He Started Running in College—Then Made Five Olympic Teams | Abdi Abdirahman

He Started Running in College—Then Made Five Olympic Teams | Abdi Abdirahman

Abdi Abdirahman arrived in the United States as a refugee from Somalia in 1990. He spoke no English, settled with his family in Tucson, Arizona, and went through high school without ever competing as a runner. He did not discover the sport until his sophomore year at Pima Community College. Abdi showed up to his first practice wearing jeans and boots. Despite having no formal training, he finished second on the team. One week later, he ran 15:05 and won the 5,000 meters in his first track meet. That unexpected beginning launched one of the most remarkable careers in American distance running. Abdi became a four-time U.S. champion in the 10,000 meters and represented the United States at five Olympic Games across more than two decades. At 43, he finished third at the 2020 U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials and qualified for his fifth Olympic team. He also became the oldest male runner to reach the podium at the New York City Marathon. In this conversation, Abdi shares the story of leaving Somalia during civil war, adjusting to life in America, accidentally discovering his talent, racing legends like Meb Keflezighi and Haile Gebrselassie, and building a professional career that lasted far longer than almost anyone expected. He also opens up about the business behind professional running, the evolution of marathon training and super shoes, making money through prize purses and appearance fees, and why experience becomes so important over 26.2 miles. Today, Abdi divides his time between Tucson and Ethiopia, where he helps coach and mentor the next generation of elite runners. This is a conversation about talent, longevity, humility, and continuing to show up long after other people think your opportunity has passed. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” Timeline: timeline.com/rideout [http://timeline.com/rideout] Code “RIDEOUT” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Welcome Abdi (01:07) Somalia to Tucson (02:15) Starting Running Late (04:01) Jeans and Boots Debut (06:16) Scholarship to Arizona (08:26) Somalia Childhood (10:17) Sponsor Break (11:55) NCAA to Pro Life (13:11) Olympics and Selection (16:39) Masters Mindset (20:08) Shoe Deals and Money (23:58) Ethiopia and Altitude (27:12) Career Highlights (30:11) Training and Workouts (35:40) Boston 2018 Survival (36:52) Mitochondria Ad Read (37:19) Mitochondria Support Plug (38:25) Cold Rainy Race Start (39:49) Favorite Races Debate (40:44) Marathon Pacing Lessons (45:35) Fueling And Gel Evolution (47:30) Ultras And Recovery Runs (51:03) Biggest Wins And Coaches (54:44) Ethiopia Camp And Rivalries (59:10) Shoe Deals And Super Shoes (01:09:38) Community Book And Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

From Army Airborne to Addiction Recovery | Evan Slaughter

Evan Slaughter grew up in Birmingham, Alabama in a conservative household before addiction changed the course of his life. After battling an early OxyContin addiction and completing rehab, he joined the U.S. Army, earned an Airborne contract, deployed to Afghanistan, and was injured in an IED blast. The pain medication prescribed after that injury pulled him back into addiction. What followed were years of PTSD, arrests, multiple rehabs, and trying to rebuild a life that kept slipping away. Everything changed in 2021. Today, Evan is better known as Fit2Serve, creating comedy videos seen by millions while using humor, honesty, and his own story to help others find hope. His viral skits may make people laugh, but the road that led there was anything but funny. In this conversation, Evan shares his father's addiction, his own battle with OxyContin, Army Airborne school, Afghanistan, PTSD, Veterans Court, recovery, psychedelics, purpose, and why "Fit to Serve" no longer means physical fitness—it means being equipped to serve others. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout [wildroman.com/rideout] Code “RIDEOUT15” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Meet Evan Slaughter (00:40) Growing Up Alabama (01:12) Church Life and Family Upheaval (01:50) Dad’s Addiction and Recovery (05:56) Finding Comedy Early (06:37) Stand-Up Dreams and Fear (12:38) Alpha Dad Skits and Garage Gym (14:30) Sponsor Break Roka (16:11) School Sports and College Detour (19:02) Lifting and Bench Press Talk (31:11) Sponsor Break Wild Roman (32:34) Dropping Out and Training Career (34:17) OxyContin Addiction and Rehab (37:01) Rehab to Enlistment (38:17) Choosing Army Infantry (39:40) Earning 18X Contract (41:41) Airborne School Basics (44:03) First Jump Nerves (46:56) Hard Landings and Mishaps (49:18) Afghanistan IED Blast (53:48) Pain Pills Spiral (56:38) PTSD and Coming Home (58:34) Pharmacy Sting Arrest (01:01:56) Veterans Court and Rehab (01:04:44) TikTok Breakthrough (01:09:03) Staying Sober and Creating (01:10:28) Influencer Advice and Work (01:12:36) Real Jobs Before Social (01:13:53) Time Value Mindset (01:15:28) Psychedelics For Recovery (01:20:28) DMT Lessons And Integration (01:24:10) Money Doesn't Fix Pain (01:26:51) Motorcycle And Simple Joys (01:30:53) Pickleball And Community (01:34:17) Fit To Serve Meaning (01:38:08) Nashville Move And Friends (01:39:00) Brand Deals Strategy (01:44:24) Wrap Up And Where To Find (01:46:16) Podcast Outro And Sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

He Barely Played in College. Then Played 14 NFL Seasons. | Matt Cassel

Matt Cassel's football story shouldn't have happened. He spent his college career at USC backing up two Heisman Trophy winners, Carson Palmer and Matt Leinart, throwing just a handful of passes while wondering if he'd ever get a real opportunity. Most players would have transferred. Matt stayed ready. That decision changed his life. After being drafted by the New England Patriots, he learned behind Tom Brady until Brady suffered a season-ending injury in Week 1 of 2008. Overnight, Cassel went from anonymous backup to starting quarterback of one of the most scrutinized teams in sports. He led New England to an 11-5 season, earned a franchise tag, signed a $63 million contract, and went on to play 14 seasons in the NFL. In this conversation, Matt shares what he learned from Tom Brady and Bill Belichick, the pressure of replacing the greatest quarterback of all time, overcoming years without playing, navigating trades, injuries, personal loss, and why being ready before your opportunity arrives changed everything. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” AMP Fitness: amp.ai/rideout [http://amp.ai/rideout]  Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters 00:00) Meet Matt Cassel (00:22) Dad Life and Flag Football (02:00) Leaving LA for Nashville (04:01) Growing Up and Playing Both Ways (05:01) Quarterback Jumps in Speed (07:40) NFL Film Study and Prep (08:32) Sponsor Break Roka (10:45) USC Teammates and Practice Wars (12:59) Tom Brady as Mentor (14:03) Stuck Behind Heisman Winners (16:46) Tight End Detour and Baseball Reset (18:24) Owen Hanson and Prison Reality (20:58) Pro Day and Wonderlic Chaos (24:33) Reading Defenses Like Chess (26:27) Randy Moss Freak Talent (27:49) Standing Tall in the Pocket (31:59) Formation Tricks and Counters (34:25) Sponsor Break Amp Training (35:28) Pro Day Lights Out to Draft Buzz (37:55) Selling the Backup Story (39:16) Finding an Agent (42:08) NFL Workouts Breakdown (43:55) Belichick Draft Call (46:23) Draft Day Celebration (49:48) Rookie Arrival in Foxborough (53:21) Patriots Culture Shock (56:22) Rookie Pay and Perks (59:51) Family and Dad’s Struggles (01:02:08) Dad’s Death During Season (01:05:59) Rookie Hazing and Dinner (01:11:53) Learning from Brady (01:13:07) Brady Work Ethic (01:13:56) Quarterback Perfection (01:15:44) Brady Injury Moment (01:17:10) Thrown Into Action (01:18:40) Bomb To Moss (01:19:52) Overnight Spotlight (01:22:29) Media And Sponsors (01:25:31) First Start Vs Jets (01:27:23) Brady Off Field Kindness (01:30:08) Franchise Tag Shock (01:33:30) Trade And Big Deal (01:36:00) New Life In KC (01:38:22) Coordinator Quits Chaos (01:43:38) Pressure And Mindset (01:47:05) Chiefs Turnaround (01:49:02) Appendix Emergency (01:51:21) Playing Post Surgery (01:52:34) Bernard Pollard Stories (01:55:26) Minnesota And London Start (01:58:01) Bridgewater Mentorship (01:59:29) Foot Injury Nightmare (02:04:36) Traded To Dallas Chaos (02:07:50) Cowboys Culture Shock (02:09:15) Facilities And Gear (02:13:12) Game Balls And Deflategate (02:20:28) Life After Football (02:23:24) Final Thanks And Outro Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

The Olympian Who Nearly Died Making Weight | Danny O'Connor

Danny O'Connor looked like he had everything. A state wrestling champion. An Olympian. One of the top professional boxers in America with a world title shot finally within reach. Behind the scenes, almost nobody knew he had been battling an eating disorder for years. What began as extreme weight cutting in high school wrestling evolved into a life-threatening cycle of starvation, binge eating, dehydration, and dangerous weight cuts that nearly cost him everything. Before the biggest fight of his career, Danny collapsed while trying to make weight, was rushed to the ICU, and watched his dream of becoming world champion disappear. In this conversation, Danny opens up about growing up in Massachusetts, dropping out of school, turning his life around through boxing, making the U.S. Olympic team, the hidden reality of weight-class sports, and the long road to recovering from an eating disorder that almost killed him. This is a conversation about obsession, identity, recovery, and learning that the toughest opponent isn't always standing across the ring. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com/ [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” Athletic Nicotine: https://athleticnicotine.com/rideout [https://athleticnicotine.com/rideout] Code "RIDEOUT" Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Meet Danny O'Connor (00:43) Growing Up in Sports (01:43) Wrestling Found His Calling (04:14) Weight Cutting Obsession (06:14) Laxatives and Hidden Suffering (08:47) Grades Collapse and Dropping Out (10:54) Arrests and Losing Control (21:40) Court Wake Up Call (23:53) Boxing Saves His Life (27:15) Golden Gloves to Olympic Dream (29:59) Defensive Style and Sparring (33:06) Olympic Trials Outsider (34:01) Sponsor Break Athletic Nicotine (34:45) Trials Heartbreak (35:36) Beating Future Gold (37:11) Beijing Team Breakdown (38:33) Turning Pro Decision (39:48) Weight Cutting vs Disorder (43:20) Gym Hops and Undefeated Run (44:29) First Loss and Texas Move (48:31) Binge Eating Reality (53:20) Daily Yo-Yo Chaos (56:11) Missing Weight Fallout (01:03:41) WBC Shot in Fresno (01:05:43) Urges and Survival Hacks (01:09:07) Binge Spiral at Home (01:10:02) Stepping Away for Help (01:12:02) Learning Recovery Tools (01:14:16) Relapse in Training Camp (01:16:23) Weigh In Day Collapse (01:21:37) Aftermath and Perspective Shift (01:26:28) Specialized Treatment Begins (01:30:31) Freedom and Maintenance (01:35:50) Advice and Raising Awareness (01:39:04) Book Plug and Closing (01:41:12) Podcast Outro and Sponsors Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]

Boston, Addiction, The Town, 12 Years Sober | George Carroll “Slaine”

He taught himself to rap at nine years old, co-founded the rap supergroup La Coka Nostra, got discovered by Ben Affleck for Gone Baby Gone, and went on to act in The Town, Killing Them Softly, and Joker. What almost nobody saw was what was happening behind the scenes. For 23 years Slaine battled alcohol and addiction, through cocaine, OxyContin, and heroin, while chasing two careers most people told him were impossible. It cost him his marriage, his home, and nearly his life, until the only thing that finally outweighed the addiction was the fear of losing his son. In this conversation, Slaine opens up about growing up in the chaos of Boston, the drug culture that swallowed his generation, the record deal he was smart enough to turn down, auditioning drunk for Ben Affleck, hitting rock bottom as a father, the phone call outside a bar that saved his life, getting sober on March 3, 2014, and building Charles River Recovery, a treatment center that has helped more than 7,500 people. This is a conversation about identity, addiction, redemption, and giving it away to keep it. Thank you to our sponsors Our Title Sponsor ROKA: www.roka.com [https://www.roka.com/] Code “RIDEOUT” Wild Roman: wildroman.com/rideout [http://wildroman.com/rideout] Code “RIDEOUT15” Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ [https://www.theothersideofhard.com/] Chapters (00:00) Meet Slaine (02:00) Boston Neighborhood Chaos (04:10) Childhood Trauma Unpacked (05:00) Fatherhood And Hindsight (08:23) First Drink Relief (09:42) Cocaine The Cheat Code (11:48) Eyewear Ad Break (13:20) Crabs In A Bucket (16:40) OxyContin Epidemic Boston (18:50) Film School Outsider (20:00) Boston Hardens You (24:50) ADHD As A Superpower (28:00) NYC Underground Comeup (31:31) Skincare Ad Break (34:48) The Deal He Refused (39:00) Squatting In A Warehouse (41:30) La Coka Nostra Born (44:00) 13,000 CDs Sold (46:00) Herald Story Affleck Calls (48:00) Drunk Audition For Affleck (51:56) Cleaned Up For Set (53:40) Prime Rib And A Warehouse (56:15) Boston Film Tax Credit (58:00) Vision Board Comes Alive (01:01:00) It All Hits At Once (01:15:45) Losing Everything (01:20:52) Failing As A Father (01:24:10) The Day It Stuck (01:26:57) The News That Should Have Broken Him (01:28:04) The Call Outside The Bar (01:30:00) Learning Humility (01:33:00) Uncle George (01:34:40) The One Belief (01:42:53) Building Charles River Recovery (01:48:20) Don’t Fit In A Box (01:51:15) How To Get Help (01:52:47) Farewell And Subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices [https://megaphone.fm/adchoices]