🎙️ Episode 15 — From Fighter to Founder: Jason Curtis on Building Deadly Dozen & Lessons from the Fitness Industry
Release Date: 09/18/2025
🎙️ Episode 25 - Neil Marsh: Fitness Racing, Gym Revival, and Personal Transformation
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this episode of the Deadly Dozen Podcast, we sit down with Neil Marsh, owner of Neil Marsh Health and Fitness in Cambridge. Known for his Purple Army, Neil shares his journey from a background in sport and triathlon to becoming a prominent figure in fitness racing. From starting his gym to navigating post-pandemic recovery, Neil dives deep into how fitness racing revolutionized his gym. We talk about his early adoption of Hyrox, DEKA, and Deadly Dozen, and how they boosted his gym’s community. Plus, hear about his personal transformation from weight struggles to completing marathons,...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 24: Dave Parkin — Breaking the 40-Minute Barrier
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason sits down with Dave Parkin, the current Deadly Dozen world record holder and the first athlete in history to break the 40-minute mark, stopping the clock at 37:59. Dave’s story is one of the most powerful journeys in fitness racing. A decade ago, he had no fitness background, weighed over 18 stone, and joined the gym to lose weight. Fast forward to today, and he’s rewritten what’s possible in the Deadly Dozen — not once, but twice — lowering the world record from the low 40s to under 38 minutes. In this conversation, Dave and Jason...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 23: DEKA x Deadly Dozen: Yancy Culp on Building the Future of Fitness Racing
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason sits down with DEKA’s head honcho, Yancy Culp, to dig into the origins, philosophy and future of one of the biggest names in fitness racing. Yancy shares how DEKA was born in Joe De Sena’s kitchen, how it evolved from a simple idea into a global race system, and why the brand is built around one standard for every athlete – from first-timers to world-class performers. Jason and Yancy explore the relationship between DEKA, Deadly Dozen and the wider fitness racing ecosystem, discussing why collaboration beats competition and how both...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 22: Unlocking Success: Ciaran Parkinson Talks Training, Coaching, and Hyrox Consistency
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Ciaran Parkinson, an Elite 15 Hyrox athlete, shares his journey from a lockdown runner to one of the top competitors in fitness racing. Alongside his success in Hyrox, Ciaran also discusses his evolution as a coach, helping others reach their fitness goals. Whether you’re aiming for personal fitness growth or training to compete, Ciaran's insights are invaluable. Key Takeaways: Ciaran's Journey to Hyrox Elite 15: From discovering running in lockdown to achieving success in one of the toughest fitness races. The Power of Consistency in...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 21: From Hyrox Podiums to Deadly Dozen: James & Bernice Kelly on Global Expansion and Elite Training
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this episode of The Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason sits down with James Kelly — one of the world’s elite hybrid athletes — and his sister Bernice Kelly, Director of Deadly Dozen Australia. James and Bernice share the story behind their rapid rise in the world of fitness racing, from race wins and records in Brisbane to launching and expanding Deadly Dozen events across Australia. They discuss what it takes to compete at the highest level, how training methodology differs between Hyrox and Deadly Dozen, and why hybrid racing is becoming one of the fastest-growing sports globally. Key...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 20: Everything You Need to Know: Deadly Dozen FAQs, Transfers, Race Day Systems & What’s New for 2026
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this episode, Jason sits down with Vanessa to tackle the most frequently asked questions from Deadly Dozen athletes around the world. From transfers and selling your ticket, to race-day logistics, spectator rules, photos, results, and deferrals — nothing is off the table. With Deadly Dozen now active in 22+ countries and scaling into 2026 with bigger tech, timing, and support teams, the race experience is evolving. Jason and Vanessa walk through the new streamlined systems that allow athletes to manage transfers themselves from their dashboard, the introduction of on-the-day transfers,...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 1: Race Craft Essentials — Pacing the First Run, Farmer’s Carry & Deadlifts
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
How do you race Deadly Dozen—not just survive it? In this episode, Jay breaks down the opening phase of the race: the first 400 m run, the Farmer’s Carry, and the Kettlebell Deadlift. We get into solo vs pairs pacing, oxygen debt (and why the first 400 m can ruin your day), how to approach a 240 m carry without red-zoning, and the deadlift strategies that keep you moving fast and legal. We also touch on judging standards, inclusivity, and where fitness racing sits alongside HYROX, DEKA, OCR, and CrossFit. What you’ll learn Solo vs Pairs: Why pairs “go hot” and solos must...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 19: From Corporate Leader to Fitness Racer: Natalie Crompton on Resilience, Routine, and Running
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
Jason Curtis sits down with Natalie Crompton — HYROX world qualifier, coach, corporate leader, and parent — to unpack a stacked journey from “accidental” marathoner to elite fitness racer. Natalie explains how ADHD shapes her love of high-intensity training (and dislike of long rest periods), why running is her superpower, and how a 5 a.m. routine and sleep discipline fuel performance while juggling a senior corporate role and coaching. She opens up about recovering from past restrictive dieting, choosing intuitive eating, and the mindset that keeps her resilient on and off the course:...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 18: Sean Clancy on Transitioning from Pro Football to Fitness Racing in Dubai
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this episode of the Deadly Dozen Podcast, Jason Curtis sits down in Dubai with Sean Clancy — former professional footballer turned gym owner and fitness innovator behind Coyote Gym and Rejuvenate. From his roots at Liverpool Academy to pioneering training concepts in the UAE, Sean shares his journey from the pitch to performance, and how fitness racing has reignited his competitive fire. They explore: • Transitioning from pro sport to entrepreneurship • The rise of functional fitness in Dubai and the GCC • How ex-athletes are finding purpose through fitness racing • Building a...
info_outline
🎙️ Episode 17: Building South Africa & UAE Growth Through Community and Culture
DEADLY DOZEN PODCAST
In this Dubai sit-down, Jason chats with May — one half of the partnership behind Deadly Dozen South Africa and the new UAE/GCC expansion. They unpack how they sold out races across SA by leaning into culture and community, what will shift in Dubai (more athlete-focused, race-first experience), and the realities of running events at scale. May shares her non-fitness background, her past as a national-level javelin thrower, and why fitness racing for her is about health, not pressure. The big vision included the Deadly Dozen as a truly global, accessible race featured in every major fitness...
info_outlineIn this special episode, the tables are turned — our guest, Graeme Hinde, steps in as interviewer to sit down with Jason Curtis, Founder of the Deadly Dozen.
Jason opens up about his journey from Thai boxing and military PT to becoming a coach, author, and now the creator of one of the world’s fastest-growing fitness races. Together, they delve into the mindset, struggles, and lessons that have shaped Deadly Dozen’s explosive growth — and what it truly takes to succeed in fitness, business, and life.
Topics include:
• Why coaching lit the fire more than competition
• The early struggles of starting a gym and building a business from scratch
• Lessons from failure, resilience, and financial stress
• How Deadly Dozen grew from one race to a global movement in 12+ countries
• Leadership, vision, and why “good enough” beats perfection
• The future of fitness racing, longevity, and training for life
This is a raw, unfiltered conversation about grit, setbacks, and the drive to create something bigger than yourself.
Tune in now to hear Jason’s story from the inside out — and discover the mindset behind Deadly Dozen.