10/22/2026
HYROX Tampa — Pre-Race Interview 1. Helen, what made you decide to compete in HYROX Tampa? Believe it or not, HYROX wasn't even on my radar! A friend and fellow real estate colleague had just completed her first HYROX, and she shared her experience with me. What really stuck with me was how she described the spiritual feeling she experienced walking through that tunnel. The way she talked about it, the emotions, the energy, the sense of accomplishment—it was so powerful that I thought, "I want to experience that for myself." And here I am! 2. How have you balanced being a mom, running your real estate business, and training for HYROX? It's definitely required me to be intentional with my time and priorities. I had to start running again, something I hadn't done since 2019! Friday night dinners out turned into HYROX prep classes, and Saturday mornings meant waking up early to meet my running group at Flatwoods before that Florida heat kicked in. And mind you, we started training at the beginning of summer! It wasn't always easy, but when something is important to you, you find a way to make time for it. 3. What has preparing for this competition taught you about yourself? That I can do hard things! Seriously, when I ran my first six miles, I felt like a BAD BITCH! I was so proud of myself because there was a time when I couldn't imagine running that distance. It's taught me that I'm capable of so much more than I give myself credit for. Sometimes you just have to get out of your own way and see what you're capable of. 4. What similarities do you see between competing in HYROX and working in real estate? Honestly, both require discipline, prioritizing your time, and trusting the process. You're not always going to see results overnight, but you have to keep showing up and putting in the work. And one of my favorite parts of both is the people you meet along the way. Whether it's clients, colleagues, or the people I've trained alongside, those relationships make the journey so much more meaningful. 5. What would you say to women in their 40s who want to challenge themselves but are afraid to start? JUST DO IT! Seriously, we can do hard things! I remember going to HYROX training at Manakoa and thinking, "There is no way I can do this!" Some of those workouts felt impossible. But every single time I finished a class, I walked out feeling absolutely amazing. There's nothing like that feeling of accomplishing something you didn't think you could do. And at 45, I'm realizing that we don't have to stop challenging ourselves or trying new things. If anything, this is the time to see what else we're capable of. Don't wait until you feel ready. Just start! Helen, are you ready for HYROX Tampa? I'm excited, I'm nervous, and I'm ready to give it everything I've got! I've put in the work, and now I just want to enjoy the experience, take it all in, and hopefully cross that finish line with a huge smile on my face! Helen Mathews | (773) 616-4694