EP 19 | Mario Johnson: World Champion for 2022 HYROX AG 60-64 / "You Can Do Anything You Believe In, Just Start!

The Competitive Edge Podcast: Fatherhood | Fitness | Focus

This is Episode 19 today, with my close friend, a former hybrid training partner, and a dad athlete I am proud to call a brother… he also is one of the kindest and most caring individuals I have ever known. Truly a role model in my eyes.

Mr. Mario Johnson, who lives in Cape Coral, FL on the West Coast of FL

He is a 61-year-old Father and has 6 kids that are between the ages of 17 and 34.

Mario has 5 girls, 1 boy

Works as a Highschool Teacher and teaches leadership management to Junior ROT Cadets.

As a teenager, he was the State Wrestling Champion

As an adult, he completed an Iron Man Triathlon Competition

Also, competed in the OCR world championships, ranked 2nd overall for his Age group

Lastly, he has been named the 2022 Hyrox AG world champion, and the Deka Age group world champion in all three events (Strong, Mile, and Fit)

We both thank Heidi Williams for getting us into hybrid racing and her pain cave workouts!

6. What are your biggest accomplishments in business or in your professional career?

My biggest accomplishment is serving my country for 24 years in the Army, and reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. As a special operator, I qualified as a Ranger, Airborne, Rigger, and Air Assault.

7. What is your biggest accomplishment as a father (in regard to your family members)?

Raising my children to have respect and love for God and Jesus Christ. To give them the guidance, motivation and confidence that they can accomplish anything in their life through dedication, discipline and hard work. Always associate themselves with positive people, those that have a “can do attitude

8. How would you define "Competitive Edge"?

To me “Competitive Edge” means who is willing to put in the work over his or her competitors during pre-season, in-season and cool down. It is being ready to suffer for what you want and doing it with wisdom and forethought. So when it is time to execute, you are ready to be the best.

9. When did the competitive side of you begin? and please walk us through the sports you may have played as a kid into an adult:

My competitive edge was something I had since a child, my father and mother sustained our motivation to play outside and be active. We were introduced to baseball, football, soccer, Judo, tennis and basketball. As a teen I played Football, ran track and Wrestled.

10. What was the dynamic with your parents? who brought you to sports and etc?

I had a great relationship with my parents and it was my Dad who pushed us toward sports and my mom was supper supportive.

11. What is that quote or saying your parents always told you that sticks with you today?

They really did not give me a quote but they raised me with this mindset “you can accomplish anything you put your mind too”

12. What kind of competitive athletic events did you compete in before kids as an adult?

I was totally involved in wrestling

13. What did your training schedule look like before kids?

Trained in the afternoons at the Wrestling club

14. What kind of competitive events do you compete in now as a father??

OCR races, and Hybrid Sports (Hyrox, Deka)

15. What does your training schedule look like now as a father? (hours per week est)

I train in the mornings before work and after my teaching job… I train about 8 to 10 hours a week

16. How have you adapted/adjusted and what changes have you made competing and/or training as a father?

I have adapted, I’ve been doing since my military career

17. What are some things or ways you stay present as a father balancing training and fatherhood?

I always attend any of my childrens events… We spend time during the week doing devotional studies and eating as a family everyday.

18. Why do you train and/or compete? What drives that bug in you to compete?

As of today I love Deka, and Hyrox training and competition! I do it because I love the challenge and the community, plus I use the sport platform to bring the Word of Salvation of Jesus Christ to the family of Hybrid athletes and it is my way of also thanking God for allowing me to stay healthy and do the things I do at my age.

19. What are the most notable improvements you’ve noticed from staying fit and/or competing in fitness events? What changes have you experienced that you would most likely brag about to a friend? What benefits do you get out of training and competing?

My most notable improvement is my high-intensity VO2 max capabilities, to be able to sustain an anaerobic event at a high heart rate level keeps me amazed.

The benefits for me are good health and meeting great people in all areas of life.

20. What kind of time management hacks have you conquered? Training in am or pm etc?

Training in am

21. What advice would you have for those men out there that lost connection with their health when they finished competing as an athlete or as a first-time dad that lost touch with their competitive edge and respect for the man in the mirror?

It is never too late to start again… Take that first step to recovering your health, change in diet and nutrition and they will be right back where you once were.

22. What is your spirit animal and why?

I consider myself an Eagle because I am steady in character, observant and deliberate in my approach to life situations, plus I love adventure and the outdoors… also, when it is time to perform, I’m ready to do what is needed to be successful.

23. What big races, or events, coming up for you this year?

Hyrox World Championships in Manchester, Spartan Trifecta World Championships in Greece

24. How can everyone find you and follow what you're doing (IG handle, website etc)?

You can find me on Instagram “mariojohnson9341” or on Facebook and I’m sponsored by MyZone and Mudgear