October 12, 2026

#360: Keith Barlow, Founder & CEO of XENOM

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Today, I’m joined by Keith Barlow, founder & CEO of XENOM.

A two-day, 10-event competition testing gymnastics, strength, and metabolic conditioning, XENOM is positioned as the mass-participation alternative to elite-only fitness competitions.

In this episode, we discuss building the “decathlon of fitness.”

We also cover:

  • Partnering with CrossFit and HYROX
  • Competitive fitness as a cultural phenomenon
  • The business model behind large-scale fitness events

The Fitt Insider Podcast is brought to you by EGYM. Visit EGYM.com to learn more about its smart fitness ecosystem for fitness and health facilities.


Chapters:
(00:00) Introduction
(00:01) Keith’s background
(01:28) Founding story
(02:03) HYROX founders partnership
(05:02) CrossFit consumer vs. HYROX consumer
(06:50) Event for everyday athletes
(09:55) Partnership strategies
(14:00) Venture pitch
(18:51) Events, sponsorship, tickets
(21:45) Event execution
(25:45) Participation tiers and accessibility
(28:30) Scoring system
(31:19) Programming for affiliates, not just elite
(34:00) 3–5-year vision
(36:00) Where to find and follow XENOM
(36:45) Conclusion

Strategic intelligence for the future of health.

We break down how fitness, wellness, and healthcare are converging — and what it means for business, culture, and capital.

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