RIDEOUT: The Other Side of Hard

Ken Rideout
  • 5.0 (50)
  • 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. 1d ago

    A School Shooting, a Shipwreck, and the Long Run to Sobriety | Mishka Shubaly

    Mishka Shubaly has lived several lives: gifted student, touring musician, Columbia-trained writer, addict, shipwreck survivor, ultrarunner, Yale professor, and the editor who helped Ken Rideout turn his life into a book. Mishka joins Ken for a deeply personal conversation about growing up with a distant father, leaving home for college at 15, surviving a deadly school shooting, and watching his family lose everything shortly afterward. He recounts years of destructive drinking and drug use, getting shipwrecked in the Bahamas, walking for miles without food or navigation, and drinking his own urine shortly before being rescued. They also discuss the realization that finally pushed Mishka toward sobriety, the furious first run that changed his life, becoming an ultramarathoner, nearly joining a reality dating show, and how a cold email led Jeff Bezos to write the foreword to his book. Ken and Mishka reflect on addiction, anxiety, ambition, friendship, marriage, and the difficult process of believing that the life you have built might finally be enough. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT15” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Mishka Joins the Show (00:44) Writing the Book Together (02:09) Authenticity Over Advice (03:57) Running Shoe Rabbit Hole (08:31) Frugal Life and Family Roots (12:48) Sponsor Break Roka Eyewear (14:24) Kids and Wastefulness (17:46) Sober Anxiety and Control (21:57) Ibogaine and Rewiring the Brain (23:29) Mishka’s Upbringing and Rocket Scientist Dad (27:34) Family Struggles and Parenting Reflections (32:42) Sponsor Break Wild Roman Skincare (33:46) Divorce Year and Dad Moves Away (34:39) Early College Leap (35:35) Fights and Trouble (36:02) Campus Shooting Trauma (38:29) Divorce and Downward Spiral (44:35) Addiction and New Perspective (48:50) Success and Enough (51:39) Family Pressure and Anxiety (57:36) From Acting to Writing (59:09) Dad Fallout and No Kids (01:03:46) New York and Columbia MFA (01:06:34) Playing It Cool (01:07:12) Celebrity Sauna Stories (01:09:31) Columbia Encouragement (01:11:40) Ivy League Aid Debate (01:13:33) Loans And Burnout (01:15:12) Music Life And Hoarding (01:18:39) Shipwreck Setup (01:22:06) Running Aground (01:25:30) Survival Walk Breakdown (01:30:44) Rescue And Aftermath (01:33:39) SEAL Prep Coincidence (01:35:46) Dating Show Tease (01:36:05) Reality Show Doubts (01:37:58) Dark Side of Reality TV (01:40:13) Lawyer Negotiation Tactics (01:42:20) Dodging the Dating Show (01:44:36) Sobriety Turning Point (01:48:49) First Furious Run (01:52:55) Ultra Lessons and New Highs (01:54:39) Kenya Stage Race Adventure (01:57:09) Love as the New Anchor (01:58:54) Withdrawal and Anxiety Hell (02:01:49) What’s Next Creatively (02:04:15) Bezos Foreword Story (02:06:44) Final Thanks and Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  2. 6d ago

    One Life, Two Hearts: Surviving Cancer, Loss and Heart Failure | Dr. Dawn Mussallem

    Dr. Dawn Mussallem was a young medical student when she collapsed and doctors discovered a 15-centimeter tumor wrapped around her heart. She was diagnosed with stage IV diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and told she had only months to live. She endured chemotherapy, a bone marrow transplant and radiation while continuing medical school, eventually graduating first in her class. But surviving cancer came at another cost: the treatment severely damaged her heart. Dawn developed advanced heart failure, received a pacemaker and defibrillator, lost her husband to sudden cardiac death and spent years fighting to stay alive for her daughter. In 2021, with her organs beginning to fail, she accepted a donor heart from a woman who had used intravenous drugs and carried hepatitis C. That transplant gave Dawn a second life. Now an integrative oncologist, endurance athlete and Chief Medical Officer at Fountain Life, Dawn joins Ken Rideout to share what she learned through cancer, grief, heart failure and transplantation. They also discuss the fundamentals of longevity that matter most, including fiber, complex carbohydrates, strength training, VO2 max, heart-disease screening, organ donation and the role of nutrition in cancer survivorship. This is a story about accepting what you cannot control, refusing to surrender your purpose and making every day of a borrowed life count. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” AMP Fitness: amp.ai/rideout  Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Meet Dr Dawn (01:11) Ohio Roots and Early Running (02:35) Raising Healthy Kids (06:05) Athletics and Strength Training (09:15) College Fitness and Ms Fitness (10:41) Sponsor Break Roka Eyewear (12:22) Carbs Fiber and Performance (19:26) Path to Medicine and Mayo (23:21) Cancer Diagnosis and Survival (31:18) Chemo And Transplant (32:08) Hospital Bike Breakthrough (33:14) Exercise As Medicine (34:18) Transplant Process Explained (35:17) Isolation And Infection Control (36:26) Radiation And Tumor Limits (37:29) Heart Failure After Cancer (38:39) Fertility And IVF Struggles (41:07) Surprise Pregnancy Discovery (43:40) Postpartum Heart Failure Reveal (46:25) Diagnosis And Mayo Recovery (48:57) Devices And HRV Talk (50:36) Fountain Life Heart Data (53:44) Lifestyle And VO2 Priority (57:31) Precision Genomics Testing (01:01:32) Next Gen Lipid Drugs (01:02:16) Metabolic And Inflammation Tests (01:04:37) Loss And Resilience (01:07:21) Diet For Heart Reversal (01:10:35) Near Death And Transplant Listing (01:15:51) Donor Heart Dilemma (01:19:55) Transplant Recovery And Gratitude (01:23:35) Integrative Oncology Explained (01:26:05) Insurance And Breast Cancer Care (01:28:04) Hormone Blockers And Symptom Relief (01:32:09) Closing And Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  3. Jul 29

    Rejected TV Pitch to the World’s Wildest Animal Encounters | Mark Vins

    Mark Vins is the co-founder and host of Brave Wilderness, one of the biggest wildlife channels on YouTube. Mark joins Ken to explain how a rejected television concept became a global media brand, why a video featuring the “cow killer” velvet ant gained hundreds of thousands of subscribers in a single day, and what it actually feels like to be stung by a murder hornet, bitten by a giant centipede, and envenomated by some of the world’s most painful creatures. He shares the safety protocols behind the videos, the risks of anaphylaxis, the physical toll of spending nearly 300 days a year traveling, and the lessons Brave Wilderness learned after entering the Hollywood and television system. Mark also takes Ken behind the scenes of filming mountain gorillas alongside armed rangers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and making his first feature documentary, Reef to Ridge, in the Galápagos. The film follows the ecosystem from the ocean floor to the summit of Wolf Volcano, where fewer than 300 rare pink iguanas remain. This is the story of turning childhood exploration into a global wildlife platform—and using viral entertainment to bring millions of people closer to the natural world. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” Athletic Nicotine: https://athleticnicotine.com/rideout Code "RIDEOUT" Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Meet Mark Vins (00:46) What Is Brave Wilderness (01:44) Ohio Roots And Tennis (03:09) Film School And Early Hustle (05:20) From TV Rejection To YouTube (09:07) Sting Videos Go Viral (12:03) Sponsor Break Roka(13:43) Cow Killer Explained (16:34) Filming The Sting Safely (19:30) Anaphylaxis And EpiPens (26:46) Travel Life And Costa Rica (29:13) Poison Frogs And Toxins (32:59) Snakebites And Deadliest Snakes (37:12) Terrifying Cave Diving (38:13) Focus Supplement Ad (38:59) Hollywood Agency Lessons(45:47) Venom Basics Explained (47:04) Murder Hornet Nightmare (52:56) Centipede Bloodbath (56:42) Scorpions Fish and Fireworms (01:04:36) Gorillas and Ranger Risks (01:13:44) Rangers Fitness Talk (01:13:50) Favorite Trips Japan (01:14:42) Galapagos Feature Reveal (01:16:29) Wolf Volcano Expedition (01:17:51) Sharks And Finning (01:21:33) Dehydration Survival Stories (01:24:02) Pink Iguana Deep Dive (01:25:25) Volcano Tourism Risks (01:28:30) Peruvian Amazon Off Grid (01:30:49) Sandflies And Leishmaniasis (01:33:45) Global Wildlife Hotspots (01:35:27) Predators And Mountain Lions (01:42:04) Future Films And Running (01:45:13) Bee Swarms And Safety (01:48:05) Final Thanks And Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  4. Jul 24

    The Brutal Road to a Tour de France Top 10 | Andrew Talansky

    Andrew Talansky didn’t get on a road bike until he was 17. Seven years later, he finished 10th overall in the Tour de France. Andrew joins Ken Rideout to tell the story of his unlikely rise from getting dropped on Miami group rides to competing against the best cyclists in the world. He shares how a running injury led him to cycling, why he left college to chase the sport, and how a brutal experience living and racing in Italy nearly ended his career before it truly began. Andrew also takes Ken inside the realities of professional cycling: training with Levi Leipheimer, exchanging words with Lance Armstrong during his breakout ride at the Tour of the Gila, receiving offers from the world’s top teams, and entering the sport as it tried to rebuild trust after the doping era. He explains why even elite amateur cyclists cannot comprehend the level of the Tour de France, what it feels like to descend at highway speeds in a crowded peloton, how riders recover and survive for three straight weeks, and why Alpe d’Huez became his favorite climb while Mont Ventoux became his hardest. Andrew also reflects on winning the Critérium du Dauphiné, walking away from professional cycling while still in his prime, the burnout and missing support that influenced his retirement, and how those experiences now shape his work helping athletes and organizations build healthier high-performance environments. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” Timeline: timeline.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Meet Andrew Talansky (00:13) Miami Cycling Roots (02:01) From Running To Bikes (03:45) Gear And Community Support (06:29) Tour Dreams And Fast Progress (08:57) The Real Pro Gap (13:38) Tour Chaos And Crashes (15:52) Risky Descents And Training (20:26) Winning Juniors And Nationals (23:35) Europe Reality Check (26:34) Cal Giant Breakthrough (33:37) Lance Moment At Gila (36:16) WorldTour Offers Roll In (36:32) National Champ Group Ride (37:41) Body Types and Weight (38:08) Doping and Eating Culture (39:47) Blood Doping Reality (41:10) Why Doping Felt Normal (42:52) Racing Clean After Lance (45:10) Joining Slipstream in Italy (46:52) Neo Pro Lessons and TT Talent (48:11) First Pro Race Breakthrough (49:40) First Grand Tour Vuelta (50:35) Olympic Deal Rumors (53:09) First WorldTour Win (56:27) First Tour de France Spotlight (59:55) Equipment and Team Specs (01:02:38) Tour Results and Final Day Rules (01:04:39) Peloton Sportsmanship and Cars (01:08:03) Alpe d’Huez Memories (01:09:06) Crowds Gone Too Far (01:12:43) Team Radio Tactics (01:14:26) Domestiques And Bottles (01:15:14) Hardest Climb Ventoux (01:16:01) Post Stage Recovery Routine (01:19:01) Tour Hotels And Logistics (01:22:10) Malibu Riding Stories (01:27:22) Burnout And Retirement (01:29:46) Dauphine Win Chaos (01:32:04) Cobbles And Roubaix Fear (01:34:40) Triathlon Reality Check (01:37:46) Performance Coaching Today (01:39:40) Wrap Up And Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  5. Jul 22

    From Bartender to Elite MMA Coach | Eric Nicksick

    Eric Nicksick never planned on becoming one of the most respected coaches in MMA. He grew up in Las Vegas surrounded by football coaches, learning how to study film, lead a team, master the fundamentals, and separate himself through what Randy Couture later called “things that take no talent”: being early, being prepared, and doing the work. After football, Eric walked into Xtreme Couture before the gym had officially opened. He trained with world-class fighters, became its first paying member, and kept showing up. When Randy Couture asked him to run a single grappling class, Eric said yes. That class grew into a coaching career. Today, Eric has coached UFC champions Francis Ngannou and Sean Strickland and helped build one of MMA’s most respected teams. In this conversation, Eric shares how he learned striking from Ray Sefo, strategy from Randy Couture, and cornering through years of saying yes to every opportunity. He opens up about the danger fighters face, why young athletes need a life beyond competition, how he handles Sean Strickland’s intensity, and the trust he built with Francis Ngannou while helping him confront the wrestling and fear left behind by his first fight with Stipe Miocic. Eric also explains how his friendship with Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla has changed the way both men think about leadership, preparation, and coaching at the highest level.  Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT15” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Warm Welcome and Hats (01:24) Origin Story Setup (01:52) Football Roots in Vegas (03:02) College Ball and Talent Gaps (05:45) Film Study and Fundamentals (10:30) Leadership and Humility (11:42) Roka Eyewear Ad Break (13:22) First Steps in Combat Sports (15:30) Extreme Couture First Day (18:44) Accidental Coach to Gym Manager (23:28) Learning Striking from Ray Sefo (26:38) Cage Geography Traps (27:45) Tape Study Coaching Edge (28:27) Imposter Syndrome Path (30:18) Learning to Corner (32:06) Saying Yes for Reps (33:41) Big Stage Gratitude (36:19) Skincare Ad Break (37:19) Bad Knockouts Aftermath (38:38) Backup Plans Identity (45:10) Coaching Sean Strickland (49:58) Locker Room Boundaries (50:32) Sparring Intensity Control (52:33) Gym Visitor Etiquette (54:25) Bar Guy Reality Check (56:04) Gym Trash Talk Payback (57:45) Francis Origin Story (59:53) Fear After Stipe Loss (01:02:26) Building Wrestling Confidence (01:06:08) Wild Sparring Partners (01:07:38) Trust and Family Bond (01:11:00) Culture and Gratitude Lessons (01:13:56) Travel and Perspective (01:15:47) Coaching With Joe Mazzulla (01:20:28) Wrap Up and Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  6. Jul 17

    From $1 Paychecks to World Champion | Regis Prograis

    Two-time world champion Regis "Rougarou" Prograis built his career the hard way. He started boxing late, lost everything when Hurricane Katrina destroyed his family's home, sold tickets to fund his early professional career, and eventually fought his way to the top of the sport, becoming a two-time world champion. But behind the belts was a very different story. Regis opens up about paying opponents just to get fights, rebuilding his life after Katrina, career-threatening injuries, management battles, devastating losses, and why he knew his career was coming to an end long before he officially retired. Most importantly, he shares something few elite fighters ever admit: before his final fight against Conor Benn, he didn't want to step into the ring. He was scared, mentally exhausted, and hoping something would happen so he wouldn't have to fight. Instead, he walked anyway. In this conversation, Regis explains why facing that fear ultimately gave him the peace to leave boxing on his own terms. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” AMP Fitness: amp.ai/rideout  Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Regis Joins the Show (00:24) Retirement and New Combat Plans (01:17) Leaving Boxing on His Terms (02:30) Business Moves After Fighting (04:06) New Orleans Roots and Early Sports (04:53) From Karate to Boxing (08:02) Red Dog Yard Gym Lessons (12:50) Sponsor Break Roka Eyewear (14:30) Katrina and Losing Everything (17:48) Starting Over in Houston (21:11) Savannah Gym and Elite Talent (27:50) Amateur Grind and Confidence (30:40) Sponsor Break Amp Training (31:16) Paying for Tournaments and Jobs (32:41) Family Background and Basketball Love (33:18) Meeting Allen Iverson (34:59) NBA Giants Up Close (35:39) Turning Pro And Paying Opponents (36:50) Ticket Sales Dollar Checks (39:11) Signing With Lou DiBella (40:26) ShoBox Knockout Run (41:54) Eye Injury And Going Broke (47:09) Big Win Joel Diaz Payday (49:22) New Management Wahlberg Berg (53:09) Indongo Statement Win (54:58) World Super Series Explained (57:09) Josh Taylor Fight Setup (58:23) UK Media Mind Games (01:00:49) Fight Night Crowd Influence (01:03:04) Judges And Close Calls (01:04:24) Taylor Confidence And Respect (01:08:07) Life After The Loss (01:11:08) Pandemic And Boxing Purgatory (01:14:40) Back To Champion Status (01:15:41) Movies With Peter (01:21:15) Manager Drama And Lawsuit (01:25:27) Matchroom And Style Adjustments (01:26:33) Haney Loss And Camp Distractions (01:33:33) Aftermath And Catterall Setup (01:35:49) Dropped and Injured (01:36:19) Respect for Catterall (01:36:49) Why Fight in UK (01:37:21) Manager Drama and Bad Deal (01:38:37) Injuries and Decline Signs (01:39:53) Vegas Reset and No Contracts (01:40:51) Conor Benn Netflix Stage (01:41:57) Camp Burnout and Doubt (01:44:07) Fight Day Fear to Switch On (01:49:18) Lessons from the Loss (01:54:34) Peace After Retirement (01:57:29) New Ventures and Businesses (01:58:57) Kids Summer and Fatherhood (01:59:40) Rougarou Mask Memories (02:01:39) Raising Kids Without Pressure (02:03:38) Old School Training Gear (02:04:30) Farewell and Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  7. Jul 15

    He Started Running in College—Then Made Five Olympic Teams | Abdi Abdirahman

    Abdi Abdirahman arrived in the United States as a refugee from Somalia in 1990. He spoke no English, settled with his family in Tucson, Arizona, and went through high school without ever competing as a runner. He did not discover the sport until his sophomore year at Pima Community College. Abdi showed up to his first practice wearing jeans and boots. Despite having no formal training, he finished second on the team. One week later, he ran 15:05 and won the 5,000 meters in his first track meet. That unexpected beginning launched one of the most remarkable careers in American distance running. Abdi became a four-time U.S. champion in the 10,000 meters and represented the United States at five Olympic Games across more than two decades. At 43, he finished third at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and qualified for his fifth Olympic team. He also became the oldest male runner to reach the podium at the New York City Marathon. In this conversation, Abdi shares the story of leaving Somalia during civil war, adjusting to life in America, accidentally discovering his talent, racing legends like Meb Keflezighi and Haile Gebrselassie, and building a professional career that lasted far longer than almost anyone expected. He also opens up about the business behind professional running, the evolution of marathon training and super shoes, making money through prize purses and appearance fees, and why experience becomes so important over 26.2 miles. Today, Abdi divides his time between Tucson and Ethiopia, where he helps coach and mentor the next generation of elite runners. This is a conversation about talent, longevity, humility, and continuing to show up long after other people think your opportunity has passed. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” Timeline: timeline.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Welcome Abdi (01:07) Somalia to Tucson (02:15) Starting Running Late (04:01) Jeans and Boots Debut (06:16) Scholarship to Arizona (08:26) Somalia Childhood (10:17) Sponsor Break (11:55) NCAA to Pro Life (13:11) Olympics and Selection (16:39) Masters Mindset (20:08) Shoe Deals and Money (23:58) Ethiopia and Altitude (27:12) Career Highlights (30:11) Training and Workouts (35:40) Boston 2018 Survival (36:52) Mitochondria Ad Read (37:19) Mitochondria Support Plug (38:25) Cold Rainy Race Start (39:49) Favorite Races Debate (40:44) Marathon Pacing Lessons (45:35) Fueling And Gel Evolution (47:30) Ultras And Recovery Runs (51:03) Biggest Wins And Coaches (54:44) Ethiopia Camp And Rivalries (59:10) Shoe Deals And Super Shoes (01:09:38) Community Book And Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

  8. Jul 10

    From Army Airborne to Addiction Recovery | Evan Slaughter

    Evan Slaughter grew up in Birmingham, Alabama in a conservative household before addiction changed the course of his life. After battling an early OxyContin addiction and completing rehab, he joined the U.S. Army, earned an Airborne contract, deployed to Afghanistan, and was injured in an IED blast. The pain medication prescribed after that injury pulled him back into addiction. What followed were years of PTSD, arrests, multiple rehabs, and trying to rebuild a life that kept slipping away. Everything changed in 2021. Today, Evan is better known as Fit2Serve, creating comedy videos seen by millions while using humor, honesty, and his own story to help others find hope. His viral skits may make people laugh, but the road that led there was anything but funny. In this conversation, Evan shares his father's addiction, his own battle with OxyContin, Army Airborne school, Afghanistan, PTSD, Veterans Court, recovery, psychedelics, purpose, and why "Fit to Serve" no longer means physical fitness—it means being equipped to serve others. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT15” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Meet Evan Slaughter (00:40) Growing Up Alabama (01:12) Church Life and Family Upheaval (01:50) Dad’s Addiction and Recovery (05:56) Finding Comedy Early (06:37) Stand-Up Dreams and Fear (12:38) Alpha Dad Skits and Garage Gym (14:30) Sponsor Break Roka (16:11) School Sports and College Detour (19:02) Lifting and Bench Press Talk (31:11) Sponsor Break Wild Roman (32:34) Dropping Out and Training Career (34:17) OxyContin Addiction and Rehab (37:01) Rehab to Enlistment (38:17) Choosing Army Infantry (39:40) Earning 18X Contract (41:41) Airborne School Basics (44:03) First Jump Nerves (46:56) Hard Landings and Mishaps (49:18) Afghanistan IED Blast (53:48) Pain Pills Spiral (56:38) PTSD and Coming Home (58:34) Pharmacy Sting Arrest (01:01:56) Veterans Court and Rehab (01:04:44) TikTok Breakthrough (01:09:03) Staying Sober and Creating (01:10:28) Influencer Advice and Work (01:12:36) Real Jobs Before Social (01:13:53) Time Value Mindset (01:15:28) Psychedelics For Recovery (01:20:28) DMT Lessons And Integration (01:24:10) Money Doesn't Fix Pain (01:26:51) Motorcycle And Simple Joys (01:30:53) Pickleball And Community (01:34:17) Fit To Serve Meaning (01:38:08) Nashville Move And Friends (01:39:00) Brand Deals Strategy (01:44:24) Wrap Up And Where To Find (01:46:16) Podcast Outro And Sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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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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