The Judd Lienhard Podcast

Judd Lienhard
  • 4.9 (64)
  • FITNESS
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, top coaches, and industry disruptors, diving deep into performance, mindset, and resilience. Hosted by Judd Lienhard, a former Army Ranger, college linebacker, and Strength & Performance Coach, this show explores the watershed moments that shaped high performers—from NFL vets and Special Forces operators to authors, trainers, and entrepreneurs. Each episode unpacks real-world lessons in leadership, training, and overcoming adversity, with candid discussions on physical and mental toughness, fitness strategies, and personal growth. Whether you're looking for actionable performance insights or inspiration from those who’ve pushed past limits, this podcast is built to help you level up. 🎧 Subscribe now and start your journey toward peak performance! Want more? Follow Judd on IG & YouTube: @juddlienhard 

  1. 1D AGO

    The Worst Fitness Advice You Still Believe (Part 2) | #079

    In this episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd breaks down more of the worst fitness advice still being taught in gyms today and explains why many common training rules are outdated, misunderstood, or applied without context. Judd has seen countless training myths repeated by trainers, influencers, and gym culture in general. The problem isn’t always that these ideas are completely wrong, it’s that they’re often applied as rigid rules instead of tools. In part two of this series, Judd tackles five more pieces of commonly repeated fitness advice that may actually be holding people back in their training. Topics include the myth of always keeping your “chest up and back flat,” why lifters are often told to stay on their heels, the long-standing warning to never let your knees go past your toes, the debate around slow essentrics, and why many lifters misunderstand the purpose of lifting straps. Judd explains how real strength training should focus on context, progression, and adaptability, rather than blindly following dogmatic cues. You’ll learn how athletes actually move, why tendon strength and joint resilience matter, and how different training strategies can be used to build strength, power, and durability over time. If you’ve ever been confused by conflicting advice in the gym, this episode will help you understand why so many common lifting rules don’t tell the whole story. 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    30 min

  2. 6D AGO

    Fitness Q&A: Why People Fail Their Fitness Goals, Tendonitis Recovery & Nervous System Training | #078

    Why do so many people struggle to reach their fitness goals—even when they’re motivated and training consistently? In this Q&A episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd answers listener questions about training habits, recovery strategies, tendon health, nervous system fatigue, and how to build a sustainable approach to fitness. The conversation starts with one of the most important topics in fitness: why most people fail to reach their goals. According to Judd, the real reason people fail isn’t usually the workout program—it’s the lack of foundational habits that support consistency. The gym is often the end result of systems and routines that happen outside the gym, including planning, recovery, adaptability, and lifestyle structure. Judd also shares the mobility and active recovery tools he uses regularly, including rope flow training and rebounder work, and explains why low-impact movement can play a powerful role in keeping the body healthy between hard training sessions. Other listener questions lead to discussions on bone density, inflammation and colon health, tendonitis recovery strategies, and how athletes can structure training around nervous system load rather than simply movement patterns. You’ll also hear Judd explain the concept of undulating neural loading (UNL)—a training system that alternates high-intensity neural stress with lower-intensity days to allow proper nervous system recovery and maximize performance. The episode wraps up with a conversation about recovery metrics like HRV, grip strength, sleep quality, and other signs that your nervous system might be fatigued. If you want to train smarter, avoid injuries, and build a fitness routine that actually lasts, this episode is packed with practical insights. 00:00 Why people fail their fitness goals  00:38 The real foundation of consistent training  01:48 Mobility work and active recovery routines  02:54 Strengthening bones through training and nutrition  03:47 Colon health, inflammation, and diet  05:41 Tendonitis recovery and Achilles injury prevention  09:32 Understanding undulating neural loading (UNL)  12:28 Training according to HRV  13:21 How to evaluate recovery and readiness  15:43 Signs of nervous system fatigue  16:04 What it means to train your nervous system  18:35 Listener question: Emily the chocolate lab 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    20 min

  3. MAR 3

    The Worst Fitness Advice You Still Believe (Part 1) | #077

    In Part 1 of this two-part series, Judd breaks down five of the most common pieces of fitness advice that sound smart — but often limit your progress. From “you have to train to failure” to “just stick to the basics,” this episode challenges the black-and-white thinking that dominates the strength and conditioning world. Judd explains why context matters, why intensity doesn’t replace volume, and how rigid thinking around form and programming can hold back both beginners and experienced lifters. Drawing from 15+ years as a strength and performance coach, former Army Ranger, and college linebacker, Judd dives into the physiology and real-world application behind what actually builds muscle, strength, and athletic performance — without unnecessary burnout or injury. In This Episode: Why training to failure isn’t necessary (and when it makes sense)The real role of soreness in muscle growth and recoveryVolume vs. intensity — and why both matterStrict form vs. intelligent movement strategyWhat “stick to the basics” really meansHow beginners should approach leg trainingMinimal effective dose vs. optimal training doseIf you’ve ever felt confused by conflicting training advice or frustrated by stalled progress, this episode will help you rethink your approach. Part 2 coming soon. 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    33 min

  4. FEB 26

    Fitness Q&A: Calorie Deficits, Volume, Breathing & Performance | #076

    In this Q&A episode Judd answers listener questions on muscle growth, recovery, training splits, calorie deficits, cardio interference, high-intensity training, and the breathing strategies nobody talks about. If you’ve ever wondered: Can you build muscle in a calorie deficit?How do you recover faster from heavy training sessions?What’s the best training split for strength, mobility, and explosiveness?How do you keep muscle while cycling a lot?Are superfoods actually useful for muscle growth?Is high-intensity training the answer?How do you consistently find the energy to train?This episode covers it all — with practical, evidence-based insight. 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    29 min

  5. FEB 24

    Train Your Hips: Why the Basics Aren't Enough | #075

    The hips are the foundation for everything. If your hips aren’t strong, mobile, and stable — your knees, lower back, and performance will eventually pay the price. In this episode, I break down why squats and deadlifts alone are NOT enough to build truly strong, healthy hips — and why most men are neglecting some of the most important movement patterns in the body. We dive into: Why hip flexor training is one of the most ignored areas in men’s fitnessThe real reason I prioritize lunges over heavy bilateral squatsHow weak abductors and internal rotators contribute to knee pain and ACL tearsThe role of the sacroiliac joint and lumbar-sacral articulation in back healthLower cross syndrome and anterior pelvic tiltSciatica, piriformis syndrome, and hip imbalanceWhy gait speed and hip function determine long-term independenceThe missing pieces in most strength programsMost lifters train hip extension (squats, deadlifts, hip thrusts).  Very few train: • Hip flexion  • Internal and external rotation  • Abduction and adduction  • Frontal plane stability  • Transverse plane control Your hips are a true ball-and-socket joint. They’re designed to move in every plane — not just up and down. If you want longevity, performance, durability, and strength that actually carries over to real life, you need more than the basics. Train smarter.  Move better.  Protect your spine and knees. If this episode helped you, share it with someone who only trains “bench, squat, deadlift” and needs to hear this. Start training your hips now — your future self will thank you. 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    34 min

  6. FEB 19

    Fitness Q&A: Training After 35, Strength, Recovery, VO2 Max, Fat Loss & Injury Rehab | #074

    In this Q&A episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd answers listener questions on strength training after 35, recovery after 45, VO2 max vs sprint training, fat loss for trained athletes, injury rehab strategies, and how to stay athletic for life. If you’re navigating midlife training adjustments, trying to maintain muscle during injury recovery, or wondering whether VO2 max workouts are worth the hype, this episode delivers practical, no-BS coaching insight. Judd dives deep into the biggest training mistakes men make after 35, why nutrition habits often matter more than training tweaks, and how to structure strength and power work without burning out your nervous system. This is a comprehensive conversation about longevity-focused training — not just getting stronger, but staying capable, mobile, and resilient into your 40s, 50s, and beyond. 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    37 min

  7. FEB 17

    Velocity-Based Training Explained: How to Build Strength, Speed & Power with Bryan Mann | #073

    What if the way you’ve been training for strength is actually limiting your power? In this episode, Judd sits down with Dr. Bryan Mann — pioneer of velocity-based training (VBT), former University of Missouri strength coach, and professor of Performance Physiology at Texas A&M — to break down how measuring bar speed can completely change the way you train. Bryan coined the term “velocity-based training” and helped bring it into Division 1 athletics. But this conversation goes far beyond elite football weight rooms. Contact Bryan: If you are interested in applying for Bryan's program for the Fall of 2026, even though the portal is technically closed, they are willing to make an exception for Judd's listeners. You have until March 15th to email Bryan at the address below directly expressing interest and then Bryan will send out a link to all interested people. jbryanmann@tamu.edu https://www.instagram.com/jbryanmann/ https://knsm.tamu.edu/programs/performance-physiology-strength-conditioning-m-s/ You’ll learn: • What velocity-based training really is (and how simple it can be)  • Why maximal intent matters more than load percentage  • How stopping sets before failure can improve strength faster  • The difference between strength-speed and speed-strength  • How to find your peak power and train in the right zone  • Why bands and chains can unlock new adaptations  • How to use velocity loss for hypertrophy vs strength  • Why sprinting and jumping are essential — even for non-athletes  • The #1 predictor of staying out of a nursing home  • How power training improves gait speed in Parkinson’s patients Bryan explains that strength raises your ceiling — but velocity determines how much of that strength you can actually express. Most lifters get strong… but not powerful. And for aging populations, power might matter even more than strength. Bryan shares groundbreaking research showing that high-velocity resistance training improves habitual gait speed in Parkinson’s patients — even when they weren’t instructed to walk faster. This episode is for:  • Athletes  • Coaches  • Lifters stuck at plateaus  • Anyone who wants to train smarter  • Anyone who cares about long-term functional independence If you’ve ever wondered whether grinding to failure is really necessary… or if there’s a better way to build explosive strength — this conversation is for you. 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    1h 23m

  8. FEB 13

    Fitness Q&A: Plyometrics for Tendon Health, Training Over 40, Sleep Optimization & Smart Recovery | #072

    In this Q&A episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd answers listener questions covering plyometrics, tendon health, bone density, sleep hygiene, recovery, aging as an athlete, barefoot shoes, sled alternatives, and how to train intelligently over 30 and 40. The biggest takeaway? If you care about long-term joint health and resilience, frequent extensive plyometrics may be one of the most important tools you’re not using. Judd breaks down the difference between extensive vs intensive plyometrics, how aging affects your ability to tolerate high-impact work, and why incline sprints, stair jumps, sled drags, and split jumps can be smarter options as you get older. He also dives into practical strategies for: Improving sleep hygiene and bedtime routinesTraining effectively when you can’t get ideal sleep (new parents, busy professionals)Using supplements like magnesium, GABA, and creatine strategicallyChoosing barefoot shoes for foot healthReplacing sled work with heavy carries or hill workManaging slight scoliosis and muscular imbalancesHandling training partners who constantly critique your formCalorie intake for performance and dietingAdapting your mindset as you age and accumulate injuriesJudd also shares personal reflections on training in his 40s — including dealing with joint wear, previous injuries, and the mental shift required to stay productive without chasing what your body no longer tolerates well. If you’re an athlete over 30, a lifter focused on longevity, or someone who wants to build a body that lasts decades — this episode delivers practical, no-nonsense advice. Key Topics Covered: Why plyometrics improve tendon strength and bone densityHow often to do plyometrics over 30Extensive vs intensive jumpsSleep quality vs sleep quantityRecovery strategies when life limits your sleepBarefoot shoe recommendationsSled alternatives for conditioningTraining around structural imbalancesThe psychology of aging as a lifterThis 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 The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits. Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

    22 min
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4.9
out of 5
64 Ratings

About

The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, top coaches, and industry disruptors, diving deep into performance, mindset, and resilience. Hosted by Judd Lienhard, a former Army Ranger, college linebacker, and Strength & Performance Coach, this show explores the watershed moments that shaped high performers—from NFL vets and Special Forces operators to authors, trainers, and entrepreneurs. Each episode unpacks real-world lessons in leadership, training, and overcoming adversity, with candid discussions on physical and mental toughness, fitness strategies, and personal growth. Whether you're looking for actionable performance insights or inspiration from those who’ve pushed past limits, this podcast is built to help you level up. 🎧 Subscribe now and start your journey toward peak performance! Want more? Follow Judd on IG & YouTube: @juddlienhard 

Information

  • Creator
    Judd Lienhard
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    80
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 MASS MGMT LLC
  • Show Website
    The Judd Lienhard Podcast

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