The Judd Lienhard Podcast

In this Q&A episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd answers listener questions on strength training after 35, recovery after 45, VO2 max vs sprint training, fat loss for trained athletes, injury rehab strategies, and how to stay athletic for life.
If you’re navigating midlife training adjustments, trying to maintain muscle during injury recovery, or wondering whether VO2 max workouts are worth the hype, this episode delivers practical, no-BS coaching insight.
Judd dives deep into the biggest training mistakes men make after 35, why nutrition habits often matter more than training tweaks, and how to structure strength and power work without burning out your nervous system.
This is a comprehensive conversation about longevity-focused training — not just getting stronger, but staying capable, mobile, and resilient into your 40s, 50s, and beyond.
This episode is brought to you by LMNT.
Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd
The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits.
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What if the way you’ve been training for strength is actually limiting your power?
In this episode, Judd sits down with Dr. Bryan Mann — pioneer of velocity-based training (VBT), former University of Missouri strength coach, and professor of Performance Physiology at Texas A&M — to break down how measuring bar speed can completely change the way you train.
Bryan coined the term “velocity-based training” and helped bring it into Division 1 athletics. But this conversation goes far beyond elite football weight rooms.
Contact Bryan:
If you are interested in applying for Bryan's program for the Fall of 2026, even though the portal is technically closed, they are willing to make an exception for Judd's listeners. You have until March 15th to email Bryan at the address below directly expressing interest and then Bryan will send out a link to all interested people.
[email protected]
https://www.instagram.com/jbryanmann/
https://knsm.tamu.edu/programs/performance-physiology-strength-conditioning-m-s/
You’ll learn:
• What velocity-based training really is (and how simple it can be)
 • Why maximal intent matters more than load percentage
 • How stopping sets before failure can improve strength faster
 • The difference between strength-speed and speed-strength
 • How to find your peak power and train in the right zone
 • Why bands and chains can unlock new adaptations
 • How to use velocity loss for hypertrophy vs strength
 • Why sprinting and jumping are essential — even for non-athletes
 • The #1 predictor of staying out of a nursing home
 • How power training improves gait speed in Parkinson’s patients
Bryan explains that strength raises your ceiling — but velocity determines how much of that strength you can actually express.
Most lifters get strong… but not powerful.
And for aging populations, power might matter even more than strength. Bryan shares groundbreaking research showing that high-velocity resistance training improves habitual gait speed in Parkinson’s patients — even when they weren’t instructed to walk faster.
This episode is for:
 • Athletes
 • Coaches
 • Lifters stuck at plateaus
 • Anyone who wants to train smarter
 • Anyone who cares about long-term functional independence
If you’ve ever wondered whether grinding to failure is really necessary… or if there’s a better way to build explosive strength — this conversation is for you.
This episode is brought to you by LMNT.
Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd
The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits.
Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

In this Q&A episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd answers listener questions covering plyometrics, tendon health, bone density, sleep hygiene, recovery, aging as an athlete, barefoot shoes, sled alternatives, and how to train intelligently over 30 and 40.
The biggest takeaway? If you care about long-term joint health and resilience, frequent extensive plyometrics may be one of the most important tools you’re not using.
Judd breaks down the difference between extensive vs intensive plyometrics, how aging affects your ability to tolerate high-impact work, and why incline sprints, stair jumps, sled drags, and split jumps can be smarter options as you get older.
He also dives into practical strategies for:
Improving sleep hygiene and bedtime routines
Training effectively when you can’t get ideal sleep (new parents, busy professionals)
Using supplements like magnesium, GABA, and creatine strategically
Choosing barefoot shoes for foot health
Replacing sled work with heavy carries or hill work
Managing slight scoliosis and muscular imbalances
Handling training partners who constantly critique your form
Calorie intake for performance and dieting
Adapting your mindset as you age and accumulate injuries
Judd also shares personal reflections on training in his 40s — including dealing with joint wear, previous injuries, and the mental shift required to stay productive without chasing what your body no longer tolerates well.
If you’re an athlete over 30, a lifter focused on longevity, or someone who wants to build a body that lasts decades — this episode delivers practical, no-nonsense advice.
Key Topics Covered:
Why plyometrics improve tendon strength and bone density
How often to do plyometrics over 30
Extensive vs intensive jumps
Sleep quality vs sleep quantity
Recovery strategies when life limits your sleep
Barefoot shoe recommendations
Sled alternatives for conditioning
Training around structural imbalances
The psychology of aging as a lifter
This episode is brought to you by LMNT.
Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd
The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits.
Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

In this Q&A episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd answers listener questions covering strength training, functional fitness, workout programming, and some of the most debated topics in the gym world.
Judd breaks down why the Turkish getup may be the single most valuable exercise for overall health and athleticism, explains whether compound lifts are enough on their own, and shares how to structure training blocks when you’re chasing multiple goals like strength, power, speed, and endurance.
This episode also dives into the resurgence of low-volume high-intensity training (HIT), when it can actually be useful, and why long-term progress still requires smart volume and consistency.
Other topics include training to failure, Jefferson curls, Olympic cleans, glute development (yes, even for men), and whether decline bench deserves a spot in your program.
If you want practical, science-backed training advice without the noise, this one covers it all.
In This Episode, Judd Covers:
Why Turkish getups are unmatched for functional strength
Compound lifts vs isolation work (the 80/20 rule)
How to organize strength, power, and conditioning together
The truth about low-volume high-intensity training (HIT)
What to do when you miss your rep target mid-set
How men can build monster glutes with smarter training
Jefferson curls: benefits, risks, and proper progression
Olympic cleans: how much is strength vs skill
Why training to failure isn’t necessary (and when it is)
Decline bench press for full chest development
This episode is brought to you by LMNT.
Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd
The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits.
Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥

In this episode of the Judd Lienhard Podcast, Judd sits down with Bo Sandoval, former Director of Strength & Conditioning at the UFC Performance Institute and current professor at Texas A&M, to unpack how elite fighters actually train — and why most athletes misunderstand conditioning, endurance, and recovery.
Bo has worked with world champions, Olympic athletes, and elite MMA fighters across every weight class. Drawing from years inside the UFC Performance Institute, he explains why fighters often gas out, how poor energy system development limits performance, and why doing more training is often the fastest way to get worse.
This conversation breaks down the real science and application behind:
Why most fighters don’t follow a true year-long training plan
The role of general physical preparation (GPP) in combat sports
How aerobic capacity impacts recovery between rounds
Metabolic flexibility and why many athletes burn carbs at rest
Zone 2 vs zone 3 vs lactate threshold training
Why lactic acid isn’t the enemy
Conditioning differences between strikers and grapplers
Strength training mistakes common in MMA
How elite performance teams integrate coaches, PTs, and sports science
Lessons fighters can teach everyday athletes about durability and longevity
Bo also shares insights on athlete buy-in, coaching communication, and why fundamentals — not flashy workouts — are what separate elite performers from burned-out athletes.
Whether you’re a fighter, coach, strength professional, or just someone trying to train smarter and recover better, this episode delivers practical insights you can actually apply.
FOLLOW BO
https://www.instagram.com/bo.sandoval/
This episode is brought to you by LMNT.
Optimal hydration doesn’t just mean more fluids, it means getting the right electrolyte balance. Make your purchase through my link to receive a free LMNT Sample Pack featuring the most popular flavors: drinklmnt.com/judd
The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers unfiltered conversations with elite athletes, military leaders, and top coaches, exploring performance, mindset, and resilience. From NFL vets to Special Forces operators, each episode is packed with real-world lessons on training, leadership, and pushing limits.
Enjoyed this conversation? Consider sharing it with a friend. Subscribe, Rate, & Review to help us bring you more epic conversations. ⭐️🎧🔥