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

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.

Fire, No Heat, and No Chill

Fit For Radio is a podcast built around people who overcome the odds — and host Drew Tydeman has made a career out of pulling those stories out of others. But after everything that's happened to him lately, his old buddy Tac might argue it's time Drew took a seat on the other side of the mic. The two longtime friends sit down for a long-overdue catch-up episode, getting the audience up to speed on where Fit For Radio has been and where it's headed. It's loose, it's candid, and it feels exactly like what it is — two old friends with a lot to talk about. Then the stories start coming out. Drew's dishwasher caught fire. His furnace was deemed a hazard and shut off in the middle of sub-freezing temperatures — during an NFL playoff game, no less. At this point, which is actually the greater tragedy? It's genuinely hard to say. And if that wasn't enough, a house fire broke out and began threatening an entire forest of towering 100-foot Douglas firs. Thankfully, a rapid response from the fire department saved the trees — and probably a lot more than that. Drew normally sits across from people who have faced serious adversity and come out the other side. Lately, he might just be earning his own episode.

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

James Yount’s story is one of rock bottom, resilience, and redemption. As a young man chasing independence and purpose, James instead found himself consumed by meth addiction and trapped in a cycle that nearly cost him everything. During his darkest days, he isolated himself for months at a time, battling depression, failed suicide attempts, and a lifestyle that pushed his weight past 350 pounds. But somewhere in the middle of the chaos, James made the decision to fight for his life. One step at a time, he began pulling himself out of the darkness. He got sober, transformed his health, lost the weight, and learned how to care for himself again—physically, mentally, and emotionally. This episode is about what happens when someone refuses to quit, even when they keep falling along the way. James shares the painful realities of addiction, the loneliness that comes with it, and the long road back to becoming the man he wanted to be. Today, he has rebuilt his life from the ground up, is happily married, and now works as a manager at a successful gym where he helps others pursue healthier lives of their own. James’ journey is proof that even after your lowest moments, it’s still possible to rebuild your future—one day, one decision, and sometimes one stumble forward at a time.