Against the Herd

The Against the Herd Podcast is where high performers challenge the status quo, reclaim their health, and eliminate pain at the root.Hosted by Armando Cruz, a performance physical therapist, best-selling author, and legacy coach with 20+ years of experience helping entrepreneurs, athletes, and high performers heal what mainstream medicine overlooks.Each episode features raw conversations, solo deep dives, and interviews with non-conformist leaders who’ve defied setbacks, rejected cookie-cutter fixes, and created their own blueprint for lasting health, energy, and success.If you're done settling for average, welcome to the resistance.Topics we explore: Chronic pain relief & root-cause healing | Mental & emotional resilience | High-performance health strategies | Movement, breath, mindset & recovery | Bio-individual habits that actually work | Legacy, adventure, and purpose-driven living

Against the Herd is a health podcast hosted by Armando Cruz, with 15 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Armando Cruz hosts Against the Herd, a health show with 15 episodes published.

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  Episode #15

  Full Circle: Lessons Pain and the Power of Going Against the Herd

  Jul 16, 202514 minS1

  <p>What do a pastor, an Ironman, a high-level entrepreneur, a teacher shot in the chest, and a coach with a dynasty all have in common? </p><p>They went against the herd… and came out stronger. </p><p>In this season finale of the Against the Herd Podcast, host Armando Cruz pulls together the most powerful moments, lessons, and mindset shifts from Season One, all through the lens of pain, purpose, and resilience. </p><p>Whether you're battling burnout, stuck in chronic pain, or just tired of cookie-cutter health advice, this episode brings it all home. </p><p>You’ll hear...

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  Episode #14

  Rewriting the Pain Playbook: The Hidden System Behind Resilience and Results

  Jul 16, 202533 minS1

  <p>What if everything you’ve been taught about pain is wrong? </p><p>In this episode of Against the Herd, we break down some of the lessons learned from sitting down with legendary high school running coach Doug Soles, who helped build one of the most dominant cross-country programs in the country. </p><p>But this isn’t just about running, it’s about resilience, leadership, and the hidden system behind long-term performance. </p><p>Discover how Doug helped athletes overcome injury, setbacks, and burnout by rewriting the playbook, turning pain into purpose and performance.</p><p>You’ll learn: </p>...

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  Episode #13

  Inside the Mind of a Dynasty Builder: Doug Soles on Grit, Systems, and SUCCESS

  Jul 16, 20251 hourS1

  <p>What does it really take to build a national powerhouse twice, with athletes no one expected to win? </p><p>In this episode of Against the Herd, Coach Doug Soles reveals the untold story of how he built cross-country dynasties at Great Oak and Herriman High School using systems, mindset, and leadership, not just talent.</p><p> Discover why Terminator Mode, identity shifts, and recovery systems are more powerful than raw speed and how you can apply these same strategies to your own team, business, or comeback journey. </p><p>This is more than a coaching masterclass. It’s a roa...

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  Episode #12

  No More Hacks: The Proven Playbook for Lasting Pain Relief & Sustainable Health

  Jul 16, 202528 minS1

  <p>Sick of 30-day hacks that leave you right back where you started? </p><p>In this episode of Against the Herd, performance coach and best-selling author Armando Cruz shares what actually works when it comes to lasting health, energy, and resilience (no gimmicks, shortcuts, or fluff). </p><p>You’ll discover the anti-hack framework used by elite performers to build sustainable systems for physical, mental, and emotional optimization, and why most people fail because they’re solving the wrong problem. </p><p>💥 What you’ll learn: </p><p>* Why hacks give you short-term highs but long-term burnout </p><p>* The 5 foundati...

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  Episode #11

  Achilles Rupture: Alex Gonzalez on Mindset, Injury, & High Performance

  Jul 16, 202556 minS1

  <p>What does it take to come back stronger after an injury that nearly derails your career and your life? </p><p>In this episode of Against the Herd, we sit down with Alex Gonzalez, a high-level real estate consultant and family man who radiates connection, resilience, and mental precision. </p><p>After suffering a devastating Achilles rupture, Alex’s journey to recovery wasn’t linear; it was packed with setbacks, experiments, and breakthroughs. </p><p>We dive into the threshold anchors he uses to snap into high-performance states, the recovery tools that actually worked, and the mindset shift that helped...

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