. Sydney packed on 20 pounds of muscle and credits her running background as an asset for aerobic-heavy events. “Things like Hyrox give me confidence,” she added. “I’d love to try it properly one day.”

CrossFit’s Evolution: Love, Frustration, and the Unknown

While both women love the sport, they’re honest about its current state. Brooke, who has lived through multiple eras of CrossFit, reflected on the earlier years: “2015 to 2018? That was the golden era,” she said. “Now, there’s always some rule change or new skill being thrown in.”

Sydney added, “It’s hard to train for something when you don’t even know what events will be in the competition. You can focus all year on perfecting a skill only for it not to show up.”

Injuries, new event formats, and complex judging standards have made the sport harder to follow and train for—both for athletes and fans alike. “CrossFit has become almost unrelatable at the elite level,” Brooke admits. “It used to be about who could suffer the most. Now, there’s just so much standing around because the skills have gotten so complex under fatigue.”

Controversy at the CrossFit Games: Penalties and Redemption

In a heartbreaking twist earlier this year, Sydney was disqualified from the CrossFit Open due to a penalty on step-ups—despite initially finishing 24th, well within the top 40 needed to qualify. “They said my hips weren’t locked out at the top,” she explained. “I rewatched my video thinking it was great. I was crushed.”

Even worse, Brooke received the same penalty, though hers was less severe. She initially dropped out of competition, only to be placed back in after others were penalized. “There was zero communication,” Brooke shared. “Just an email. No one picked up the phone. No conversations. That’s what’s disappointing.”

The Reality of Being Elite Athletes

Behind the medals, training logs, and social media likes lies a daily grind—and immense pressure. The sisters opened up about mental tricks they use to stay focused:

• Sleep is non-negotiable: “Without good sleep, I’m useless,” Sydney said.
• Consistency over motivation: “Motivation fades, but routine keeps you on track,” explained Brooke.
• Avoid comparison: “My best competitions come when I focus on my lane, not on beating others,” Brooke emphasized.

Behind the Scenes: Dirty DMs and Business Ventures

It’s not all barbells and burpees. As top CrossFit influencers, Brooke and Sydney receive plenty of, let’s say, interesting messages online. “People have offered to buy dirty socks or bathwater,” Sydney said, laughing. “There’s no price we’d actually do it for,” Brooke confirmed, before jokingly entertaining price points in the millions.

Outside of training, Brooke is growing her lifestyle and fitness brand, Wild on Earth, which launched with a bang. Sydney recently signed with Adidas, a milestone contract that she hopes will help solidify her long-term future in the sport. “Launching Wild on Earth was my dream,” Brooke said. “We had amazing support and I invested because I believe in it.”

Quick Hits: Rapid Fire with the Wells Sisters

In a fast-paced round of “This or That,” the twins revealed a few fun preferences:

• Snatch or Clean? Clean
• Cardio for a year or Lifting for a year? Sydney: Cardio, Brooke: Lifting
• Mountains or Beach? Split—Sydney loves mountains, Brooke loves beaches
• Teleport or Read Minds? Both said: Read minds (though they hesitated)

The Bond Beyond the Barbell

What makes Brooke and Sydney particularly special in the CrossFit space isn’t just their athletic ability—it’s their fierce support for one another. “Seeing Sydney qualify for her first Games was one of my favorite moments ever,” Brooke said. Sydney returned the sentiment, calling Brooke’s 2022 comeback from a severe elbow injury her proudest moment to witness.

Final Thoughts: Advice from the Fittest Twins on Earth

When asked what advice they’d give to someone who wants to feel better, not just get ripped, both athletes kept it simple and powerful:

1. Prioritize your sleep.
2. Stay consistent—even when you’re not motivated.
3. Run your own race—don’t compare yourself to others.

“Take care of your body now so it takes care of you later,” said Brooke.

The Wells twins didn’t just dominate the sauna—they offered fans an unfiltered glimpse into the highs, heartbreaks, and hustle behind the scenes of pro CrossFit. Between thriving through thermal torture, navigating controversies, and launching lifestyle ventures, the Wells twins prove they’re more than just fit—they’re formidable.