The enduraLAB Podcast

Time is not coming back. If you’re waiting for a calmer season to train, sleep better, or feel “caught up,” you may be waiting forever. In this episode, we sit down with Charlie Stephens , entrepreneur, coffee trader, and new dad, to talk about what it takes to stay consistent with fitness when life is full. We cover:  The “parking lot moment” when you almost skip your workout   Why motivation fai...

Strength training is becoming a game-changer in women’s golf , but most players still underestimate its impact on performance. In this episode, we sit down with Haley Vargas , a Kansas State Women’s Golf alum and professional golfer pursuing her LPGA Tour card , to break down what it really takes to move from junior golf to Division I competition—and beyond. We cover:  How strength training improv...

Progress doesn’t start with a transformation photo. It starts with the decision to try again. In this episode, we sit down with Sara Riley , an enduraLAB member who shares her journey from feeling intimidated to walk into the gym to training confidently for the Cowtown Half Marathon —while returning to Olympic weightlifting . We talk about what actually drives long-term progress: Daily movement (N...

What does it really take to go from standout high school athlete to successful Division I competitor? In this episode, we sit down with Sutton Howard — Fort Worth native, Fort Worth Country Day graduate, and Oklahoma State hammer and weight thrower — to talk about the real transition from high school sports to college athletics. Sutton shares what shocked her most about Division I training, how a...

What if your entire training year followed a proven system instead of guesswork? In this episode, we break down enduraLAB’s complete 2026 fitness blueprint —a six-phase annual plan that integrates strength, conditioning, mobility, nutrition, recovery, and testing into one cohesive progression. You’ll learn how each training phase points toward a community milestone event , including: • The enduraL...

The Monday after Thanksgiving, we don’t coast—we crank it to 11. Hell Week is our six-day fitness gauntlet that blends strength, conditioning, and skill with a nightly workout reveal to keep you honest and engaged. We talk through the why behind the work: train every energy system, build capacity and consistency, and use recovery as a competitive advantage. Along the way, we share the mindset shif...

Holiday season can feel like a fitness ambush: packed calendars, travel delays, and dessert tables calling your name. We bring the chaos down to earth with a plan that favors momentum over perfection, starting with a mindset shift—ditch all-or-nothing, stack small wins, and enjoy what you truly love without guilt. From eggnog debates to outdoor lights and classic movies, we lean into the tradition...

What if your zip code could make or break your goals? We sit down with broker and investor Dillon Dewald—also a dad of five—who turned 5 a.m. training into the backbone of a calmer home, sharper workdays, and better sleep. Dillon walks us through the habit changes that made consistency stick, from ditching random lunch drinks to protecting a real bedtime, and how those choices paid back with clear...

What happens when a kid grows up between barbells, foam rollers, and a community that trains for life? In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, 11-year-old Isla Hargrave—daughter of owners Lee and Isis Hargrave—shares how early exposure to smart training, recovery, and balanced nutrition shaped her confidence, curiosity, and independence. 💪 What You’ll Learn Youth fitness made simple — how kids...

Can you train hard without breaking down your body ? In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast , we dive deep into the science of pain-free strength training with Dr. Carling Butler , physical therapist and Assistant Professor of Physical Therapy at South College. Hosted by Lee Hargrave (Owner & Head Coach) , Isis Peña (OPEX Coach & Nutrition Specialist) , and Adonys Wright (Head Coach &amp...

🏆 In this special episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, we sit down with Jay Bjorklund—longtime LAB member, entrepreneur, MBA student at TCU, and a man with one of the most inspiring journeys in our community. September is National Recovery Month, and Jay opens up about his personal path through recovery, the role fitness has played in rebuilding his life, and why laughter—sometimes borderline inappr...

💪 Strength is the foundation of health, longevity, and performance. In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, we explore the science of building strength—why it matters, how it improves quality of life, and why women in particular need to prioritize lifting over yoga and Pilates alone. Join Lee (Owner & CSCS), Isis (OPEX Coach & Nutrition Specialist), and Adonys (Head Coach & CrossFit...

🏀 What does it take to train like a champion? On this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, we sit down with Amy Okonkwo—professional basketball player, two-time Olympian, and two-time FIBA Women’s AfroBasket MVP—to talk about her journey, training evolution, and what keeps her performing at the highest level. Amy shares: ✅ How her training has changed since joining enduraLAB ✅ The role of strength...

🍂 Big things are happening this fall at enduraLAB in Fort Worth, TX! In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast , hosts Lee (Owner & CSCS), Isis (OPEX Coach & Nutrition Specialist), and Adonys (Head Coach & CrossFit L2 Coach) break down the upcoming fall event schedule and share why these events are more than just workouts—they’re about community, performance, and fun . Here’s what we c...

What happens when fitness meets purpose? In our latest podcast episode, we dive deep into the Manion WOD – a grueling workout that tests your physical limits while honoring a true American hero. Bobby Van Reet, Fort Worth Chapter Lead for the Travis Manion Foundation, joins us to share the powerful story behind this challenge. First Lieutenant Travis Manion was killed in Iraq on April 29, 2007, wh...

💉 GLP-1 medications like Ozempic & Wegovy are changing the weight loss game—but what should your training & nutrition look like while using them? In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, Lee (CSCS Coach), Isis (OPEX Coach), and special guests Dr. Laura Bradford & Dr. Kathe Supavong break down the science behind GLP-1s and why a comprehensive treatment plan is essential for muscle pre...

🔥 Cold Plunge vs. Sauna – Which One Should You Use? ❄️ In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, we dive into the science behind cold exposure and heat therapy and how they can boost recovery, improve performance, and enhance overall well-being. 💪 What You’ll Learn in This Episode: ✅ The Science Behind Cold Plunge & Sauna – How they affect metabolism, inflammation, and nervous system functi...

Does pain, past injuries, or fear keep you from working out? In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, we break down the biggest misconceptions about exercise, injury, and pain—and give you science-backed strategies to keep moving safely! Join Lee (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist), Isis (OPEX Coach & Nutrition Specialist), Jarod (CrossFit Coach), and special guest Dr. Carling...

What role does protein really play in building strength and maintaining a healthy body? In this episode of the enduraLAB Podcast, we break down the essentials of protein intake. They discuss how much you need, why quality matters, and how bioavailability and aging factor into absorption. Drawing on insights from Dr. Stacy Sims, Dr. Peter Attia, Andrew Huberman, and Dr. Mary Claire Haver, this conv...

Did you know that sleep is one of the most critical factors for health, performance, and longevity? In this episode of the enduraLAB podcast, Lee (owner and head coach), Isis (coach and nutrition specialist), and Jarod (coach and facility manager) explore everything you need to know about improving your sleep. What We Cover: 🌙 Why sleep is essential for recovery and overall health 🛌 The differen...

In this episode, we sit down with special guest Matt Hiley, business owner, author and longtime enduraLAB member, to discuss his inspiring fitness journey. Matt shares how he uses challenges, like misogis and yearly fitness goals, to push his physical and mental limits while maintaining balance in his life. We dive into how these challenges have shaped his perspective, his passion for testing boun...