From CrossFit Gym to Hyrox Powerhouse - Talon Smith's Training Philosophy

Chris Detzel is the passionate host and creator of "DFW Running Talk," the premier podcast dedicated to showcasing the vibrant running community across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex. Since launching the show in October 2024, Chris has established himself as a central voice in North Texas running culture, conducting in-depth conversations with elite athletes, coaches, race directors, and inspiring everyday runners who define the region's diverse running scene. As both interviewer and active participant in the DFW running community, Chris brings an authentic perspective shaped by years of personal running experience. While he describes himself as primarily a half marathon runner rather than a marathoner - citing the extensive training commitment and unpredictability of marathon race day - his deep knowledge of running culture spans the full spectrum from 5Ks to ultramarathons. His preference for half marathons stems from their balance of challenge and accessibility, allowing him to race monthly without the intensive training demands of longer distances. Chris's connection to elite running runs through his family - his wife Lea Ivy is an accomplished marathoner who has completed the Boston Marathon 12 times consecutively, achieving a personal best of 3:14 at age 45. This personal connection to high-level competition, combined with his own running journey, gives Chris unique insight into both the elite and recreational sides of the sport. He often travels to Boston to support Lea's racing and has become part of the broader running community that gathers around major events like the Boston Marathon. Through DFW Running Talk, Chris has created more than just a podcast - he's built a platform that celebrates the depth and diversity of North Texas running talent. His interviews reveal the stories behind local legends, from sub-3:00 marathoners to innovative coaches, from race directors creating memorable experiences to everyday runners achieving extraordinary personal transformations. The show has featured conversations with accomplished athletes like Shantel Cloud (sub-3:00 marathoner), Travis Dowd (Dallas Marathon winner), and Mimi Smith (Olympic Trials competitor), alongside community builders and running industry professionals. What sets Chris apart as a host is his ability to connect with guests on multiple levels - as a fellow runner who understands training cycles and race strategy, as a community member invested in the local running scene, and as a skilled interviewer who draws out both technical insights and personal stories. His approach prioritizes authentic conversation over surface-level inspiration, resulting in episodes that offer genuine value to runners of all levels. Based in the Dallas area, Chris continues to grow DFW Running Talk's reach across multiple platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, and YouTube, while maintaining strong connections to local running organizations like Dallas Running Club and participating in the broader Texas running community. His work documents and celebrates a running culture that he believes is "way more badass than it has any right to be."

Talon Smith is the owner of FTX Hybrid Athletics in Fort Worth, Texas, one of the premier Hyrox training facilities in the United States. Under his leadership, the gym has become a powerhouse in the rapidly growing sport of Hyrox, sending 9 athletes to World Championships and accumulating over 40 podium finishes—a record nearly unheard of in the competitive landscape. After competing in his first Hyrox race in Dallas in 2021, Talon fell in love with the sport's unique blend of endurance and functional strength. Since then, he's dedicated himself to mastering the training methodology required to excel in this demanding fitness competition, which combines 8 kilometers of running with 8 strength-based stations. Talon's gym, formerly a CrossFit affiliate, has evolved into a hybrid training center that offers athletes the flexibility to pursue multiple fitness pathways—from Hyrox-specific endurance programming to traditional strength and conditioning. With a new facility opening in Benbrook and plans to launch an international fitness app, Talon is expanding his mission to provide athletes with comprehensive training and recovery resources, including cold plunge therapy, infrared saunas, and advanced recovery technology. His coaching philosophy emphasizes proper running mechanics, zone-based cardiovascular training, and sustainable progression—proving that success in Hyrox starts with a solid endurance foundation. Through FTX Hybrid Athletics, Talon has built not just a successful competitive team, but an inclusive community where athletes of all levels can pursue their fitness goals.