Podcast
The Peak Performance Podcast by Brad Young
Hosted by Brad Young · EN
Welcome to the Peak Performance Podcast—your guide to unlocking your potential and thriving in every area of life. Hosted by Brad Young, Ph.D., bestselling author and trusted voice in health, fitness, and personal growth, this show delivers practical, evidence-based strategies to help you become your best self.
Ranked in the top 10% of podcasts globally—and previously in the top 10 health and fitness podcasts—this show continues to grow, evolve, and raise the bar.
Brad goes beyond theory, breaking down the training, mindset, and nutrition of elite athletes and high performers, then testing these strategies in real life. From running and fitness to mental resilience and modern health technology, he shares what actually works so you can apply it immediately.
Each episode is packed with actionable tools to improve your mental, physical, and emotional well-being—whether you're optimizing performance, building better habits, or overcoming challenges.
This isn’t just information—it’s transformation. Subscribe and start your journey to peak performance today.
Disclaimer: This podcast is for informational purposes only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure any medical conditions.
43episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
Episode 86 Comparing Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates' High Intensity Interval Training Styles and How You Can Implement Them
Feb 500:49:34Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we take a deep dive into the training philosophies of two legendary figures in the fitness world: Mike Mentzer and Dorian Yates. These pioneers revolutionized High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT) with their unique approaches, emphasizing short, intense workout sessions designed to maximize results with minimal time investment. We explore the similarities and differences between their methods, breaking down the science and practicality behind their success.But it doesn’t stop there. We discuss how you can adapt and implement these high-intensity styles not just for bodybuilding, but for a variety of sports and fitness goals. Whether you’re looking to improve endurance for running, build explosive power for basketball, or enhance your agility for soccer, these training strategies can be tailored to fit your specific needs. Tune in to learn how to make the most of your workouts and elevate your performance, no matter your athletic discipline!See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 85: What Separates Delta Force from Other Elite Military Units
Jan 3000:45:22Tap to summarizeDelta Force stands apart from other elite units not simply because of physical prowess, but due to a comprehensive selection process that tests psychological resilience, creative problem-solving, and adaptive thinking under extreme stress. While Navy SEALs, Army Rangers, and Marine Raiders are all exceptional warriors, Delta's selection emphasizes cognitive flexibility and independent decision-making at levels that exceed most military training programs.The selection process itself reveals the difference. Candidates face deliberately vague instructions, constantly changing requirements, and scenarios designed to break conventional military thinking. They're evaluated on their ability to navigate ambiguity, maintain composure during chaos, and make sound decisions when exhausted beyond normal limits. This approach filters for individuals who can think clearly when others cannot, who adapt when others freeze, and who find solutions when others see only problems.What makes this relevant to your peak performance journey is simple: Delta doesn't just build soldiers who follow orders exceptionally well. They cultivate operators who thrive in uncertainty, who turn constraints into advantages, and who maintain effectiveness when systems fail. These same capabilities translate directly to high-stakes business environments, competitive athletics, and any pursuit demanding excellence under pressure.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 84: The Ancestral Blueprint for Peak Performance
Jan 2501:26:58Tap to summarizeFor the past few months, I've been obsessed with this question: What if everything we think we know about peak performance is backwards? What if instead of fighting against our biology with extreme diets, punishing workout routines, and constant optimization hacks, we actually worked with the fundamental programming that's been refined over hundreds of thousands of years?Today's episode is about understanding that programming. We're going to look at how prehistoric cultures approached physical performance, how your unique genetic makeup and body type determine your optimal path forward, and most importantly, how you can combine ancient wisdom with modern advantages to unlock capabilities you didn't know you had.This isn't about going back to living in caves or abandoning modern science. It's about recognizing that we are, biologically speaking, still those prehistoric humans. Our bodies haven't evolved to match our environment—our environment has changed faster than we can adapt. And that mismatch is creating problems we can solve by understanding where we came from.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 76: Running with the Tarahumar
Dec 1500:41:48Tap to summarizeThe Hidden Runners of Copper CanyonNestled in the remote Sierra Madre Occidental mountains of northern Mexico lies a network of canyons four times larger than the Grand Canyon. This is Copper Canyon, home to the Rarámuri people, more commonly known as the Tarahumara. The name Rarámuri literally translates to "those who run fast" or the running people, and it's not an exaggeration. For centuries, this indigenous community has maintained a way of life centered around running—not as exercise or sport, but as fundamental transportation, communication, and cultural identity.The Tarahumara live in one of the most rugged terrains imaginable. Their villages are scattered across vast distances, separated by deep canyons and steep mountain ridges. Before modern roads penetrated their territory, running was simply how they moved through their world. A Tarahumara runner might think nothing of covering fifty to one hundred miles in a single day to visit relatives, trade goods, or participate in ceremonies. They run to hunt deer, literally chasing the animals to exhaustion over the course of days. And perhaps most famously, they play a traditional ball game called rarájipari that can last for two days straight and cover distances exceeding one hundred miles.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 75: Ancient Tools for Modern Warriors
Dec 1000:40:29Tap to summarizeHere's something fascinating: while we've been chasing the latest smart equipment and AI-powered training systems, some of the world's most elite performers have been quietly returning to tools that were old when your great-grandparents were young. Navy SEALs swing Indian clubs. Olympic athletes train with sandbags. Professional fighters incorporate steel maces into their conditioning. Why?The answer lies in understanding what these primitive tools offer that modern equipment often can't: unpredictability, natural movement patterns, and a unique stimulus that builds resilience from the inside out. These aren't just workout tools. They're recovery tools. They're injury prevention tools. They're performance enhancement tools disguised in humble, ancient packages.Think about it this way: your body evolved over millions of years to handle irregular objects, shifting loads, and three-dimensional movement. Then we locked it into fixed planes of motion on machines and predictable patterns with barbells. There's nothing wrong with those tools, but they're incomplete. Primitive implements fill the gaps that modern training creates.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 74 Ancient Warriors Comparing Training Philosophies 2 of 2
Dec 501:16:41Tap to summarizeComparing Training PhilosophiesNow that we've examined each of these legendary military forces individually, let's compare their approaches to training and see what lessons we can draw. Each culture developed training systems that reflected their values, resources, and tactical needs, yet certain principles appear across all of them. Understanding these commonalities and differences reveals fundamental truths about peak performance that apply far beyond ancient warfare.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 73: Ancient Warriors - The Ultimate Peak Performers
Nov 3000:57:35Tap to summarizeWhat can ancient soldiers teach us about peak performance? As it turns out, quite a lot. These weren't just fighters; they were the result of sophisticated training systems, carefully designed nutrition programs, and mental conditioning that would impress even today's sports scientists. From the disciplined ranks of Roman legions to the lightning-fast Mongol cavalry, each of these military forces achieved something remarkable: they became the absolute best at what they did.Over the next hour, we'll examine five of history's greatest military units. We'll explore their training regimens, discover what they ate to fuel their bodies, understand the physical conditioning that made them formidable, and uncover the mental and cultural factors that transformed ordinary men into legendary warriors. These ancient peak performers have lessons for all of us, whether we're athletes, professionals, or simply people striving to be our best.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 72 Building Strength While Preventing Injuries
Nov 2500:54:05Tap to summarizeToday we're diving deep into one of the most critical aspects of elite performance: building strength while preventing injuries. This isn't just about lifting heavier weights or running faster times. It's about understanding the sophisticated systems that military special operations units, Olympic athletes, and world-class performers use to push their bodies to the limit while staying healthy and operational for decades.The paradox of strength training is this: the very process that makes you stronger can also break you down if done incorrectly. Elite performers have cracked this code. They've developed systematic approaches that allow them to build extraordinary strength while maintaining joint health, tissue integrity, and long-term performance capacity. Over the next sections, we'll explore these proven strategies in depth, giving you actionable frameworks you can implement immediately.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 71 Ancestral Primitive Fitness for Peak Physical and Mental Performance
Nov 2000:53:45Tap to summarizeIn this episode, we'll explore how you can tap into this ancestral blueprint to transform your physical and mental performance. We'll break down body types, examine caveman-style workouts tailored to your unique physiology, and discover how our ancestors' diets can revolutionize your modern nutrition. Whether you have access to a full gym or just your bodyweight and a few basic tools, you'll learn practical strategies to train like a warrior and eat like a hunter-gatherer. Let's journey back in time to move forward in performance.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
Transcribe →Episode 70 Unconventional Fitness for Peak Physical and Mental Performance
Nov 1500:36:46Tap to summarizeToday we're diving deep into Unconventional Fitness for Peak Physical and Mental Performance This is one of the most fascinating and overlooked approaches to achieving peak physical and mental performance: prison fitness. I have conductive extensive research for this episode. Behind bars, where access to equipment is severely limited and survival often depends on physical capability, inmates have developed some of the most effective, no-nonsense training methods known to man. Forget chrome dumbbells and complex machinery; these routines are born from pure necessity. These aren't your typical gym routines—they're battle-tested systems forged in the crucible of necessity, where results aren't optional and excuses don't exist. The raw simplicity of using one's own body weight, a small space, and unwavering discipline creates a powerful formula for transformation.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.
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