Addicted, 350 Pounds, and Ready to Die… Until Everything Changed

More Than Miles: The Discipline Behind an Extraordinary Life

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 led him to the University of Oregon, Western States Chiropractic College, and a move to Tualatin in 1991, where he built both a successful chiropractic practice and a life centered around serving others. As a Youth Pastor, Worship Pastor, husband, and father of three daughters—including twin daughters born in 1996—Drake's schedule was already full before he discovered endurance sports. What started as an attempt to shed a few pounds of "sympathy weight" quickly turned into a lifelong passion. After running his first marathon in 1997 and making every rookie mistake imaginable, Drake was hooked. He went on to tackle triathlons, Half Ironmans, Ironman races, 100-mile ultramarathons, Ultraman Canada, and eventually the prestigious Ultraman World Championships. For more than 25 years, Drake woke up no later than 3:00 a.m. to train before his family started their day. Those early mornings fueled incredible athletic accomplishments, but the medals and finish lines aren't what matter most to him. Some of his favorite memories came from running races with his daughters, completing Disney marathons together, pacing first-time marathoners, helping athletes qualify for Boston, and supporting others in achieving goals they never thought possible. We discuss his journey from first-time marathoner to Ironman World Championship competitor, the lessons learned from decades of endurance training, and how his perspective has shifted from chasing personal records to creating meaningful experiences with the people he loves. Today, with four grandchildren, a fifth on the way, and a renewed focus on longevity, Drake is thinking less about finish times and more about staying healthy enough to create "forever memories" with future generations. This conversation is about much more than endurance sports. It's about discipline, consistency, servant leadership, family, faith, and the realization that the greatest victories in life often happen far beyond the finish line.

From Heroin, Homelessness & Crime to Saving Lives | Lance Orton's Comeback Story

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 degree in Business Administration from San Diego State University, worked in technology sales, helped launch a resort in Napa Valley with his father, and later served in the Army's 101st Airborne Division. From the outside, his future looked bright. But after the tragic loss of his father in 2005, Lance's life took a devastating turn. What began with prescription painkillers eventually spiraled into a heroin addiction that consumed everything in its path. Over the next decade, addiction cost him his career, his family, his stability, and ultimately his home. He bounced from city to city chasing a life that seemed to slip further away with every passing year. By 2018, Lance had reached rock bottom. Homeless, involved in crime, and living under the constant threat of the dangerous people surrounding the drug world, he found himself hiding in Portland after a drug dealer's enforcer tracked him down and stole his car. It was a moment that forced him to confront the reality of where addiction had taken him. That same year, Lance entered CityTeam's recovery program. What happened next is nothing short of remarkable. Not only did he rebuild his life, but he dedicated himself to helping others do the same. Today, Lance serves as the Executive Director of CityTeam Portland, leading efforts to provide treatment, shelter, and hope to those battling addiction and homelessness. He is also working alongside Portland Mayor Keith Wilson to expand access to recovery services throughout the region. This conversation is a raw and honest look at addiction, loss, resilience, faith, and the power of second chances. Lance's story proves that your worst chapter doesn't have to define the rest of your life—and that sometimes the people best equipped to lead others out of darkness are the ones who have fought their way through it themselves.

The Metal Cowboy’s Next Ride: Reborn Bikes

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, and Mud, Sweat, and Gears, and his storytelling has been featured in major publications including Outside, Rolling Stone, and Bicycling. Known for blending wild adventure, humor, and hard-earned wisdom, Joe has spent a lifetime proving that the bicycle can be far more than transportation — it can be a vehicle for transformation. But Joe’s story goes far deeper than epic rides and bestselling books. After battling through a life-threatening illness that forced him to confront his own mortality, he shifted his focus toward purpose-driven service, dedicating the second half of his life to giving back. As Executive Director of Reborn Bikes, Joe has helped grow one of the largest free bike distribution nonprofits in the country, now putting more than 10,000 refurbished bikes annually into the hands of children and underserved families throughout the Pacific Northwest. In this conversation, Joe shares stories from the road, lessons from surviving adversity, the healing power of movement, and why he believes a bicycle can change not just a life — but an entire community. This is an episode about resilience, reinvention, and what it means to keep moving forward no matter what life throws your way.

BONUS EPISODE: The Hidden Hustles of Cabo’s Beaches

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. Drew also shares his own unforgettable experience of things taking a turn while renting jet skis, forcing him to get out fast when a situation escalated. Together, they unpack the lessons they’ve learned about staying sharp, trusting your instincts, and avoiding costly mistakes when traveling and negotiating in unfamiliar environments. This episode is packed with real-world insight, entertaining stories, and practical advice on how to avoid getting scammed when the pressure is on.

Beaten, Electrocuted, and Left for Dead—His Story of Survival

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 falling deeper into addiction, Jesus was rescued by his brother and returned to Cabo, where he rebuilt his life from nothing—eventually building a successful excursion business with four boats of his own. But after refusing extortion demands from cartel members and corrupt police, Jesus and his family were forced to flee for their safety. Now sober, safe, and running his business remotely, Jesus reflects on a hard-earned truth: they can take your possessions, but they can’t take what matters most. This powerful episode of the Fit For Radio Podcast is a story of perseverance, faith, and what it takes to rebuild when everything is on the line.