Behind the scenes of Velites with CEO Matias Hernandez Van Waes

This week, John and Adam sit down with Matias, CEO and founder of Velites, one of the most recognisable brands in functional fitness.Matias shares the origin of Velites, the mindset behind the brand’s “Made Not Born” philosophy, and what it really takes to build products in the functional fitness space.We dive into the evolution of Velites — from building jump ropes for friends at his local box to becoming the brand it is today, including sponsoring the CrossFit Games in 2025.Matias also gives an inside look at what Velites is building next, sharing highlights from 2025 and teasing new products and announcements coming in 2026.Whether you’re an athlete, coach, or someone who trains in functional fitness, this episode offers insight into building something meaningful, learning through failure, and staying committed to the process.Velites: https://eu.velitessport.com/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/The Progrm Hyrox: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmhyroxWe have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

This week, John and Adam turn their attention to the World Fitness Project Finals. With John on-site working alongside athletes and Adam following the competition remotely, they bring two complementary perspectives to the weekend. They recap the action, take a closer look at the programming, highlight key performances, and reflect on what the event did well, and where there’s room to improve, rounding out the conversation with some of the standout moments from the finals.The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

This week, John and Adam break down a big weekend of racing, starting with the HYROX Elite 15 in Melbourne, unpacking the standout performances and key results. They recap The Crown competition, before turning their attention to Copenhagen to preview the World Fitness Project Finals. John & Adam run through the workouts and give their predictions on who will come out on top.You can find Adam at https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/The Progrm Hyrox: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmhyroxThe Crown: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmcrown/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

This week, John and Adam sit down with our very first guest, Alfonso, Event Director of the MAD Fitness Festival, one of only two CrossFit Games Semifinals in Europe for 2026.In this episode, we explore Alfonso’s journey and the evolution of an event that has grown out of the Madrid Championship into one of Europe’s key CrossFit competitions. Alfonso gives us a behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to develop and deliver an event at the semifinal level, including the challenges, logistics, and vision required to make it happen.We discuss:Alfonso’s personal backstoryHis background in CrossFit and the wider fitness industryThe origins and history of the MAD Fitness FestivalWhat it takes to build, grow, and manage a major competitionHow an event becomes an official CrossFit Games SemifinalCrossFit events past, present, and how the landscape is evolvingWhether you're a CrossFit fan, athlete, or someone curious about how large-scale fitness events come together, this conversation offers insight into the people, process, and passion behind the sport.Please share feedback and questions to: [email protected] Fitness Festival: https://madfitnessfestival.com/MAD Fitness Festival Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mad_fitness_festival/You can find Adam at https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/The Progrm Hyrox: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmhyroxWe have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

This week, John and Adam chat about HYROX and the competition experience, from how equipment and lane setups can vary across events, to why those differences aren’t always as equal as they seem. They also dive into key insights on the Concept2 machines.Please share feedback and questions to: [email protected] can find Adam at https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/The Progrm Hyrox: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmhyroxBlack Friday offer: https://billing.theprogrm.com/b/14AfZh6PQddY0Vc9NOabK1m?prefilled_promo_code=BLACKFRIDAYWe have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

This week, John and Adam discuss the CrossFit Games qualification pathway for 2026, The Progm's youth competition "The Crown" and a bit about the next generation of CrossFit athletes.Please share feedback and questions to: [email protected] can find Adam at https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/The Crown Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmcrown/The Progrm Hyrox: https://www.instagram.com/theprogrmhyrox/The Crown 2024: https://youtu.be/xnJpHug9h_0?si=34NOIiyPH9cGpGECThe Progrm - The next generation: https://youtu.be/xnJpHug9h_0?si=34NOIiyPH9cGpGECBlack Friday offer: https://billing.theprogrm.com/b/14AfZh6PQddY0Vc9NOabK1m?prefilled_promo_code=BLACKFRIDAYWe have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

This week, John and Adam discuss highlights from the Rogue Invitational, programming concerns, athletes' perspectives on the competition and how it fits into the season. They examine why athletes are withdrawing from the World Fitness Project and the potential implications for the competitive landscape, and analyse the ongoing CrossFit sales rumours and their possible impact on the sport and gym industry.Please share feedback and questions to: [email protected] can find Adam at https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/Black Friday offer: https://billing.theprogrm.com/b/14AfZh6PQddY0Vc9NOabK1m?prefilled_promo_code=BLACKFRIDAYJoin The Progrm here: https://www.theprogrm.com/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

In this Episode, John is joined by the new host, Adam, to discuss what has happened in the worlds of CrossFit, HYROX, Training and The Progrm, since the last episode and some plans for the pod in the future.Please share feedback and questions to: [email protected] can find Adam at https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/Join The Progrm here: https://www.theprogrm.com/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

In this Episode, John is joined by the new host, Adam, to discuss what has happened in the worlds of CrossFit, HYROX, Training and The Progrm, since the last episode and some plans for the pod in the future.You can find Adam at: https://www.instagram.com/adam.gilesy/The Progm at:https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/The website:https://theprogrm.com/Training Progrm:https://theprogrm.com/programs/Hyrox Progrm:https://theprogrm.com/hyrox/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/

Vicki and John  dive deep into the Games and how it panned out for him and his coaches and athletes Moritz Fiebig and Ella Wunger.  This episode is also available on The Progrm You Tube channel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7ueGlfhOrIWe have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!You can find Vicki at https://www.instagram.com/vicmcleod/The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/We have an EIC offer for you. You can get a 10% discount on all of The Progrm courses or the Athlete Academy, just pop in the code EIC at the checkout to get the deal. Visit https://theprogrm.com/ and take a look at the COURSES and ACADEMY and make your pick!The Progm at https://www.instagram.com/theprogrm/