2-Tips: I Accidentally Gave Myself Rhabdo

Dietitian Jennifer Broxterman collapsed at the Ottawa HYROX finish line and ended up in hospital with rhabdomyolysis. Here's what she learned about pushing hard, and knowing when not to.

2-Tips

By Jennifer Broxterman, RD

Kind Nerd Note: The goal isn't just to be someone who can push hard. It's to become someone who knows when not to.

Tip #1:
I Accidentally Gave Myself Rhabdo (Ottawa HYROX)

Ottawa HYROX was the worst race of my entire life. I collapsed at the finish line and was taken to the hospital by ambulance.

Apparently, I gave myself rhabdo.

Rhabdomyolysis is when muscle tissue breaks down rapidly and leaks into the bloodstream, which can overload the kidneys and become dangerous if untreated.

I was so excited for this race. 

I finished a full HYROX solo simulation two weeks before in 1:22 and felt strong, controlled, and confident. At the Las Vegas HYROX, I ran a mixed doubles with my little brother in 1:15.

I genuinely thought: "I’ve trained hard, and this is my race."

But I didn't fully account for what was happening outside my training plan.

Two days before, I had to go to Toronto for a cancer CT scan and bloodwork that involved 18 vials of blood being drawn. I was compromised before I even started, but felt physically fine, so I didn’t realize how dangerous this combo was.

From the very beginning, everything felt off. The runs felt harder than they should. The sled felt unusually heavy. My heart rate was sky high, but I kept telling myself to just keep going.

By the end, my body started cramping, including muscles I didn’t know could cramp. I've never experienced anything like it.

I remember being on the wall balls, crying, tears streaming down my face.

I actually don't know why I finished the race.

This sounds so stupid to say out loud, but quitting didn't cross my mind as an option. I thought I just had to finish.

So I crossed the finish line and collapsed.

I couldn't stand up. Full-body cramping, hyperventilating, wheezing. Paramedics took me by wheelchair, and eventually called an ambulance. I ended up at Ottawa General.

The doctors were concerned about rhabdomyolysis and cardiac strain. My labs showed elevated muscle enzymes and elevated troponin (a heart damage marker), signs that my system had been pushed way past its limit.

This experience shook me. But it also taught me something important:

The goal isn't just to be someone who can push hard.
It's to become someone who knows when not to.

I'm taking time to recover and rebuild from a place of respect for my body.

To my body: I'm so sorry. You didn't let me down. I did this to you. And it won't happen again.

I feel like such an idiot… 💔

Tip #2:
My Favorite Comment

I received so many kind and supportive comments on social media, but this one especially stood out to me:

“We’re gonna love you whether you do/finish/quit. 

Valuable lesson. ❤️”

— Joe Marcoux

I’m sharing it here, in case you needed to be reminded of that too.

Stay kind + nerdy,   

❤️🐻🌈

Jen Broxterman
Registered Dietitian
Prosper Nutrition Coaching

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Jennifer Broxterman, MSc, RD

REGISTERED DIETITIAN & SPORTS NUTRITIONIST
• Award-winning Foods & Nutrition University Professor
• Successful entrepreneur of owner of NutritionRx
• 16 year CrossFit affiliate owner with my husband
• Founder of Prosper Nutrition Coaching & lead nutrition coach