

The Born Primitive Podcast
Born Primitive
On the new Born Primitive Podcast, you’ll hear from Born Primitive co-founder and CEO Bear Handlon, VP Tony Strasiser, core members of the Born Primitive team, as well as athletes, business leaders, thinkers, entrepreneurs, and others about ways you can take your life and pursuits to the next level.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Jul 29, 2025 • 1h 22min
Bear & Mallory Get Real About the Struggles No One Saw - Finale Pt. 3
In the final episode of the Born Primitive Podcast, Bear, Tony, and Mallory sit down for an honest and emotional reflection on the journey that brought their company to life. Bear and Mallory open up about the toughest personal and professional challenges they faced in the early days—balancing a growing business with financial pressure, self-doubt, and the strain it placed on their relationship. They candidly unpack some of their biggest mistakes, from inventory missteps to hiring decisions, and how those hard lessons shaped their growth. The trio also looks ahead, sharing their bold vision for the future, including new product lines, the excitement around opening their first retail store, and their commitment to staying mission-driven as they scale. It’s a powerful close to the season, offering a raw, behind-the-scenes look at what it really takes to build something lasting from the ground up.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Jul 22, 2025 • 57min
The Life Lessons No One Talks About After Success - Finale Part 2
In this episode, Bear and Tony dive deep into the often unspoken struggles behind high achievement—exploring themes like imposter syndrome, insecurity-driven ambition, and the psychological cost of constant self-comparison. From Bear’s journey of being underestimated in high school football to earning a Division 1 spot, the conversation exposes how even the most accomplished individuals can silently wrestle with self-doubt. They also unpack the societal impact of technology—how social media, despite its convenience, hijacks our biology and chips away at our happiness. The episode ultimately becomes a call to recalibrate: to reconnect with the basics, examine the stories we tell ourselves, and reclaim our sense of purpose in a hyper-distracting world.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Jul 15, 2025 • 55min
The Life Lessons No One Talks About After Success - Finale Part 1
In this episode, Bear and Tony dive deep into the inner journey of personal growth, fulfillment, and self-awareness, reflecting on the gap between external success and internal alignment. Bear talks about how hitting major milestones—becoming a Division I athlete, a Navy SEAL, building a successful business—often doesn’t bring the lasting joy we expect, because the mind quickly normalizes achievements and looks to the next thing. Tony explores the importance of tuning into intuition over outsourcing decisions to others, recognizing and correcting internal incongruities (like drinking out of social pressure), and learning to extract joy from the present instead of chasing external validation. Psychedelics, meditation, and real conversations helped them clear internal “static” to reconnect with what truly matters: being present, being intentional, and showing up as good fathers, leaders, and men—not for accolades, but for alignment with a deeper sense of purpose. On the business side, they touch on the power of clarity, cutting distractions, and saying "no" more often to stay focused on what really moves the needle.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Jul 1, 2025 • 1h
Cold. Hard. Truth: The Mental and Physical Benefits of Cold Therapy With Ice Barrel Founder Wyatt Ewing
In this engaging episode of the Born Primitive podcast, Bear and Tony sit down with Wyatt Ewing.Ewing the Founder of Ice Barrel, to dive into the powerful origin story behind one of the most recognized names in cold therapy. Wyatt opens up about his difficult upbringing, sharing how early life challenges forged a mindset of resilience, resourcefulness, and personal growth that ultimately led him to create Ice Barrel. The conversation explores not just the science and benefits of cold exposure — including improved mental clarity, stress regulation, and physical recovery — but also the deeper “why” behind the brand. From pain to purpose, Wyatt’s journey is a testament to how adversity, when met with vision and discipline, can lead to something truly transformational.To learn more about Ice Barrel check out: https://icebarrel.com/To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Jun 24, 2025 • 1h 26min
Bert Sorin Breaks Down the Grit Behind Building Sorinex
In this engaging episode of the Born Primitive podcast, Bear and Tony sit down with Bert Sorin.Bert shares how Sorinex—short for Sorin Exercise Equipment—sprang from humble beginnings in his father Richard’s garage to becoming a powerhouse in strength‑training gear. Bert described stepping into the family enterprise, fusing his own athletic journey—from D‑I hammer‑throw All‑American to Olympic trials contender—with his father’s unrelenting DIY ethos. Their story, he shared, reflects the trials, tears, successes, and unwavering persistence needed to build a lasting legacy—and illustrates what it really takes to create, scale, and sustain a family-run company in a demanding industry .To learn more about Sorinex check out: https://www.sorinex.com/To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Jun 17, 2025 • 1h 13min
Dr. Chris Frueh on the Crisis Facing America's Most Elite Warriors
In this engaging episode of the Born Primitive podcast, Bear and Tony sit down with Dr. Chris Frueh.Clinical psychologist and trauma expert Dr. Chris Frueh to expose a silent crisis among America’s most elite warriors—Special Forces operators who are being misdiagnosed, misunderstood, and mistreated by a broken mental health system. Drawing from decades of research and firsthand experience, Dr. Frueh explains why blanket PTSD diagnoses are failing veterans, masking deeper, more complex wounds. He calls for a revolution in how we understand and heal trauma, offering a path forward that prioritizes personalized care, community, and resilience. This conversation challenges conventional narratives and delivers a bold vision for reclaiming the health and humanity of those who serve at the highest levels.To learn more about Chris check out: https://chrisfrueh.com/To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Jun 10, 2025 • 1h 27min
Corruption, Crisis, and Cure. W. Bryan Hubbard on Ibogaine's Promise
In this powerful episode of the Born Primitive podcast, Bear and Tony sit down with W. Bryan Hubbard. Hubbard unpacks his mission to combat addiction through the groundbreaking potential of ibogaine—a psychoactive plant medicine showing promise where conventional treatments have failed. Drawing from personal experience and deep research, Hubbard exposes the role of pharmaceutical corruption in fueling the opioid crisis, painting a damning picture of systemic failure. He reflects on the pivotal Joe Rogan interview that galvanized his advocacy, discusses the challenges of bringing ibogaine into the mainstream, and shares raw stories from the front lines of healing and recovery. This conversation dives into crisis, controversy, and the hope for a radical cure.To learn more about Bryan check out: https://www.wbryanhubbard.com/To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

Jun 3, 2025 • 55min
Running 100 Miles: Inside Zach Bitter's Mind, Training, and Nutrition
In this episode of the Born Primitive podcast, Bear and Tony sit down with Zach Bitter. In this episode, ultramarathoner Zach Bitter offers a deep dive into the physical and mental demands of running 100 miles, revealing the mindset required to push through extreme fatigue and discomfort. He breaks down how he maintained an astonishing 6:47 pace over the full distance, highlighting the precise balance of endurance, pacing, and mental focus. Zach also emphasizes the critical role of strength training, often overlooked by runners, in enhancing performance and preventing injury. His nutrition strategy—tailored for long-distance racing—is designed to sustain energy levels while avoiding common digestive issues. Altogether, Zach provides a comprehensive look into what it truly takes to compete at the elite level in ultrarunning.To learn more about Zach check out: http://zachbitter.comTo check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

May 27, 2025 • 1h 4min
Built to Move: Kelly Starrett on Mobility, Durability & Raising Functional Kids
In this episode of The Born Primitive Podcast, Bear and Tony sit down with Dr. Kelly Starrett, co-author of Built to Move, sharing a no-nonsense blueprint for building a durable, pain-free body through mobility, proper movement patterns, and functional training—starting in childhood. He challenges conventional warm-up routines, explaining why most people have been doing them wrong, and makes the case for integrating mobility into daily life rather than treating it as an afterthought. Starrett emphasizes that physical aesthetics are irrelevant if your body doesn’t move well or breaks down under real-world demands. He dives deep into raising resilient, functional kids through play, movement quality, and habit-building at home, and lays out a science-based, practical approach for sprinting without injury. Whether you're an elite athlete, a weekend warrior, or a parent, this conversation is packed with eye-opening insights that challenge mainstream fitness myths.Follow Dr. Kelly Starrett on Instagram at: https://www.instagram.com/thereadystate/?hl=enTo check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD

May 20, 2025 • 49min
Tariffs, Global Economics & The Way Forward in Politics
In this episode of the Born Primitive podcast, Bear and Tony dive into the complex landscape of tariffs, global economics, and political discourse, offering both macro-level insight and personal experience. Kicking off with a detailed breakdown of the current tariff situation, Bear—CEO of Born Primitive—explains how shifting trade policies are impacting American businesses. The conversation also explores the challenges tied to “Made in America” manufacturing, shedding light on the high costs and logistical hurdles brands face when trying to produce domestically. Highlight clips underscore key themes, including the importance of creating leverage in international negotiations, the necessity of recognizing our own confirmation biases in political conversations, and the urgent need for unity across ideological lines. Together, the hosts encourage listeners to think critically about economic policy and to consider pragmatic paths forward in both business and politics.To check out our brand visit: https://bornprimitive.com/And you can learn more about Born Primitive Tactical by visiting: https://bornprimitivetactical.comFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bornprimitive/Subscribe to our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCruGgs2p3VVVy-v6YTiKuQwPRODUCED BY IRONCLAD