The Judd Lienhard Podcast

Barbells vs. Kettlebells… Dumbbells vs. Machines. Which training tool really builds better athletes? In this episode of The Judd Lienhard Podcast, former Army Ranger, college linebacker, and performance coach Judd Lienhard breaks down the strengths and weaknesses of every major implement so you know which one best fits your goals, environment, and training style.You’ll learn why barbells are ingenious but risky, how dumbbells evolved into one of the most versatile tools in the gym, why kettlebells build real athleticism, and why machines are functional. Judd also covers bands, TRX, and how to build a cost-effective home gym.Train smarter, avoid dogma, and use the right tool for the job.👉 Train Judd’s MASS Method training program, exclusively available in his Workout App: juddlienhard.com📲 Follow Judd for more training, mindset, and performance insights:Instagram: @juddlienhardYouTube: Judd LienhardWebsite: www.juddlienhard.com 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Every sport is a total body sport — yet most lifters still follow body-part splits like “chest day” and “leg day.” In this episode, Judd Lienhard — former Army Ranger, college linebacker, and performance coach — breaks down why total body workouts are the smarter choice for building strength, size, athleticism, and long-term health.Judd explains how full-body training isn’t just for beginners or circuit classes — it’s the foundation of how the best athletes in the world train. You’ll learn:Why frequency beats volume for natural liftersThe real reason “bro splits” became popular (hint: steroids)How soreness and fatigue can actually limit progressWhy total body training keeps you fresher and more flexible in lifeHow to structure full-body workouts for both muscle and performanceIf you want to move better, build strength that transfers to real life, and actually enjoy your training, this episode will show you why total body > splits.👉 Train Judd's MASS Method training program, exclusively available in his Workout App: www.juddlienhard.com📲 Follow Judd for more training, mindset, and performance insights:Instagram: @juddlienhardYouTube: Judd LienhardWebsite: www.juddlienhard.com 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Ben Patrick—widely known as “Knees Over Toes Guy”—joins Judd Lienhard to challenge the long-standing myth that you should never let your knees pass your toes. They dig into the science, history, and practical regressions that make deep squats and full-range leg training safe and effective. Ben shares how Charles Poliquin influenced his approach, why he avoided fighting back against online hate, and how he built a simple, scalable system for stronger, healthier knees. This episode also explores fatherhood, purpose, and why collaboration beats criticism in the fitness industry.🔥 Train Judd’s MASS Method program — exclusively in his Training App: https://www.juddlienhard.com 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Fear doesn’t just stop us in our tracks — it quietly shapes our choices, our discipline, and our relationships. In this episode, former Army Ranger, college linebacker, and strength & performance coach Judd Lienhard breaks down the seven core fears that hold us back: suffering, knowing the truth, the unknown, responsibility, commitment, isolation, and frustration.These fears don’t just affect performance in the gym — they affect how we live, lead, and love. Judd shares how to recognize them, how they subtly control our behavior, and how to take back control.“Hate is not the opposite of love. Fear is.”If you want to stop letting fear run your life — and start building discipline, resilience, and true strength — this episode is for you.FOLLOW JUDD:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juddlienhardYouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JuddLienhard⁩  Get Judd's Training App: https://www.juddlienhard.com/ 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Former New Zealand SAS commando Damian Porter—known online as @hownottodieguy—joins me to break down real self-defense for everyday people. We cover why sport fighting skills aren’t enough, how to build situational awareness, and what it really takes to protect yourself and your family.Damian explains the three pillars of effective self-defense:Win the fight (simple tactics anyone can use)Stay out of jail (legal aftermath and decision-making)Handle the trauma (stress control and recovery)You’ll hear practical strategies for spotting red flags early, staying safe in transitional spaces like parking lots and public transport, protecting your home and car, and using tools ranging from pens to fire extinguishers to firearms. Whether you’re a parent, a student, or just someone who wants to feel safer moving through the world, this episode gives you actionable steps you can use today.About Damian Porter Damian is a former NZ SAS commando specializing in counter-terrorism and hostage rescue. Today he teaches civilians and organizations how to apply military-tested safety and self-defense principles in everyday life.Follow Damian Instagram: @hownottodieguyFollow Judd LienhardInstagram: @juddlienhardTRAIN WITH JUDD: Judd's Fitness App includes over 52 weeks' worth of training programs to improve your overall athleticism, strength & speed. Start a FREE trial today! 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Mark Bell — world-record-holding powerlifter, inventor of the Slingshot, and founder of one of the most recognizable fitness brands on the planet — joins Judd Lienhard to share the lessons he’s learned from building strength, building a business, and staying in the game for life.From creating the Slingshot in his garage to scaling it into a global fitness brand, Mark reveals the mindset shifts, training strategies, and entrepreneurial moves that fueled his success. We cover high-frequency strength training without burnout, the importance of patience and persistence, how to turn injuries into opportunities, and the leadership principles that keep you relevant long after you’ve reached the top.Whether you’re a lifter, coach, or entrepreneur, you’ll walk away with tactical advice you can use immediately — from training smarter and recovering faster to building a brand that lasts.In this episode, we discuss:The origin story of the Slingshot and how Mark turned an injury into a businessTraining frequency vs. intensity for sustainable strength gainsWhy patience and consistency beat raw talent over timeLessons from scaling a fitness product into a worldwide brandBuilding resilience in the gym and in businessHow to mentor others, lead by example, and use influence responsiblyFOLLOW MARK BELL🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marksmellybell🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperTraining06Podcast: Power ProjectFOLLOW JUDD LIENHARD🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juddlienhard🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@juddlienhardPodcast: The Judd Lienhard PodcastTRAIN WITH JUDD: https://www.juddlienhard.com/Judd's Fitness App includes over 52 weeks' worth of training programs to improve your overall athleticism, strength & speed. Start a FREE trial today! 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

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 Down 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

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.com 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

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.com 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

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. ⭐️🎧🔥