KneeToKnee

Mark Marrott

KneeToKnee – Where the Magic Happens is the straight-talk podcast built for men who want real tools to get stronger—physically, mentally, emotionally, and as fathers and leaders. Not empty motivation. I’m Mark Marrott, and every week I sit knee-to-knee with powerful guests—men and women who’ve actually lived it: high-achieving dads, combat veterans, elite athletes, recovery warriors, therapists, coaches, and everyday guys who’ve clawed their way back from rock bottom. We dive deep into how real, intentional human connections become actual medicine for men in their prime years. The topics hit hard and stay practical: forging brotherhoods that keep you accountable, staying present as a dad without losing your edge, leading at work and home without burning out, bouncing back from injury, addiction, divorce, or career crashes, tying your fitness and metabolic health to the people who actually have your back, mastering emotional resilience without going soft, and building a purpose that lasts through all the midlife pressure. No therapy-speak. No fluff. Just raw stories, science-backed insights, hard-earned lessons, and actionable steps on the stuff men really wrestle with: isolation in a connected world, provider stress, testosterone and energy dips from disconnection, long-term friendships that fade, forgiveness that actually frees you, and the relationships that quietly make or break your health and your legacy. Because the strongest version of you isn’t built alone. The real magic of well-being happens when you’re connected—knee to knee—with people who refuse to let you go it solo.

  1. 7 Principles That Took Him from Broke Kid to One of 3 Epic Deca Finishers on Earth - JD Tremblay

    1 DAY AGO

    7 Principles That Took Him from Broke Kid to One of 3 Epic Deca Finishers on Earth - JD Tremblay

    EpicDeca finisher JD Tremblay breaks down blood chemistry, energy regulation & endurance performance. Insert Link Only 3 people on Earth have completed the Epic Deca — 10 Iron Man distance triathlons across 10 Hawaiian islands. JD Tremblay is one of them. But what makes this conversation different from every other endurance story you've heard is that JD isn't interested in telling you how tough he is. He's here to give you the systems he used — systems that work whether you're attempting the impossible or just trying to drag yourself back to the gym. In this episode of KneeToKnee, JD breaks down the DECA framework (Discipline, Energy Regulation, Capacity, Action), his BRAIN optimization method (Blood Chemistry, Recovery, Attention, Inflammation, Nervous System), why your morning smoothie may be sabotaging your focus and energy, the truth about electrolytes, sodium, and insulin timing, and why values need to come before goals if you want lasting direction in your life. JD is also a certified naturopathic practitioner and military veteran — and his perspective on inflammation, community, and building a value-driven life is something every man needs to hear. Chapters • 00:00 – Welcome & Introduction to JD Tremblay • 01:00 – What Is the Epic Deca? (10 Iron Mans, 10 Days, 5 Islands) • 03:32 – The DECA System: Discipline, Energy Regulation, Capacity & Action • 11:12 – The BRAIN Framework: Blood Chemistry, Recovery, Attention, Inflammation & Nervous System • 16:53 – Practical Nutrition Tips for the Average Man Getting Back in the Gym • 27:46 – Values Before Goals: JD's Closing Advice for Building Deep Connections ☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee #HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

    31 min
  2. The Unexpected Truth He Discovered After Leaving the Military - with Ryan Reichert

    29 APR

    The Unexpected Truth He Discovered After Leaving the Military - with Ryan Reichert

    Veteran mental health, male loneliness, and brotherhood collide in this raw conversation with Lt. Colonel Ryan Reichert on KneeToKnee with Mark Marrott. Ryan Reichert retired from the Army as a Lieutenant Colonel, landed a Fortune 500 job with a multi-six-figure salary, and found himself completely alone. No brotherhood. No mission. No foundation. What followed was an identity crisis, addiction, divorce, and the hard work of rebuilding from scratch. In this episode, Ryan shares what broke him after the military, how he found his way back through community and faith, and why kindness might be the most underrated weapon a man carries. Topics covered include post-military identity loss, veteran PTSD and addiction recovery, the Bravo Zulu House (the first all-veteran sober house in the nation), Our Protector Development, the one-high-two-lows check-in method, and Ryan's six-step kindness framework from his TEDx Duluth talk. This is a Tier 4 episode: Mindset and Relationships. Chapters: • 00:00 — Introduction: Ryan Reichert and the Built to Break mindset • 02:30 — Post-military identity crisis: From Lt. Colonel to Fortune 500 to rock bottom • 05:10 — Male loneliness and the cost of going it alone • 10:35 — The groups that rebuilt Ryan: Church, veterans court, and battle buddies • 12:50 — Bravo Zulu House: The first all-veteran sober house in the nation • 15:10 — Our Protector Development: Turning pain into purpose • 19:45 — The six-step kindness method: Ryan's TEDx Duluth framework ☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee #HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

    25 min
  3. He Spent Years Thinking Something Was Wrong With Him ...Until He Discovered This - with David Hall

    22 APR

    He Spent Years Thinking Something Was Wrong With Him ...Until He Discovered This - with David Hall

    Introvert strengths, deep connections & male loneliness — David Hall reveals the truth about quiet men. Insert Link Most men have been told their whole lives that being an introvert is something to overcome. In this powerful conversation, introversion expert and podcast host David Hall joins Mark Marrott to bust the biggest myths and flip the script on what it means to be quiet and strong. David shares the exact moment he stopped thinking something was wrong with him — and how understanding his introvert personality changed his relationships, his career, and his confidence forever. If you've ever felt misunderstood for being the guy who thinks before speaking, needs time alone, or prefers a great one-on-one conversation over a room full of strangers — this episode is for you. We dig into the neuroscience of introversion, practical strategies for building deeper connections, how introverts can master small talk without losing their soul, and the one thing you can do TODAY to strengthen your most important relationships. Chapters 00:00 — Welcome & Introduction to David Hall 02:00 — What Introversion Actually Means (And What It Doesn't) 06:30 — Introvert Strengths: Deep Thinking, Reflection & Innovation 10:30 — The Neuroscience of Introversion 14:00 — Practical Strategies for Introverts in Relationships & Work 19:35 — The One Thing You Can Do Today to Build Deeper Connections ☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee #HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

    21 min
  4. Cops Are Better Communicators Than Many CEOs: Here's Why - Brad Zeeman

    15 APR

    Cops Are Better Communicators Than Many CEOs: Here's Why - Brad Zeeman

    empathy, mentorship, human connection, active listening, career transition, transferable skills, Utah Highway Patrol, leadership, communication skills, personal growth, emotional intelligence, wellness, relationships, presence, trust, kindness, building connections, career reinvention, workplace communication, mindfulness, resilience, authentic storytelling, community support, personal development, meaningful conversations Meet Brad Zeeman — retired Utah Highway Patrolman turned senior safety manager — and discover how mentorship, active listening, empathy, and transferable skills can transform every relationship and career you'll ever have. Whether you're navigating a career transition, trying to build deeper human connections, or just wondering why some people make you feel seen while others don't, this conversation is going to hit home. Brad breaks down how meeting people where they are isn't a soft skill — it's the foundation of leadership, trust, and real personal growth. From the streets of the Utah Highway Patrol to Fortune 500 facilities across the country, the through-line has always been the same: people need to feel heard, and the men who figure that out change every room they walk into. This is KneeToKnee — real conversations for men who are done settling. Insert Link Chapters 00:00 — Introduction: Meet Brad Zeeman 01:24 — Brad & Mark's History: Working Together and the Larry Sagers Comparison 03:54 — Meeting People Where They Are: The Learn & Grow Framework 06:13 — Mentors Who Shaped Brad: Lessons from Law Enforcement 08:31 — Mark's Dad, a Moose in Alaska, and the Best Sales Advice He Ever Got 15:51 — The 360-Degree Leader: Leading Up, Down, and Across 18:20 — Career Reinvention: How Brad Translated a Law Enforcement Career into the Private Sector 23:07 — The One Thing: What Would Mark Marrott Do? Books & Resources Mentioned The 360 Degree Leader — John C. Maxwell ☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee #HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

    28 min
  5. Is God Actually Disappointed in You — Or Is That Just Shame Talking? - Kurt Francom

    8 APR

    Is God Actually Disappointed in You — Or Is That Just Shame Talking? - Kurt Francom

    What if shame — not lack of discipline — is the real reason men stay stuck? Kurt Francom built a 20-million-download podcast on human connection, mental health, and the healing power of authentic storytelling. In this conversation, we explore the difference between guilt and shame, why self-acceptance is the foundation of personal growth, and how vulnerability and mindfulness unlock real change. Kurt shares his leadership skills, his journey through resilience and emotional health, and how a vow of silence inside a three-day wilderness retreat became the most powerful tool he's seen for men's mental health. We talk about presence, trust, kindness, community support, and what overcoming shame actually looks like in a real conversation with someone you respect. If you've ever carried that quiet question — am I enough? — this episode is for you. Chapters: 0:00 — Introduction & Welcome 2:24 — Who Is Kurt Francom? Leading Saints & 20M Downloads 4:30 — Is God Disappointed in Me? The Book and the Shame Behind It 8:30 — Guilt vs. Shame: A Distinction That Changes Everything 14:35 — Warrior Heart: Three-Day Men's Retreats and Why They Work 20:00 — The One Thing: 10 Minutes of Silence and Reclaiming Your Identity Learn more about Leading Saints: https://leadingsaints.org/ Warrior Heart Retreats: https://awarriorheart.com/ Subscribe to KneeToKnee Audio: https://kneetoknee.riverside.com/ ☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee #HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

    24 min
  6. The Life You're Meant to Live Starts with This - Doug Nielsen

    26 MAR

    The Life You're Meant to Live Starts with This - Doug Nielsen

    What does it mean to have a warrior heart — and are you actually living from yours? In this episode of KneeToKnee, Mark sits down with certified speaking professional, licensed psychotherapist, and author Doug Nielsen to explore what it truly means to get unstuck, wake up, and live the life God designed for you.   Doug breaks down the three core desires at the heart of every man — a battle to fight, an adventure to live, and a beauty to love (connection) — and explains why most of us have quietly traded those for comfort, things, and electronic numbing. He shares his powerful Warrior Heart men's retreat experience, the concept of mind pirates that attack our best impulses, and why following your fears may be the most divine thing you can do.   Doug also shares his memorable 3 L's and a T framework — Look, Laugh, Listen, Touch — as a practical, neuroscience-backed way to build real connection in any relationship, any day.   Timestamps: •      00:00 – Intro: Meet Doug Nielsen •      03:22 – What Is Warrior Heart? How It Started •      07:57 – Getting Unstuck: Three Core Desires of the Heart •      12:42 – Following Your Fears, Mind Pirates & Divine Co-Creation •      14:37 – Pursuing Connection: The Third Core Desire •      19:15 – The 3 L's and a T: A Simple Framework for Deeper Connection •      24:26 – The One Thing: Pause, Listen for the Nudge, Act with Courage   Connect with Doug Nielsen — Speaker, Therapist & Author: www.dougspeaks.com Learn more about Warrior Heart and upcoming retreats: www.awarriorheart.com

    26 min
  7. Why the Toughest Leaders Embrace Their Vulnerability - Olaolu Ogunyemi

    21 MAR

    Why the Toughest Leaders Embrace Their Vulnerability - Olaolu Ogunyemi

    In this episode of KneeToKnee, Mark sits down with Olaolu (Lou) Ogunyemi — proud U.S. Marine officer, award-winning author, and founder of Parent Child Connect. Lou breaks down his "Lead Last" philosophy, the importance of knowing yourself before you can lead others, why strategic vulnerability is actually a strength for men, and practical tools for building deeper connections with your kids and your team. Whether you're a father, a husband, a leader, or all three — this episode is packed with faith-filled, experience-tested wisdom you can put to work today. Lou's books — Parent Child Connect series designed to help parents, teachers, and mentors create teachable, memorable moments with the children in their lives. Crow from the Shadow: https://parent-child-connect.com/store/crow-from-the-shadow-paperback/ Billy Dipper's Time to Shine: https://parent-child-connect.com/store/billy-dippers-time-to-shine-signed-hardcover/ Horace the Horsefly: https://parent-child-connect.com/store/horace-the-horsefly-hardcover/ Connect with Lou at: https://parent-child-connect.com/ -Turn the Ship Around: A True Story of Truning Followers into Leaders by L. David Marquet -Leaders East Last: Wy some Teams Pull Together and Others Don’t by Simon Sinek -Team of Teams: New Rules of Engagement for a Complex World by General Stanley McChrystal - Chapters: [00:00] Introduction — Meet Lou Ogunyemi [02:01] What "Lead Last" Really Means [05:23] Lessons From the Marine Corps on Leadership and Identity [10:31] The Closed Door Policy and Turning Ideas Into Practice [13:06] Strategic Vulnerability — Reframing Weakness as Strength [16:50] Parent Child Connect — Raising Confident Kids With Purpose ☑ Find us most everywhere! https://linktr.ee/kneetoknee #HumanConnection #AuthenticConnections #WellnessJourney

    26 min

About

KneeToKnee – Where the Magic Happens is the straight-talk podcast built for men who want real tools to get stronger—physically, mentally, emotionally, and as fathers and leaders. Not empty motivation. I’m Mark Marrott, and every week I sit knee-to-knee with powerful guests—men and women who’ve actually lived it: high-achieving dads, combat veterans, elite athletes, recovery warriors, therapists, coaches, and everyday guys who’ve clawed their way back from rock bottom. We dive deep into how real, intentional human connections become actual medicine for men in their prime years. The topics hit hard and stay practical: forging brotherhoods that keep you accountable, staying present as a dad without losing your edge, leading at work and home without burning out, bouncing back from injury, addiction, divorce, or career crashes, tying your fitness and metabolic health to the people who actually have your back, mastering emotional resilience without going soft, and building a purpose that lasts through all the midlife pressure. No therapy-speak. No fluff. Just raw stories, science-backed insights, hard-earned lessons, and actionable steps on the stuff men really wrestle with: isolation in a connected world, provider stress, testosterone and energy dips from disconnection, long-term friendships that fade, forgiveness that actually frees you, and the relationships that quietly make or break your health and your legacy. Because the strongest version of you isn’t built alone. The real magic of well-being happens when you’re connected—knee to knee—with people who refuse to let you go it solo.