My Journey of Becoming a Hybrid Athlete

As this is my final blog post, I wanted to take a step back and reflect on my journey of becoming a hybrid athlete. It wasn’t always easy — behind the progress and personal records were also doubts, injuries, and pressure. But through it all, I learned a lot about my body, my mindset, and what movement truly means to me.

This post is more personal because I want to share not just the highlights, but also the struggles that shaped my path.

From Team Sports to Training Alone

I grew up playing volleyball and other team sports, always surrounded by people, sharing wins and losses, and relying on others just as much as they relied on me. It was fun, social, and full of energy. But when I started going to the gym and running, everything shifted. Suddenly, it was just me. I had to show up for myself, push through the hard moments alone, and stay motivated without a team cheering me on. It was a completely different experience. But at the same time, I loved it. It gave me freedom, space to think, and a new kind of confidence that came from relying only on myself.

“Hybrid athlete”

I’ve always loved doing many different sports. My parents kept me active from a young age: skiing in winter, cycling and hiking in the summer.🌞I also played volleyball for years and completely fell in love with the team spirit and the energy it brought. I was just a kid who loved to move, explore, and enjoy life through sport. I wouldn’t call it “hybrid training” (this term didn’t even exist back then).

But over the last few years, the idea of being a hybrid athlete has become really popular. People started to combine strength and endurance in a more structured way. It became a trend, and I found myself naturally drawn to it, because it reflected what I already loved: variety, challenge, and freedom.

Falling in Love with Progress

When I decided to fully commit to my hybrid journey earlier this year, everything felt exciting. I started strong, I was running regularly, going to the gym, and playing volleyball. I was surrounded by friends, moving every day, and for the first time, I saw real progress. I felt stronger, faster, more capable. Every small win pushed me forward, and I genuinely loved the process. One of my proudest moments was running my first 10K🏅(something I never thought I’d do). That feeling of growth, both physically and mentally, was amazing.

Injury and Fear of Losing Progress

But then things shifted. My knee started to hurt, and deep down, I knew I needed to slow down. But I couldn’t bring myself to rest. I was scared of losing all the progress I had worked so hard for. Taking even a few weeks off felt like a huge step backwards. When I finally did stop, I struggled with feelings of frustration and guilt. I didn’t feel like an athlete anymore. Running felt harder, my endurance was gone, and I started doubting myself. The hardest part wasn’t just the physical setback — it was the mental weight of feeling like I had to start all over again.😢

Pressure of the “Hybrid Athlete” Label

Sometimes, being labeled a hybrid athlete brought more pressure than motivation. Friends would joke, “Eli, how are you struggling with this? You’re a hybrid athlete!” like I was supposed to excel at everything…

But the truth is, I have my limits. I get tired, I have bad days, and not every workout feels amazing. I realized that even though I love doing many sports, I’m still human. There are so many internal and external factors that affect how I move, and I’ve learned that it’s okay not to meet every expectation — even my own.

Redefining What Movement Means to Me

Now, I’ve let go of the pressure to follow a perfect training plan or prove anything through sport. I don’t want strict rules or expectations hanging over me. I just want to move in ways that make me feel happy.😃 I’m learning to listen to my body and enjoy movement for how it makes me feel, not how it makes me look. I am no more chasing aesthetics or other people’s expectations. I train for joy, for freedom, and most importantly for myself.

What struggles have you faced in training, and how do you keep your mindset strong? Share your thoughts in the comments!❤️

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Catch up on my last posts:

My Version of Hybrid Training: How to Balance Strength, Endurance, and Fun!

The Benefits of Hybrid Training for Women

How to Build Your Perfect Hybrid Training Split

My Weekly Hybrid Routine: What It Looks Like (and Why It’s Always Changing)

How to Stay Motivated!

Nutrition Tips for Hybrid Athletes

Stretching and Recovery Tips for Hybrid Athletes

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