Inspiring Women in Sport: Lauren Weeks

In honor of National Women's History Month (March) and International Women's Day (March 8), we are kicking off a three-part blog series – Inspiring Women in Sport. For this first installment, Concept2 sat down with Lauren Weeks - a mom and three-time HYROX World Champion, as well as a HYROX World Record Holder - to dive deep into the topic of women in sport and to celebrate their inspiring stories and achievements. 

Tell us about yourself, what you do in sport, and a few accolades you are most proud of. 
Hi! My name is Lauren Weeks. I am a mom to a two-and-a-half-year-old girl and a multisport athlete. My biggest successes have come in the sport of HYROX, where I am the three-time World Champion and World Record holder. 

How did you first get into your sport and what initially drew you to competing? 
I initially found HYROX through a friend who told me about the first event happening in the United States back in 2019. At the time, I was competing in CrossFit but kept running as a staple in my training. I immediately fell in love with the concept of combining both of these worlds, which I enjoyed so much. I was hooked from the very first event I tried. 

What barriers have you faced doing your sport that might not be expected?
HYROX is growing exponentially, and with that growth comes more eyes. I have always been more of an introvert. In pursuit of personal growth, I have made a conscious effort to become more extroverted so I can better connect with all these amazing human beings who have common interests and values. 

As a woman what would you change about your sport and experience (if anything)? 
The sport does an excellent job making the event accessible to all genders. I want to see continued equal celebration of the accomplishments of males and females. 

Can you tell us about a time you were intimidated or were anxious/nervous to compete or practice but you showed up anyways and you were glad you did? 
Showing up at a public gym can be intimidating for all of us. I have often struggled with feeling as if I am being watched while working out. I know when we race there are many people watching us. And for some reason that does not bother me. But outside of a race setting, I can still feel uncomfortable when I am in a gym if I feel like people are watching me. Sometimes, I have cut my workout short because I just felt too uncomfortable to keep going. I will say that I never feel good about the times that I left early. I feel so proud of myself when I push through those uncomfortable moments and complete the entire session. 

Can you tell us about a time you were proud or cherished being a part of an all-female accomplishment or team? 
Yes!! Recently, I had the opportunity to team up with three other women as part of The Hybrid Engine Team for an all-women’s HYROX Relay team. These women are my friends, my role models, my inspiration, and my teammates. It is the most amazing team I have ever been a part of. We had each other's backs, no questions asked. We were there for one another, no matter what. That effort resulted in us breaking the World Record! And now we hold the Women’s HYROX Relay World Record. 

What does it mean to you to be strong and a woman in your sport? 
I love that strength has become something that is now widely celebrated in female athletes! Even in a sport that is considered an endurance sport. Strength is the goal we are all trying to achieve and I am so happy that there are so many strong women in this sport and in our circle for my daughter to watch and look up to. 

How do you use Strength in your everyday life? (mental, emotional, or physical) 
Many of us choose to do hard things every day in life. It is so important to remember that we are not the only ones “choosing strong” and working hard. True strength is in acknowledging the hard work we see in those around us and knowing that the people in our life are also “choosing strong.”  

How do you use Concept2 ergs to train for your sport?  
I use the Concept2 SkiErg and RowErg primarily for threshold work and mixed modality training in my HYROX workouts. I do not often spend time in Z2 (heart rate zone two) on these machines. I use the Concept2 BikeErg in multiple heart rate zones. Ranging from easy Z2 work to hard lactic efforts. 

What is something you would want to share with your younger self or to younger generations about being a woman in your sport? 
You are so much stronger and more resilient than you could ever imagine. Keep reaching for the stars. You have not found your limit. 

What is your favorite part about being a woman in your sport? 
I think women in our sport are helping to change the narrative of what you need to look like to be an athlete. We come from all different backgrounds and in various body types and can mix it up on the racecourse together with support and encouragement. 

Who was a role model to you and that you look up to in your sport? 
There are so many female role models to look up to in this sport and adjacent sports. I love seeing the moms that are kicking butt in the race while still prioritizing their kids on the daily. Two of these women that I love to see constantly at soccer practices or gymnastics training are Faye Morgan and Brigette Brown. 

Has your experience as a woman in your sport changed much over the years? 
I think for a little while the men in the sport were a bigger draw for people, but I do not feel that is the case anymore. 

Where do you see yourself in your sport in 5-10 years from now and how does it differ from today?
Hopefully, a faster athlete in the coming years! 

Interested in supporting more Women's initiatives? Participate in Concept2's International Women's Day Challenge on March 8th!

To learn more about HYROX, check out the information here.