The Harden Up Podcast

"The Harden Up Podcast" brings you into the world of high-performance training and adventure through the expert lens of Matt Harden—a former USMC Infantry Squad Leader, veteran SWAT Team Leader, and founder of OpTempo Training Group. Each episode delivers compelling conversations with leading specialists across tactical operations, athletic development, overlanding expeditions, and extreme sports. Matt's military and law enforcement background provides the perfect foundation for extracting practical wisdom from his guests, offering listeners actionable strategies they can implement immediately. Whether you're a tactical professional, outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone looking to elevate your performance and push beyond comfort zones, this podcast delivers the insights and motivation you need.

The Harden Up Podcast is a government podcast hosted by Matt Harden, with 67 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80.

Matt Harden hosts The Harden Up Podcast, a government show with 67 episodes published.

Our AI reads these to draft pitches. Use them as grounding for a pitch that cites a real guest and a specific topic.

• 

  The Harden Up Podcast

  Ep 67: Josh Saunders- BJJ Champion & Coach

  Sep 11, 20261h 36m

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode, I sit down with Josh Saunders , one of Australia's premier Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu competitors and a two-time ADCC Asia & Oceania Trials Champion. What's remarkable about Josh's story isn't just where he is today—it's how quickly he got there. After spending nearly two decades playing rugby league, Josh didn't begin training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu until the age of 23. Less than four years later, he earned his black belt, becoming the fastest person in Australian history to achieve that milestone. We discuss the mindset behind accelerated learning, the sacrifices required to compete at the highest level, and what it takes to perform under pressure against the world's best grapplers. Josh also shares his thoughts on Australia's growing influence in no-gi jiu-jitsu, developing a championship mindset, and why consistent hard work always beats shortcuts. Josh Saunders Social Media: @hpucoaching Website: https://yourbjjgame.com/ ADCC: https://adcc-official.com/ Use code OPTEMPO15 for 15% off Inforce lights Inforce Lights Social Media: @inforcelights Website: https://inforcelights.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! The OpTempo Training Group website for an updated list of classes: https://optempotraining.com/ @optempotraining on Instagram and Facebook Find us on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kBpYUjDdve9BULTHRF2Bw/featured?view_as=subscriber

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  Episode #65

  Ep 65: JD Tremblay of Hungry Warrior Academy

  May 29, 202655 minS6

  Send us Fan Mail In this episode of The Harden Up Podcast, Matt sits down with JD Tremblay — Director of High Performance & Mental Resilience Advisor at Hungry Warrior Academy. JD’s background spans military service, elite ultra-endurance competition, and high-performance coaching focused on helping people operate under pressure while building real mental resilience. This conversation goes beyond surface-level “mindset” talk and dives into the realities of stress, suffering, burnout, identity, and what actually creates durable discipline. Matt and JD discuss: Why pressure exposure matters The connection between endurance athletes and tactical operators Men’s mental health and performance culture Burnout in high-achieving professionals Tactical culture, accountability, and leadership Recovery and nervous system regulation Purpose, identity, and life after the mission This episode is especially relevant for law enforcement, military personnel, first responders, athletes, and anyone striving to perform at a high level without losing themselves in the process. JD Tremblay & Hungry Warrior Academy Social Media: @hungrywarrioracademy Website: https://hungrywarrioracademy.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! The OpTempo Training Group website for an updated list of classes: https://optempotraining.com/ @optempotraining on Instagram and Facebook Find us on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kBpYUjDdve9BULTHRF2Bw/featured?view_as=subscriber The Harden Up Podcast is brought to you by OpTempo Training Group — delivering real-world training for law enforcement, military, and prepared citizens nationwide.

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Harden Up Podcast

  Ep 64: Training Expectations & Low-Light Work

  Apr 30, 202617 min

  Send us Fan Mail Episode Summary Training isn’t a checkbox—it’s your foundation. In this episode, we break down why tactical training is critical not just for performance in the field, but for legal accountability after the fact. Using key case law, including Graham v. Connor, City of Canton v. Harris, Popow v. City of Margate, and Zuchel v. City and County of Denver, we highlight how training—or the lack of it—has directly impacted outcomes for officers and agencies. We also take a hard look at the environments officers actually work in and why infrequent, “check-the-box” training isn’t enough to prepare for real-world encounters. Low-light operations are used as a case study to expose one of the most common training gaps across agencies. We break down the fundamentals of lumens vs. candela, beam pattern, and throw—along with practical considerations for handheld, pistol-mounted, and rifle-mounted lights. If you’re serious about performance, officer safety, and reducing liability, this episode is a must-listen. Gear Mentioned We discussed weapon lights and the importance of selecting the right tool for your environment and mission. 👉 Use code OPTEMPO15 for 15% off Inforce lights Inforce Lights Social Media: @inforcelights Website: https://inforcelights.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! The OpTempo Training Group website for an updated list of classes: https://optempotraining.com/ @optempotraining on Instagram and Facebook Find us on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kBpYUjDdve9BULTHRF2Bw/featured?view_as=subscriber

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Harden Up Podcast

  Ep 63: Florian Oberst- German Army Officer & Lowa Global Product Manager

  Mar 25, 202643 minS6

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 63: From Alpine Warfare to Elite Footwear: Florian Oberst on Performance in the Mountains. In this episode, I sit down with Florian Oberst —a German Army Reserve Captain, former mountain infantry soldier, and Global Product Manager at LOWA. Florian’s background is rooted in high mountain military operations, where he trained and operated in extreme alpine environments, building a deep understanding of what true performance demands in the field. After his military service, Florian studied sports and medical technology with a focus on biomechanics and equipment development, eventually transitioning into the outdoor industry. Today, he leads the global product line for LOWA’s professional boot line and mountaineering category, helping design footwear built for the harshest conditions on earth. We dive into the crossover between military experience and product innovation, what actually matters when it comes to performance gear, and how real-world use shapes the equipment professionals rely on. If you’re interested in mountains, gear, or high-level performance—this episode delivers real insight from someone who’s lived it on both sides. Lowa Boots Social Media: @lowa.professional and @lowaboots Website: https://www.lowaboots.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! The OpTempo Training Group website for an updated list of classes: https://optempotraining.com/ @optempotraining on Instagram and Facebook Find us on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kBpYUjDdve9BULTHRF2Bw/featured?view_as=subscriber

  ListenShow Notes
• 

  The Harden Up Podcast

  Ep 62: Lucas Bode- Professional Hunting Guide

  Feb 28, 20261h 10m

  Send us Fan Mail Episode 62: Elk, Elevation & Ethics: Inside the World of a Backcountry Hunting Guide with Lucas Bode In this episode, I sit down with Lucas Bode , a professional hunting guide with nearly 20 years of backcountry experience. Lucas started as a self-taught, DIY mountain hunter and built his career the old-fashioned way — through in-the-field experience and hard-earned lessons in unforgiving terrain. Now guiding for Montana Trophy Outfitters in southwest Montana, Lucas specializes in elk hunting — both archery and rifle — while also leading hunts for antelope, bear, mule deer, and whitetail. We talk about what it really takes to lead clients in remote country, the responsibility that comes with guiding, and the ethics behind a successful harvest. Montana Trophy Outfitters: Social: @mtoutfitters Web: https://mttrophy.com/ Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share the show! The OpTempo Training Group website for an updated list of classes: https://optempotraining.com/ @optempotraining on Instagram and Facebook Find us on Youtube at https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC4kBpYUjDdve9BULTHRF2Bw/featured?view_as=subscriber Lowa Boots IG: @lowa.professional and @lowaboots https://www.lowaboots.com/

  ListenShow Notes

Recent guests on The Harden Up Podcast. Study who booked and why before you pitch.

Based on semantic analysis of episode topics and host coverage, this show is a strong guest fit for executives in:

Industry fit is computed by PitchCentric using vector embeddings of the show's episode catalog.