Jayson Hopper, a prominent American athlete in the world of CrossFit®, recently announced a significant change in his preparation for the 2025 CrossFit® Games season.
After four years with Mat Fraser's HWPO (Hard Work Pays Off) program, Hopper decided to Join the Brute Strength team, seeking new stimuli and strategies to achieve the goal of winning the CrossFit® Games.
Index
A Journey of Ups and Downs
Il Hopper's Path with HWPO has been marked by successes and challenges. In 2022, he achieved a remarkable seventh place at the CrossFit® Games, demonstrating his potential among the best athletes in the world.
However, in 2023, after moving to Vermont to train more closely with the HWPO team, he faced a burnout period which led to a disappointing 31st place at the Games.
The following season, returning to his native South Carolina, he nearly reached the podium at the Ft. Worth event, signaling a return to competitive form.
The Decision to Change
Preparing for his fifth year at the CrossFit® Games, Hopper expressed the desire for renewal in his workout routine.
In a video on YouTube, he said: “The reason I’m leaving HWPO and going to Brute is just… I’m ready for a change. I’ve been through the same program, same season structure, same coaches, same eyes on me. Even the same techniques on all of that stuff.”
See this content on Instagram
Goal: Victory at the CrossFit® Games
With the stated aim of win the CrossFit® Games, Hopper believes that coach Elcanah Senouvor, known as Coach El, and the Brute team will provide him with the tools and support necessary to achieve this goal.
He stressed that the decision to leave HWPO was made on amicable terms, thanking Mat Fraser, Matt O'Keefe, Jake Marconi and the rest of the HWPO team for their contributions to its development over the years.
Joining an Elite Team
Hopper's addition to Brute Strength places him on a top-tier team that includes three of the top four male athletes at the 2024 CrossFit® Games. James Sprague and Dallin Pepper, first and third place respectively, are part of the team, both coached by Matt Torres.
On the women's side, Brute boasts some notable athletes as Danielle Brandon, Fee Saghafi and Kelsey Kiel, with Brandon and Kiel also working under the guidance of Coach El
Who is Jayson Hopper?
Born on September 12, 1998 in Lexington, South Carolina, Jayson Hopper showed a strong interest in sports from a young age, playing baseball, basketball and football during the school years.
He continued his education at the University of South Carolina, graduating with a degree in exercise science with a minor in business administration.
After a shoulder injury that ended his baseball career, Hopper discovered CrossFit®, quickly falling in love with the discipline and deciding to pursue it professionally.
CrossFit® Career
Hopper has started his CrossFit® career in 2017, participating in the Open and ranking 15.007th in the world.
In the following years, it showed a constant progression, reaching 171st place in 2020. 2021 was the turning point, with the victory at Mid-Atlantic CrossFit® Challenge, which secured him a spot at the CrossFit® Games, where he finished in 19th place.
In 2022, she continued to improve, taking seventh place at the Games and winning two events: the Sprint Sled Sprint and the Freestanding Handstand Push-up.
Expectations for the Future
With the switch to Brute Strength, Hopper aims to exploit new training methodologies and benefit from a stimulating competitive environment, surrounded by high-caliber athletes.
His determination and desire for innovation in preparation indicate a strong will to reach the pinnacle of world CrossFit®.
Industry enthusiasts will be watching Hopper’s evolution in the 2025 season with interest, curious to see how this change will impact his performance and whether he can earn the coveted title of “Fittest on Earth.”
