Fit For Radio

Drew Tydeman
  • 5.0 (44)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT

Welcome to Fit For Radio, the show where the stories are real, the struggles are raw, and the comebacks hit harder than the setbacks. In every episode, you'll hear from someone who faced something impossible: A loss... a betrayal... a breakdown... a moment so heavy it could've ended everything.  But it didn't. Because they got back up. Fit For Radio is about the people life tried to silence but who found a frequency stronger than fear. It's about the rise. The grit. The healing. The "holy-shit-I-can't-believe-you-survived-that" moment. This isn't just a podcast. It's a reminder that your scars don't disqualify you, they prepare you. So if you've ever felt knocked down, counted out, or stuck in the static... You're in the right place. Because every comeback deserves airtime. Hit follow. New Episodes every Tuesday.

  1. 2D AGO

    From Open Mics to Headliner: The Grind That Paid Off

    On this episode of Fit For Radio, Drew sits down with Brent Lowrey, a comedian whose path to the stage started with being the funny kid growing up in San Diego and turned into a relentless pursuit of something bigger. Brent shares what it was like grinding through open mics and small gigs, learning the craft the hard way before making the move to Portland, Oregon. It was there, through the uncertainty of the COVID era and a competitive comedy scene, that he began to find his voice and build real momentum in the Pacific Northwest. That momentum led to a breakthrough moment in 2023 when Brent won the Seattle International Comedy Competition, launching him into his first opportunities as a headliner and validating years of work behind the scenes. But Brent didn’t stop there. In one of the most unique twists you’ll hear, he took part in a comic swap—trading lives with a comedian in Philadelphia. They exchanged homes, cars, cities, and even comedy gigs, stepping fully into each other’s worlds. The experience changed everything. Brent talks about why that leap pushed him to go all in, pack up his life, and drive across the country to Philadelphia to chase his dream at the next level. This is a conversation about betting on yourself, embracing uncertainty, and doing whatever it takes to turn a passion into a career.

    1h 25m

  2. 4D AGO

    Dead in the Driveway… His Wife Brought Him Back

    On this episode of Fit For Radio, Drew sits down with Brad Bahns, a retired math teacher who never saw it coming. By all accounts, Brad was healthy and living a normal life—until one day in his garage, everything changed. What started as an ordinary moment quickly turned into a life-or-death situation as Brad suffered a heart attack and collapsed in his driveway, fighting for his life. What happened next is nothing short of remarkable. His wife, Stacy, became the first responder in the most critical moment, stepping in with courage and urgency to keep him alive until emergency services arrived. Alongside the medical professionals who took over, her actions helped save Brad’s life. But this story doesn’t end in the driveway. It’s about what comes after—when you’ve been as close to the edge as you can get. Brad shares what it’s like to come back from that moment, to rebuild physically and mentally, and to find your way back into everyday life after facing death head-on. This is a story about resilience, about the people who show up when it matters most, and about what it takes to fight your way back when you’ve already had one foot in the grave.

    1h 26m

  3. MAR 17

    Alex Molden: Reaching the NFL Was Just the Beginning

    On this episode of Fit For Radio, Drew sits down with Alex Molden to talk about a journey that started with constant change and led all the way to the biggest stage in football. Growing up, Alex moved around frequently as a kid, adapting to new places and new environments while developing a love for the game. That path eventually led him to the University of Oregon, where he became an All-American and one of the top defensive backs in the country before being selected in the first round of the NFL Draft. His professional career came with its share of injuries and adversity, but Alex persevered and played eight seasons in the NFL — a milestone reached by only about three percent of players. In this conversation, Alex shares the mindset that helped him push through setbacks and the challenge many athletes face when the game ends: redefining who you are. After football, he reinvented himself as a high-level trainer, motivational speaker, and author who now inspires others to pursue their best selves. He also talks about the role that matters most to him today — being a husband and father to eight incredible kids. This is a story about perseverance, reinvention, and finding purpose beyond the game.

    1h 57m

  4. MAR 10

    Nightmare in the Hot Tub: Arrested for Murder After a Tragedy

    This episode of Fit For Radio tells the unbelievable true story of Michael Hessemer — a night that began like any other and ended in tragedy. What started as friends joking and wrestling in a hot tub took a devastating turn when one of the men drowned. In the aftermath, Michael found himself at the center of a criminal case, arrested and charged with murder. Suddenly, a young man with his whole life in front of him was fighting for his freedom against a system determined to hold someone responsible. Michael shares what it was like to face trial, the weight of being accused of something he never intended, and the life-altering moment when he was ultimately sent to prison on a lesser charge. For someone who had never imagined stepping inside a prison, entering the harsh and often dangerous world behind bars forced him to adapt quickly just to survive. But this story isn’t only about the tragedy or the time behind bars. It’s about resilience. It’s about confronting your darkest chapter and choosing who you will become on the other side of it. Michael opens up about the lessons he learned, the people he encountered inside the prison system, and how he rebuilt his life after walking out. It’s a powerful conversation about accountability, perspective, and the strength it takes to come out of adversity determined to be a better man. A gripping story of survival, growth, and redemption you won’t forget.

    1h 39m

  5. MAR 3

    Built Like Family: The Championship Culture of Steve Coury

    On this episode of the podcast, Drew Tydeman sits down with Steve Coury, the longtime head football coach at Lake Oswego High School and one of the winningest coaches in Oregon high school football history. Over more than three decades at the helm, Coury has built a powerhouse program defined by consistency, discipline, and championship-level performance. Under his leadership, Lake Oswego has made countless playoff appearances, advancing to the quarterfinals and semifinals year after year, with numerous trips to the state championship game. His teams have captured three state titles — including the most recent championship this past season — further cementing his legacy as one of the premier coaches in the state. In this conversation, Coach Coury shares how his impact reaches far beyond wins and trophies. Known as a powerful motivator and mentor, he has shaped the lives of generations of young men, developing not only elite student-athletes but high-character leaders. He treats his players like family, fostering a culture built on accountability, trust, and genuine care. It is that family-first environment — paired with relentless standards — that has fueled sustained excellence and made Lake Oswego football a model program in Oregon. Join Drew Tydeman as he explores the leadership philosophy, championship mindset, and lasting legacy of one of the state’s most respected coaches.

    1h 12m

  6. FEB 24

    Guilty Until Proven Innocent: From Victim To Suspect

    In this gripping episode, we dive into the unbelievable story of Anton Robinson — a man who was simply trying to navigate a chaotic chapter of his life. Living in a run-down apartment complex, juggling baby mama drama, financial stress, and minor run-ins with the law, Anton was no stranger to hardship. But nothing could have prepared him for what came next. When a break-in at his apartment spirals into the discovery of a gruesome crime scene in the same complex, investigators quickly zero in on Anton as their prime suspect in a shocking murder. Suddenly, the everyday struggles he was trying to manage are eclipsed by something far more serious: the fight for his freedom and his reputation. As media scrutiny intensifies and whispers spread through the community, Anton must battle public perception, mounting legal pressure, and the weight of suspicion — all while insisting on his innocence. This episode unpacks the investigation, the evidence that put him in the spotlight, and the uphill battle to clear his name in a system that often decides guilt long before a trial begins.

    1h 8m

  7. FEB 17

    Every Mile for Emily: A Father’s Endurance Story

    In this powerful and deeply moving episode, I sit down with Bob Jordan — a 74-year-old father, athlete, and living testament to resilience. Bob has completed an astonishing 43 Ironman-distance races, but his story goes far beyond endurance sport. In 1997, Bob and his family experienced the unimaginable loss of his daughter, Emily, to leukemia. In the face of that heartbreak, Bob made a decision that would shape the rest of his life: he would continue to race — every mile, every finish line — in her honor. What followed is a journey defined not by medals, but by meaning. For nearly three decades, Bob has carried Emily’s memory across 140.6 miles at a time, turning grief into purpose and pain into forward motion. His family’s dedication to charity and their commitment to keeping Emily’s legacy alive exemplify what it means to be not only a great parent, but an extraordinary human being. This conversation is about endurance in its truest form — not just physical stamina, but emotional strength. It’s about choosing to build something beautiful out of something devastating. It’s about faith, family, discipline, and the decision to live with intention no matter your age. Bob’s story is proof that even the most brutal chapters of life can become the foundation for something meaningful. If you need perspective, inspiration, or a reminder of what truly matters — this episode is for you.

    1h 35m

  8. FEB 10

    Composing The Long Run: Where Art and Endurance Collide

    Liz Derstine lives at the intersection of endurance and artistry. She is one of the most accomplished long-distance trail runners in the world, holding multiple women’s Fastest Known Times on some of the toughest trails known to man, including the Appalachian Trail (northbound), the Long Trail, the Pinhoti Trail, and Sweden’s Kungsleden. Most recently, Liz completed the 2,655-mile Pacific Crest Trail in under 70 days — the third-fastest self-supported finish by a woman. But Liz’s story doesn’t end on the trail. She is also an award-winning pianist and composer whose work bridges classical training with pop innovation, creating music inspired by nature, movement, and lived experience. Classically trained from a young age, Liz earned dual Master of Music degrees in Collaborative Piano and Composition from the Longy School of Music of Bard College, where she was recognized for her commitment to collaboration and innovation. Her musical career has taken her from concert halls to international touring as a keyboardist and singer, performing at iconic venues like the Troubadour and festivals including Coachella. Her original compositions have been featured on television shows such as Awkward (MTV) and Wednesday (Netflix). In this conversation, Liz shares how thru-hiking the Appalachian Trail reshaped her creative voice, how she balances elite endurance athletics with a demanding music career, and why time in nature is central to both her performance and her art. We talk about discipline, obsession, solitude, creativity, and what it means to pursue two worlds that demand everything you have. Liz has been featured in Outside, Runner’s World, Women’s Running, Trail Running Magazine, and on the cover of Competitor Magazine for “running by day and music touring by night.” She represents Mountain Hardwear and writes the popular newsletter Pink Feathers, where she explores the overlap between wild places, long miles, and creative life. This episode is about pushing limits — on the trail, at the piano, and within yourself — and finding harmony between endurance and expression.

    1h 5m
See All (15)

5
out of 5
44 Ratings

About

Welcome to Fit For Radio, the show where the stories are real, the struggles are raw, and the comebacks hit harder than the setbacks. In every episode, you'll hear from someone who faced something impossible: A loss... a betrayal... a breakdown... a moment so heavy it could've ended everything.  But it didn't. Because they got back up. Fit For Radio is about the people life tried to silence but who found a frequency stronger than fear. It's about the rise. The grit. The healing. The "holy-shit-I-can't-believe-you-survived-that" moment. This isn't just a podcast. It's a reminder that your scars don't disqualify you, they prepare you. So if you've ever felt knocked down, counted out, or stuck in the static... You're in the right place. Because every comeback deserves airtime. Hit follow. New Episodes every Tuesday.

Information

  • Creator
    Drew Tydeman
  • Years Active
    2K
  • Episodes
    15
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fit For Radio
  • Show Website
    Fit For Radio

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