In this episode of The Judd Lienhard Podcast, I sit down with Paul de Gelder—shark attack survivor, former Australian Navy clearance diver, and one of the toughest men you’ll ever meet.

Paul lost his hand and leg during a bull shark attack in Sydney Harbour. Most people would’ve quit. Paul didn’t. He rebuilt his body, rewired his mindset, and now lives a life of purpose—co-hosting Shark Week, speaking around the world, and training like a savage.

We talk about trauma, recovery, and what it actually takes to build resilience and mental strength. Whether you're a dad, athlete, coach, or someone trying to push through hard times—you'll be glad you listened.

🎯 You’ll learn:

• How to rebuild after life breaks you
• Mental tools to train your mindset like a muscle
• Paul’s approach to pain, rehab, and purpose
• Why excuses don’t serve you—and what to do instead

👊 Real adversity. Real lessons. Real strength.

🔗 Connect with Paul de Gelder
Instagram: @pauldegelder
YouTube: @pauldegelder1
Watch him on Shark Week (Discovery / Max)

🔗 Connect with Judd Lienhard
Instagram: @juddlienhard
YouTube: @juddlienhard
Training & Programs: juddlienhard.com

🎧 Subscribe for new episodes every Tuesday at 5a CST.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Shark attack, trauma, and mindset
06:30 – Paul's early life, bullying, and direction
13:00 – Military transformation: from lost teen to elite diver
19:40 – The moment that changed everything
27:30 – Surviving a bull shark attack
36:15 – The recovery and decision to amputate
43:00 – Rebuilding his body and his purpose
50:00 – Training again: walking, lifting, moving
56:45 – How Paul avoids depression and victimhood
1:05:00 – Hosting Shark Week & working with Will Smith
1:13:00 – Grit, purpose, and staying on the edge

The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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. ⭐️🎧🔥

Most guys don’t need a new program, a better supplement stack, or the “perfect” exercise they saw on Instagram. They need a reality check on their priorities.

In this solo episode, I break down the Priorities Pyramid—a six-layer system I’ve used for 20+ years as a strength coach, Army Ranger, and athlete. This is the blueprint for getting strong, moving well, and staying in shape for life.

If you’re the type of man who’s built a career, supports your family, and still holds yourself to a higher standard physically—this episode is for you.

What You'll Learn:

1. Safety – Why you're getting hurt and how to stop being dumb about it
2. Consistency – The only “secret” worth talking about
3. Comprehensive Approach – Strength, cardio, mobility… quit skipping what matters
4. Intensity – How to push yourself without breaking down
5. Specialized Techniques – What to use after you’ve earned it
6. Supplements & Hormones – The least important part (but most abused)

Who This Is For:

• Former athletes who still expect more from themselves
• Military & first responders
• Fathers, leaders, and hard workers who train like it matters
• Men who value strength, discipline, and real results

What This Isn’t:

This isn’t a hype-up. It’s not a shortcut. It’s not about aesthetics.
It’s about building a system that keeps you strong and capable—for decades.

Hard Truths I Get Into:

• If fitness isn’t one of your top 3 priorities, don’t expect results
• If you can spend $250 a month on booze but not a gym membership, your priorities are off
• If you're still blaming genetics or age—look in the mirror

Stop looking for hacks. Most people are spending 90% of their effort chasing 10% of the outcome. The work that matters is simple, boring, and hard.

Do it anyway.

The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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 wide-ranging episode, former NFL offensive lineman and Power Athlete founder John Welbourn returns to The Judd Lienhard Podcast for Part 2. John and Judd dive deep into what truly drives performance, recovery, and long-term health—challenging common fitness myths and exploring the science behind elite results.

Topics covered include:

• Relative intensity vs. training volume
• Saunas, cold plunges, and recovery physiology
• The sugar diet experiment and metabolic flexibility
• Gut health, microbiome science, and fecal transplants
• Muscle as medicine: why strength matters for aging
• Hormones, PEDs, and misunderstood performance tools
• What ancient resilience teaches us about modern softness

Whether you're a coach, athlete, or lifelong learner, this conversation will reframe how you think about strength, recovery, and longevity.

Connect with John Welbourn
Instagram: @johnwelbourn | @powerathleteinc
Website: powerathletehq.com

Connect with Judd Lienhard
Instagram: @juddlienhard
YouTube: Judd Lienhard on YouTube
Website & Coaching: juddlienhard.com

Listen and follow for new episodes every Tuesday.

The Judd Lienhard Podcast delivers raw, 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. ⭐️🎧🔥