Fit For Radio

Felipe Nystrom’s story isn’t about cycling—it’s about survival, and what comes after. Raised in an environment marked by both physical and sexual abuse, Felipe carried trauma that most people never see, let alone understand. For years, he coped the only way he knew how—through drugs and alcohol—numbing pain that refused to stay buried. What followed were a series of near-death experiences that for...

Nikole Vaughn was forced to grow up fast. As a child, she stepped into responsibility early while navigating the chaos of her mother’s grand mal seizures—moments that were as unpredictable as they were life-altering, including a terrifying incident behind the wheel. That early exposure to adversity shaped a mindset built on resilience, responsibility, and drive. She carried that same determination...

On this episode of Fit For Radio , Drew sits down with Dave Dahl, the founder of Dave’s Killer Bread, whose life story is as wild as it is inspiring. Dave grew up in a strict Seventh-day Adventist Church household, where structure and religion shaped much of his early life. But as he got older, he pushed back hard against that environment, eventually falling into a cycle of drugs, crime, and bad d...

On this episode of Fit For Radio , Drew sits down with Rob Crow, an endurance athlete, criminal defense attorney, and devoted husband and father whose story goes far beyond the finish line. Rob has pushed himself through some of the toughest races in the world, competing in multiple Ironmans and triathlons, each one filled with its own set of challenges, setbacks, and unforgettable moments. From b...

On this episode of Fit For Radio , Drew sits down with Steve Paranto, one of the true pioneers of pickleball and a name that is impossible to separate from the history of the sport. Steve has been competing in tournaments since 1974, making him the longest active competitive player in the game. But his impact goes far beyond what he’s done on the court. Alongside his father, Steve played a key rol...

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 uncert...

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 happe...

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-America...

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 li...

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...

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...

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 th...

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 Tr...

Colby Brown’s childhood was anything but stable. Raised by a mother who was constantly on the move, Colby was dragged from California to Hawaii, back to California, then Florida, back to Hawaii, and eventually Las Vegas—never long enough to feel rooted, never safe enough to feel settled. Along the way, his life was surrounded by drugs, violence, and chaos, exposing him to experiences no child shou...

For five years, Drew committed himself to an extreme goal: completing one million pushups in a single year . It became a daily ritual, a source of purpose, and a promise to himself. On the final day of the challenge, with just 400 pushups left , everything was supposed to end in triumph. Instead, two detectives arrived at his door. They were there to inform Drew that his lifelong best friend — who...

In this episode, Drew sits down with Tac for a candid conversation about the real struggles behind launching a brand-new podcast with a video component. From unexpected technical headaches and production learning curves to the pressure of booking quality guests and figuring out how to monetize fast enough to keep the lights on at home, nothing about the process has been easy. Drew and Tac pull bac...

A near-death accident changed everything. Nick’s story begins with an unthinkable moment that nearly cost him his life — and continues with the brutal fight to survive, adapt, and rebuild in the face of overwhelming obstacles.

Tommy Vu grew up in a traditional Vietnamese family where academics came first, and fitness wasn’t a priority. As he got older, he struggled to keep up with his peers physically. Determined to take control of his health, Tommy embarked on an incredible journey toward a stronger, healthier future. He joined the military and achieved feats of fitness most could only dream of. Today, Tommy holds mult...

After twenty three years doing afternoon and morning radio I find myself entering the amazing and scary world of podcasting. The first order of business is to tell the story of how we got here. I am joined by my good friend and radio colleague Tack. This episode will dive into the events that took place leading up to my departure from my show in Portland after ten years. The story is emotional and...

Travis Cole grew up as a three sport athlete and found success at both the college and pro level playing football and baseball. From starring at quarterback in his hometown to playing against the biggest stars in the BIG 10. Travis would go on to play professionally for eight seasons before starting his new career as a coach and mentor to young student athletes.