The Judd Lienhard Podcast

Tait Fletcher and Keith Jardine join Judd Lienhard to talk about what every man needs but few are willing to chase: struggle, discipline, and a tribe to suffer with. In this conversation, the former MMA fighters turned filmmakers open up about brain injuries, PTSD, healing through Ibogaine, and why most men today are starving for real purpose.They discuss the dark side of comfort, the lies we tell ourselves, and how suffering together builds unshakable bonds. This isn’t just about fighting, it’s about fatherhood, faith, ego death, and becoming someone you’re proud of. If you’ve ever felt stuck, soft, or alone, this one’s for you.🔑 Topics Covered:How real growth comes from sufferingWhy most men today are weak (and how to fix it)TBI, depression, and brain healing with IbogaineBrotherhood, purpose, and rites of passageWhy excuses are just lies we rehearseThe difference between athletes and real fightersThe power of presence, stillness, and spiritual grounding💥 Kill Me Again (their new film) streams everywhere August 8.🎥 Watch the Kill Me Again Movie Trailer 🎬 Preorder Kill Me Again – Streaming August 8 on all platforms🔗 Connect with Tait FletcherInstagram: @taitfletcher🔗 Connect with Ketih JardineInstagram: @keithjardine205🔗 Connect with Judd LienhardInstagram: @juddlienhardYouTube: @juddlienhardTraining & Programs: juddlienhard.com🎧 Subscribe for new podcast episodes every Tuesday at 5a CST.Timestamps 00:01:26 – Suffering as a Rite of Passage 00:06:21 – Why Most Men Are Angry: Fear & Insecurity 00:12:25 – Winning Small While Getting Hit in the Face 00:20:37 – Blind Spots, Ego & How to Receive Criticism 00:32:56 – Why Cheerleading Doesn’t Help—Suffer Together 00:48:28 – Loyalty, Moral Conflicts & Developing a Code 01:01:23 – The Ibogaine Experience That Changed Everything 01:08:05 – How to Parent with Courage & Protect the Child Within 01:20:57 – Kill Me Again: A Movie Born of Real Pain 01:35:24 – The Real Work: Build the Wings on the Way DownThis episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

Feeling Disciplined But Still Lost?In this episode, I share the personal framework I call The House of Living—a simple structure built on 3 foundational traits and 5 daily pillars that help me stay grounded, focused, and purposeful.It’s the same system I’ve used as an Army Ranger, college linebacker, and performance coach over the past 15+ years to reset priorities and lead a more intentional life.If you’ve ever felt like you’re doing everything “right” but still feel disconnected or off-track, this episode gives you a clear structure to come back to.What You'll Learn:The 3 traits I rely on daily: Accountability, Resilience, and GratitudeThe 5 daily pillars: Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Intellectual, and SocialWhy God, Family, and Community are the priorities that hold everything togetherWhy strength without direction leads to burnoutHow to build emotional steadiness and real friendshipHow faith can shape your leadership, even in a distracted worldWhether you're a father, coach, or someone trying to lead from a stronger foundation, this episode will help you focus on what matters most and keep coming back to it.CONNECT WITH JUDD: Instagram → @juddlienhard YouTube → The Judd Lienhard Podcast Training App → juddlienhard.comThis episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

Daniel Back is a highly respected performance coach known for blending biomechanics, science, and real-world coaching to help athletes jump higher, sprint faster, and build explosive power. In this episode, we break down the misunderstood foundations of athleticism and why strength alone won’t make you a better athlete.We talk about what actually transfers to sport: sprinting, jumping, submaximal movement, and variety. Daniel shares how his early obsession with jump training led to a career spent developing athletes across basketball, track, and field sports. He explains why the gym shouldn't be the starting point for most athletes and how to rebuild the athletic pyramid from the ground up.If your goal is to run faster, jump higher, or train smarter, this episode will reshape how you think about getting there.Highlights:Why strength ≠ force (and how that impacts speed)What most programs miss: submaximal movement and varietySprinting and jumping as universal athletic skillsHow general play and movement challenges build true athleticismThe problem with specializing too earlyStrength training’s place in the performance pyramidThe neurological cost of always lifting heavyWhat fascia training gets wrong (and right)Tips for improving sprint mechanics and ground contactHow to know when your athletes need less strength work, not moreCONNECT WITH DANIEL BACK: Instagram: @2xathlete & @jump.science YouTube: 2X Athlete Programs: 2xathlete.comCONNECT WITH JUDD LIENHARD: Instagram: @juddlienhard Train with Judd: juddlienhard.comThis episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

A lot of people are chasing what’s “optimal.” The perfect split, the ideal routine, the magic exercise. But most of that doesn’t matter, especially if it doesn’t work for you in real life.In this episode, I answer the most common questions I get about training, coaching, and performance. I explain why I created MASS Method and how I approach athletic development after 15+ years in the fitness field as a coach.We talk about certifications vs. experience, why I don’t believe in forcing speed or complexity, and how to rebuild your athleticism, especially if you’re in your 30s, 40s, or beyond and want to train for the long haul.Topics Covered:The real meaning of MASS Method (Movement, Athleticism, Strength, Speed)Why “optimal” training isn’t always usefulThe difference between being certified and being capableHow to build athleticism back in midlifeLessons from coaching kids, college football, and the militaryWhat matters most in training: patience, angles, aggressionAdvice for athletes, coaches, and young men trying to figure it outIn this episode:“You have your whole life to be a bodybuilder. You only get a short window to be an athlete.”“Don’t stack performance on top of dysfunction.”“Slow is smooth. Smooth is fast.”🎯 Try MASS Method — FREE 7-day trial click HERE 📲 To connect with Judd Lienhard click HERESubscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who trains with purpose.This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

In this episode of The Judd Lienhard Podcast, I sit down with Paul de Gelder—shark attack survivor, former Australian Navy clearance diver, and one of the toughest men you’ll ever meet.Paul lost his hand and leg during a bull shark attack in Sydney Harbour. Most people would’ve quit. Paul didn’t. He rebuilt his body, rewired his mindset, and now lives a life of purpose—co-hosting Shark Week, speaking around the world, and training like a savage.We talk about trauma, recovery, and what it actually takes to build resilience and mental strength. Whether you're a dad, athlete, coach, or someone trying to push through hard times—you'll be glad you listened.🎯 You’ll learn:How to rebuild after life breaks youMental tools to train your mindset like a musclePaul’s approach to pain, rehab, and purposeWhy excuses don’t serve you—and what to do instead👊 Real adversity. Real lessons. Real strength.🔗 Connect with Paul de Gelder Instagram: @pauldegelder YouTube: @pauldegelder1 Watch him on Shark Week (Discovery / Max)🔗 Connect with Judd Lienhard Instagram: @juddlienhard YouTube: @juddlienhard Training & Programs: juddlienhard.com🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday at 5a CST.Timestamps: 00:00 – Shark attack, trauma, and mindset 06:30 – Paul's early life, bullying, and direction 13:00 – Military transformation: from lost teen to elite diver 19:40 – The moment that changed everything 27:30 – Surviving a bull shark attack 36:15 – The recovery and decision to amputate 43:00 – Rebuilding his body and his purpose 50:00 – Training again: walking, lifting, moving 56:45 – How Paul avoids depression and victimhood 1:05:00 – Hosting Shark Week & working with Will Smith 1:13:00 – Grit, purpose, and staying on the edgeThis episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

Most guys don’t need a new program, a better supplement stack, or the “perfect” exercise they saw on Instagram. They need a reality check on their priorities.In this solo episode, I break down the Priorities Pyramid—a six-layer system I’ve used for 20+ years as a strength coach, Army Ranger, and athlete. This is the blueprint for getting strong, moving well, and staying in shape for life.If you’re the type of man who’s built a career, supports your family, and still holds yourself to a higher standard physically—this episode is for you.What You'll Learn:Safety – Why you're getting hurt and how to stop being dumb about itConsistency – The only “secret” worth talking aboutComprehensive Approach – Strength, cardio, mobility… quit skipping what mattersIntensity – How to push yourself without breaking downSpecialized Techniques – What to use after you’ve earned itSupplements & Hormones – The least important part (but most abused)Who This Is For:Former athletes who still expect more from themselvesMilitary & first respondersFathers, leaders, and hard workers who train like it mattersMen who value strength, discipline, and real resultsWhat This Isn’t:This isn’t a hype-up. It’s not a shortcut. It’s not about aesthetics. It’s about building a system that keeps you strong and capable—for decades.Hard Truths I Get Into:If fitness isn’t one of your top 3 priorities, don’t expect resultsIf you can spend $250 a month on booze but not a gym membership, your priorities are offIf you're still blaming genetics or age—look in the mirrorStop looking for hacks. Most people are spending 90% of their effort chasing 10% of the outcome. The work that matters is simple, boring, and hard.Do it anyway.This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

In this wide-ranging episode, former NFL offensive lineman and Power Athlete founder John Welbourn returns to The Judd Lienhard Podcast for Part 2. John and Judd dive deep into what truly drives performance, recovery, and long-term health—challenging common fitness myths and exploring the science behind elite results.Topics covered include:Relative intensity vs. training volumeSaunas, cold plunges, and recovery physiologyThe sugar diet experiment and metabolic flexibilityGut health, microbiome science, and fecal transplantsMuscle as medicine: why strength matters for agingHormones, PEDs, and misunderstood performance toolsWhat ancient resilience teaches us about modern softnessWhether you're a coach, athlete, or lifelong learner, this conversation will reframe how you think about strength, recovery, and longevity.Connect with John Welbourn Instagram: @johnwelbourn | @powerathleteinc Website: powerathletehq.comConnect with Judd Lienhard Instagram: @juddlienhard YouTube: Judd Lienhard on YouTube Website & Coaching: juddlienhard.comListen and follow for new episodes every Tuesday.This episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

Most people don’t fail in the gym because they’re lazy—they fail because they don’t have a real plan. In this episode, I break down 5 military tactics I learned as an Army Ranger and have used as a performance coach for 15+ years to help people train with purpose.Too many training programs fall apart because they lack strategy. In this episode, I’ll show you how to build a plan that fits your goals, supports your lifestyle, and holds up under pressure.What you’ll learn:How to set a clear mission for your trainingThe difference between your main effort and supporting effortsWhy shaping and sustaining operations matter in fitnessHow to run daily after-action reviews (AARs) to stay consistentWhy crossloading and redundancy help busy people train without missing workoutsThis isn’t about motivation. It’s about planning. If you’re serious about staying strong, fit, and adaptable—especially with a full plate—this is how you build a system that actually works.Follow for more episodes with athletes, veterans, and coaches who live it.📱 IG: @juddlienhard 💻 Fitness App, Resistance Band & more: juddlienhard.comThis episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

What’s the difference between training and just working out? In this episode of The Judd Lienhard Podcast, elite performance coach Tim Riley (@timrileytraining) breaks down the mechanics of longevity-focused athletic training, calling out fitness dogma, movement cults, and what really matters if you want to stay powerful, functional, and pain-free over the long haul.Whether you're a pro athlete or recreational lifter, Tim delivers a masterclass in how to train for speed, power, and durability — not just aesthetics.👉 Learn how to train smart, recover harder, and stop chasing “optimal” in favor of what actually works.⏱️ Timestamps:00:00:00 - Everyone can train like an athlete00:00:20 - The difference between training vs. working out00:03:34 - Tim’s #1 training tenet: "I don’t want to be right, I want to get it right"00:06:00 - Mustache talk, social media presence, and staying authentic00:08:16 - GOTA, functional patterns & movement cults00:09:33 - Training disagreements with partners and dealing with creepy DMs00:12:31 - Judging by appearance vs. training credibility00:13:16 - State troopers and programming dogma00:16:05 - Certainty in training and the limits of “science-based”00:17:22 - Suboptimal programs that still deliver results00:18:05 - Why intensity and consistency is more important than programming00:20:45 - Bridging the gap between gen pop and elite athletes00:23:33 - Gamifying performance and training as the sport00:24:16 - Risk of acute injuries vs. chronic disease from inactivity00:26:25 - Movement quality over muscle size00:27:36 - 22mph sprint at age 35 & variability in human performance00:30:11 - Getting hurt from training too hard vs. not training at all00:33:25 - Sprinting safety & building up capacity00:38:39 - Training chaos & the myth of “optimal” movement00:41:08 - Sherpa coaching model and athlete collaboration00:42:32 - Getting athlete buy-in for movement change00:44:26 - Letting athletes choose exercises00:45:04 - Exercise dogma: “Everyone must clean” vs. reality00:47:46 - Jamar Chase power cleans 315 after 6 weeks off00:50:00 - What defines true athleticism00:51:13 - NFL physiques vs. performance efficiency00:52:12 - Herschel Walker and the myth of minimalist training00:52:59 - Tim’s basic training split: 2 lower, 2 upper00:54:13 - Why speed comes first, and contrast pairing tips00:55:09 - Importance of rest in power and sprint sessions00:57:51 - 20x40s ≠ speed work: the biggest youth coaching mistake00:59:18 - Football + distraction tricks to preserve rest quality01:00:28 - Squat variations and trap bar replacements01:01:43 - Why you need to train biarticulate muscles directly01:02:37 - Upper body: heavy bench, athlete-guided pressing01:03:51 - Why ballistic training is underrated01:04:56 - The resurgence of machines and hypertrophy for athletes01:07:34 - Why hypertrophy = health, metabolism, and training leverage01:08:20 - Tim’s podcast & how to connect📢 Follow Tim Riley:Instagram: @timrileytrainingThis episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

I’ve spent over 15 years coaching young athletes—and I’ve seen one pattern over and over again: it’s not the kids who ruin their athletic experience... it’s the parents.In this solo episode, I’m breaking down the 7 biggest mistakes I see sports parents make all the time. From making excuses and criticizing constantly, to living through your kid or thinking you know more than the coaches—these habits are killing your kid’s love for the game.We all want what’s best for our kids, but sometimes we’re the ones standing in the way.🎯 Here’s what I cover:Why letting your kid fail is a giftHow excuses destroy accountabilityThe damage caused by constant criticismWhy comparing your kid to others (or yourself) backfiresWhat sports are really supposed to teachHow to tell if your kid actually loves the sport—or just wants to please youThe truth about coachingWhen support turns into sabotageWhat it really means to raise an athlete who thrivesIf you’re a sports parent, this episode is for you.TRAIN WITH ME - IMPROVE YOUR: MOVEMENT, ATHLETICISM, STRENGTH, & SPEED ACCESS ALL MY FITNESS PROGRAMS FREE FOR 7-DAYS: https://www.juddlienhard.com/IG: https://instagram.com/juddlienhardYT: https://www.youtube.com/@JuddLienhardThis episode is brought to you by LMNT. Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥