Choose the Hard Way

Sharice Davids is a congresswoman from Kansas, a former White House fellow, a lawyer, and MMA fighter with 7 fights including two professional bouts. She joins Andrew Vontz & Jonathan Kaplan on United States of Sweat p/b Choose the Hard Way to share stories about training, fighting, and her hardest workout ever.  — United States of Sweat is the series where politicians and policymakers join us to share stories about fitness, health, and the sports they love. — Please hit subscribe & give this show a 5-star rating wherever you listen or watch. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — Jonathan Kaplan is the founder of WRITE CADENCE STRATEGIES, helping individuals and organizations navigate Washington, shape policy and manage reputational risk. He also writes RIDING WITH, a newsletter and podcast exploring the intersection of pro cycling, media, business and politics. Find that at ridingwithkaplan.substack.com. — To support Choose the Hard Way, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com. — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice – narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com — Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ — Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/ — Jonathan Kaplan Instagram: http://instagram.com/jonny99kaplan

Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz in conversation with Jeff Troesch, one of the most experienced mental performance coaches in elite sport. For nearly four decades, Jeff has helped athletes and teams win at the highest level, including the Super Bowl, World Series, NBA Finals, Stanley Cup, Olympic Games, and Grand Slams. — Special thanks to our title sponsor Blockchain.com, the most trusted name in crypto with over $1 trillion in transactions to date. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today. — Jeff has worked with the Seattle Mariners, Detroit Tigers, U.S. Soccer Federation, USA Track & Field, IMG Academy and David Leadbetter's Golf Academies, and has coached Olympic medalists in both summer and winter Games since 1988. — Jeff is also the author of One Day Better, a practical guide to building mental strength drawn from decades inside professional and collegiate sport. You can learn more about him and the book on instagram at https://instagram.com/8020_books. — Applied high performance and behavioral science are two pillars of the method I use in www.onerealvoice.com, my strategic communications practice that helps senior leaders thrive in open-ended, long-form communication formats. I've found Jeff's book to be a great resource that has given me new and practical ideas that I've enjoyed exploring.  — To support Choose the Hard Way, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com. — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice – narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com — Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/

The dramatic JK Normatec addiction intervention, detonating Mt. Lemmon records, the Dan Swenson World Tour 2026 bid, traveling with SciCon bike bags, and the applied high performance practices of aging parents going big in the desert.  — Spencer Martin of WeDu / Peacock / Beyond the Peloton + Jonathan Kaplan of Riding With join Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz to debrief on their Abandon Your Family LIVE! training camp in Tucson, AZ at Pace Ranch. — Special thanks to Pam Alexander and Tucson cycling community legends Paul and MaryAnn Wiederhold. — JOIN US: — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com — Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ — Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search — Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/ — ONE REAL VOICE - BE HEARD The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host isn't optional. It's now a mission-critical skill for senior leaders. — That's why I started my consultancy, https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. |— With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com. —  

Tears, chamois cream, glory. Carb slurry was downed by the gallon and tears were shed in garages and at dinner tables around the world as the community collectively gave everything to secure midpack glory at select gravel major and minor races in mid 2026. — This episode is a conversation about the Abandon Your Family 30,000 experience with Choose the Hard Way & One Real Voice founder Andrew Vontz, Spencer Martin of WeDu / Peacock / Beyond the Peloton, Jonathan Kaplan of the Riding With newsletter / pod & special guest Paul Redmayne in the UAE, a 4x outdoor Everester who drops the shocking truth that he rides a 12-inch wide Brooks saddle on his indoor bike.— Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — Paul Redmayne: https://www.instagram.com/paul.redmayne/?hl=en —Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search — Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/ — Choose the Hard Way is the show about how hard things build stronger humans who have more fun. This episode is about living that philosophy and how you can, too.— The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host isn't optional. It's now a mission-critical skill for senior leaders. — That's why I started my consultancy, https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com. — JOIN US: — One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com— Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/

Jens Voigt raced the Tour de France 17 times, wore the yellow jersey, won stages in the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, and set the Hour Record on the track at age 43. He joins Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz how crashing at 70 km/h changes you in ways the world doesn't see and the long arc of a life in sport. — This episode explores Jens' childhood and upbringing in the former East Germany, his path through a state-run sports academy, and what it was like to build a career inside professional cycling without ever being the protected rider. — This is a conversation about parenting six kids, literally carrying teammates through hard times, aging and how he stays World Tour fast to feel good and have fun. — To support Choose the Hard Way, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com. — Jens Voigt on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thejensie/ — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice – narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com— Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/  

Patrick J Murphy, First Iraq War Veteran Elected to Congress and Former Under Secretary of the Army — Patrick J Murphy was the first Iraq War veteran elected to the United States Congress and later served as Under Secretary of the Army. He joins Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz for a wide-ranging conversation on service, leadership and responsibility. — This episode explores what it means to engage seriously with people who hold different points of view and why stepping outside an echo chamber is a necessary discipline, not a political stance. — This is a conversation about leadership without performance, curiosity without defensiveness and the work required to stay human in complex systems. — Follow along here for new episodes and reflections and to support this work please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host and being able to operate in dynamic unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders and doing it well isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/ to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and the internal and external high-stakes open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today no experience required. — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com. — Patrick J. Murphy: https://patrickmurphypa.substack.com/ — Patrick on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/patrickmurphypa/ — More about Patrick: www.patrickjmurphy.com  — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice – narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com — Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ —  

On day 8 of the Abandon Your Family 500, Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz, Spencer Martin of Beyond the Peloton, and Jonathan Kaplan of Riding With share stories of deep fatigue, angry families, and the kind of indoor training glory you can earn but can't buy.  — They explore the strain this challenge has placed on their friendship, and why they can't wait to do it again, slightly differently, in two weeks when they kick off the Abandon Your Family 30,000.  — But first comes the second installment in the Choose the Hard Way Abandon Your Family Triple Crown, the 10 Pack. Follow www.instagram.com/hardwaypod for more info and DM Andrew or join the Strava Club to get in the action. https://www.strava.com/clubs/choosethehardway.  — After that we'll be tackling the Abandon Your Family 30,000? It's climbing 30,000 vertical feet in a week, and the annual step Andrew, Spencer, and Jonathan take to polish their form before the Choose the Hard Way x Beyond the Peloton x Riding with x Kip's Corner training camp.  — The 10 Pack starts December 25th and runs through January 1. The goal is to complete 10 Zwift races in that time frame and punch the ticket to get your 10 Pack.    — Choose the Hard Way is the podcast about how hard things build stronger people who have more fun. The Abandon Your Family 500 is one of thousands of ways the Choose the Hard Way community around the world embodies this philosophy every day.  — Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/.  — DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.  — Heads up, we've got a full-length interview with Jens Voigt as you've never heard him before coming soon, stay tuned.  — Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/.  — DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.  — ----- The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com.  ----- — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ----- — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  ----- — JOIN US: — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com — Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ — Chase Wark: https://www.instagram.com/chasethebiker/ — WUKAR Fit / Art O'Connor: https://www.instagram.com/wukarfit/ — Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search — Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Chase Wark pounds Frosted Flakes & puts in 4.5 hours on a single bottle of water in his in-laws' 15-degree garage to pass the 760 km mark -- and Kip Taylor -- on the Abandon Your Family 500 leaderboard on day 6. — Art O'Connor, aka WUKAR Fit, strength coach to pro cycling's biggest names including Chase, World Champion Keegan Swenson and many more, reveals why Patrick Swayze is the secret to high performance on the trainer. — Jonathan Kaplan of Riding With reveals the indoor / outdoor hybrid approach that is taking D.C. and the Abandon Your Family 500 community by storm.  — Spence logs off to continue to horde secret miles for a big reveal on day 10. — Andrew Vontz completes the Abandon Your Family 500, kisses Tempus Fugit goodbye, and just when you thought challenge season was over, drops details on the AYF Triple Crown series. — Heads up, we've got a full-length interview with Jens Voigt as you've never heard him before coming soon, stay tuned.  — Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/.  — DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.  — -----The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy. — That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. — When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com.  ----- — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ----- — Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  ----- —JOIN US: — Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com — Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod — Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ — Chase Wark: https://www.instagram.com/chasethebiker/ — WUKAR Fit / Art O'Connor: https://www.instagram.com/wukarfit/ — Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search — Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Abandon Your Family 500 2025 Day 4 with Jonathan Kaplan and Andrew Vontz. Reflections on bad sleep, big carbs, and the skirmish between Front Range legends Andy Leach and Kip Taylor to top out first and complete #AYF500 in an FKT of under four days. — Day 4 sees the Kingpin, Big Spence, continue his secret training during the Boulder blackout. When will he switch his rides from "private" to "everyone" and deliver the big surprise sure to put him in the headlines? — Heads up. We have a full-length interview with Jens Voigt coming soon, and you will hear him in a way you never have before. — Follow along here for daily-ish episodes. To support this work, please become a paid subscriber: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ — DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AYF500 is going and what you would like us to cover in the daily updates. — The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host, and being able to operate in dynamic, unscripted contexts, isn't optional. It is now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it well is hard. That's why Andrew Vontz started One Real Voice, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels, and in high-stakes, open-ended internal and external conversations where reputations are built and business is won. https://www.onerealvoice.com/ When you're ready to be great, DM: https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to: hello@onerealvoice.com — With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Get started today, no experience required. https://www.blockchain.com — Lauf is the Apple of bike design. They make elegant products that just work better than everything else. https://www.laufcycles.com — JOIN US Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice. Narrative, strategy, and coaching for podcasts and high-stakes conversations https://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Abandon Your Family 500 2025 Day 3 brings big drama when 100 mile-per-hour winds mean the power grid goes offline in Boulder and Big Spence has to skip the daily recording to keep banking secret miles to upload later at an undisclosed location. Meanwhile, Andy Leach powers over the top and dominates the leaderboard while Meg Volz enters the chat and shows her family what commitment looks like. Jonathan Kaplan of Riding With logs another signature indoor / outdoor Norwegian method dual threshold workout day and continues his love letter to High Fidelity with hopes of getting Nick Hornby into the challenge. Andrew Vontz shares the secrets that gets him through the moment that arrives every day when his brain says why are you doing this and his wife asks him if there's a better week than this to ride a trainer for 20 hours. Choose the Hard Way is the podcast about how hard things build stronger people who have more fun. The Abandon Your Family 500 is one of thousands of ways the Choose the Hard Way community around the world embodies this philosophy every day. Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.   ----- The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy. That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com.  ----- With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ----- Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  ----- JOIN US: Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

A deep dive on the big action and family fallout from day one of the Abandon Your Family 500 in a groundbreaking conversation with Andrew Vontz / Choose the Hard Way, Spencer Martin / Beyond the Peloton, Jonathan Kaplan / Riding With, and the front range legend Kip Taylor (of Kip's Corner fame) making his highly anticipated Choose the Hard way debut.   Andrew, Jonathan, & Spencer press Kip on his 11th-hour upload of a 105-mile ride on day one. Get a look inside the high-stakes world of #AYF500 strategy from one of the masters of the game in this discussion of the obstacles challenge participants are overcoming to get the challenge done. Country breakfasts, family feuds, entertainment recommendations, this episode has it all. Choose the Hard Way is the podcast about how hard things build stronger people who have more fun. The Abandon Your Family 500 is one of thousands of ways the Choose the Hard Way community around the world embodies this philosophy every day. Follow along here for dailyish episodes here and to support this work, please become a paid subscriber of https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/. DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.  ----- The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host + being able to rock in dynamic, unscripted contexts isn't optional. It's now a mandatory skill for senior leaders, and doing it right isn't easy. That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the internal & external high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com.  ----- With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ----- Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  ----- JOIN US: Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/  

Nothing says I love you like abandoning your family to get in shape for your endurance sport. The Abandon Your Family 500 is a challenge to ride 500 km on planet earth or on a virtual cycling platform over the course of 10 days brought to you by Choose the Hard Way / Andrew Vontz, Beyond the Peloton / Spencer Martin, and Riding With / Jonathan Kaplan.  During the #AYF500, Andrew, Jonathan, & Spencer will be doing minisodes to share their experience participating in one of life's most rewarding experiences: having fun doing something hard with your friends. Follow along here and at https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ DM Andrew on Instagram and let him know how your #AFY500 is going and anything you'd like us to cover in our daily updates.  ----- The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host isn't optional. It's now a mission-critical skill for senior leaders. That's why Andrew Vontz started https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com.  ----- With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ----- Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  ----- JOIN US: Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Choose the Hard Way is the show about how hard things build stronger humans who have more fun. This episode is about living that philosophy and how you can, too.   Choose the Hard Way & One Real Voice founder Andrew Vontz, Spencer Martin of WeDu / Peacock / Beyond the Peloton, and Jonathan Kaplan of the Riding With newsletter / pod discuss the history and lore of the Abandon Your Family 500. The #AYF500 is a challenge to do what endurance athletes do best--focus on themselves, ignore their families and real life obligations and ride 500km between December 15 and 25. The second annual Abandon Your Family 500 kicks off soon. If you want to secure your mid-place finish at a Lifetime Grand Prix event or other gravel major in 2026, the time to get started is right now. DM Andrew on Instagram to join the challenge.  ----- The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host isn't optional. It's now a mission-critical skill for senior leaders. That's why I started my consultancy, https://www.onerealvoice.com/, to help industry leaders thrive on podcasts, panels and in the high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM https://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com.  ----- With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ----- Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  ----- JOIN US: Andrew Vontz's Choose the Hard Way newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice - narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: http://www.onerealvoice.com Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hardwaypod Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz/ Jonathan Kaplan's Riding With newsletter: https://ridingwithkaplan.substack.com/p/riding-with-friends?utm_source=publication-search Spencer Martin's Beyond the Peloton newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Former NFL linebacker & Texas Congressman Colin Allred joins hosts Andrew Vontz & Jonathan Kaplan on United States of Sweat, presented by Choose the Hard Way. Allred played at Baylor and for the Tennessee Titans before a neck injury ended his NFL career. He went on to earn a law degree from Berkeley, work in the Obama administration, and win a U.S. House seat in 2018. After a close Senate race in 2024, he's back on the campaign trail, running again to represent Texas in the U.S. Senate. Allred talks about the mindset it takes to survive the NFL—where, as he says, there's a 100% injury rate—and how that toughness translates to politics, parenthood, and public service. Plus: his favorite way to train and the one piece of workout gear he can't live without. --------- Jonathan Kaplan is the founder of WRITE CADENCE STRATEGIES, helping individuals and organizations navigate Washington, shape policy and manage reputational risk. He also writes RIDING WITH, a newsletter and podcast exploring the intersection of pro cycling, media, business and politics. Find that at ridingwithkaplan.substack.com.--------- For senior execs, pro athletes, and political leaders, podcasts aren't optional anymore. They're mission-critical. At One Real Voice, Andrew Vontz coaches leaders 1:1 to help them thrive as podcast guests & hosts and stand out in the long-form, open-ended conversations where real influence is built.  When you're ready to be great, DM him @hardwaypod or email hello@onerealvoice.com. --------- The number one way to support Choose the Hard Way is to become a paid subscriber to  alwaysthehardway.substack.com. That's where Andrew Vontz shares his reflections on these interviews and writes about engaged mindfulness, bikes and life.  --------- Wherever you're listening to this podcast, please subscribe and hit 5 stars. ------------- Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, https://www.blockchain.com/ is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Create your free wallet and get up to 10% in annual rewards by putting your crypto to work. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ------------- Choose the Hard Way Newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ ------------- One Real Voice podcast coaching & strategy: https://www.onerealvoice.com/

Pro cyclist Dylan Johnson & Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz on why you should always finish the races you start. Choose the Hard Way is the show about how hard things build stronger humans who have more fun. This conversation explores why Dylan Johnson walked two hours in road bike shoes on gravel to get to the finish line in the Big Sugar classic, the final race in the 2025 Life Time Grand Prix. Choose the Hard Way has big plans for 2026. We need your help to make it happen. Please help me double the Choose the Hard Way community in the next three months. Share this episode with a friend, subscribe and take a moment to hit five stars and like this wherever you listen or watch. I share my reflections on every episode on my Substack, and the number one thing you can do to help me bring you more of these conversations is to become a paid subscriber. Find my Substack at alwaysthehardway.substack.com and you can always find the link in my bio @hardwaypod on Instagram and in the show notes. The media landscape has changed. Scripted is out. Real is in. Being a great podcast guest or host isn't optional. It's now a mission-critical skill for senior leaders. That's why I started my consultancy, One Real Voice, to help you thrive on podcasts, panels and the high-stakes, open-ended conversations where reputations are built and business is won. When you're ready to be great, DM @hardwaypod or reach out to hello@onerealvoice.com. Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at laufcycles.com. LINKS Substack: alwaysthehardway.substack.com One Real Voice – narrative, strategy and coaching for podcasts & high-stakes conversations: onerealvoice.com Instagram: instagram.com/hardwaypod LinkedIn: linkedin.com/in/andrewvontz Follow Dylan: instagram.com/dylanjawnson

Spencer Martin of Beyond the Peloton / WEDU / Peacock's Tour de France team & Andrew Vontz, co-host of the Beyond the Peloton podcast & creator of the Choose the Hard Way podcast & newsletter talk about why 15 minute training sessions count and how we get it done on the road, at the playground with the kids or at home. We're both dads, bike racers and recovering perfectionists who have found 15 minutes is plenty of time to get in an impactful workout. Marketing might persuade you to think you need an hour, a $20,000 bike, and a $12 recovery shake to stay fit. You don't. We talk about how to train when you're traveling, at your kid's soccer practice or living out of a GoRuck bag. Andrew shares why he always has a TRX and a GoRuck bag in his truck wherever he goes and brings it with him on the road. Spencer shares his Drago-style hill sprint workout secret and why carrying your child might be the ultimate force multiplier to build strength. This episode is part of an experimental series of short episodes exploring real-world functional training for real people with busy lives who are committed to staying fit. Whether you're racing Unbound, BWR, Mid South, Overland, Gravel Worlds, or just a busy parent who enjoys running, riding, lifting, hybrid training, Hyrox, or being able to get off the floor after a Netflix binge without injuring yourself, your fascia and breathwork will thank you for listening to this stunning episode. Leave a comment or DM @hardwaypod and let us know what you think of this new format. The number one way to support Choose the Hard Way is to become a paid subscriber at alwaysthehardway.substack.com. That's where I write about mindfulness, bikes, and what it takes to stay human in an optimized world. At https://www.onerealvoice.com/, Andrew Vontz coaches leaders to thrive as storytellers and stand out in the long-form podcast conversations where real influence is built. If you have a podcast — or are starting one — I can help you win from episode one and keep winning. When you're ready to be great, DM me @hardwaypod. Wherever you're listening, subscribe and do humanity a favor when you hit five stars. Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Create your free wallet and earn up to 10% in annual rewards. Choose the Hard Way Newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice Coaching & Strategy: https://www.onerealvoice.com/ Beyond the Peloton Newsletter: https://beyondthepeloton.substack.com/

Josh Turek knows how to win. A U.S. Senate candidate, current Iowa State Legislator, and two-time Paralympic gold medalist for Team USA, Josh joins Andrew Vontz & Jonathan Kaplan on United States of Sweat presented by Choose the Hard Way. This is the show where politicians and policymakers share stories about fitness, health and the sports they love playing.  Josh has faced adversity his entire life. Born with Spina Bifida after his dad was exposed to Agent Orange in Vietnam, he overcame 21 surgeries by the age of 12. Later he was cut from the Team USA wheelchair basketball squad six times.  Relentless in his training and as a top professional wheelchair basketball player, Josh kept coming back.  He finally made the team and went on to represent the U.S. at four Para-Olympics where he won two gold medals. After his basketball career ended with a gold medal in Tokyo in 2021, Josh campaigned to represent his hometown of Council Bluffs in the state legislature.  Competing in a district that Donald Trump won twice, Josh pushed his chair up hills and crawled up stairs to talk to Iowans of all political stripes, eventually winning his first race by six votes.  He was re-elected by a five-point margin at the same time Trump was winning the seat by eight points, not only because of his work ethic but because he's developed a reputation as a common-sense, bipartisan legislator. --------- Jonathan Kaplan is the founder of WRITE CADENCE STRATEGIES, helping individuals and organizations navigate Washington, shape policy and manage reputational risk. He also writes RIDING WITH, a newsletter and podcast exploring the intersection of pro cycling, media, business and politics. Find that at ridingwithkaplan.substack.com. --------- The number one way to support Choose the Hard Way is to become a paid subscriber to  alwaysthehardway.substack.com. That's where Andrew Vontz shares his reflections on these interviews and writes about engaged mindfulness, bikes and life.  --------- For senior execs, pro athletes, and political leaders, podcasts aren't optional anymore. They're mission-critical. At One Real Voice, Andrew Vontz coaches leaders 1:1 to help them thrive as storytellers and stand out in the long-form podcast conversations where real influence is built.  When you're ready to be great, DM him @hardwaypod or email hello@onerealvoice.com. --------- Wherever you're listening to this podcast, please subscribe and hit 5 stars. ------------- Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, https://www.blockchain.com/ is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Create your free wallet and get up to 10% in annual rewards by putting your crypto to work. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. ------------- Choose the Hard Way Newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ ------------- One Real Voice podcast coaching & strategy: https://www.onerealvoice.com/

Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz (@hardwaypod) in conversation with pro cyclist Payson McElveen (@paysonmcelveen), Red Bull athlete and creator of the With Pace podcast & Riding with Pace YouTube channel.  In a sport filled with mustaches, Payson McElveen has the most famous mustache.  Payson's palmares includes a pair of wins at The Mid South, two marathon mountain bike national championship titles (2017, 2018) and his films and podcast are among the biggest in offroad cycling. His With Pace podcast is a great listen and one of the biggest in endurance sports. His adventure films are hugely popular and cover his own go-fast exploits including a White Rim FKT and an FKT for crossing Iceland under human power, not the power of lightning-bolt throwing deities. But the hardest ride is the one you don't see. There are hundreds of hours of Payson McElveen content out there and for an adventurer like Payson it seemed appropriate and more fun to go into new territory in this conversation. It was a fun one and I'm excited to share it with you.  You can find his podcast With Pace everywhere you listen and get more Payson at www.withpace.cc and @paysonmcelveen on Instagram and YouTube. -------- Whether you've been listening since 2018 or are new here, the number one thing you can do to support this project is to become a paid subscriber to the Choose the Hard Way substack, alwaysthehardway.substack.com or just search for Choose the Hard Way in the Substack app.  -------- The media landscape has changed and long-form podcasts are a mission-critical channel for anyone who wants to connect with their target audience and build influence. Former Strava executive / journalist / startup founder / podcaster Andrew Vontz started One Real Voice to coach senior leaders to meet the moment and be great podcast guests or hosts.  If you have a podcast or are starting one, I also provide strategic guidance to help you create a road map that works today and over time. Set yourself up to win from the beginning and keep on winning with every episode.  -------- When you're ready to be great, DM me @hardwaypod or email hello@onerealvoice.com. Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. -------- Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  -------- This podcast is also brought to you by my best-in-class partners at Palm Tree Pod Co. They're a full-service podcast studio with end-to-end services to help any brand, business or individual take a strategic approach and standout. Find them at www.palmtreepodco.com.

Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz in conversation with Steve Grant, author of the memoir MAILMAN: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home. With rave reviews in The New York Times, the Washington Post, The New Yorker and The Atlantic, the memoir MAILMAN: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home is one of the hottest literary debuts in recent memory. Steve is a graduate of the Iowa Writers' Workshop and has been a marketing consultant and behavioral economist for more than 25 years. He's also an Eagle Scout and led the rebranding effort to transform the Boy Scouts of America into Scouting America and is the only person I have personally met who has both been shot by a mass shooter and has also made a movie about a mass shooter.   Find Steve at www.stevegrantworks.com and on Instagram at http://www.instagram.com/stevegrant_mailman. A message from Andrew: Choose the Hard Way is the podcast about how hard things build stronger humans who have more fun. I am grateful to have a big audience that's growing fast and I would really appreciate it if you would take a moment to hit five stars and subscribe wherever you listen or watch.  Whether you've been listening since 2018 or are new here, the number one thing you can do to support this project is to become a paid subscriber to my substack. Find the link in bio, go to alwaysthehardway.substack.com or just search for Choose the Hard Way in the Substack app.  At One Real Voice, I coach leaders 1:1 to help them thrive as storytellers and stand out in the long-form podcast conversations where real influence is built.  If you have a podcast or are starting one, I also provide strategic guidance to help you create a road map that works today and over time. Set yourself up to win from the beginning and keep on winning with every episode.  When you're ready to be great, DM me @hardwaypod or email hello@onerealvoice.com. Steve and I overlapped in the early 2000s in Los Angeles when I was a journalist and Steve was working at an ad agency with my friend Emily, and many other human beings.  Like every story there's more to Steve's than what you'll read in MAILMAN. Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, Blockchain.com is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. Lauf is the Apple of bike design and they make elegant products that just work better than everything else. Check them out at www.laufcycles.com.  This podcast is also brought to you by my best-in-class partners at Palm Tree Pod Co. They're a full-service podcast studio with end-to-end services to help any brand, business or individual take a strategic approach and standout. Find them at www.palmtreepodco.com Grab your envelopes and stamps and buckle into your right-hand drive vehicle, it's time to Mailman.   

Rahm Emanuel was the U.S. Ambassador to Japan from 2022 to 2025. Prior to that, he served as the White House Chief of Staff from 2009 to 2010 under President Barack Obama, and as the Mayor of Chicago from 2011 to 2019. He also represented Illinois in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2003 to 2009.  Welcome back to United States of Sweat presented by Choose the Hard Way where politicians and policymakers join us to share stories about fitness, health and the sports they love playing.  Jonathan Kaplan is my co-host and the founder of WRITE CADENCE STRATEGIES, helping organizations navigate Washington, shape policy and manage reputational risk. He also writes RIDING WITH, a newsletter and podcast exploring the intersection of pro cycling, media, business and politics. Find that at ridingwithkaplan.substack.com. The number one way to support Choose the Hard Way is to become a paid subscriber to my substack, alwaysthehardway.substack.com. That's where I share my reflections on these interviews and write about engaged mindfulness, bikes and life.  For senior execs, pro athletes, and political leaders, podcasts aren't optional anymore. They're mission-critical. At One Real Voice, I coach leaders 1:1 to help them thrive as storytellers and stand out in the long-form podcast conversations where real influence is built.  When you're ready to be great, DM me @hardwaypod or email hello@onerealvoice.com. Wherever you're listening to this podcast, please subscribe and do humanity a favor when you hit 5 stars. Crypto curious? With over $1 trillion in transactions to date, https://www.blockchain.com/ is your trusted partner on your crypto journey. Create your free wallet and get up to 10% in annual rewards by putting your crypto to work. Go to Blockchain.com to get started today, no experience required. Choose the Hard Way Newsletter: https://alwaysthehardway.substack.com/ One Real Voice podcast coaching & strategy: https://www.onerealvoice.com/ Connect with Palm Tree Pod Co.