The Judd Lienhard Podcast

In this episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, I sit down with Matt Johnson, a military veteran and ultra-endurance runner who ran 841 miles across Texas in 17 days. Matt’s story is all about mental toughness, resilience, and transformation, proving you can rebuild after hitting rock bottom—facing divorce, bankruptcy, and life’s toughest battles.

We dive into overcoming adversity, the warrior mindset, and endurance training, as Matt shares lessons from his military service, finding purpose beyond the uniform, and using ultra-running for self-discovery and healing. We also discuss the emotional toll of combat, the power of perseverance, and what it takes to develop an unstoppable mindset.

Beyond endurance, we explore social media growth, handling criticism, and turning pain into fuel for success. Whether you're into fitness, mental toughness, or pushing past limits, this episode will challenge you to rethink what’s possible and embrace the power of resilience.

This episode is sponsored by 1st Phorm. For clean, effective supplements that work, give 1st Phorm supplements a try at: https://1stphorm.com/Judd 

🎧Please Follow, Rate, and Review the show on Apple & Spotify Podcasts. 

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MATT JOHNSON’S LINKS:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mattjohnson__
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@mattjohnson__ 

TIMESTAMPS:

[00:00:21] Running 841 miles across Texas, 100-mile Leadville, & mental toughness in ultra-endurance
[00:04:45] DNF but not broken: resilience & the never-quit mindset
[00:06:20] Superhuman vs impossible: overcoming adversity
[00:08:53] Mental grit: embracing hardship as the norm
[00:10:05] Strength through trauma: not letting pain control you
[00:13:04] Loyalty, warrior ethos, & right vs wrong in life’s toughest moments
[00:15:32] No perfect path: success through failure & persistence
[00:19:55] Childhood perspective: why kids assume parents always know best
[00:23:03] Tell your parents what they mean to you now
[00:24:28] Military vs college vs factory work: different paths to purpose
[00:27:59] Helping veterans transition & find purpose after service
[00:30:40] Genetics vs training
[00:33:53] Divorce, rock bottom & choosing to move forward over suicide
[00:35:14] No plan, just action: taking control & rebuilding life
[00:38:23] How IG blew up: social media success after quitting
[00:40:48] “I spent 2023 running from everything, broke myself, & it was the best thing to happen.”
[00:45:06] Viral success: dealing with hate & online criticism
[00:50:12] Gratitude for struggle
[00:53:24] Valor Fit sponsorship & representing veteran endurance athletes
[00:59:10] Combat doesn’t make you a man—emotional toll of war
[01:01:09] Thinking about joining the military? Here’s Matt’s advice
[01:09:03] Hardest moment during the 841-mile Run Across Texas in 17 days
[01:18:01] At the end of life, it’s about impact: changing lives through action
[01:20:43] Favorite athlete of all time

This episode is brought to you by David Protein

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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, my guest is Nate Boyer (@nateboyer37)—former Green Beret, UT football walk-on, NFL pro, and co-founder of Merging Vets and Players (MVP). MVP helps veterans and athletes transition beyond their uniform. He wrote, starred in, and directed MVP (2022), and his latest venture is 8Primal, a Texas-based ranch-to-table meat company delivering premium, locally sourced meat to your door. Nate excels in every arena he enters.

We dive into Nate’s journey—from his early years to the military and competing at the highest level on the football field. He shares what drives him, the power of embracing discomfort, and why family and relationships shape his decisions. We also explore the complexities of war and the true meaning of freedom. Nate’s mindset will inspire you to dream big and take action. Please enjoy my conversation with Nate Boyer.

Thank you to our sponsors.

1st Phorm: https://1stphorm.com/Judd

Drink LMNT: https://drinklmnt.com/judd 

Judd Lienhard Links 

Get Judd’s Workout App:https://www.juddlienhard.com/ 

Instagram:@juddlienhard 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@JuddLienhard 

Nate Boyer Links

Website: https://nateboyer.org/ 

Instagram: @nateboyer37

Timestamps:

[00:02:00] Nate Boyer - Veteran/Special Forces, college football walk-on, NFL

[00:03:15] Colin Kaepernick controversy

[00:15:15] Film industry journey

[00:20:17] Building mental toughness

[00:27:11] Complexities of war 

[00:29:02] Proud military moment

[00:32:38] The Righteous Mind - 5 Pillars

[00:33:57] David Foster Wallace- Reader, Essays & Arguments, Conversations,  Nietzsche\

[00:51:10] Helping village children, Dr Suess

[01:00:33] Fallujah War - Decision to join the military

[01:02:47] Special Forces - Green Beret path

[01:06:44] Sponsor: 1st Phorm

[01:11:35] Special Forces 10th Group

[01:19:56] Iraq as a Green Beret

[01:28:17] Summer in Iraq & Afghanistan 

[01:47:41] Merging Vets & Players

[01:52:11] MVP  movie 

[01:55:54] D-Day + 80 

[02:06:05] Favorite athlete

[02:08:20] 8Primal Brand & Ranch

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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Justin Mihaly (@jmihaly_) is a former competitive bodybuilder and a renowned fitness coach. He has coached in the NPC National Championships, secured 24 Pro cards, achieved 11 Pro wins, and placed in the top 10 at Mr. Olympia twice. He hosts the Grow or Die Podcast and founded and owns Together More Fit. In this show, we explore finding your purpose, building a business, and addressing our health issues at the root level, free from the influence of big pharma.

Sign up for Judd's Newsletter or Training App: https://www.juddlienhard.com/
Follow Judd on Instagram: @juddlienhard
Judd Lienhard Podcast Sponsor: https://1stphorm.com/Judd

Please follow, rate, & review on Apple & Spotify.

Justin Mihaly Links
Website: https://www.togethermorefit.com/founder
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jmihaly_

Timestamps:
[00:06:46] Fitness & its mental benefits
[00:12:50] Shaq’s secret to success
[00:14:03] Healthy vs unhealthy competition
[00:19:45] Medical professionals on LDL, cholesterol, and misinformation
[00:23:30] Mixing faith with science
[00:35:36] Modern medicine flaws, nutrition vs medication
[00:36:40] Thyroid function, medication effects, Hashimoto’s, T3, T4, hormones, autoimmune diseases linked to gut health
[00:38:51] Seed oils vs beef tallow
[00:41:30] Lab results - A1C, Insulin, Triglycerides, LDL
[00:42:58] Drs prescribing statins, effects, & financial profits
[00:44:31] ADHD drugs for focus, anxiety, & depression
[00:45:27] Lost Connections book - Reduce anxiety w/: Social Connection, Purpose, & Family
[00:51:51] Children becoming sedentary adults
[00:55:22] Alcohol & sex as masculine ideals and the female microbiome
[00:57:44] Sex as delayed gratification & confirmation bias, Masturbation’s impact on prolactin
[01:00:19] Approach women to build confidence
[01:07:38] Parents - compliment daughters on achievements, not appearance
[01:25:45] Cocaine, caffeine, THC all affect neurotransmitters
[01:33:57] Alcohol on gut & brain health
[01:34:24] Mushrooms, ketamine, MDMA for trauma
[01:35:11] Gut serotonin, Candida, H. Pylori, SIBO, snacking
[01:36:46] Risks from not pooping daily
[01:38:03] Parasympathetic vs Sympathetic states on stress, rest, & digestion
[01:39:21] Stress on progesterone, vitamin A, cholesterol
[01:41:03] Top gut health tips: Circadian biology
[01:42:55] Apple Cider Vinegar + Betaine HCL & Pepsin for low stomach acid
[01:46:01] Fermented foods, kimchi
[01:50:43] Meal Hygiene: eat w/o distractions, focus on the vagus nerve
[01:52:28] Raw Virgin Coconut Oil for brain & GI health
[01:53:37] Rice and sourdough bread, GI tract concerns
[01:55:47] Honey & red meat as a cheat code
[01:56:38] Nicotine positives
[01:59:01] Men’s testosterone, DHT, and hair loss myths
[02:02:23] T decline, insulin & thyroid health
[02:07:56] Regular test vs bodybuilder cycles
[02:08:43] Anabolic substances 
[02:10:31] Fav Athlete

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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Bert Sorin (@bertsorin) is the President and Owner of Sorinex Exercise Equipment, known as the industry’s premier provider of strength training equipment. Sorinex equips top professional teams, college strength training facilities, and home gyms for elite athletes. Notable training centers include Georgia, Alabama, and Nebraska football strength rooms. Bert is also a 4-time Division 1 All-American in Track and Field. He is a committed family man, raising three children with his wife, Lesley, in South Carolina. Bert is an avid hunter and he also serves as an ambassador for the Global War on Terrorism Memorial Foundation. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know him personally over the past year. He’s the real deal.

In this episode, we explore the evolution of strength training equipment and the initial business challenges faced by Bert’s father, Richard Sorin, the founder of Sorinex. We also cover how Bert triumphed as a track and field college walk-on and ultimately competed in the Olympic trials, lessons in fatherhood inspired by his dad, what truly matters in life, and the balance of being a father while managing a world-class company.

You can learn more about Bert at: https://www.bertsorin.com/ 

Thank you to 1st Phorm for sponsoring this episode. https://1stphorm.com/Judd

Follow Judd:
Instagram: instagram.com/juddlienhard
YouTube: youtube.com/@juddlienhard

Timestamps:

[00:00:21] Great men vs Good men

[00:03:07] What Sorinex did to change the strength game

[00:06:15] Why start Sorinex - Physical culture 

[00:08:03] 1968 - How Richard Sorin brought weight rooms to colleges

[00:11:21] Fatherly attributes: Compassion & Passion

[00:15:03] Funeral turnout - did you leave a legacy or not?

[00:18:22] The vast reach of Sorinex

[00:22:13] Grip King era - Richard Sorin, Father of the Modern Grip Movement

[00:25:28] Excellence without competition - fail until you succeed

[00:29:50] Raising a child with intention

[00:38:57] Shoot to eat - intense training challenge, stress inoculation

[00:43:37] Prepare for competition, practice failure & patience

[00:46:21] Bert’s past 24 hrs with Joe Rogan

[00:50:07] X Factor - Bert’s new genius Sorinex Equipment

[00:52:42] Progression to collegiate success

[00:59:25] Key people in life that shape your future 

[01:02:35] Special happens to everyone at a different time 

[01:05:18] 17 year old quick strength and growth cycle secrets

[01:09:02] You are the 7 people you hang around, their standard becomes yours

[01:12:55] Post Graduation working fulltime at Sorinex

[01:15:27] When we have the time to think about quitting, we quit 

[01:22:07] Winning breeds winning and reduces stress

[01:24:45] 1st Phorm

[01:26:55] How to create a path to the journey I know I want

[01:27:52] Creation of cutting edge workout equipment

[01:29:20] Be interested to be interesting

[01:31:49] Sorinex betrayal story - hardest day of Richard Soren’s life

[01:36:45] What Bert brought to weight machines today from 2007 

[01:45:01] Free weights aren’t free

[01:50:52] 3 Types of extraordinary people

[01:54:23] Humility & being a lifelong learner

[01:59:50] Consistently overperform for yourself vs pressuring yourself to win

[02:02:13] Recap of relevant points, pivotal figures, watershed moments

[02:03:48] Everyone on Bert’s team has to do 4 things

[02:06:02] Bert’s favorite athlete of all time

[02:13:00] 2 choices of overachievers

[02:15:20] Cost of being the GOAT and choosing to be a 90% guy

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. ⭐️🎧🔥

The first episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast will air on Tuesday, January 21, at 5a CST. A new episode will be released every week. Hit the Follow button to receive each show as soon as it drops. 
Please share your suggestions for topics or guests you would like to see featured on the show in the comments section below.
Thank you for being here!

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. ⭐️🎧🔥