The Judd Lienhard Podcast

• Elena Brandner: Rebuilding Life After a Spinal Cord Injury

  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 training background helped save her life, how she overcame depression and loss of identity, and why choosing discomfort is the key to fulfillment. If you’ve ever doubted your ability to come back from adversity, this episode is a masterclass in what it means to keep going anyway.👉 Whether you're an athlete, recovering from injury, or just stuck in life, this episode will change your perspective.📍 Timestamps00:00:00 – Intro: Elena’s story and resilience00:03:00 – Life before the accident00:06:00 – Details of the crash and injuries00:09:00 – Waking up and early recovery00:12:00 – Mental battles and rebuilding faith00:15:00 – Rehab, setbacks, and breakthroughs00:18:00 – Training innovations post-injury00:21:00 – What people take for granted00:24:00 – Perspective, mindset, and consistency00:27:00 – Purpose, God, and future vision💬 Key Themes:- Spinal cord injury recovery- Why fitness saved her life- Training after trauma- Mental toughness under pressure- Purpose after pain- How to build resilience when everything falls apart- Daily habits, identity, and real self-discipline- Turning tragedy into mission🔗 Connect with Elena Brandner:Instagram: @flostate_recoveryWebsite: https://linktr.ee/flostate_recovery🔗 Train with Judd:Instagram: @juddlienhardMASS Method: https://www.juddlienhard.com/This episode is sponsored by 1ST PHORM - Effective supplements that work! Thank you to our Sponsors! 1st Phorm effective supplements that work! Click to check out my go-to Protein Powder. LMNT electrolyte powder for Optimal Hydration. The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

  --------  

  1:28:31
• Dr. Alexei Vranich: Ancient Wisdom for Modern Performance, Community, and Mental Clarity

  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 you can make.From potato-based diets in the Andes to the neuroscience of awe, this conversation cuts through surface-level biohacking advice and gets to the real foundations of health, discipline, and fulfillment.Whether you’re a veteran, an athlete, or just someone chasing clarity in an overstimulated world—this episode delivers the mindset shift you didn’t know you needed.🔑 Topics Covered:Why struggle is essential to performance and happinessThe dark side of modern comfort and convenienceAncient lessons on food, rituals, and physical effortHow loneliness became a modern health crisisJiu Jitsu, martial arts, and building real brotherhoodAwe as a tool for rewiring your brainBreathing, presence, and the art of slowing downWhat history teaches us about purpose, suffering, and resilience📌 If this episode hits home, leave a rating and review—it helps more people rediscover strength, clarity, and purpose.👤 Guest: Dr. Alexei Vranich Learn more: https://www.dralexei.com Instagram: @alexeivranichFollow Judd on Instagram @juddlienhardExplore Judd’s training method: https://www.juddlienhard.com/📚 Mentioned Books:How to Change Your Mind – Michael Pollan - https://amzn.to/3YRjzPmBotany of Desire – Michael Pollan - https://amzn.to/4klZk5fWhy We Eat What We Eat – Raymond Sokolov - https://amzn.to/3ZliFuvFish on Friday – Brian Fagan - https://amzn.to/3ZtmM7VSapiens – Yuval Noah Harari - https://amzn.to/3Sa3EYPMeditations – Marcus Aurelius - https://amzn.to/44NrCAEThis episode is sponsored by 1ST PHORM - Effective supplements that work! Thank you to our Sponsors! 1st Phorm effective supplements that work! Click to check out my go-to Protein Powder. LMNT electrolyte powder for Optimal Hydration. The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

  --------  

  2:08:40
• Dr. Belisa Vranich: How to Use Tactical Breathing to Boost Strength, Endurance, and Focus

  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 diaphragm training, parasympathetic recovery, tactical breathing under stress, and how to test your Breathing IQ—a simple but powerful metric to improve performance and longevity.From special operators and elite athletes to desk workers and gym-goers, this is must-listen content for anyone who wants to train smarter and breathe stronger.🔑 Topics Covered:Why 90% of people have dysfunctional breathingDiaphragm strength and lung capacity for performanceTactical and recovery breathing for mental controlHow breath affects posture, spine, digestion, and energyTools and tests: Breathing IQ, O2 Trainer, CO₂ toleranceThe “modern predatory stance” and screen-induced dysfunctionRethinking Valsalva and pressure mechanics in liftingBreathwork for runners, lifters, cyclists, and fightersWhy elite performers are expert regulators of arousalHow breathing shapes longevity, resilience, and precision under pressure🛠️ Referenced in This Episode:Erin McGuire – 360° breathing & bracing expert IG: @mcguire.erinDr. Mary Massery – Postural & respiratory integration 🌐 masserypt.comRosalba Courtney, PhD – CO₂ tolerance, breath pattern disorders 🌐 rosalbacourtney.comPeter Litchfield, PhD – Capnography & respiratory psychophysiology 🌐 betterphysiology.comO2 Trainer by Bas Rutten – Breathing resistance tool 🌐 o2trainer.comBook: Breathing for Warriors by Dr. Belisa Vranich 📖 Buy on Amazon📘 Take the Breathing IQ Test: Get a real measurement of your breath mechanics: 🌐 mybreathingiq.com🎙️ About the Show: The Judd Lienhard Podcast explores training, mindset, recovery, leadership, and the deeper mechanics of human performance. Hosted by Army veteran and performance coach Judd Lienhard, the show features conversations with elite coaches, special operations veterans, strength scientists, and thought leaders pushing the limits of resilience and strength.This episode is sponsored by 1ST PHORM - Effective supplements that work! Thank you to our Sponsors! 1st Phorm effective supplements that work! Click to check out my go-to Protein Powder. LMNT electrolyte powder for Optimal Hydration. The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

  --------  

  1:15:40
• Wes Whitlock: Discipline After the Military & How to Build a Purpose-Driven Brand

  In this episode of The Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd sits down with Wes Whitlock — Marine Corps veteran, entrepreneur, and founder of Rogue American Apparel. From carrying classified intel through combat zones to building a multi-million dollar brand, Wes has lived every chapter of the warrior’s path.This isn’t just strategy — it’s a full-on mindset shift. Wes breaks down how his military past forged his business discipline, what modern men are missing, and how to reclaim direction in a distracted world.Whether you’re a veteran, athlete, or driven man looking to reclaim grit, this conversation delivers raw clarity.🔑 Topics Covered:The warrior mindset vs modern comfortVeteran transition & radical responsibilityRogue American’s origin and ethosDiscipline, training, and why aesthetics don’t matterHow to create meaning through sufferingMasculinity, restraint, and legacy🎯 For Listeners Who Are:Men 25–45, military veterans, former athletes, entrepreneurs, leaders, and anyone building discipline, strength, and purpose.🧠 Key Takeaways:Train for life, not likes — discipline is the backbone.Build brands from values, not vanity — Wes shares how Rogue became a symbol of purpose.Masculinity isn’t rage — it’s presence, strength, and stillness.Your past doesn’t define you — your choices do.🎧 Available on:Apple Podcasts | Spotify | YouTube | Amazon Music🔗 Connect with Wes Whitlock:Rogue American: rogueamerican.comInstagram: @wes_whitlock🔗 Connect with Judd Lienhard:Website: juddlienhard.comInstagram: @juddlienhardThis episode is sponsored by 1ST PHORM - Effective supplements that work! Thank you to our Sponsors! 1st Phorm effective supplements that work! Click to check out my go-to Protein Powder. LMNT electrolyte powder for Optimal Hydration. The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

  --------  

  1:46:48
• Brad Dunn: Build the Body, Discipline, and Life You Actually Want

  🔥 The Judd Lienhard Podcast EP 015 w/ Brad Dunn (@reliant.fitness) 🔥Ready to take extreme ownership of your body, your mind, and your future? Brad Dunn shares how he rebuilt his life — fighting through addiction, burnout, and self-doubt — to lead a movement of blue-collar warriors chasing strength, discipline, and real transformation.In this episode, we dive into:  ✅ Fitness Fundamentals for Men Over 30 ✅ Discipline Over Motivation ✅ Overcoming Alcohol and Addiction ✅ The Blue-Collar Fitness Mindset ✅ Eating for Performance, Not Pleasure ✅ Creating a New Identity Through ActionThis is your playbook for reclaiming athleticism, building mental toughness, and forging a high-performance life — no shortcuts, no moderation, no apology.💥 Follow Brad Dunn: YouTube @reliant.fitness | reliantfitness.net 💥 Follow Judd Lienhard: Instagram @juddlienhard | juddlienhard.com👉 New episodes weekly. Always Be An Athlete.This episode is sponsored by 1ST PHORM - Effective supplements that work! Thank you to our Sponsors! 1st Phorm effective supplements that work! Click to check out my go-to Protein Powder. LMNT electrolyte powder for Optimal Hydration. The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

  --------  

  1:22:04

More Health & Wellness podcasts

Trending Health & Wellness podcasts

About The Judd Lienhard Podcast