RIDEOUT: The Other Side of Hard

Ken Rideout
  • 5.0 (28)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED WEEKLY

The Other Side of Hard, hosted by Ken Rideout — raw, gripping conversations with people who've pushed past the breaking point. Stories of resilience, redemption, and what's waiting on the other side.

  1. 13H AGO

    From 354 Pounds to Chasing 100 Miles | Dan LaMorte

    Dan LaMorte is a New York City stand-up comedian and ultra runner who has lived more lives by 31 than most people do in a lifetime. He started comedy at 19 after a career-ending college baseball injury. By 23, he was one of the youngest comics ever passed at the Comedy Cellar — and weighed 354 pounds. In this conversation, Dan opens up about growing up on the spectrum, battling addiction, blowing out his elbow, ballooning in weight, and the moment two car crashes and a fatty liver diagnosis forced him to change everything. He shares how running replaced drugs, how obsession can be both a curse and a superpower, and what it was like to collapse at mile 60 of a 100-mile race with chest and jaw pain — later waking up in the ICU. We also talk about relapse, divorce, grief, rebuilding after public backlash, and why he’s now moving to Leadville to chase one of the hardest races in the world. This episode isn’t about perfect discipline. It’s about resilience, identity, and what happens when you refuse to quit — even when life keeps knocking you down. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Rho Nutrition: https://rhonutrition.com/ Code "RIDEOUT" Athletic Brewing: ⁠https://athleticbrewing.com/ Code "RIDEOUT" Chapters (00:00) Meet Dan LaMorte: Autism, comedy, and finding community (00:44) Instagram connections and protecting your time (05:32) Jersey upbringing, baseball, and tough-love parenting (08:56) 5AM lifts, Asperger’s, and obsessive drive (13:03) College baseball, weed bust, and Tommy John surgery (18:04) Standup as survival: injury to open mics (23:28) Comedy Cellar pressure and weight gain spiral (28:13) Life at 350 pounds: shame and daily reality (31:53) Turning point: car wrecks, fatty liver, LA hikes (35:40) Running, diet shifts, and long-term health (39:43) Ultra lessons, relapse cycles, chest pain scare (41:58) When easy pace feels off: early warning signs (43:13) Mile 40 red flags: chest and jaw pain (44:06) ER diagnosis: spontaneous pneumomediastinum (45:30) ICU aftermath and rhabdo recovery (45:59) Reframing setbacks: resilience and self-talk (50:05) 100-mile obsession and using quitting as fuel (51:35) Health scares, Europe trip, drinking relapse (53:57) Back to training and favorite mountain ultras (55:21) Trail fall, broken fibula, elevator blackout (59:00) Third hospital visit and divorce tension (01:02:24) Wife leaves, grandfather dies: grief and perspective (01:05:14) Viral heckler clip, backlash, relationship strain (01:09:17) Touring dreams, sudden loss, anger and gratitude (01:12:29) Chicago to LA alone: heartbreak and overtraining (01:15:21) Final month with Grandpa: support and momentum (01:18:34) Leadville lottery, altitude prep, crew questions (01:19:52) Family cabin signs and getting into Leadville (01:20:50) Post-divorce reset: renting in Leadville (01:23:07) Fueling long ultras: gels, Tailwind, Ketone IQ (01:23:58) Comedy vs ultra culture: ego and community (01:30:10) Online hate, Strava pressure, public triggers (01:37:23) Training consistency, injury reality, show-up mindset (01:41:49) Fixing the foot: insoles, lifting, calf work (01:48:08) Mishka, memoir writing, and wrap-up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 56m

  2. 2D AGO

    From Public Failure to World Record | Truett Hanes

    Truett Hanes is the kind of athlete who makes people uncomfortable, not because he’s loud, but because he’s willing to commit in public. He says the goal out loud. He posts the work. He shows the misses. And he keeps moving anyway. This episode isn’t about a highlight reel. It’s about the part most people avoid: what happens when you swing big and come up short, in front of everyone. Truett talks about learning humility the hard way, taking the hit, and choosing to return to the work instead of protecting his image. We also get into the stuff that reveals who he is when nobody’s clapping: why he runs races in jeans, how he’s used that attention to support a mission bigger than himself, and how he tries to respond to hate without becoming the same thing he’s fighting. Then we zoom out. The real thread running through all of it is simple: Truett is obsessed with one question: “What am I actually capable of if I stop negotiating with myself?” That question is taking him into the deep end of marathon training, and it’s the same question that’s shaped his whole life: discipline, faith, restraint, and a willingness to be the underdog as long as it takes. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Rho Nutrition: https://rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT" Athletic Nicotine: ⁠ https://athleticnicotine.com/rideout Code "RIDEOUT" Chapters (00:00) Welcome Truett Hanes (01:36) Running in Jeans for Charity: The Miracle Foundation Story (04:18) Host Comeback: Sobriety, Triathlons & Marathon Lessons (09:08) Handling Online Hate: Turning Criticism into Fuel (12:58) Redemption: From Pull-Up Failure to World Record (16:48) Olympic Trials Mindset: Volume, Consistency & Tuning Out Noise (18:50) Truett’s Start: Forced Running, Marathon at 13 & Burnout (21:09) Parenting & Pressure: Letting Kids Choose Their Path (27:56) A Father’s Shadow: From Local Fame to Rogan (30:28) Sponsors & Sacrifice: Chasing Big Marathon Goals (34:50) The Underdog Edge: Winning Without Feeling Fulfilled (36:54) When Winning Isn’t Enough: Identity & Presence at Home (37:57) The 1:06 Half: Utah Breakthrough & First Major Win (39:33) Big Wins & Malibu Drama with an Olympic-Level Rival (42:41) Competitive Fire: Aggression, Insecurity & Race-Day Mindset (46:04) Olympic Trials Debate: Doubters, Coaching & Proving 2:29 (50:02) Training Levers: Weight, Marathons, Diet & Sleep (52:39) Data vs Instinct: When Metrics Help—or Hurt (54:17) Race Blow-Ups: Berlin Crash, CIM Stomach Issues & Fueling Lessons (59:18) Gear & Recovery: Heat, Sauna, Cold Plunge & Wearables (01:03:28) NY Masters Win, Boston Regrets & Marathon Chaos (01:05:39) Final Message: Pull-Ups, Patience & Gratitude Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 9m

  3. FEB 13

    From Needle to Nonprofit | Zac Clark

    Zac Clark’s childhood was stable. Good parents. Sports. School. No obvious “reason” for what came next — which is exactly why his story matters. In his mid-20s, Zac had brain surgery. The surgery worked. But he left the hospital with a raging opioid addiction — and it escalated fast. Pills turned into powder. Powder turned into a needle. And eventually, a missing person report, an arrest, and one moment inside a bank that forced everything into the light. Zac got sober on August 30, 2011. He stayed in treatment for four and a half months, moved to New York City, and started over from the bottom of the behavioral health world — one day at a time. Years later, he built Release Recovery, a sober living and treatment operation that now spans multiple locations and helps people who feel out of options. We also talk about the unexpected curveball: The Bachelorette, sudden visibility, and why the real work starts after the camera turns off. And how running became a tool for discipline, community, and staying alive. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Rho Nutrition: https:/rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT" Athletic Brewing: ⁠ https://athleticbrewing.com Code "RIDEOUT" Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:57) Childhood and Early Influences (02:43) High School and Early Drug Use (03:33) College Years and Escalation (11:43) Post-College Life and Brain Surgery (15:08) Descent into Addiction (18:55) First Rehab Experience (26:52) Rock Bottom and Turning Point (34:15) Starting Release Recovery (39:59) The Bachelorette Experience (41:07) No Time for Dating (41:36) Unexpected Call from a Producer (41:57) Journey to Palm Springs (42:56) The Bachelorette Experience (43:50) Sharing Vulnerabilities (44:34) Cast Dynamics (45:22) Post-Show Reflections (48:45) Building a Recovery Business (51:40) Challenges and Successes (57:42) Running and Sobriety (01:01:31) The Joy of Running (01:06:47) Sports and Personal Growth (01:09:44) Release Recovery Run Club (01:15:40) Final Thoughts and Contact Information Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 21m

  4. FEB 11

    From Broke to “Fancy Like” | Walker Hayes

    Walker Hayes wasn’t an “overnight success.” He was a songwriter for two decades. A dad of six. Clocking in at Costco at 4AM. Drinking. Burning out. Still writing anyway. In this episode, Walker talks about what it really looked like before “Fancy Like” — the years where bagels felt like a luxury, security felt like a trap, and quitting felt like the responsible move. Then we go to the hardest day of his life: losing his daughter Oakley on the same day he was supposed to perform on TV — and watching his wife fight to survive. Walker tells the truth about grief, rage, and the moment he realized he was about to make it worse. This is a conversation about sobriety, purpose, family, and what success does and doesn’t fix. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Rho Nutrition: https:/rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT" Athletic Brewing: ⁠https://athleticbrewing.com Code "RIDEOUT" Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Welcoming Walker Hayes (00:20) First Hunting Experiences (01:05) Learning from Father-in-Law (05:50) Reflecting on Life and Career (10:47) Overcoming Adversity and Sobriety (29:59) Tragic Loss and Perspective (41:09) Embracing Life's Challenges (42:04) The Best Grapes Face the Most Resilience (43:31) The Overnight Success Story (45:46) The TikTok Dance That Changed Everything (48:42) Balancing Family and Career (53:06) The Importance of Hard Work and Grit (58:13) Navigating Social Media and Public Perception (01:04:51) Homeschooling and Raising Diverse Kids (01:07:05) The Value of a Supportive Partner (01:11:39) The Challenges of Parenting Teenagers (01:17:24) Navigating Parenting Challenges (01:19:07) The Business of Music (01:21:01) Venturing into Merchandise (01:23:47) Collaborations and Social Media (01:28:20) The Pressure of Success (01:39:56) Emotional Vulnerability and Brotherhood (01:44:43) Reflecting on Personal Growth (01:48:13) Conclusion and Final Thoughts Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 50m

  5. FEB 4

    Trauma, Recovery, and Human Performance | Dr. Kristen Holmes

    This week I sit down with Dr. Kristen Holmes — scientist, former elite athlete, coach, and the Global Head of Human Performance at WHOOP. Kristen built her life around performance early. Sports became structure. Discipline became safety. Achievement became identity. But long before the titles and credentials, she was learning how to survive instability, neglect, and trauma — and carrying that nervous system into adulthood. We talk about what high achievement can hide. How drive is often born from pain. And how never asking for help eventually catches up to you. Kristen shares the unglamorous work that came later: therapy, forgiveness, rebuilding identity, and learning how to live with peace without losing her edge. We also get into sleep, recovery, alcohol, HRV, and why the nervous system never lies — plus how those lessons now shape her work with elite athletes, teams, and everyday people trying to function better in a demanding world. This episode isn’t about optimization.  It’s about alignment.  And what it actually costs to earn it. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Rho Nutrition: https://rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT" Athletic Brewing: ⁠ https://athleticbrewing.com Code "RIDEOUT" Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Setting the Stage (00:19) The Importance of Self-Care and Delayed Gratification (02:43) Challenges of Modern Life and Evolutionary Psychology (05:24) Struggles with Addiction and the Power of the First Step (06:36) Kristen's Background and Early Life (08:33) The Impact of Parental Influence and Childhood Struggles (15:32) Turning to Sports for Validation and Success (22:11) Coaching and the Journey to Princeton (32:48) Embracing Technology in Sports Science (40:18) The Future of Heart Rate Variability in Sports Science (42:33) Implementing Training Effect Notifications (43:21) Fueling for Athletic Performance (44:32) The Commitment of Division One Sports (45:42) Integrating Technology in Sports Programs (46:02) Recruiting and Retaining Top Athletes (48:22) The Princeton Experience and Alumni Pride (52:23) Personal Journey to Whoop (54:38) The Importance of Sleep and Recovery (58:45) Transitioning to a Corporate Environment (01:00:05) The Power of Data in Performance Enhancement (01:12:31) Healing Trauma and Building Resilience (01:15:35) Coping with Anger and Competition (01:16:03) Revealing the Past to Family (01:17:08) The Darkest Moments and Seeking Help (01:18:06) The Power of Forgiveness (01:18:59) Understanding Abusers and Empathy (01:21:59) Emotional Intelligence and Self-Reflection (01:25:32) The Importance of Physical and Mental Health (01:27:55) Alcohol's Impact on Health (01:30:17) Whoop Data and Alcohol Consumption (01:35:37) VO2 Max and Longevity (01:42:09) The Responsibility of Health and Wellness (01:46:56) Exciting Developments at Whoop (01:54:00) Conclusion Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 55m

  6. JAN 28

    From Alcohol to a Non-Alcoholic Empire | Bill Shufelt

    Bill Shufelt, CEO and co-founder of Athletic Brewing Company, shares the remarkable journey from high-intensity finance to building the world’s leading non-alcoholic beer brand. In this conversation, Ken Rideout and Bill go deep on the real story behind Athletic: Bill’s personal struggle with alcohol, the moment sobriety changed everything, and the “missionary vs. mercenary” mindset that kept him committed to impact over exits. Bill breaks down what it actually took to get Athletic off the ground—raising early capital through relentless rejection, building breweries from scratch to protect quality, and scaling through multiple economic cycles. They also touch on fitness, endurance, family support, and why younger generations are changing the future of drinking faster than most people realize. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Athletic Brewing: https://athleticbrewing.com Code "Rideout" V14: ⁠https://v14.com/rideout⁠ Code “RIDEOUT” Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Guest Welcome (00:19) The Journey of Athletic Brewing (02:18) Missionaries vs. Mercenaries (02:45) The Brewing Evolution (06:43) Finance Career Beginnings (08:55) Trading Desk Realities (16:59) The Turning Point: Sobriety (25:36) Discovering a New Path (36:14) The Birth of Athletic Brewing (46:05) Making the Leap (47:55) Facing Rejection and Learning from Setbacks (48:13) The Struggles of Early Capital Raising (50:04) Unexpected Challenges and Small Wins (51:47) Finding the Right Partner and Building the Team (55:16) The Decision to Build Our Own Brewery (01:02:01) Overcoming Economic and Logistical Hurdles (01:18:31) The Importance of Passion and Community (01:20:46) Marketing Wins and Lessons Learned (01:25:14) The Journey of Growth and Future Plans (01:33:38) Final Thoughts and Reflections Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    1h 35m

  7. JAN 21

    From Undrafted to the Front Office | Ran Carthon

    Ran Carthon has lived football from every angle — from undrafted NFL running back fighting to stay on rosters, to working his way through scouting and personnel, to eventually becoming General Manager of the Tennessee Titans. In this conversation, Ken Rideout goes beyond wins and losses to explore the human side of the NFL: pressure, family sacrifice, leadership, and what it really takes to earn trust inside an organization. Ran reflects on his upbringing as a military kid, finding home in Key West, and the lessons passed down from his father’s long NFL playing and coaching career. He shares the reality of being undrafted, the intensity of being coached by his own father, the behind-the-scenes grind of front office life, and what true collaboration actually looks like inside winning teams. Ran also opens up about being let go publicly — and how he rebuilt his mindset around peace, joy, and purpose beyond the job. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ - ketone.com/rideout code RIDEOUT Rho Nutrition - https://rhonutrition.com code RIDEOUT Athletic Nicotine - athleticnicotine.com/rideout code RIDEOUT Chapters (00:00) Introduction and Guest Background (00:20) Family Legacy in Football (00:59) Challenges and Hardships in Football (02:32) Training and Practice Insights (04:42) Adoption and Community Support (07:15) Racial Differences and Community (18:14) Growing Up in Key West (21:34) High School Football and Recruitment (37:35) Sponsor: Liposomal NAD+ (RO Nutrition) (38:47) NFL Journey: From Undrafted to Camp (41:04) Father-Son Coaching Experience (45:14) Transition to the Indianapolis Colts (54:22) Fan Culture and Player Respect (01:00:59) Challenges for Black Coaches in the NFL (01:04:23) Path to Becoming an NFL Executive (01:19:48) 49ers Draft Room + Building Reputation (01:23:29) Transition to the Tennessee Titans (01:28:21) Challenges of Being a GM (01:31:13) Balancing Family and Career (01:38:51) Life After the Titans + Reset Mindset (01:46:58) Final Thoughts and Super Bowl Predictions (02:01:38) Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 4m

  8. JAN 14

    From Chaos to Kona: A Transformational Journey | John Joseph

    John Joseph grew up in extreme violence, neglect, and instability. Raised by a violent, alcoholic father, he spent years in abusive foster homes, experienced homelessness on the streets of New York City as a teenager, battled addiction, and cycled through incarceration and institutional lock-ups at a young age. By every conventional measure, his life was headed toward an early end. This episode traces John’s journey through that chaos—and the single principle that allowed him to survive it: discipline. From punk rock and life on the streets, to sobriety, plant-based living, endurance sports, and completing multiple Ironman triathlons, John rebuilt his life one deliberate decision at a time. We talk about breaking cycles of abuse and addiction, replacing self-destruction with structure, and why discipline—not motivation—is the foundation for lasting change. This is a conversation about accountability, resilience, and what it actually takes to turn suffering into strength when there’s no safety net and no one coming to save you. Subscribe / listen on all platforms: https://lnk.to/the-other-side-of-hard  John Joseph: Website: www.johnjosephdiscipline.com Instagram: @johnjosephdiscipline YouTube: @hardtruthwithjohnjoseph5582 Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠https://ketone.com/rideout Athletic Brewing: https://athleticbrewing.com Code "Rideout" V14: ⁠http://v14.com/kenrideout code "KENRIDEOUT" Chapters (00:00) Introduction to John Joseph (00:20) Meeting at Crunch Gym (01:16) First Ironman Experience (02:09) Ironman Journey and Achievements (05:58) Sponsorship and Endorsements (06:50) John Joseph's Origin Story (09:59) Life in Foster Care (13:37) Surviving Abuse and Finding Strength (26:46) Transition to a Better Foster Home (32:18) Life on the Streets and Early Hustles (34:45) Involvement in Drug Trade and Punk Scene (41:41) Dark Times and Escaping Danger (47:17) Muscle Mike and Mob Justice (48:01) Surviving Spofford: Tyson's Story (48:11) First Night Fight: Establishing Dominance (49:55) Escape Plan on the Bus (51:20) Sentenced to Upstate: Family Connections (53:20) Navy Recruiter Saves the Day (53:41) Joining the Navy: A New Beginning (58:20) Punk Rock and the Bad Brains (01:02:22) Drug Bust and Going AWOL (01:08:41) Life on the Run: Punk Scene and Street Fights (01:14:05) Reconnecting with the Bad Brains (01:15:16) Plant-Based Lifestyle and Sobriety (01:18:19) Krishna Consciousness and Blood Clot Band (01:24:30) Struggles with Addiction and Betrayal (01:25:59) Life of Crime: Robberies and Escapes (01:29:46) High-Speed Chase and Robbery (01:32:01) Narrow Escape from the Police (01:33:19) Plane Ride Panic (01:35:45) Crack House Attack (01:36:36) Path to Sobriety (01:38:37) Family Tragedy and Addiction (01:40:46) Confronting the Past (01:46:21) Breaking the Cycle of Addiction (01:48:14) Positive Obsessions and Endurance Sports (01:50:34) Confronting Online Critics (01:52:51) Music and New Projects (02:11:08) Final Reflections and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    2h 15m
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The Other Side of Hard, hosted by Ken Rideout — raw, gripping conversations with people who've pushed past the breaking point. Stories of resilience, redemption, and what's waiting on the other side.

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