Fit For Radio

What does it take to break generational patterns and build the life you want? This week on Fit For Radio , Drew sits down with a guest whose journey proves that resilience isn't something you're born with—it's something you build. Raised by a single mother in Texas who worked multiple jobs to keep food on the table, he learned early that no one is coming to save you. Those lessons w...

When Helgi Olafson was diagnosed with ankylosing spondylitis at just 19 years old, he could have accepted a future defined by chronic pain and limitations. Instead, he chose a different path. In this episode of Fit For Radio, Helgi shares the incredible story of overcoming addiction, setbacks, and self-doubt to become an Ironman, ultrarunner, filmmaker, and advocate for people living with chronic...

In a world flooded with fitness influencers, fad diets, and conflicting health advice, it can be hard to know what's fact and what's fiction. On this episode of Fit For Radio, we sit down with Wendi Arant, Head of Fitness at Stafford Hills Club, to cut through the noise and bring some much-needed clarity to the conversation around health, wellness, nutrition, and fitness. Wendi shares he...

On this episode of Fit For Radio, we sit down with endurance athlete, chiropractor, husband, father, grandfather, and lifelong competitor Drake Tollenaar. For nearly three decades, Drake has redefined what it means to pursue elite endurance sports while balancing family, faith, career, and community. Born in Springfield, Oregon, and a graduate of Thurston High School, Drake's path eventually...

On this episode of Fit For Radio, we sit down with Lance Orton, a man whose life story is a powerful reminder that addiction doesn't discriminate—and that no one is beyond redemption. Lance grew up moving between California and Texas, navigating his parents' divorce and attending three different high schools before graduating from a Catholic prep school in 1993. He went on to earn a degr...

On this episode of Fit For Radio , we sit down with legendary cyclist, acclaimed author, and humanitarian Joe Kurmaskie — a man who has pedaled more than 250,000 miles across North America, Europe, and beyond, earning his nickname “The Metal Cowboy” through decades of unforgettable two-wheeled adventures. Joe is the bestselling author of 10 books , including Metal Cowboy , Riding Outside the Lines...

In this bonus episode of the Fit For Radio Podcast , Drew sits down with Jesus Romero for a wild conversation about the art of bartering, reading people, and navigating high-pressure situations when everyone is trying to make a deal. Jesus shares firsthand stories from his time hustling on the beaches, breaking down the psychology behind negotiation and how to spot when someone is working an angle...

On the Fit For Radio Podcast, Jesus Romero shares an incredible story of survival, resilience, and redemption. Born and raised in Mexico, Jesus went to work in Cabo San Lucas at just 13 years old, hustling the beaches and teaching himself English. His journey eventually took him to the United States, where gangs, addiction, and violence nearly cost him his life. After being deported to Tijuana and...

Fit For Radio is a podcast built around people who overcome the odds — and host Drew Tydeman has made a career out of pulling those stories out of others. But after everything that's happened to him lately, his old buddy Tac might argue it's time Drew took a seat on the other side of the mic. The two longtime friends sit down for a long-overdue catch-up episode, getting the audience up t...

James Yount’s story is one of rock bottom, resilience, and redemption. As a young man chasing independence and purpose, James instead found himself consumed by meth addiction and trapped in a cycle that nearly cost him everything. During his darkest days, he isolated himself for months at a time, battling depression, failed suicide attempts, and a lifestyle that pushed his weight past 350 pounds....

From blockbuster Hollywood success to rock bottom—and ultimately to redemption—this episode tells the powerful story of Mark W. Koch’s rise, fall, and rebirth. Mark climbed the ranks to become one of Hollywood’s most promising producers, landing massive success with the 1998 hit Lost In Space and building a career filled with momentum, influence, and opportunity. But behind the scenes, a growing d...

Ridge Deakman’s life changed in an instant. On this episode of the Fit For Radio podcast, Ridge shares the story of a devastating motorcycle crash with a produce truck that left him alone on a highway bridge, bleeding out and fighting to stay alive. That moment would cost him his leg—but it was only the beginning of a long, grueling road back. Through surgeries, setbacks, and the mental battle tha...

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...