Jens Voigt raced the Tour de France 17 times, wore the yellow jersey, won stages in the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, and set the Hour Record on the track at age 43. He joins Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz how crashing at 70 km/h changes you in ways the world doesn't see and the long arc of a life in sport. — This episode explores Jens' childhood and upbringing in the former East Germany, his path through a state-run sports academy, and what it was like to build a career inside professional cycling without ever being the protected rider. — This is a conversation about parenting six kids, literally carrying teammates through hard times, aging and how he stays World Tour fast to feel good and have fun. — To support Choose the Hard Way, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected]. — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com. — Jens Voigt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejensie/ — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice – narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com— Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/

Patrick J Murphy, First Iraq War Veteran Elected to Congress and Former Under Secretary of the Army

— Patrick J Murphy was the first Iraq War veteran elected to the United States Congress and later served as Under Secretary of the Army. He joins Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz for a wide-ranging conversation on service, leadership and responsibility.

— This episode explores what it means to engage seriously with people who hold different points of view and why stepping outside an echo chamber is a necessary discipline, not a political stance.

— This is a conversation about leadership without performance, curiosity without defensiveness and the work required to stay human in complex systems.

— Follow along here for new episodes and reflections and to support this work please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/.

— The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy.

— That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won.

— When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected].

— With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required.

— Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.

—

Patrick J. Murphy: https://patrickmurphypa.substack.com/

—

Patrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickmurphypa/

—

More about Patrick: www.patrickjmurphy.com

— Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/

— One Real Voice – narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com

— Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod

— Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/

—

On day 8 of the Abandon Your Family 500, Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz, Spencer Martin of Beyond the Peloton, and Jonathan Kaplan of Riding With share stories of deep fatigue, angry families, and the kind of indoor training glory you can earn but can't buy.

—

They explore the strain this challenge has placed on their friendship, and why they can't wait to do it again, slightly differently, in two weeks when they kick off the Abandon Your Family 30,000.

— But first comes the second installment in the Choose the Hard Way Abandon Your Family Triple Crown, the 10 Pack. Follow www.instagram.com/hardwaypod for more info and DM Andrew or join the Strava Club to get in the action. https://www.strava.com/clubs/choosethehardway.

— After that we'll be tackling the Abandon Your Family 30,000? It's climbing 30,000 vertical feet in a week, and the annual step Andrew, Spencer, and Jonathan take to polish their form before the Choose the Hard Way x Beyond the Peloton x Riding with x Kip's Corner training camp.

— The 10 Pack starts December 25th and runs through January 1. The goal is to complete 10 Zwift races in that time frame and punch the ticket to get your 10 Pack.

—

Choose the Hard Way is the podcast about how hard things build stronger people who have more fun. The Abandon Your Family 500 is one of thousands of ways the Choose the Hard Way community around the world embodies this philosophy every day.

— Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/.

— DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.

— Heads up, we've got a full-length interview with Jens Voigt as you've never heard him before coming soon, stay tuned.

— Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/.

— DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.

— ----- The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy.

— That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won.

— When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected].

----- —

With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required.

----- —

Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.

----- — JOIN US:

—

Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/

— One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com

— Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod

—

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/

— Chase Wark: https://www.instagram.com/chasethebiker/

—

WUKAR Fit / Art O'Connor: https://www.instagram.com/wukarfit/

— Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search

— Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Chase Wark pounds Frosted Flakes & puts in 4.5 hours on a single bottle of water in his in-laws' 15-degree garage to pass the 760 km mark -- and Kip Taylor -- on the Abandon Your Family 500 leaderboard on day 6.

— Art O'Connor, aka WUKAR Fit, strength coach to pro cycling's biggest names including Chase, World Champion Keegan Swenson and many more, reveals why Patrick Swayze is the secret to high performance on the trainer. — Jonathan Kaplan of Riding With reveals the indoor / outdoor hybrid approach that is taking D.C. and the Abandon Your Family 500 community by storm.

— Spence logs off to continue to horde secret miles for a big reveal on day 10. — Andrew Vontz completes the Abandon Your Family 500, kisses Tempus Fugit goodbye, and just when you thought challenge season was over, drops details on the AYF Triple Crown series.

— Heads up, we've got a full-length interview with Jens Voigt as you've never heard him before coming soon, stay tuned.

— Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/.

— DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.

— -----The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy.

— That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won.

— When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected].

----- —

With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required.

----- —

Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.

----- —JOIN US:

—

Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/

— One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com

— Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod

—

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/

— Chase Wark: https://www.instagram.com/chasethebiker/

—

WUKAR Fit / Art O'Connor: https://www.instagram.com/wukarfit/

— Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search

— Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Abandon Your Family 500 2025 Day 4 with Jonathan Kaplan and Andrew Vontz.

Reflections on bad sleep, big carbs, and the skirmish between Front Range legends Andy Leach and Kip Taylor to top out first and complete #AYF500 in an FKT of under four days.

—

Day 4 sees the Kingpin, Big Spence, continue his secret training during the Boulder blackout. When will he switch his rides from "private" to "everyone" and deliver the big surprise sure to put him in the headlines?

—

Heads up. We have a full-length interview with Jens Voigt coming soon, and you will hear him in a way you never have before.

—

Follow along here for daily-ish episodes. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber:

https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/

—

DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AYF500 is going and what you would like us to cover in the daily updates.

—

The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in.

Being a great podcast guest or host, and being able to operate in dynamic, unscripted contexts, isn't optional. It is now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it well is hard.

That's why Andrew Vontz started One Real Voice, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels, and in high-stakes, open-ended internal and external conversations where reputations are built and business is won.

https://www.onerealvoice.com/

When you're ready to be great, DM:

https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod

or reach out to:

[email protected]

—

With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Get started today, no experience required.

https://www.blockchain.com

—

Lauf is the Apple of bike design. They make elegant products that just work better than everything else.

https://www.laufcycles.com

—

JOIN US

Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/

One Real Voice. Narrative, strategy, and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations https://www.onerealvoice.com

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/

Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends

Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Abandon Your Family 500 2025 Day 3 brings big drama when 100 mile-per-hour winds mean the power grid goes offline in Boulder and Big Spence has to skip the daily recording to keep banking secret miles to upload later at an undisclosed location. Meanwhile, Andy Leach powers over the top and dominates the leaderboard while Meg Volz enters the chat and shows her family what commitment looks like. Jonathan Kaplan of Riding With logs another signature indoor / outdoor Norwegian method dual threshold workout day and continues his love letter to High Fidelity with hopes of getting Nick Hornby into the challenge. Andrew Vontz shares the secrets that gets him through the moment that arrives every day when his brain says why are you doing this and his wife asks him if there's a better week than this to ride a trainer for 20 hours. Choose the Hard Way is the podcast about how hard things build stronger people who have more fun. The Abandon Your Family 500 is one of thousands of ways the Choose the Hard Way community around the world embodies this philosophy every day. Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.

-----

The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy. That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected].

-----

With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required.

-----

Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.

----- JOIN US:

Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

A deep dive on the big action and family fallout from day one of the Abandon Your Family 500 in a groundbreaking conversation with Andrew Vontz / Choose the Hard Way, Spencer Martin / Beyond the Peloton, Jonathan Kaplan / Riding With, and the front range legend Kip Taylor (of Kip's Corner fame) making his highly anticipated Choose the Hard way debut. Andrew, Jonathan, & Spencer press Kip on his 11th-hour upload of a 105-mile ride on day one. Get a look inside the high-stakes world of #AYF500 strategy from one of the masters of the game in this discussion of the obstacles challenge participants are overcoming to get the challenge done. Country breakfasts, family feuds, entertainment recommendations, this episode has it all. Choose the Hard Way is the podcast about how hard things build stronger people who have more fun. The Abandon Your Family 500 is one of thousands of ways the Choose the Hard Way community around the world embodies this philosophy every day. Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates. ----- The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy. That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected].

-----

With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required.

-----

Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.

----- JOIN US: Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Nothing says I love you like abandoning your family to get in shape for your endurance sport. The Abandon Your Family 500 is a challenge to ride 500 km on planet earth or on a virtual cycling platform over the course of 10 days brought to you by Choose the Hard Way / Andrew Vontz, Beyond the Peloton / Spencer Martin, and Riding With / Jonathan Kaplan. During the #AYF500, Andrew, Jonathan, & Spencer will be doing minisodes to share their experience participating in one of life's most rewarding experiences: having fun doing something hard with your friends. Follow along here and at https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.

-----

The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host isn't optional. It's now a mission-critical skill for senior leaders. That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected].

-----

With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required.

-----

Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.

----- JOIN US:

Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Choose the Hard Way is the show about how hard things build stronger humans who have more fun. This episode is about living that philosophy and how you can, too. Choose the Hard Way & One Real Voice founder Andrew Vontz, Spencer Martin of WeDu / Peacock / Beyond the Peloton, and Jonathan Kaplan of the Riding With newsletter / pod discuss the history and lore of the Abandon Your Family 500. The #AYF500 is a challenge to do what endurance athletes do best--focus on themselves, ignore their families and real life obligations and ride 500km between December 15 and 25. The second annual Abandon Your Family 500 kicks off soon. If you want to secure your mid-place finish at a Lifetime Grand Prix event or other gravel major in 2026, the time to get started is right now. DM Andrew on Instagram to join the challenge.

-----

The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host isn't optional. It's now a mission-critical skill for senior leaders. That's why I started my consultancy, https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to [email protected].

-----

With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required.

-----

Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.

----- JOIN US:

Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Former NFL linebacker & Texas Congressman Colin Allred joins hosts Andrew Vontz & Jonathan Kaplan on United States of Sweat, presented by Choose the Hard Way.

Allred played at Baylor and for the Tennessee Titans before a neck injury ended his NFL career. He went on to earn a law degree from Berkeley, work in the Obama administration, and win a U.S. House seat in 2018.

After a close Senate race in 2024, he's back on the campaign trail, running again to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate.

Allred talks about the mindset it takes to survive the NFL—where, as he says, there's a 100% injury rate—and how that toughness translates to politics, parenthood, and public service. Plus: his favorite way to train and the one piece of workout gear he can't live without.

---------

Jonathan Kaplan is the founder of WRITE CADENCE STRATEGIES, helping individuals and organizations navigate Washington, shape policy and manage reputational risk. He also writes RIDING WITH, a newsletter and podcast exploring the intersection of pro cycling, media, business and politics. Find that at ridingwithkaplan.substack.com.---------

For senior execs, pro athletes, and political leaders, podcasts aren't optional anymore. They're mission-critical.

At One Real Voice, Andrew Vontz coaches leaders 1:1 to help them thrive as podcast guests & hosts and stand out in the long-form, open-ended conversations where real influence is built.

When you're ready to be great, DM him @hardwaypod or email [email protected].

---------

The number one way to support Choose the Hard Way is to become a paid subscriber to alwaysthehardway.substack.com. That's where Andrew Vontz shares his reflections on these interviews and writes about engaged mindfulness, bikes and life.

---------

Wherever you're listening to this podcast, please subscribe and hit 5 stars. ------------- Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, https://www.blockchain.com/ is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Create your free wallet and get up to 10% in annual rewards by putting your crypto to work. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ------------- Choose the Hard Way Newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ ------------- One Real Voice podcast coaching & strategy: https://www.onerealvoice.com/