RIDEOUT: The Other Side of Hard

I’ve known Micky Ward for a long time. Before the fights people saw. Before the movie.

This is a guy who was working as a corrections officer while trying to make it in boxing. Getting written off. Used as an opponent. Walking away from the sport… and coming back anyway.

We talk about the part people don’t understand — the fear.

He’ll tell you straight up, everyone’s scared. Anyone who says they’re not is lying.

The difference is he learned how to control it and still go forward.

We get into Round 9 of the first Gatti fight — what it actually felt like to be in there, hurt, exhausted, and still making the decision to fight.

We talk about his family, what the movie got right and wrong, and what it takes to keep going when everything in you is telling you to stop.

This one is about endurance. Not talent.

Just deciding you’re not done.

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Athletic Nicotine: athleticnicotine.com/rideout Code "RIDEOUT"

Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/

Chapters

(00:00) Lowell and Jailhouse Days(02:51) Early Boxing Roots(03:30) Dickie as Trainer(06:15) Turning Pro and Setbacks(07:58) Fear and Fight Night Nerves(09:54) Dickie vs Sugar Ray(12:59) Gym Fighters and Sparring(17:12) Title Shot vs Shea Neary(20:42) Sanchez Comeback KO(25:42) Family Life and Sisters(27:46) Making The Fighter Movie(34:52) Movie Ending Explained(35:05) Story Sources Documentary(35:44) Family Reactions Premiere(38:26) Nephew Sean And Fame(40:14) Race Sports And Prison(42:33) Toughest Opponents Lessons(45:40) Title Stripped And Setbacks(48:24) Gatti Call And Mindset(51:09) Fight Breakdown Ninth Round(57:28) Trilogy Injuries And Surgery(01:01:13) Friendship After Trilogy(01:02:10) Life After Boxing Wrap(01:04:17) Podcast Outro And Plugs

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I went out to Malibu to sit down with Laird Hamilton and Gabby Reece.

Everyone knows Laird for big-wave surfing and doing things most people wouldn’t even attempt. But what stood out to me wasn’t the waves—it was how he thinks about fear.

He doesn’t avoid it. He uses it.

And then there’s Gabby. She’s watching the person she loves go put himself in real danger, and instead of trying to control it, she’s built a level of trust that most people just don’t have.

We also got into their marriage.

They almost got divorced early on. Not in theory—actually close. And what changed everything was learning how to deal with problems immediately. No letting things build. No saying nothing and pretending it’s fine.

Say it. Fix it. Move on.

It sounds simple, but most people don’t do it.

We talked about discipline, addiction, reputation, and why people look at someone’s life and call it “lucky” without having any idea what it took to get there.

This isn’t a surfing conversation.

It’s about fear, ownership, and doing the work—whether that’s in your life, your career, or your relationship.

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Timeline: timeline.com/rideout Code "RIDEOUT"

Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/

Chapters

(00:00) Welcome To Malibu

(00:35) Daily Training Routines

(01:54) Competition And Pickleball

(03:15) Facing Big Wave Fear

(08:00) Trusted Surf Safety Team

(09:43) Why Gabby Quit Surfing

(13:54) How They Met And Worked

(15:37) Man Skills And Alone

(17:40) Marriage Rules And Conflict

(27:00) Parenting And Values

(30:22) Island Upbringing Stories

(36:29) Laird Youth Sports And Work

(38:34) Finding Your Tribe

(40:20) Open Gate Hospitality

(42:01) Unexpected Famous Encounters

(44:29) Therapy And Self Care

(46:30) Luck Is Law

(49:54) Journey Over Destination

(53:51) Reputation Long Game

(56:00) Daily Marriage Practice

(01:00:08) Vintage Car Story

(01:02:25) Hamilton House Vision

(01:07:10) Time Over Money

(01:09:01) Portal Responsibility Wrap

(01:14:32) Podcast Outro And Plugs
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Former NFL wide receiver Eric Decker had everything most people chase—success, fame, a Super Bowl appearance, and a picture-perfect life on the outside.

But when football ended, so did the structure, identity, and validation he had relied on his entire life.

In this conversation, Eric opens up about what really happens after the dream is over—struggling with confidence, anxiety, and purpose, and confronting the deeper issues rooted in childhood, family, and self-worth.

He shares the turning point that forced him to face it all: therapy, vulnerability, and doing the inner work most men avoid.

We also go deep on fatherhood, pressure, and how to show up better for your kids… plus the journey from small-town Minnesota to the NFL, draft-day uncertainty, a devastating Lisfranc injury, and playing in a Super Bowl.

This is a conversation about identity, masculinity, and what it actually takes to rebuild your life when the thing you thought defined you is gone.

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Rho: https://rhonutrition.com Code "RIDEOUT"

Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/

Chapters

(00:00) Eric Decker Joins

(00:11) Vulnerability After Sports

(02:55) Onsite Therapy Weekend

(07:43) Men Asking For Help

(12:25) Small Town Sports Roots

(18:16) Family Divorce And Dad Pressure

(20:25) Parenting Youth Sports

(29:27) College Scholarship Moment

(31:54) Grinding Through Minnesota

(33:08) Receiver Skills And Intangibles

(35:24) Finding Soft Spots

(35:51) Two Sport Pivot

(37:47) College Breakout Years

(39:46) Choosing Football Over Baseball

(41:09) Lisfranc Injury Fallout

(44:43) Draft Day Rollercoaster

(50:02) Rookie Camp Reality Check

(55:08) Special Teams Baptism

(01:02:35) Peyton Era And Super Bowl

(01:05:19) Super Bowl Week Chaos

(01:07:01) Kids And Memorabilia

(01:08:38) Meeting Jess After Rookie Year

(01:09:02) Lockout Year Adventures

(01:09:35) Meeting Jess Long Distance

(01:10:51) Early Career Growing Pains

(01:12:20) Why Nashville Works

(01:13:46) Authenticity And Real Friends

(01:14:52) Retirement Identity Crisis

(01:16:26) Jess Pushes For Help

(01:18:33) Reality Show Origins

(01:25:37) Special Forces In Morocco

(01:32:17) Pickleball And New Ventures

(01:34:57) Friendship And Closing Advice
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Kaitlyn Bristowe went from a small town in Canada to the center of reality TV—and paid the price for it.

She opens up about chasing a dance career, hitting rock bottom after a breakup, and rebuilding her life from nothing. Then came The Bachelor and The Bachelorette—and with it, fame, manipulation behind the scenes, and a level of public backlash that nearly broke her.

She talks about being slut-shamed on national TV, dealing with threats, and navigating the pressure of building a career in a space that didn’t exist yet.

But she didn’t stop there.

From Broadway to building a business, writing music, and ultimately winning Dancing With the Stars, Kaitlyn shares how she turned chaos into momentum—and why doing the inner work mattered just as much as the external success.

This is a conversation about identity, resilience, and staying true to yourself when the world is trying to define you.

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Helix Sleep: http://helixsleep.com/rideout for 20% off

Athletic Brewing: https://athleticbrewing.com/ Code "RIDEOUT"

Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/

Chapters

00:00 Welcome and Reality Stigma

00:49 Instagram Early Days

02:07 Brand Deals and Trust

03:11 Influencer Culture Shift

05:22 Small Town Roots

06:37 Dance Dream to Vancouver

07:20 College Blueprint Debate

10:16 Hockey Life and Rock Bottom

12:50 Signed Up for The Bachelor

13:30 Adversity and Mental Health

15:31 Bachelor Night One Chaos

18:13 Bali Blindside Elimination

21:26 Becoming The Bachelorette

22:13 Negotiating the Contract

25:14 Bachelorette Behind the Scenes

26:31 Sex Talk and Producer Manipulation

30:24 Backlash and Mean Tweets

31:25 Trolls And Triggers

32:42 Reality TV Relationship Fallout

34:16 Post Show Career Whiplash

34:54 Broadway Dream And Burnout

37:11 Paparazzi And Being Recognized

37:50 Sponsor Break Athletic Brewing

38:43 Broadway Nerves And Mom Moment

39:57 DWTS Drama And Contract Twist

42:39 Winning DWTS Through Injury

47:55 Freestyle Finale And Nev Beef

49:46 Staying True And Inner Child Work

56:28 Hoffman Process And Self Dates

01:00:07 Psychedelics And Ego Death Story

01:02:25 Closing Thoughts And Subscribe
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Phillip Frankland Lee went from washing dishes to building one of the most unique restaurant empires in the world. But it didn’t happen clean.

He was betrayed by a business partner who disappeared, leaving him with debt and lawsuits. He got hit with a $15M legal battle from private equity. His restaurants were shut down overnight during COVID.

And instead of folding, he doubled down.

In this episode, Phillip breaks down how he turned Sushi by Scratch into a full sensory “show,” why he believes great food should hit even if you’re not a foodie, and how relentless work ethic—from punk rock touring to Michelin kitchens—shaped everything he built.

This is a story about obsession, resilience, and refusing to lose—no matter how many times the game resets.

Thank you to our sponsors

Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT”

Athletic Nicotine: athleticnicotine.com/rideout Code "RIDEOUT"

Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/

Chapters

(00:00) Meet the Sushi Showman

(00:31) Concert vs Show Dining

(02:27) Speakeasy Vibe Origins

(05:25) Ten Seats Omakase Flow

(06:55) Sushi Obsession at 13

(11:01) Family Drive and Discipline

(14:54) From Bands to Dish Pit

(18:49) Quitting Culinary School

(21:34) Kitchen Culture and Leadership

(26:58) First Sous Chef Reality

(31:28) Michelin Standards at Hatfield's

(35:43) Chicago Three Star Leap

(37:42) Chef Ride Stories

(39:18) Chicago Kitchen Lessons

(40:49) LA Proposal Reset

(41:02) Tasting Menu Delivery

(43:10) Scratch Bar Deal

(46:18) Critics And Standards

(47:53) Coffee Shop Fallout

(49:50) Apartment Pop Up

(51:31) Beverly Hills Move

(52:51) Jonathan Gold Boost

(55:36) Health Scare Pivot

(58:05) Food Network Wins

(59:02) Top Chef Controversy

(01:06:17) Partner Betrayal

(01:10:48) New Backer Rebuild

(01:14:46) Pandemic Survival Mode

(01:17:10) Austin Pop Up Breakthrough

(01:17:34) Rogan Sells Out February

(01:19:23) Austin Popup Becomes Permanent

(01:20:23) Private Equity Deal Trap

(01:22:20) Hit With $15M Lawsuit

(01:28:03) Opening 30 Restaurants to Survive

(01:30:06) Four Acre Michelin Dream

(01:36:14) Hunting and Whole Animal Cooking

(01:46:35) Nashville Burger Launch

(01:49:43) Mindset Gratitude and Follow Through

(01:53:22) Closing Thanks and Subscribe
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