Meet Matt Osborne – Hybrid Athlete, Dad, and Creative Machine
Whether he’s chasing down a HYROX finish line, hauling grocery bags like it’s race day, or road-tripping in the family caravan, Matt brings energy, grit, and a good dose of humour to everything he does.
He proves that you don’t need perfect conditions to stay fit — just the drive to make it happen.
Hey, I'm Matt
I’m a proud Tasmanian, husband, dad, and hybrid athlete. “Hybrid athlete” is really just a fancy way of saying I can’t pick between running, lifting, or doing something that leaves me in a sweaty heap — so I do them all.
Hyrox has become a huge obsession for me. I’m like a moth to a flame. It’s the perfect mix of endurance and strength, giving real purpose to a structured, periodised training plan. I’m naturally competitive, so whether it’s a race, a workout, or carrying every single grocery bag in one trip, I’m all in.
When I’m not training or off on a family trip in our caravan, I run a media production company — Oi Studios — in Hobart. It keeps me on my toes creatively, and I bring the same energy (and occasional chaos!) to my workouts and content.
Balancing family, business, travel, and training isn’t always the “perfect” scenario, but I like proving that you don’t need ideal conditions to stay fit. With a bit of creativity, you can always find a way.
Partnering with Bulk Nutrients was a no-brainer. I’m all about keeping it simple: fuel well, train hard, prioritise recovery, and enjoy the process. Fitness doesn’t need to be complicated — and it definitely shouldn’t be boring.
If there’s one thing I hope people take from my journey, it’s that you can chase big goals, build positive habits, stay consistent, and still have a laugh along the way.
My Bulk Recommendations
Creatine Monohydrate
Why I love it: If I had to pick one supplement to take forever, it would be Creatine Monohydrate. As a hybrid athlete, it’s a game-changer — supporting strength, power, and endurance, which is basically the holy trinity for Hyrox training. What I really love, though, is that creatine isn’t just for athletes. Research shows benefits for brain function, energy availability, and even healthy ageing, making it something almost anyone can benefit from — not just those chasing PBs. Bulk Nutrients’ Creatine Monohydrate is pure, simple, and affordable. No fluff, no unnecessary add-ins, just the good stuff. That aligns perfectly with my own philosophy around training and nutrition: keep it simple, be consistent, and focus on what actually works.
How I use it: I keep it simple here too — I add it to my post-workout oats with WPI and BCAA. When I’m travelling or on the go, I just stir it into whatever’s handy. Creatine doesn’t need to be fancy to work; it just needs to be taken consistently.
My go-to choice is 1kg
Beta Alanine
Why I love it: Beta Alanine is one of those supplements that gives me a real edge in training. It helps buffer lactic acid, which means I can hold intensity for longer before fatigue sets in — and for a hybrid athlete, that’s huge. Whether it’s on the rower, during a wall ball set, or grinding through a sled push, those extra few reps or seconds of effort really add up. What I like most is that it supports the kind of training I love — high intensity, mixed-modality, Hyrox-style work. It’s not about quick fixes or shortcuts; it’s about being able to keep pushing when things get uncomfortable. The famous tingles you get after taking it are just a reminder that it’s working… and honestly, I kind of look forward to them before a tough session.
How I use it: I usually take Beta Alanine pre-gym with my coffee and a small snack. It’s simple, fits easily into my routine, and helps me get the most out of every session.
My go-to choice is 250g
Hydration Salts
Why I love it: Hydration can make or break training, especially during hybrid sessions or long runs in Aussie conditions. Bulk Nutrients Hydration Salts have become a daily staple for me. They replace the electrolytes lost through sweat, help prevent cramps, and support recovery — all without the sugar or unnecessary extras. I use them both in training and day to day. Whether I’m out on a long run, tackling a tough Hyrox-style circuit, or just keeping up with work and family life, staying hydrated makes a huge difference. They mix easily, taste great, and actually make me want to drink more water.
How I use it: I add them to my water shaker throughout the day, and if I know it’s going to be a sweaty one — like during a conditioning session or a hot day run — I’ll bump up the dosage. It’s the easiest way I’ve found to stay on top of hydration without overthinking it.
My go-to choice is 260g Tropical
Essential Amino Acids (EAAs)
Why I love it: EAAs have become a bit of a non-negotiable for me. My sessions can be long and pretty mixed — strength, conditioning, running — so having something that supports energy and recovery while I train is a big win. I notice the difference when I use them, especially with muscle soreness and how quickly I bounce back for the next session. They also just make my water taste better. Some days, it’s the small things that get you through — and sipping on something refreshing that keeps me topped up is an easy habit to stick with. It’s one of those supplements that fits naturally into my training without overthinking it.
How I use it: I just throw a scoop in my water bottle before training and sip it as I go. It’s easy, no fuss, and helps me get more out of every session.
My go-to choice is 1kg
Whey Protein Isolate
Why I love it: Bulk Nutrients WPI has become a daily staple for me. The flavours are great, it mixes easily, and most importantly, it doesn’t leave me feeling bloated like some other proteins I’ve tried. For me, protein is all about recovery and consistency — and this makes both simple. It tastes good, goes down smoothly, and fits into my routine without any fuss.
How I use it: Most mornings I have it with oats, berries, and a banana after training. If I’m short on time, I just shake it up with water. I’ll often add it to yoghurt or overnight oats too. Honestly, I’ll have it with pretty much anything — you’ve got to keep those creative juices flowing!
My go-to choice is Vanilla 1kg
Matt's Approach to Nutrition
I like to keep food simple, consistent, and enjoyable. I’m not the type to weigh every grain of rice or obsess over macros, but I do like knowing my meals are fuelling my training, recovery, and family life. My approach is all about balance: mostly whole foods, plenty of protein, and enough carbs to keep the engine running.
Most of my meals are built around the basics — oats, rice, potatoes, lean meats, veggies, and good fats from nuts, seeds, and avocado. It’s not fancy, but it works. I also like to mix in fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi for gut health, and I try to eat as many different fruits and berries as I can across the week. With young kids and a busy work schedule, I prefer meals that are quick to prep and easy to repeat.
Hot sauce pretty much goes on everything. It makes even the most standard meal taste better and gives me something to look forward to, even when I’m eating the same food on repeat. I also love to BBQ whenever I can — meat, veggies, even quick weeknight dinners. There’s just something about cooking outside that makes food taste better.
Snacks are usually simple: hard-boiled eggs, fruit, nuts, and yoghurt. I’m also a fan of chocolate-drizzled popcorn, which sneaks in when I want something fun.
Supplements like Bulk Nutrients WPI, Creatine, EAAs, and Hydration Salts slot naturally into this routine. I use them to make sure I’m covering my bases without overcomplicating things — protein powder goes into oats or smoothies, creatine post-training, EAAs during sessions, and Hydration Salts in my water throughout the day.
That said, I’m not super strict. I enjoy eating out with my family and I’m definitely not against a pizza night, burgers, or something sweet when the occasion calls for it. For me, consistency across the week matters more than being perfect every single meal. I want to show that you can train seriously and fuel properly without it becoming restrictive or boring.
Average Daily Calorie Intake: 3500.
Is there a type or style of diet you follow? I don’t count calories — I stick to clean eating principles and let how I feel guide me.
Are there foods you avoid? Why? Anything overly processed that leaves me bloated or heavy, especially around training.
Are there foods you crave? Rice bowls and oats — simple, filling, and easy to dress up in different ways. And yes, 70% dark chocolate sneaks in most nights as a small reward!
What's your go-to cheat meal? BBQ, without a doubt. I love cooking low and slow — brisket, ribs, pulled pork, wings — anything that can soak up smoke. It feels less like a “cheat” and more like a reward after a big training week. There’s something special about cooking outside, sharing food with family and friends, and then sitting down to eat. If I had to pick one meal to look forward to all week, BBQ would always win.
My Day on a Plate
Here’s what an average day of eating looks like for me:
Pre-gym
- Coffee
- 2 Weet-Bix with half a chopped pear and half a scoop of Bulk Nutrients WPI stirred in
- Beta Alanine
During training
- EAAs
- Electrolyte Plus (especially during longer or hotter sessions)
Breakfast (post-gym)
Morning snack
- 3 hard-boiled eggs with spinach and sauerkraut on seeded toast
- An apple and a handful of nuts
Lunch
- Chicken or tuna with rice, avocado, spinach, kimchi, and nuts
- Always finished with hot sauce
Afternoon snack
- Yoghurt with fruit, berries, and seeds
- Chocolate-drizzled popcorn (makes an appearance more often than I’ll admit)
- Sometimes another protein shake or bar if I’m on the go
Dinner
- Meat with a big serving of veggies or salad
- Carbs from rice, potatoes, or pasta
- Hot sauce. Every. Single. Time.
Before bed
- High-protein yoghurt
- Blueberries, dark chocolate, granola, and a cheeky half scoop of choc WPI
Throughout the day
- Plenty of coffee and Hydration Salts
Weekly Workout Plan
At the core of my training, I’m all about building a strong aerobic engine and a solid strength base. I use a structured cycle approach — microcycles week to week, mesocycles across three to four weeks, and a macrocycle for the full season — to balance stress, recovery, and performance.
Running progression is a major focus. Following the principles of the Norwegian Method, I build my training around Zone 2 runs for aerobic base, threshold running for race-specific fitness, and compromised running to mimic Hyrox demands. All of this sits alongside strength work, which gives me the power to push sleds, lunge with purpose, and hold form under fatigue.
Here are some of my go-to sessions:
Threshold intervals
Progressions like 8 x 4 minutes or 6 x 5 minutes at threshold pace. These help me hold a strong pace while clearing fatigue — exactly what Hyrox running demands.
Zone 2 long runs
60 to 90 minutes at a conversational pace. Not glamorous, but they build the aerobic base that underpins everything else.
Hyrox simulation
1km run into Ski Erg, Sled Push, Sled Pull, Burpee Broad Jumps, Row, Farmers Carry, Sandbag Lunges, and Wall Balls. Brutal — but the best way to rehearse race pacing and transitions.
Strength foundation work
Squats, deadlifts, and presses. Simple, repeatable, and essential — they build the strength to move heavy loads under fatigue.
Hill repeats
Running 200 to 800 metres at a steady incline to develop leg power and running efficiency. It’s basically strength training in disguise.
For me, it’s about layering endurance and strength over time so that on race day I can run strong, move efficiently, and keep pushing when things get uncomfortable. Most importantly, it’s about listening to your body and adjusting on the fly — because true hybrid training is taxing and requires smart recovery to avoid overtraining or injury.
Latest Results
Do you have any medium/long term goals you're working towards?
In the short term, one of my biggest goals is learning to train on the road. My family and I are travelling in a caravan for three months, and I see it as the perfect challenge leading into Hyrox Melbourne. It means swapping gyms for caravan parks, finding new running routes every week, and relying on mobile equipment — but I’m excited to show that you can still prepare for a major event even when life looks different.
After Melbourne, the next focus is Hyrox Brisbane in April, where I’m aiming to take another step forward with my performance. The big, long-term goal is to qualify for the Hyrox World Championships in Stockholm in 2026. That goal drives a lot of the decisions I make in training, especially how I balance running progression with strength work.
For me, it’s not just about chasing times or placings — it’s about proving that consistency, creativity, and commitment are what really move the needle. If I can keep building as a hybrid athlete while staying present with family and work, and bring others along for the ride, then I’m right on track.
Have you had any exceptional results (in competitions or otherwise) in the last few years? Let us know what they are!
One of the results I’m most proud of this season is running a 37:20 10K, which really showed me my training is working — especially the balance between aerobic development and strength work. That time gave me a huge confidence boost and confirmed that the running progressions I’ve been following are paying off.
I’m still in my debut Hyrox season, but I’m happy with how things are tracking. At Hyrox Sydney, I lined up in the Men’s Pro division and finished in 1:12. It was a tough race, but getting one under my belt was massive — I learned a ton and have already started adapting my training from it.
Honestly, the biggest result has been consistency. Every training block I feel a little fitter, a little sharper, and a little more capable — which is exactly what I want in my first full season.
