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 business
• Training frequency vs. intensity for sustainable strength gains
• Why patience and consistency beat raw talent over time
• Lessons from scaling a fitness product into a worldwide brand
• Building resilience in the gym and in business
• How to mentor others, lead by example, and use influence responsibly

FOLLOW MARK BELL
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marksmellybell
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SuperTraining06
Podcast: Power Project

FOLLOW JUDD LIENHARD
🔗 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juddlienhard
🔗 YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@juddlienhard
Podcast: The Judd Lienhard Podcast

TRAIN 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 David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 suffering
• Why most men today are weak (and how to fix it)
• TBI, depression, and brain healing with Ibogaine
• Brotherhood, purpose, and rites of passage
• Why excuses are just lies we rehearse
• The difference between athletes and real fighters
• The 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 Fletcher
Instagram: @taitfletcher

🔗 Connect with Ketih Jardine
Instagram: @keithjardine205

🔗 Connect with Judd Lienhard
Instagram: @juddlienhard
YouTube: @juddlienhard
Training & 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 David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 Gratitude
• The 5 daily pillars: Physical, Spiritual, Emotional, Intellectual, and Social
• Why God, Family, and Community are the priorities that hold everything together
• Why strength without direction leads to burnout
• How to build emotional steadiness and real friendship
• How faith can shape your leadership, even in a distracted world

Whether 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 David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 variety
• Sprinting and jumping as universal athletic skills
• How general play and movement challenges build true athleticism
• The problem with specializing too early
• Strength training’s place in the performance pyramid
• The neurological cost of always lifting heavy
• What fascia training gets wrong (and right)
• Tips for improving sprint mechanics and ground contact
• How to know when your athletes need less strength work, not more

CONNECT WITH DANIEL BACK:
Instagram: @2xathlete & @jump.science
YouTube: 2X Athlete
Programs: 2xathlete.com

CONNECT WITH JUDD LIENHARD:
Instagram: @juddlienhard
Train with Judd: juddlienhard.com

This episode is brought to you by David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 useful
• The difference between being certified and being capable
• How to build athleticism back in midlife
• Lessons from coaching kids, college football, and the military
• What matters most in training: patience, angles, aggression
• Advice for athletes, coaches, and young men trying to figure it out

In 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 HERE

Subscribe, leave a review, and share this with someone who trains with purpose.

This episode is brought to you by David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 you
• Mental tools to train your mindset like a muscle
• Paul’s approach to pain, rehab, and purpose
• Why 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 edge

This episode is brought to you by David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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:

1. Safety – Why you're getting hurt and how to stop being dumb about it
2. Consistency – The only “secret” worth talking about
3. Comprehensive Approach – Strength, cardio, mobility… quit skipping what matters
4. Intensity – How to push yourself without breaking down
5. Specialized Techniques – What to use after you’ve earned it
6. Supplements & Hormones – The least important part (but most abused)

Who This Is For:

• Former athletes who still expect more from themselves
• Military & first responders
• Fathers, leaders, and hard workers who train like it matters
• Men who value strength, discipline, and real results

What 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 results
• If you can spend $250 a month on booze but not a gym membership, your priorities are off
• If you're still blaming genetics or age—look in the mirror

Stop 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 David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 volume
• Saunas, cold plunges, and recovery physiology
• The sugar diet experiment and metabolic flexibility
• Gut health, microbiome science, and fecal transplants
• Muscle as medicine: why strength matters for aging
• Hormones, PEDs, and misunderstood performance tools
• What ancient resilience teaches us about modern softness

Whether 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.com

Connect with Judd Lienhard
Instagram: @juddlienhard
YouTube: Judd Lienhard on YouTube
Website & Coaching: juddlienhard.com

Listen and follow for new episodes every Tuesday.

This episode is brought to you by David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 training
• The difference between your main effort and supporting efforts
• Why shaping and sustaining operations matter in fitness
• How to run daily after-action reviews (AARs) to stay consistent
• Why crossloading and redundancy help busy people train without missing workouts

This 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.com

This episode is brought to you by David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

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 athlete
00:00:20 - The difference between training vs. working out
00:03:34 - 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 authentic
00:08:16 - GOTA, functional patterns & movement cults
00:09:33 - Training disagreements with partners and dealing with creepy DMs
00:12:31 - Judging by appearance vs. training credibility
00:13:16 - State troopers and programming dogma
00:16:05 - Certainty in training and the limits of “science-based”
00:17:22 - Suboptimal programs that still deliver results
00:18:05 - Why intensity and consistency is more important than programming
00:20:45 - Bridging the gap between gen pop and elite athletes
00:23:33 - Gamifying performance and training as the sport
00:24:16 - Risk of acute injuries vs. chronic disease from inactivity
00:26:25 - Movement quality over muscle size
00:27:36 - 22mph sprint at age 35 & variability in human performance
00:30:11 - Getting hurt from training too hard vs. not training at all
00:33:25 - Sprinting safety & building up capacity
00:38:39 - Training chaos & the myth of “optimal” movement
00:41:08 - Sherpa coaching model and athlete collaboration
00:42:32 - Getting athlete buy-in for movement change
00:44:26 - Letting athletes choose exercises
00:45:04 - Exercise dogma: “Everyone must clean” vs. reality
00:47:46 - Jamar Chase power cleans 315 after 6 weeks off
00:50:00 - What defines true athleticism
00:51:13 - NFL physiques vs. performance efficiency
00:52:12 - Herschel Walker and the myth of minimalist training
00:52:59 - Tim’s basic training split: 2 lower, 2 upper
00:54:13 - Why speed comes first, and contrast pairing tips
00:55:09 - Importance of rest in power and sprint sessions
00:57:51 - 20x40s ≠ speed work: the biggest youth coaching mistake
00:59:18 - Football + distraction tricks to preserve rest quality
01:00:28 - Squat variations and trap bar replacements
01:01:43 - Why you need to train biarticulate muscles directly
01:02:37 - Upper body: heavy bench, athlete-guided pressing
01:03:51 - Why ballistic training is underrated
01:04:56 - The resurgence of machines and hypertrophy for athletes
01:07:34 - Why hypertrophy = health, metabolism, and training leverage
01:08:20 - Tim’s podcast & how to connect

📢 Follow Tim Riley:
Instagram: @timrileytraining
Podcast: Coach Em Up

🎧 More from Judd Lienhard:
Instagram: @juddlienhard
Training App, Coaching & More: https://www.juddlienhard.com/

This episode is brought to you by David Protein

David Protein has the highest protein-to-calorie ratio of any leading bar in the market. David Protein Gold label has: 28g of protein, 150 calories, and 0g of sugar. And equally as important, this bar tastes delicious. Each bar features an indulgent, doughy texture, studded with satisfying chunks and airy crisps. Other bars are hard to choke down, but I often eat 2 David Protein bars in a sitting, they are that good. Try them for yourself.

Order here for free shipping on your first order: davidprotein.com/judd

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

Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥