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Artwork for Choose the Hard Way

Choose the Hard Way

Andrew Vontz
Mental Health
Pro Cycling
Fitness
Unbound Gravel
Mountain Biking
Endurance Sports
Cycling
Desert Island Survival
Tom Perriello
Multisport Racing
The Better Lab
National Geographic
Bike Racing
Polkadot
Unbound 100
Gravel Racing
High Performance
Mindfulness
Nutrition
Mega Mid South

Conversations about how hard things build stronger humans who have more fun. Guests from pro cycling, sports, politics, business, tech, journalism, the military and more. Resilience, grit, mental health, high performance, mindfulness. Host Andrew Vontz is an entrepreneur & founder of One Real Voice, the strategic & coaching consultancy for podcast guests & hosts. Previously, he was a Strava execut... more

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes129Founded7 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Health & FitnessSociety & Culture

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Artwork for Choose the Hard Way

Latest Episodes

Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz in conversation with Jeff Troesch, one of the most experienced mental performance coaches in elite sport. For nearly four decades, Jeff has helped athletes and teams win at the highest level, including the Sup... more

YouTube

The dramatic JK Normatec addiction intervention, detonating Mt. Lemmon records, the Dan Swenson World Tour 2026 bid, traveling with SciCon bike bags, and the applied high performance practices of aging parents going big in the desert.

— Spencer Ma... more

YouTube

Tears, chamois cream, glory. Carb slurry was downed by the gallon and tears were shed in garages and at dinner tables around the world as the community collectively gave everything to secure midpack glory at select gravel major and minor races in mid... more

YouTube

Jens Voigt raced the Tour de France 17 times, wore the yellow jersey, won stages in the Tour de France and Giro d'Italia, and set the Hour Record on the track at age 43. He joins Choose the Hard Way creator Andrew Vontz how crashing at 70 km/h change... more

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Recent Guests

Paul Redmayne
A four-time outdoor Everest-er
UAE
Episode: Abandon Your Family 30,000 Roundtable - Spencer Martin, Andrew Vontz, Jonathan Kaplan, Paul Redmayne
Jens Voigt
Former professional cyclist, renowned commentator, and father of six.
Episode: Jens Voigt on East Germany, Parenting Six Kids, Crashing at 70 km/h and Life after 17 Tours de France
Patrick J. Murphy
First Iraq War veteran elected to Congress and former undersecretary of the Army, now an entrepreneur and policy advocate.
Patrick J. Murphy Consulting
Episode: Patrick J. Murphy - 1st Iraq War Veteran Elected to Congress - Former Under Secretary of the Army
Kip Taylor
Special guest and participant in the Abandon Your Family 500
Kip's Corner
Episode: #AYF500 Update 2 - Kip's Stealth Century Knock Out - Andrew Vontz, Spencer Martin, Jonathan Kaplan, & Special Guest Kip Taylor - Abandon Your Family 500 2025
Colin Allred
Former NFL player and civil rights attorney, current congressional candidate
Texas Congress
Episode: Colin Allred - NFL, Congress, the Senate Race - United States of Sweat - with Andrew Vontz & Jonathan Kaplan
Josh Turek
Two-time Paralympic Gold Medalist and U.S. Senate candidate
Turek for Iowa
Episode: Josh Turek - 2x Paralympic Gold Medalist - U.S. Senate candidate from Iowa - ex Pro Wheelchair Basketball Player
Payson McElveen
Professional multi-surface cyclist and adventure filmmaker
Red Bull
Episode: Pro Cyclist Payson McElveen - The Hardest Ride Is the One You Don't See - on Creativity, Pressure & What Comes Next
Stephen Starring Grant
Author and artist, known for his memoir.
Episode: Stephen Starring Grant - Author of MAILMAN: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home
Rahm Emanuel
Former Chief of Staff to President Obama, Mayor of Chicago, and Ambassador to Japan
Ambassador to Japan
Episode: Rahm Emanuel - United States of Sweat

Host

Andrew Vontz
Host of conversations focusing on resilience and personal growth, with extensive experience in journalism and communications, particularly in the realms of sports and fitness.

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 405 ratings
  • The Bank Bros.

    It’s not the Bonk Bros

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Kevin- Tulsa Climber
    United States13 days ago
  • Awesomeness

    Andrew is da best. Love his style and humility

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    GoNoPo
    United Statesa month ago
  • Andrew Vontz is hilarious

    Andrew is hitting his stride with the Abandon Your Family 500 series. A natural and so funny on the mic. Great pod if you love cycling and work it into being a parent who has a job!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Volzy M
    United States2 months ago
  • Great pod for gravel riders and outdoors people

    Great pod. The Kemo episode is great!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Brian FLL
    United States2 years ago
  • Best interviewer.

    Great questions asked. Better responses. Every episode is great

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Newbiebiker1
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Audience feedback highlights the podcast's strong focus on fitness and mental health, appealing to those interested in endurance sports and personal development.
Listeners appreciate the intuitive and engaging conversations that offer valuable insights on resilience and personal growth.
The host is recognized for conducting thoughtful interviews that delve into guests' experiences and challenges, enriching the content for the audience.
Many reviews emphasize the high quality of guests and the informative nature of discussions, making it a favorite among listeners seeking motivation and knowledge.
Listeners find the interactions to be authentic and relatable, resonating with their own life's challenges and encouraging community connection.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#174
Mexico/Health & Fitness
Apple Podcasts
#215
Denmark/Health & Fitness

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Patrick J. Murphy - 1st Iraq War Veteran Elected to Congress - Former Under Secretary of the Army
Q: How do you approach parenting?
He discusses being a friend and a father, supporting his children while maintaining parental boundaries and encouraging their independence.
Patrick J. Murphy - 1st Iraq War Veteran Elected to Congress - Former Under Secretary of the Army
Q: What do you think you bring with you that enables you to adapt in new operational environments?
Murphy emphasizes the importance of choosing hard paths and learning from challenges to drive success and adaptation in new environments.
Patrick J. Murphy - 1st Iraq War Veteran Elected to Congress - Former Under Secretary of the Army
Q: What was your first shift at Perkins like?
Patrick shared a humorous anecdote about working a graveyard shift at Perkins as a 16-year-old while balancing school and hockey practice.
Jens Voigt on East Germany, Parenting Six Kids, Crashing at 70 km/h and Life after 17 Tours de France
Q: Jens, going back to 2009, I know you and I talked about this a bit at the tour to Tucson... Could you walk us through what happened and your level of confidence before that wreck and after?
The crash drastically affected my confidence; it took many steps to rebuild it after the incident, especially on potentially dangerous descents.
Jens Voigt on East Germany, Parenting Six Kids, Crashing at 70 km/h and Life after 17 Tours de France
Q: Jens, people watching the sport, when they look at riders who are going for victories and grand tours, it's hard to understand... What is it actually like for those team leaders in that seat?
Team leaders feel enormous pressure as they carry the responsibility for their team's success while also managing their own performance expectations.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About Choose the Hard Way

What is Choose the Hard Way about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features insightful conversations revolving around the challenges and experiences that help build resilience and strength in individuals. Topics of discussion span across various fields, including sports, politics, business, tech, and journalism, emphasizing the role of grit, mental health, and mindfulness in achieving high performance. Each episode frequently invites guests who share their compelling stories and insights on overcoming adversity and the importance of pushing boundaries, making this a valuable listen for those interested in personal development and the human experience. Unique moments arise from the engaging personalities and diverse backgrounds of guests, creating a rich landscape for learning and connection am... more

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How many subscribers and views does Choose the Hard Way have?

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Which podcasts are similar to Choose the Hard Way?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Choose the Hard Way:

1. With Pace
2. Ask a Cycling Coach Podcast - Presented by TrainerRoad
3. The Roadman Cycling Podcast
4. The Nero Show
5. Fast Talk

How many episodes of Choose the Hard Way are there?

Choose the Hard Way launched 7 years ago and published 129 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact Choose the Hard Way?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Choose the Hard Way?

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What guests have appeared on Choose the Hard Way?

Recent guests on Choose the Hard Way include:

1. Paul Redmayne
2. Jens Voigt
3. Patrick J. Murphy
4. Kip Taylor
5. Colin Allred
6. Josh Turek
7. Payson McElveen
8. Stephen Starring Grant

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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