HYDRATE with Tracy Duhs Training UFC Champions, Escaping 60 Years in Prison, Finding Purpose, and Seeking The Arduous Ft. Phil Daru | Ep. 8
In this episode of HYDRATE, Tracy sits down with Phil Daru, elite performance coach to UFC champions and founder of Daru Strong Performance. A former professional fighter turned mentor, Phil shares how faith, purpose, and relentless self-improvement fuel success for athletes and everyday warriors alike.
About Phil Daru: With 15+ years in sports performance, Phil has trained over 200 professional athletes, including UFC stars like Dustin Poirier, and mentors 5,000+ coaches globally. A devoted family man and man of faith, he blends physical training with spiritual resilience, running his Florida-based gym while prioritizing service to others. His journey—from overcoming a troubled youth to building a legacy of strength—proves mindset is the ultimate game-changer.
In this conversation, Tracy and Phil explore:
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Why purpose and faith are non-negotiable for elite performance (and how to find yours).
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Practical strategies to push through bad days, self-doubt, and life’s “arduous” moments.
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How gratitude and solitude combat distraction and unlock clarity.
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Phil’s near-60-year prison sentence at 16—and how it reshaped his trajectory.
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Training parallels: Building spiritual “muscle,” embracing discomfort, and why losses often teach more than wins.
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The daily habits, routines, and mindset shifts that keep top athletes (and Phil) ahead.
Listen now to discover how to turn struggle into strength—and why living in your truth is the ultimate metric of success.
“Strength is developed by managing pain—emotional, physical, spiritual. Seek the arduous.” — Phil Daru
Connect with Phil:
Website: https://darustrong.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/darustrong
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@PhilDaruStrong/
Connect with Tracy:
Website: https://tracyduhs.com/
Hydration shop: https://sanctuarysd.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tracyduhs/
Flow FAM community: https://tracyduhs.com/join-flow-fam/