Against the Herd

What do a pastor, an Ironman, a high-level entrepreneur, a teacher shot in the chest, and a coach with a dynasty all have in common?  They went against the herd… and came out stronger.  In this season finale of the Against the Herd Podcast, host Armando Cruz pulls together the most powerful moments, lessons, and mindset shifts from Season One, all through the lens of pain, purpose, and resilience....

What if everything you’ve been taught about pain is wrong?  In this episode of Against the Herd, we break down some of the lessons learned from sitting down with legendary high school running coach Doug Soles, who helped build one of the most dominant cross-country programs in the country.  But this isn’t just about running, it’s about resilience, leadership, and the hidden system behind long-term...

What does it really take to build a national powerhouse twice, with athletes no one expected to win?  In this episode of Against the Herd, Coach Doug Soles reveals the untold story of how he built cross-country dynasties at Great Oak and Herriman High School using systems, mindset, and leadership, not just talent.  Discover why Terminator Mode, identity shifts, and recovery systems are more powerf...

Sick of 30-day hacks that leave you right back where you started?  In this episode of Against the Herd, performance coach and best-selling author Armando Cruz shares what actually works when it comes to lasting health, energy, and resilience (no gimmicks, shortcuts, or fluff).  You’ll discover the anti-hack framework used by elite performers to build sustainable systems for physical, mental, and e...

What does it take to come back stronger after an injury that nearly derails your career and your life?  In this episode of Against the Herd, we sit down with Alex Gonzalez, a high-level real estate consultant and family man who radiates connection, resilience, and mental precision.  After suffering a devastating Achilles rupture, Alex’s journey to recovery wasn’t linear; it was packed with setback...

What do you do when life punches you in the face, and you no longer recognize the person in the mirror?  In this powerful solo episode of Against the Herd, performance coach and bestselling author Armando Cruz breaks down what it really takes to reclaim your identity after setbacks, whether it’s injury, burnout, betrayal, or a crisis of purpose.  You’ll learn the internal process high performers u...

What happens when doctors can’t explain your pain, and you're left to figure it out on your own?  In this powerful episode of Against the Herd, visual storyteller and entrepreneur Kirsten Rincon shares her personal battle with chronic pain, misdiagnoses, and medical dead-ends.  But instead of giving up, she reclaimed her healing by transforming her environment, mindset, and habits.  We explore her...

If your environment is chaotic, overstimulating, or draining… It’s not just an inconvenience; it’s sabotaging your health.  In this solo episode of Against the Herd, performance specialist Armando Cruz reveals how to design your space for healing (mentally, emotionally, and physically).  You’ll learn how to eliminate subtle stressors, create order from chaos, and build an environment that acts as...

What happens when your body breaks, but your spirit doesn’t?  In this raw and inspiring episode of Against the Herd, Valeria Rodriguez shares her unbelievable journey: being shot in the chest, enduring multiple traumatic accidents, breaking bones, and battling through a broken brain.  But her story isn’t about pain... It’s about power.  Valeria is an educator, Ironman, and visual artist whose work...

If you’re doing “all the right things” (workouts, diets, supplements) and still not feeling right…  It’s not your fault.  You’ve been sold a 1-dimensional health model in a 7-dimensional world.  In this episode of Against the Herd, performance coach and pain expert Armando Cruz reveals his 7-Dimensional Health Framework. The same model he’s used to help high performers eliminate pain, reclaim ener...

What do the U.S. Army, the Miami Marlins, and Netflix’s Ultimate Beastmaster have in common?  One man: James Drake, chaplain, pastor, HYROX competitor, triathlete, and spiritual powerhouse.  In this electrifying episode of Against the Herd, James shares how he integrates faith, physicality, and focus to build resilient health from the inside out.  He opens up about what traditional medicine and fi...

Resilience isn’t built in the gym.  It’s built in the quiet, focused, aligned moments when your mind, body, and spirit are connected.  In this solo episode of Against the Herd, performance expert and faith-driven health coach Armando Cruz breaks down the Faith, Focus, Fuel Framework, a method he’s used with high performers to create health that lasts far beyond willpower and supplements.  You’ll d...

In this powerful episode of Against the Herd, we sit down with entrepreneur and real estate coach Alex Pardo to unpack the unconventional moves that transformed his life from chronic burnout and misaligned hustle to optimized health, purpose-driven business, and radical family connection.  Alex shares how “vision stacking” helped him create clarity across business, body, and relationships.  He bre...

What if your pain isn’t the enemy... but a messenger?  In this solo episode of Against the Herd, performance expert and pain specialist Armando Cruz reveals why most people (and most doctors) are chasing the wrong target and why pain relief doesn’t always mean healing.  You’ll learn how to listen to your body’s signals, decode what pain is really trying to tell you, and use it as a guidepost for h...

Welcome to Against the Herd. The podcast for high performers, entrepreneurs, and free thinkers who refuse to settle for generic health advice and cookie-cutter fixes.  In this launch episode, host Armando Cruz shares the mission behind The Resistance. It's a call to those who’ve been dismissed, misdiagnosed, or told to “just live with it.”  If you’ve tried everything and still feel stuck in pain,...