WAO JUNE NEWSLETTER
- Anastasiia C.
- Jun 2
- 5 min read
Welcome Message
Hey everyone,
With three locations now part of the WAO family, there’s a lot going on - and we wanted a way to keep everyone in the loop.
Each edition will bring you the latest on what’s happening around the gym, shoutouts to our amazing members, and a few special features along the way. We’re kicking things off with a little “meet the owners” intro, a look at the Earn It, Own It challenge winner, and highlights from the WAO community.
This newsletter is for all of you - so if you have milestones, ideas, or stories you’d like to share, let us know! We’re all about lifting each other up and making sure everyone feels part of the WAO vibe. See you in the gym!
Meet the People Behind WAO
We thought it would be fun to kick off this first edition by introducing the four people behind WAO. Dani, Jed, Ian and Claudine - they each bring something unique to the gym, and together they’re building something special for all of us. We caught up with them to hear about how it all started, what keeps them motivated, and what makes this community so important to them.
1. Can you share the story behind starting WAO?
Dani: After I moved to Singapore the gym is where I made my first friends. It was at Turf City - I walked in there and was so welcomed by the community that I never left. Fast forward 2 years and that gym was going to be closed down. A group of us were determined to keep it opened but was not to be. Which led to We Are One (WAO) Fitness being created. We found a piece of land and simply started there.
2. What’s the vision and mission that guide WAO today?
Our vision has always been to be the most inclusive gym in Singapore. We want anyone that walks in to have that same feeling - that they are welcome, and that they can do this too.
3. What makes WAO special or different from other gyms?
It's definitely the people you meet, the sharing of cultures. Singapore being such an interesting mix of cultures. WAO becomes your home away from home - a place of connection, fuel for your body and also your mental health. We believe WAO is where so many of us have formed deep and meaningful connections, especially in a world that is becoming increasingly digital.
4. What are some important values or ideas that you care about and bring to WAO?
We believe that improving an individual’s fitness can significantly benefit their physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing - and those benefits become even more important as we age up. Encouraging members to work hard and reap the benefits is our biggest motivation to continue doing what we do at WAO.
5. What’s something interesting or fun about WAO or about you that people might not know?
Ian: I actually started CrossFit after being diagnosed with multiple bulging discs and was told by doctors to refrain from physical activity. I was very hesitant at first, but my training has made my body so much more resilient, and I’m able to do things today that I would never have thought possible after my diagnosis.
Dani: My name is really Princess - yes for $80 you used to be able to change your name to anything you like. I think they have changed the law now. Haha
Jed: Did you know Jed used to be a national swimmer? He represented Singapore in both national and international competitions - pretty cool, right?
Try to guess which one is true about Claudine:
She took part in a game show on TV as a teenager and won a few hundred dollars worth of McDonald’s vouchers. Had a blast going to McDonald’s for free for a while.
She had long hair and ponytails up until she was 6 years old.
The right answer? They’re both true! Can you believe it?
Earn It, Own It Challenge
May Challenge - The Proclaimers, This one was all about steps - every single day! Huge shoutout to everyone who took part and kept moving. And the winner is Pei Yee Ng! Great effort and consistency - well done!
Community Highlights: What’s Happening at WAO
Congratulations to all WAO members who took on the recent HYROX in Bangkok! It was inspiring to see such amazing team spirit on display. This is a huge achievement for everyone, whether it was your first time or one of many races. It’s all about hard work, determination, and consistency – and you all showed exactly that. Awesome job, everyone!
Dani & Yvette - Women’s Pro Doubles - 1st Place!
Hugo & Nort - Men’s Pro Doubles - 2nd Place!
Ilona & Aimee - Women’s Pro Doubles - 4th Place!
Cory & Jeri - Mixed Doubles - 5th Place!
Lama & Meena - Women’s Pro Doubles
Fenella & Santi - Mixed Doubles
Peter & Debs - Mixed Doubles
Nazmi & Liu Yin - Mixed Doubles
Claudine & Chrystella - Women’s Doubles
Rich & Random Mate - Men’s Doubles
Alex Tan & Yong Pei - Men’s Doubles
Sumit - Men’s Open
Evelyn, Sea, Grace & Claude - Female Relay
Maire Mc Ginley & Gabe Heck,| 54:08- Mixed Doubles Champion. - What a highlight seeing Maire absolutely smash the race with Elite 15 Gabe Heck!
Upcoming Events
Earn It, Own It June Challenge - Acid House; We’d love for everyone to join in - let’s keep the momentum going!
We wish all the best to the Crew headed to Chicago for the HYROX World Championships- Miranda & Sarah, Ilona & Aimee, Simone and Maire!!! GO HAVE SOME FUN!.
HYROX Singapore - June 28-29
We’re pumped to see WAO members jumping into another HYROX race, this time at the Singapore National Stadium! Keen to get ready? Come join our HYROX training sessions and simulation workouts at Dempsey. Check out the dates for the simulations—Register here.
Article: Data Science & Hyrox – What Really Makes the Difference?
We recently came across a fascinating analysis by Vlad Matei, diving deep into HYROX performance data and revealing what sets top finishers apart. Using data from over 2023–2024 races, he explored key factors that influence race times and highlighted the stations that make or break a performance.
Key insights:
Burpees, lunges, and wall balls are the “difference-makers” – these stations show the largest variation in times and can determine a top finish.
Consistency is king – elite athletes maintain steady run paces throughout the race, while slower runners fade as fatigue sets in.
Sled pull takes more time and technique – more variation compared to sled push due to different pulling strategies and fatigue. (check out our sled pull/push workshop in June)
Mental fatigue matters – longer times on lunges and wall balls suggest mental endurance is crucial too!
Data-driven predictions – a random forest model achieved 74% accuracy in predicting an athlete’s percentile based on station and run times, with later runs (especially run 8) and tough stations like burpees, lunges, and wall balls carrying the most weight.
This piece really underlines how HYROX is more than just fitness—it’s a game of strategy, consistency, and data-driven insights! To read the full article, please follow this link: Article Here
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