The Lions Pit Podcast

From the training floor, to life outside of the gym, John Sandoval knows how to push people towards their full potential. In this episode, we dive into his journey, his coaching philosophy, and the lessons he's learned about discipline, growth, and showing up every single day. Whether you're chasing fitness goals or looking for inspiration to level up in life, this conversation has somethi...

Back for round two, in this episode I sit down once again with former Royal Marines Commando and elite coach Harry Shepherd. From life in the military to building a thriving remote coaching business, Harry shares the mindset shifts, lessons, and discipline it takes to go from surviving to leading. If you're chasing growth, in fitness or in life, this one's for you.

From the CrossFit Games floor to being a leading coach at Korrect Fitness, Brooklin Gaspard has built a coaching philosophy rooted in resilience, community, and deep self awareness. In this episode, we dive into her journey through competitive fitness, how she balances strength with softness, and why empowering women through movement is her mission. Whether you're a seasoned athlete or just ge...

Movement, meaning and mental health. In this powerful episode, I sit down with Alex Bradley from Korrect Fitness, movement coach, PTA, and founder of A2B fitness. We dive deep into the connection between physical resilience and emotional healing, his journey from the gym floor to walking 2,500 miles in honor of a friend, and what it means to truly show up for yourself and others. This one's ab...

In this episode, I sit down with the one and only Leo Savage, the mastermind behind Steel Mace Flow and a true artist of movement. We talk about his journey from chaos to creativity, what brought him to Korrect Fitness ( formerly Onnit Gym) and how swinging a mace became a tool for healing, expression and purpose. Whether you're into fitness, flow state or just finding your own path, you'l...

On this episode, I sit down with Carlisle Price, coach, leader, and walking proof that presence and purpose matter more than hype. We talk about what it really means to be undeniable in your craft, how to lead by example, and why building others up is the mark of true strength. Tap in if you're ready to level up as a coach, an athlete or a human.

From front desk to COO! I sit down with Larry Maloney, the driving force behind the culture at Korrect Fitness (formerly Onnit Gym ATX) and one of the most grounded, hard working leaders I've ever met. We talk about how he went from whipping up smoothies to running operations, the power of showing up consistently, what it takes to build a world class gym and much more. If you've ever felt...

Sat down with my brother Alex Earle, one of the real ones shaping the energy at Onnit Gym and beyond. We talked about how a space becomes more than just a place to train....how it becomes a tribe. From the early days of Onnit and it's current evolution, to the rise of Black Swan Yoga, Alex has been in the mix, helping build something thats as much about connection as it is about strength. This...

Danielle's been a force in the Austin community for a while now, and having her on the show did not disappoint. We got into what it really means to take radical ownership, in your body, your story, and your relationships. Danielle doesn't hold back, and if you've been feeling stuck or out of alignment, give this one a listen.

In this episode I sit down with two guys from completely different backgrounds, James Arcieri, a strategic lead at Google Cloud and Harry Shepherd, an ex-Royal Marines Commando turned elite fitness coach. What do they have in common? Discipline, intensity, and a relentless drive to push boundaries. This one's for grinders, the thinkers, the ones chasing discomfort on purpose. I appreciate thes...

From the Hyrox arena to the daily grind, Gus Manke is someone who doesn't just talk about pushing limits..... he lives it. In this episode, we dive into what drives him, how he stays dialed in during the toughest parts of training, and why discipline beats motivation every single time. Whether you're an athlete, a weekend warrior, or just trying to level up in life, this one's for you!...

Join us for a deep dive into movement, mindset and modern strength with Onnit coach and founder of The Hybrid Human Project, Michael Jay Palser. In this episode, Michael shares his journey from traditional fitness to functional freedom, how primal movement patterns can unlock real performance, and why resilience, both mental and physical, is the future of training.

On episode 21, we sit down with Anthony Magallon, a top personal trainer from Austin, Texas. Anthony shares his journey, expert fitness insights, and the mindset needed to build lasting strength and discipline, both in the gym and in life. Whether you're just starting out or leveling up your fitness game, this is the motivation you need.

In this episode, I sit down with Rocio Cortez - a videographer, media branding specialist, and Jiu Jitsu athlete - to talk about what it means to live creatively and vulnerably. We dive into her journey from behind the camera to becoming a storyteller in her own right, her work in the world of combat sports, and how embracing vulnerability has shaped her both personally and professionally. Whether...

In this episode, we sit down with visionary artist Ulysses Gonzales- better known as Ugonzo- to explore the wild ride from underground painter to NFT pioneer. Ugonzo opens up about his roots in Garden Grove, the psychedelic influence that shape his surreal style and how a single post from Joe Rogan changed his career overnight. We dive deep into his explosive NFT project PsychoKitties, the creativ...

From behind the lens to behind the scenes. In this episode, we sit down with Carlos Reyes - videographer for Junior H and other regional stars - as he opens up about how he got his start, the role faith has played in his journey and how he's shaping the visual world of Latin music today.

In this deeply moving episode, we sit down with Samson Odusanya - a breath work facilitator, wellness coach, and soul-centered guide to explore what it means to overcome adversity and to use that experience as a tool to help others. Samson shares his powerful story of transformation, from navigating personal pain and inner disconnection to finding purpose through embodiment, breath, and radical se...

The one and only Eric "Primal Swoldier" Leija is in the house to tell us all about his journey on the way to becoming one of the most prolific coaches in the fitness industry. From working the Onnit warehouse, to MMA, to being an Adidas athlete, hear it all here!

Functional movement coach and Adidas trainer, Francheska Martinez, is in studio to discuss her fitness journey as well as what it has taken to become the prolific coach that she is today.

Strength and mobility coach Tara LaFerrara is in studio to chat about how she got started in the fitness industry, her background as an athlete and why she is on a mission to empower women. Hear it all here in Episode 14!

Coach, business owner and kettlebell wizard Wes Beans is in studio to talk about his journey not only into fitness but to Texas and how pursuing his dream has lead him to where he is today.

Former Professional Baseball player Austin Briggs stops by to talk about his athletic career, journey towards becoming a professional athlete and what he's doing now. Hear the challenges and obstacles he had to overcome and much more.

Founder of Austin Fitness Community, Josh Job, stops by to discuss what it's taken to build community here in Austin, his experience in college athletics and whats next for the fitness scene in Austin. Listen to it all here in episode 11.

Former professional boxer, Mike Lee, stops by the studio to discuss his career in combat sports, his mentality for big fights as well as his new venture into CBD and THC. Hear his story now in Ep10!

Sports journalist and ringside announcer, Radio Rahim, stops by to chat about the world of combat sports, how he got his start and talks about whats next for him. Hear how his love for boxing started, and about some of the amazing relationships he's made along the way.