Most people wouldn’t expect a HYROX race to have much in common with running critical infrastructure. For Jasmine Kinsman, they’re closely connected.
On the race floor, she’s pushing through physical limits, breaking effort down into small, manageable steps. At work, she’s doing something similar — staying calm under pressure, focusing on what matters next, and protecting systems millions of people rely on every day. That mindset has been built over time from her early days as an apprentice to her role today as a Critical Facilities Engineer in Equinix’s London data center team.
Jasmine started her career as an apprentice, learning the fundamentals on the ground and building confidence through experience. Today, she plays a key role in maintaining the power, cooling, and infrastructure that keep digital systems running 24/7. It’s a progression that reflects the same principles she’s developed outside of work: consistency, discipline, and a willingness to keep moving forward, even when things get difficult.
In this Q&A, Jasmine shares how her experiences outside of work have shaped her approach to challenges, resilience, and performance in a high-stakes environment.
How would you describe your job to someone outside the industry? Why it matters?
If I were explaining my job to a friend, I’d say I work behind the scenes, keeping the digital world running. A data center is the physical home for everything people use online. From streaming, banking, social media, gaming, work systems, and cloud storage. My role is to protect the power, cooling, and infrastructure that those services rely on, making sure nothing overheats, shuts down, or fails unexpectedly. It’s not something people see, but when something goes wrong, millions of people feel it instantly. That’s why the role matters.
Why did you start HYROX, and what made you commit seriously?
I started HYROX because I needed a new kind of challenge. After my first knee surgery, I threw myself into Olympic weightlifting and eventually won gold at the English Championships. But the intensity came too soon after recovery, and I ended up needing a second surgery. HYROX brought me back at a different pace.
I signed up out of curiosity, but from the first race, something clicked. I loved the structure, the honesty of it, and the effort you put in is exactly what shows.
It became more than training. It gave me confidence again, helped me rebuild physically, and reminded me how much I thrive on discipline and consistent effort.
How has that mindset translated into your work?
During a critical upgrade, I was working towards a deadline that was getting tighter by the hour. Contractors were booked in with no flexibility. If my section wasn’t complete, the entire project would slip. Instead of rushing, I simplified.
I broke everything down into priority tasks, stayed organized, and kept checking progress against time. I made sure communication stayed clear and focused on getting it right rather than just getting it done quickly.
We completed everything, tested and signed off before the contractors arrived.
That moment reinforced something I rely on now: when pressure builds, staying structured and focused on what you can control is what allows you to deliver.
Which Equinix value do you feel you live most by and how does it show up in both your job and your racing?
The Equinix value I connect with most is Take Accountability, because it shows up naturally in both my role as an engineer and in how I approach HYROX. At work, taking accountability means fully owning my responsibilities. Asking the right questions, following procedures carefully, and taking pride in the standard of work I deliver. Whether I’m carrying out routine maintenance or leading a larger project, I make sure the job is done properly and that I’m someone the team can rely on.
HYROX demands the same mindset. It’s an honest sport. Your performance reflects the work you’ve put in, and there’s no way to hide from the effort required. I take accountability for my training, my preparation, and the discipline needed to improve. If I fall short in a session or want to develop in a specific area, I focus on what I can control and take responsibility for making the changes needed to progress.
Across both environments, accountability is what drives consistency, builds trust, and ultimately leads to better results.
Where do you see the strongest crossover between working as a data‑center engineer and participating in HYROX?
To me, the greatest crossover between the two is the demand for consistency, resilience, teamwork, and the ability to stay calm under pressure. Although one is a technical in a high-stakes environment and the other is a physical endurance sport, the behaviors required to perform well are surprisingly similar.
At work, one of the clearest examples is being in a busy, high-pressure environment on the data center floor. Alarms may be going off, an incident may have occurred, and everyone has a role to play. Emotions can run high, but the team must communicate clearly and support each other to get the job done safely. When responsibility is shared, the workload becomes lighter and the stress more manageable.
In HYROX, that same teamwork shows up during training. Even though the race itself may be individual, the training environment is built on shared effort. When everyone is pushed to their limit, you carry each other through the hardest moments. If one person raises the energy, everyone feels it. In the work environment, a shared effort makes the load lighter, and at times, you rely on those around you to get through the toughest sessions or days.
Beyond teamwork, HYROX and data center engineering share several other core skills.
- Discipline: showing up consistently, even when you’re tired or not motivated
- Attention to detail: in HYROX, this is pacing, form, and transitions; at work, it’s processes, safety steps, and technical accuracy
- Resilience: both environments test you and require you to stay grounded when things get difficult
- Composure under pressure: whether you’re in a demanding station or handling a critical system alert, you need to think clearly and stay in control
Ultimately, the strongest crossover is the need to perform at your best when it matters most. You rely on your preparation, your discipline, and sometimes the people around you. In both settings, it’s the combination of individual responsibility and teamwork that enables you to succeed.
Where do you see the strongest crossover between working as a data‑center engineer and participating in HYROX?
The biggest crossover is how both demand consistency, resilience, teamwork, and composure under pressure.
On the data centre floor, you might be dealing with alerts or incidents where everyone has a role to play. Clear communication and trust are essential.
In HYROX, even though the race is individual, training is built on shared effort. You push through difficult moments together, and the people around you often help you go further than you would on your own.
Across both, the same behaviors show up:
- Discipline and consistency
- Attention to detail
- Staying calm under pressure
- Taking responsibility for your performance
- It’s different environments, but the same mindset.
You’re heading to the championship — what does this mean to you, and what do you want people to take from your story?
It means more than just competing.
When I was younger, I got close to reaching a championship level in sport, but an injury took that opportunity away. For a long time, I didn’t think I’d get that moment back.
This feels like returning to something I once lost.
Standing on that start line isn’t about pressure; I’m recognizing the work, the setbacks, and the progress that got me there.
If there’s one thing I want people to take from my story, it’s this:
Progress isn’t always linear, and setbacks aren’t the end. Sometimes they just lead you to a different path, but it will still take you somewhere meaningful.
Whether you’re starting out as an apprentice or looking to grow your career further, there’s no single path to building something meaningful.
That same mindset is what drives growth beyond sport too. Whether you’re starting out as an apprentice or looking to grow your career further, there’s no single path to building something meaningful, explore opportunities in Data Center Operations and see where it could take you.
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