His journey isn’t the typical athlete origin story. No collegiate running background. No lifetime of endurance training. Instead, his path winds through the Australian Special Forces, years of combat deployments, a battle with addiction, and ultimately, a relentless pursuit of personal redemption—one sled pull at a time.

We sat down with John to talk about his unique road to Hyrox, what keeps him pushing forward, and why, despite every reason to quit, he just won’t.

The Early Days: A Small-Town Kid with Big Aspirations

Growing up in Newcastle, Australia, John was all about sports. Rugby, track and field—he did it all. He even had a shot at representing Australia at the World Youth Games in javelin.

“I was always chasing that next challenge,” John recalls. “But after injuries and some missed opportunities, I had to pivot. That’s when the military came into the picture.”

At just 20 years old, he found himself diving headfirst into one of the most grueling selection processes in the world: Australia’s Special Forces Direct Entry Program. The goal? Break you. And if they can’t break you, see how far they can push you.

“That course wasn’t designed to test your strength,” he explains. “It was designed to make you quit.”

Spoiler: He didn’t.

A Different Kind of Battlefield

For the next few years, John was all in—multiple deployments to Afghanistan, high-stakes missions, and the kind of pressure most of us can’t even fathom. But when he came home, the war didn’t end.

“I got shot early in my first tour, and somehow I walked away,” he says. “That kind of thing messes with your head. I felt invincible, so I started living like it. Drinking, partying, pushing the limits in ways that had nothing to do with the battlefield.”

Addiction crept in, slowly at first, then all-consuming. He bounced in and out of rehab, lost jobs, burned bridges. Eventually, he found himself in Spain, alone, at rock bottom.

“I was handcuffed to a hospital bed, completely out of control,” he says. “That was my breaking point. I knew if I didn’t get it together, I wasn’t going to make it.”

Rebuilding, One Step at a Time

Getting sober wasn’t about willpower—it was about surrendering.

“I had to accept that I wasn’t invincible,” he admits. “And I had to put structure in my life. I built my days around discipline—wake up, train, work with my therapist, stay busy.”

It was during this rebuilding phase that he found fitness again. Jiu-jitsu first, then running, then—almost by accident—Hyrox.

“There was a gym doing a Hyrox-style workout, and I thought, ‘This looks fun.’ Next thing I know, I’m in Vienna running my first race with zero real training.”

He clocked a 67-minute debut. For context, that’s insane. Especially given that he barely trained for it.

“I crossed the finish line and thought, ‘Alright, I could be really good at this.’”

A few months later, he ran a 60-minute race. Then a 59. By his fourth event, he was sub-59 and officially an elite.

Just like that, John Wynn went from battling inner demons to battling the best in the world.

The Hyrox Mentality

For John, Hyrox isn’t just about fitness. It’s about proving something—to himself, to the world, and maybe to the guy he used to be.

“People love to overcomplicate things,” he says. “But at the end of the day, Hyrox is simple. You show up. You put in the work. You don’t quit.”

He’s not the fastest runner in the elite field, but what sets him apart is his ability to grind. Whether it’s the sled pull, lunges, or wall balls, he finds a way to stay in the fight.

“People underestimate how much mindset matters,” he says. “I’ve been in situations where quitting wasn’t an option. So when I’m racing, I remind myself—it’s just another challenge. It’s not life or death. It’s just pain. And pain is temporary.”

That perspective has made him one of the most consistent Hyrox athletes on the planet. While others have peaks and valleys, John is always there—top 10, battling, making it impossible to count him out.

Balancing Family, Training, and the Grind

John isn’t just an elite athlete. He’s also a husband and a father to two young daughters.

“I love being a dad,” he says with a smile. “But balancing training and family life is tough. Some days, I’m up before the sun, training before my girls wake up, then I’m back for breakfast, school drop-offs, and real life.”

For anyone trying to balance high-level competition with real-life responsibilities, his advice is simple:

“Be kind to yourself. You’re not going to be perfect in every area all the time. Just do the best you can with what you have. And don’t make excuses. If something matters to you, you’ll find the time.”

What’s Next?

As the Hyrox season continues, John’s focus is clear—secure his spot in the World Championships. He’s already a force in the elite field, but he wants more.

“I’ve got unfinished business,” he says. “I know I’m still improving. I only started serious run training three years ago. Every season, I get stronger. I’m not done yet.”

Beyond that? Coaching, helping others on their fitness journeys, and continuing to inspire people who might be fighting their own battles.

“Hyrox is just one chapter,” he says. “But the lessons carry over into everything—discipline, resilience, perseverance. That’s what really matters.”

Final Thoughts

John Wynn isn’t just a Hyrox athlete. He’s proof that no matter how many times you get knocked down, you can always stand back up.

His story isn’t about talent or luck. It’s about showing up, doing the work, and refusing to quit. Whether on a battlefield, in recovery, or on the Hyrox racecourse, John’s philosophy is the same:

Keep pushing. Keep grinding. And never count yourself out.