Speed coach Daniel Back (@2xathlete) joins Judd Lienhard to break down the truth about sprinting, speed training, and why adults should never stop sprinting. Sprinting isn’t just for track athletes — it’s the ultimate athletic expression and one of the best ways to stay strong, explosive, and youthful well into your 30s, 40s, and beyond. In this episode, you’ll learn: Why linear sprinting builds athleticism for every sportForce production vs. force application — and why “punching the ground” ...

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 kett...

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: ...

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 explore...

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 t...

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)Yo...

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 st...

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, ...

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-t...

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 ...

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 ...

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 ac...

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 high...

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, microbi...

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 m...

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 durabili...

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...

Elena Brandner was told she would never walk again. In 2022, a catastrophic car crash left her with a shattered spine, 18 broken bones, and a long list of physical and emotional trauma. Doctors gave her a bleak prognosis. But Elena refused to accept the narrative. In this raw, emotional, and deeply motivating episode, Elena joins Judd to share her unfiltered journey—from athlete to trauma survivor to rebuilding her life through grit, grace, and relentless rehab. You’ll hear how her trainin...

What if the reason you feel off isn’t a lack of discipline or motivation—but too much comfort? In this episode, Judd sits down with Dr. Alexei Vranich—archaeologist, Jiu Jitsu practitioner, and expert on human history and health—to explore why modern men are starved for struggle, community, and awe. They dive into how ancient cultures found purpose in discomfort, how food and alcohol served as tools for connection (not escape), and why slowing down may be the most high-performance decision yo...

Breathing is the most underutilized tool in human performance—and in this episode, renowned breath expert Dr. Belisa Vranich breaks it all down with Judd. Dr. Belisa (@drbelisa), clinical psychologist and author of Breathing for Warriors, joins the show to explain why most people—especially high performers—are breathing wrong, and how correcting it can improve strength, recovery, endurance, posture, mental clarity, sleep, digestion, pelvic health, and stress response. This episode covers diap...