Welcome to the Grit Show!

On this episode we sit down with Eric Hinman—a multi-faceted entrepreneur, wellness enthusiast, and former triathlete known for his disciplined approach to balancing business and fitness. Eric’s journey began with his father guiding him into entrepreneurship, leading him to start an insurance agency, launch a successful software company, open a gym, and create a thriving content-driven personal brand. Along the way, he’s not only built multiple businesses but also developed his own philosophy on blending fitness, wellness, and community.

In this episode, Eric shares how reshaping his environment helped transform his life and perspective. He dives into the challenges and mindset required for entrepreneurship, emphasizing resilience and strategic thinking. From building ambassador programs for early-stage wellness brands to crafting his own wellness routine, Eric offers insights that resonate far beyond the business world.

Eric opens up about his fitness evolution—from CrossFit to endurance racing—and how he’s avoided injury through balance and contrast therapy. He sheds light on actionable wellness habits, essential supplements, and why knowing your body's unique needs is so important. Having once struggled with weight, Eric recalls his life changing experience of hiring a personal trainer and learning to listen closely to expert advice.

From returning to food fundamentals and focusing on unprocessed nutrition to the profound impact of community, Eric discusses why stripping away ego and evolving our identities is key to genuine growth. This conversation is for anyone looking to understand the grit behind real success, wellness, and the journey to lifelong health.

Based in Denver, Eric is a hybrid athlete (5x Ironman), serial entrepreneur, and brand builder, who specializes in scaling early-stage consumer and wellness brands. Some of Eric’s partners include Ten Thousand, Slate, Ice Barrel, SISU, HVMN, The Normal Brand, Blokes, MASA Chips, Kane, Flux, GORUCK, Kreatures of Habit, and more.

Eric believes in the long-term vision of the brands he partners with and his portfolio of angel investments in the wellness space includes companies such as Ten Thousand, HVMN, Beam, Slate, Ice Barrel, The Real Cereal Co, Kane Footwear, MASA Chips and more.

You can find Hinman on Instagram⁠ here⁠.

Website

Please send your guest requests to james@ironcowboy.com or through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Keep tuning in to embrace the grit!

Welcome to the Grit Show!

On this episode, we chat with Bishoi Khella, who takes us through his incredible, often bumpy journey of weight loss, self-discovery, and finding purpose. Bishoi opens up about what it was like growing up as the “chubby kid” and how, in high school, he worked hard to drop from 260 to 180 lbs. But after starting his own business at 22, the stress piled on, and old habits crept back in, pushing him up to 350 lbs.

Bishoi describes avoiding the scale like it was the plague and shares the tough reality of childhood food restrictions that left him clueless about healthy habits. He also reflects on those moments of “how did I get here?”—the panic attacks, feeling out of control, and the overwhelming guilt that became a moral compass for him.

When life felt chaotic, Bishoi turned to journaling to make sense of his emotions, and he realized how much stress his body was carrying. A low point came on a trip with friends; being out of shape meant he couldn’t fully enjoy it, and it was a wake-up call that pushed him toward change. That’s when he discovered the 75 Hard program, which, as he describes it, “changed everything.”

He shares how he embraced “chasing discomfort,” raising his standards, and getting so committed to his goals that nothing else mattered. For Bishoi, if you want something bad enough, you’ll find a way.

Today, Bishoi challenges himself in different ways and is passionate about helping others do the same. His journey has also refined his social circle; it’s smaller now but filled with quality connections. Bishoi’s story is down-to-earth, relatable, and packed with insights about grit and resilience that make this episode a must-listen.

You can find Khella on Instagram here.

Please send your guest requests to james@ironcowboy.com or through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

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Welcome to the Grit Show!

In this episode, we sit down with Anders Hofman, the man behind Project Iceman, where he became the first person to complete a full Iron Distance triathlon on the icy continent of Antarctica. Hofman takes us on a journey through his Danish upbringing, where playing it safe was the norm, and dreaming big seemed impossible. From his childhood dream of becoming a professional football player to being told repeatedly that his aspirations were unrealistic, Hofman shares the pivotal moment when he quit his stable job and pursued the unthinkable challenge of Project Iceman.

Hofman discusses how our limitations are often self-imposed, and the only people who say something is impossible are those who haven’t done it themselves. He emphasizes that chasing a dream draws the right opportunities and people into your life and that fulfillment comes from following the passions that ignite your inner child.

Through intense training, navigating extreme weather, and dealing with unexpected challenges like freezing goggles and encounters with wildlife, Hofman demonstrates how resilience and adaptability are key to overcoming life’s storms. In his words, "If I have to crawl, I am going to crawl," a mindset that carried him through both the brutal Antarctic conditions and the pursuit of his lifelong dreams.

As Project Iceman comes to a close, Hofman is now chasing his next dream—becoming a professional football player, beginning a new journey in a foreign country, learning to trust the process once again.

Join us for a riveting conversation filled with lessons on courage, perseverance, and the power of following your own path, no matter the odds.

Project Iceman

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Welcome to the Grit Show!

In today's episode, therapists Daniel and Nina tell their entire story—how they met, their family trials and experiences, and what it's been like working as therapists together.

Nina starts by sharing the story of her family's immigration to the USA from Cuba. This led her to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, meeting Daniel at church when they were 12.

They share what it was like growing up together and then growing together through a young marriage and being young parents.

Daniel and Nina talk about getting their bachelor's degrees in psychology together, which led them to start foster programs and do therapy for kids.

Parenting is discussed, as they share advice for those waiting until they are "ready" to be parents.

As they reflect on their life and how much they took on at once, they talk about how they handled the weight of it all, including unexpected challenges like the health problems that their son ran into.

They dig a little deeper into that experience, about how their son was bedridden and in a wheelchair for three years, and how they navigated this experience, still trying to make life positive and fun.

It took years for them to find out that he had still's disease.

Experiences like this taught them the importance of fathers and mothers and how they complement each other. Daniel is the idea-er, and Nina is the implementer.

More than therapists, they are investors, house flippers, and business venture-minded.

They share things they have learned throughout their lives, like accepting adversity and some of the most common struggles they hear as therapists. This is followed by the formula that treats anxiety and depression better than medication.

They talk about how feelings are amazing but not amazing decision-makers. They share their formula for being a WE in a marriage. There is some focus on the masters vs. disasters of a relationship.

Anxiety is also discussed, and they talk about some of their observations of what seems to cause this and treat it.

They are dream chasers, and this episode talks about being able to do anything you want, even if it means going to school and getting therapy licenses at the same time.

These two love working together, complement each other with their different styles, and offer bucketfuls of advice on honoring themselves and finding peace through adversity.

Please send your guest requests to james@ironcowboy.com or through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Keep tuning in to embrace the grit!

Welcome to the Grit Show!

Growing up as the middle child in a family of nine kids, Tandi had a great childhood. But as a young teen, she picked up the drug and drinking habits of her older siblings.

At 14, she ran away from home with her boyfriend. As she was trying to stay warm in a recycling bin during the Utah winter, a truck picked her up and crushed her.

After somehow surviving, she dropped drinking but ended up getting pregnant at 15. As a result of the abuse of her boyfriend, her son was born with cerebral palsy.

In 2001, Tandi discovered a newfound source of confidence through fighting, a skill she practiced to protect herself. She talks more about how this snowballed into a career in the MMA.

Along the way, she found love and support in her husband, who stepped up as a father figure to her son, who only lived until he was 18. She talks about their last moments together and opens up about their bond.

As she reflects on her life, Tandi shares her passion for helping others, especially children, find their strength and confidence through combat training. Drawing from her own journey, she offers advice to parents whose children struggle the same way that she did.

This episode touches on suicide, IVF, and other experiences that have affected Tandi on her way to who she is today.

Combat Classes

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Welcome to the Grit Show!

In this episode, Elizabeth Smart talks about being kidnapped at knifepoint when she was 14, and her experience as she lived in hiding with captors who sexually abused her for 9 months until she was finally rescued.

She shares her initial thoughts while being taken, and how the situation felt impossible and that it couldn’t be real. After realizing it was real, she had to shift her mindset to get through this experience. She shares where her mentality was during this time. 

The number one question she gets is why she didn’t tell law enforcement what was going on when they asked, and she shares some insight into why she handled things as she did, including protecting her family. 

After sharing her story, she explains how her mom taught her that her happiness was up to her and that these kinds of teachings, and growing up with brothers, are what helped her endure her time in hiding. 

One of the things that stood out to her was how much the captors raged at each other, and this is one of the reasons that she didn’t dare to escape. She had never seen anger like this before.

In this episode, she shares other specific experiences when they are without food and water, times when one of her captors had a short stint in prison, and her attempt to save herself through hitchhiking. 

Throughout the rest of the podcast, Elizabeth talks about forms of therapy that she used to recover from her traumatic experience, and also how it has affected her outlook on life, how she parents, and a compassionate perspective on trauma.

She has such a positive outlook and shares the blessings she has received, particularly from her family. And the power of intuition.

The abduction of Elizabeth Smart was one of the most followed child abduction cases of our time. Elizabeth was abducted on June 5, 2002, and her captors controlled her by threatening to kill her and her family if she tried to escape. Fortunately, the police safely returned Elizabeth back to her family on March 12, 2003, after being held a prisoner for 9 grueling months.

Through this traumatic experience, Elizabeth has become an advocate for change related to child abduction, recovery programs, and National legislation. Elizabeth triumphantly testified before her captor and the world about the very private nightmare she suffered during her abduction, which led to conviction.

The Founder of the “Elizabeth Smart Foundation”, Elizabeth has also helped promote The National AMBER Alert, The Adam Walsh Child Protection & Safety Act and other safety legislation to help prevent abductions.

Elizabeth’s abduction and recovery continue to motivate parents, law enforcement and leaders worldwide to focus on children’s safety. She emphasizes vigilance by "everyday" people and the belief that hope always exists to find every missing child.

Smart attended Brigham Young University, studying music as a harp performance major. She married her husband Matthew in 2012, and they now have two beautiful children. Elizabeth’s example is a daily demonstration that there really is life after tragedy.

Instagram

My Story (Book)

Where There's Hope (Book)

Foundation

Foundation Instagram

Self Defense

Please send your guest requests to james@ironcowboy.com or through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Keep tuning in to embrace the grit!

Welcome to the Grit Show!

In this episode, Tim Husereau shares his transformative experience at the Iron Grit Retreat with his wife. The retreat, an immersive and challenging adventure, proved to be a stark contrast to his normal day-to-day life. Climbing a mountain together, facing fear head-on, and witnessing his wife light up during the boxing session opened new avenues for connection and growth.

However, the tone takes a serious turn as Tim recounts a time when he was gravely ill. Struggling to breathe, feeling like he was suffocating, and unable to stand, he faced a misdiagnosis of depression. Eventually diagnosed with long covid and an autoimmune disease, Tim embarked on a healing journey that would test his limits.

In the depths of despair, unable to sleep for weeks due to medication, Tim found an unexpected source of strength – a hug from his four-year-old daughter. With doctors seemingly unable to provide answers, it was his mother who ultimately led him to a sleep solution. This leads Tim to focus on the importance of hope and the support of loved ones.

Tim reflects on his journey toward faith, emphasizing the pivotal role played by a friend who reached out during his darkest moments.

Eventually breakthrough came with a process that opened up blood cells, offering relief until another setback hit. Undeterred, Tim turned to swimming as a new form of medicine.

The story takes an even more challenging turn as Tim contracts COVID again, and then his 12-year-old daughter experiences a terrifying health crisis. His focus shifts entirely to her well-being, and his own suffering becomes secondary.

After numerous trials and tribulations, Tim and his daughter find a solution in exosomes. The healing journey that spanned several years finally came to a conclusion.

Join us as Tim Husereau shares his story of resilience, faith, and the indomitable human spirit. This episode is a testament to the power of hope, the importance of support, and the strength that can be found even in the darkest moments. 

Charity

Please send your guest requests to james@ironcowboy.com or through ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Keep tuning in to embrace the grit!

Welcome to the Grit Show!

In this episode, Kelsey delves into her passion for relationships and the profound impact they can have on our lives. She shares her incredible experience with Mission 48, which is her journey of 48 fitness competitions in 48 states, all within 48 days. The mission aimed to encourage women and young girls to step out of their comfort zones and embrace challenges, sparking a ripple effect of courage and determination.

Kelsey opens up about the pressures faced by young girls today, recounting a moment in college when she felt lost and disconnected from herself. Rediscovering her strength through fitness, particularly bodybuilding, became the catalyst for a transformative journey. She not only regained her confidence but also reshaped her life, launching a successful business along the way.

Throughout our conversation, Kelsey emphasizes the importance of breaking free from your comfort zone, highlighting how stepping out of your lane can lead to newfound confidence. She shares her personal struggles with fear and self-doubt, revealing how she overcame these obstacles to pursue her passion project. Despite the challenges and messy logistics, Kelsey's determination and spark ignited a wave of inspiration, reminding us all of the power that lies within embracing our fears.

During Mission 48, Kelsey discovered the beauty in smaller towns and the incredible sense of community that emerged from unexpected places. She also emphasizes the significance of acknowledging your emotions, allowing yourself to navigate through them, and the transformative impact of having a mentor and a strong support system.

This episode is a testament to the strength within us all and a reminder that embracing challenges can lead to unparalleled growth and resilience. There is extraordinary power in stepping out of your comfort zone and embracing your true potential.

Kelsey Lensman is a 27-year old entrepreneur, sports medicine specialist, sought-after speaker and self-proclaimed “normal girl on a big mission.” She graduated from The Ohio State University with a degree in sports medicine with original plans to attend physical therapy graduate school. However, during her senior year she felt a pull on her heart that she had a different mission. After a life-changing year of training to step on a bodybuilding stage, it led her to realize that our capability far surpasses what we imagine and that true transformation comes from all areas: nutrition, training, mindset, and community. Since then she’s challenged her own limits and became a 5x bodybuilding competitor, 4x powerlifting competitor, powerbuilder, olympic lifter, and has competed in many other events.

Since then she’s founded EmpowHER Fitness that coaches women all around the country in their nutrition, fitness, and mindset, as well as EmpowHER Events. These events are online and in-person international strength events that challenge women to step out of their comfort zone and show themselves they're stronger than they think. Her unique approach to fitness has helped hundreds of women get results, grow their mindset, and become strong, confident versions of themselves. She’s ready to take on her next purpose driven mission, which is to complete 48 fitness competitions in 48 states in 48 days to raise money for ROX, a charity empowering young girls in confidence, body image, and communication in schools.

Website

Kelsey Lensman Instagram

Kelsey Lensman Youtube

ROX x Mission48 Donation Page

Please send your guest requests to james@ironcowboy.com or through ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Keep tuning in to embrace the grit!