We first had Brian on the show back in early 2022 to share his story of building his fitness business and the lessons he had learned along the way. Four years later, he is back with new experiences, fresh insights, and a whole new perspective shaped by raising kids and growing both personally and professionally, and what it means to live without compromise. 

Originally from New York, Brian spent 15 years in the hospitality and fashion industries after a successful collegiate soccer career. But even with those achievements, he sensed there was more he could give and more life had to offer.

Knowing that growth often comes from challenge, Brian made it his mission to step beyond comfort and create a life that tested his limits. Through launching new ventures and helping others uncover their own potential, he has discovered a deeper sense of purpose that is now guided by family, perspective, and the desire to live Without Compromise in every season of life.

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with award-winning journalist, author, podcaster, and Athletic Brewing ambassador, Brendan O’Meara to talk about his book The Front Runner: The Story of Steve Prefontaine. Through vivid storytelling, O’Meara brings to life the grit, charisma, and uncompromising drive of one of America’s most iconic sports figures. We explore Prefontaine’s rise from small-town Oregon to the world stage, his rebellious approach to competition, and the enduring lessons his life offers about passion, purpose, and refusing to settle. 

Brendan has been a longstanding ambassador for Athletic Brewing, and hosts the Creative Nonfiction Podcast. 

You can learn more about him and his work at brendanomeara.com

Back in 2020, we sat down with chef, cyclist, and entrepreneur Chris Cosentino to talk about food, creativity, and living life without compromise. Five years later, he returns to the show to catch us up on where life has taken him, and how he continues to reinvent himself.

In this conversation, Chris opens up about the ever-changing restaurant industry, what it takes to stay authentic in the face of shifting trends, and the lessons he’s learned about resilience and risk. We also dive into his love of cycling, how the bike has shaped his lifestyle, mindset, and even his professional choices. Finally, Chris reflects on the deeper work of identity: what it means to keep evolving, to embrace new passions, and to stay true to yourself through change.

Whether you know Chris from the kitchen, the bike saddle, or his creative projects, this episode offers an honest and inspiring look at a life lived fully, and always without compromise.

It’s not every day you meet someone who has stood on the highest peak of every continent and now leads one of the world’s most iconic endurance brands. In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Scott DeRue, CEO of The IRONMAN Group, to talk about the journey that brought him from academia to the forefront of global endurance sport.

Now, as CEO, Scott is steering IRONMAN into the future while honoring its rich legacy. He shares what he’s learned from standing at finish lines around the world, how the IRONMAN ethos of “Anything is Possible” applies to both athletes and everyday people, and what excites him about the movement’s next chapter. Outside of his role, Scott is an avid mountaineer, having completed the Seven Summits earlier this year. 

Athletic Brewing and IRONMAN have partnered for years, built on a shared belief that balance, resilience, and community matter as much as performance. Together, they’re helping athletes celebrate their pursuits, without compromise.

This episode was originally published in 2022, but is now more relevant than ever.

When we first released this episode, Lynn Rogers was deep in the fight of navigating her new reality after the sudden onset of CIDP, a rare neurological condition that had left her unable to walk just weeks before she was supposed to compete in her first IRONMAN.

Her resilience, perspective, and determination struck a powerful chord with listeners. So much so, in fact, that her story became the inspiration for Athletic Brewing’s 2024 documentary, Inches to Miles.

Since the release of that film, there’s been a major development: Lynn recently completed an IRONMAN, officially finishing what she set out to do years ago. Her journey from paralysis to the finish line is a remarkable example of what it means to live Without Compromise.

We’re replaying this conversation to honor that achievement and give you a deeper look at the person behind the headlines.

After listening, be sure to:

• Watch Inches to Miles (2024). It’s free on YouTube
• Follow @AthleticBrewing for behind-the-scenes updates and Lynn’s latest finish line moment

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Crosby Colapinto, a rising star on the professional surfing circuit. Hailing from San Clemente, California, Crosby shares what it’s like growing up in the tight-nit surfing community, competing alongside his brother Griffin, and staying grounded while chasing the dream of becoming a world champion. We talk about mental resilience, his love of surfing and golf, and how staying true to your values, on and off the board, is the ultimate mark of success.

Crosby’s laid-back attitude and deep love for the ocean remind us that living without compromise means embracing the journey, not just the destination. Whether you’re a lifelong surfer or just someone chasing your own passion, this episode is full of heart, grit, and inspiration.

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Jazmine Lowther, a professional trail runner, plant biologist, and coach. Raised on a farm in Nelson, British Columbia, Jazmine found her footing early among forests and alpine trails. From barefoot childhood adventures to breaking course records in some of the toughest mountain ultras in the world, her story is one of instinct, curiosity, and bold pivots. We dive into her transition from climbing to ultra-running, her science-driven approach to training, and how she’s navigated injury, competition, and recovery.

Jazmine opens up about what it means to live “without compromise” as both an athlete and a scientist, sharing lessons from the mountains, the lab, and her coaching practice. She reflects on her breakout season, the power of self-coaching, and how her love of wild places fuels not only her athletic pursuits but her environmental ethos. Whether you’re chasing your next race or just looking to reconnect with what moves you, this episode offers a thoughtful, grounded conversation on balance, grit, and doing things differently.

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with elite mountain runner and endurance athlete Tyler Andrews to unpack his bold attempt to set a speed record on Mount Everest. From hallucinations at 8,400 meters to boot failures and brutal weather windows, Tyler brings us deep into the mental and physical demands of chasing FKTs at the highest altitudes on Earth. He reflects on what went right, what went wrong, and why he’s still hungry for more. We also explore the mindset that drives him to live without compromise—whether he's racing up volcanoes, running hundreds of miles, or planning his next summit push.

Find out more about Athletic Brewing at athleticbrewing.com

Watch Athletic Brewing's FKT documentary, Journey to 100, here.

Brenden Blotnicky, Manager of Trail Development & Volunteers for Trans Canada Trail, joins us to explore how one of the world’s longest recreational networks comes to life, and thrives. From early-morning runs along the salt marshes of Nova Scotia to coordinating national trail expansions and volunteer programs, Brenden brings both heart and strategy to a job that connects communities across Canada. In this episode, we dig into his path to trail stewardship, how his background in environmental management shapes his work, and the real-world impact of support from Athletic Brewing’s Two for the Trails program. Brenden also shares the lessons he’s learned from volunteers, the biggest challenges of scaling a national trail system, and why he believes the future of sustainable recreation starts with community. While you're listening, dreaming of being out on a trail or your next adventure, crack open a cold Athletic brew!

In this episode of Without Compromise, we sit down with Omar Shaikh, Global Partnerships and Ventures Director at Arsenal Football Club. Omar shares his journey to the Premier League club and his work in strengthening the connection they have with their supporters in London around the world. He opens up about the history and values of the club, and the lessons he’s learned while navigating the intersection of sport, business, and brand strategy.

Omar also discusses what it takes to build meaningful partnerships in football, how Arsenal stays true to its values while innovating for the future, and why purpose-driven leadership is key to staying ahead. Whether you're passionate about sports, leadership, or charting your own path, this conversation is full of insight, heart, and inspiration. Plus, don’t miss Omar’s take on living Without Compromise on and off the pitch.