
Power Athlete Radio
Welcome to Power Athlete Radio. A podcast dedicated to empowering your performance every damn day.
Join former NFL pro and Power Athlete Founder John Welbourn as he dissects the greatest minds in strength & conditioning and more. Joining him is everyone’s favorite coach and hair model Chris a.k.a. “Tex” McQuilkin, Power Athlete’s Director of Performance.
So whether your goal is to Be The Hammer, Destroy Mediocrity or simply Move The Dirt, you’ve come to the right place.
Latest episodes

May 23, 2025 • 1h 34min
Ep 809: Fixing Broken Athletes w/ Henry Abbott
Journalist, author and amateur athlete, Henry Abbott, joins John to break down his new book Ballistic, a brutal takedown of modern coaching and why athletes are getting hurt younger and more often. From overuse injuries to one-sport burnout, they unpack what’s breaking athletes and how ballistic movement could be the antidote. Coaches, parents, and athletes, this one’s a wake-up call.ShownotesAre you looking to dominate the leaderboard and take your inner athlete to the next level? Expose yourself to the advanced training techniques that contributed to John Welbourn's 10 year NFL career. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Get Henry's new book, Ballistic.Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

May 16, 2025 • 2h 20min
Ep 808: GP1s, Conspiracies, and Caffeine w/ Baker Leavitt
Baker Leavitt, Director at Black Rifle Coffee, joins John for a wild ride through culture, political theories, masculinity, and modern performance. From questioning mainstream narratives to unpacking the rise of GLP-1s like Ozempic, Baker opens up about his own experience with the drug, and what it says about today’s quick-fix mindset. What starts as casual banter turns into a deeper conversation about grit, identity, and the shifting landscape of male healthShownotesNo barbell? No problem. Lean & Able is our essentials program for those lean on time and equipment, but hungry for results. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow Baker on InstaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

May 9, 2025 • 1h 44min
Ep 807: Jen Widerstrom Just Changed the Game
Jen Widerstrom joins John to break down the coaching app she built with Arnold Schwarzenegger, and why it’s cutting through the BS in the fitness industry. They dig into the power of real-time, individualized coaching and call out the cookie-cutter programs that overpromise and underdeliver. If you're tired of fitness fads, this episode is for youShownotesNo barbell? No problem. Lean & Able is our essentials program for those lean on time and equipment, but hungry for results. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow Jen on InstaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

May 2, 2025 • 3h 27min
Ep 806: The Truth About Bodyweight Strength w/ Chris Sommer
Former US National Gymnastics Coach and founder of GymnasticBodies, Chris Sommer, is one of the few guys who can break your body down with just a set of rings, and then rebuild it with bulletproof joints and freaky tendon strength. This isn’t your average “how to get your first pull-up” conversation. We went deep on why so many adults are broken, what coaches get wrong about progressive overload, and how eccentrics might be the holy grail for keeping you in the game long-term.ShownotesNo barbell? No problem. Lean & Able is our essentials program for those lean on time and equipment, but hungry for results. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow Chris on InstaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 25, 2025 • 1h 47min
Ep 805: Kyle Ruth on How to Build Real Athletes
Strength is a skill, not a side quest. Former CrossFit Games athlete and coach at Training Think Tank, Kyle Ruth, joins John to break down how training has evolved (and gone soft), why Olympic lifting still matters, and what it really takes to build resilient athletes, especially when you're raising them yourself. If performance matters to you or your kids, don’t skip this one.ShownotesAre you new to training or returning to it after time away? Don’t bypass untapped potential, follow Bedrock and lay the foundation to build unparalleled strength, speed and power. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow Kyle on InstaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 18, 2025 • 1h 29min
Ep 804: New Amsterdam Genomics. Rethinking DNA
Lauren Fritsch, founder of New Amsterdam Genomics, breaks down how real-time DNA updates are changing the game for performance, health, and longevity. We dive into John's own genetic data, the evolution of sequencing tech, and why your old DNA test is already outdated. If you’re serious about unlocking your full potential, tune in.ShownotesAre you looking for a flexible training program so you can balance training with life? Follow Grindstone and punch the clock in the face. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 11, 2025 • 57min
Ep 803: The Fight After 40 - Weight Gain And How to Fix It
You’re not 25 anymore, and the old tricks don’t work. Arash Soofiani is back to break down fat loss for men over 40: why the weight creeps in, where most guys fail, and what it really takes to reclaim strength, discipline, and testosterone-fueled dominance. No shortcuts. No BS. Just the hard truth and the tools to fight back.ShownotesAre you a fighter & grappler? Crafted to complement your existing combat training, max out your strength, skill and conditioning so you can master the mat, hit them so it hurts, and return home a hero. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow Arash on InstaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Apr 4, 2025 • 2h 14min
Ep 802: The Gut War w/ Dr. Sabine Hazan
Dr. Sabine Hazan is back and she’s not holding anything back. In this powerful conversation, she breaks down how the gut microbiome influences everything from immunity to mental health, why her research is turning heads, and how she plans to change the world. If you care about your health, this is one you won’t want to miss.ShownotesYou can't out-train a crappy diet. Three comprehensive nutrition programs crafted by NFL pro John Welbourn prescribing daily custom macros for your personal body goals. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow Dr. Hazan on InstaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mar 28, 2025 • 1h 45min
Ep 801: Training Myths vs Mastery w/ Dr Ben Skutnik
Everyone’s yelling “show me the studies,” but no one’s actually reading them. Dr. Ben Skutnik joins John to unpack what doing your own research really means, how non-scientists should approach training studies, and why lifting heavy with a loose diet doesn’t make you healthy. We get into body comp, healthspan, and the blurry line between being curious and being clueless. If you think strength alone makes you bulletproof, listen up.ShownotesYou can't out-train a crappy diet. Three comprehensive nutrition programs crafted by NFL pro John Welbourn prescribing daily custom macros for your personal body goals. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow Ben on InstaAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy

Mar 21, 2025 • 2h 18min
Ep 800: John McPhee - Train Like Your Life Depends on It
John McPhee, aka The Sheriff of Baghdad, joins us to expose the biggest myths in tactical training and the harsh realities of real-world combat. From mastering fundamentals to why most guys are training for a fantasy, McPhee breaks down what actually works when it matters most. If you want unfiltered insights from a Tier 1 operator who’s been there, done that, and trained the best, this episode is a must-listen.ShownotesAre you a war fighter or door kicker looking to increase your resilience and lethality? HAMR was created after working with Naval Special Warfare, the US Army, Marines and First Responders. START TODAYCheck out what we do:TrainingNutritionKnowledgeClick on the link to see the companies we use and support 👉 https://powerathletehq.com/partners/Follow John McPhee on InstaCheck out the TRT John McPhee recommends 👉 https://livethrive.co/SOBAdvertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy