RIDEOUT: The Other Side of Hard Podcast By Ken Rideout cover art

RIDEOUT: The Other Side of Hard

RIDEOUT: The Other Side of Hard

By: Ken Rideout
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The Other Side of Hard, hosted by Ken Rideout — raw, gripping conversations with people who've pushed past the breaking point. Stories of resilience, redemption, and what's waiting on the other side.© 2025 Ken Rideout Personal Development Personal Success Social Sciences
Episodes
  • War Took His Legs. Not His Life. | Jason Smith

    War Took His Legs. Not His Life. | Jason Smith
    Apr 29 2026
    Jason Smith is a retired U.S. Army infantry sergeant who lost both legs after stepping on an IED in Afghanistan in 2012. What followed wasn’t just survival—it was a complete rebuild. From months of rehab in Texas to refusing prosthetics, to eventually relearning how to walk, Jason had to let go of who he was to become someone new. Along the way, he faced PTSD, setbacks, and moments that nearly broke him—but kept choosing forward. Today, he’s a father of two, lives on a farm, and serves veterans through Catch A Lift Fund—helping others rebuild through fitness, community, and purpose. He’s also a USPA National Bench Press Champion, competing and winning against able-bodied athletes. This is a story about identity, resilience, and what happens after everything is taken from you. Thank you to our sponsors Ketone-IQ: ⁠ketone.com/rideout Code “RIDEOUT” Rho Nutrition: https://rhonutrition.com/ Code "RIDEOUT" Ken’s book now available here: https://www.theothersideofhard.com/ Chapters (00:00) Meet Jason Smith (00:20) Growing Up and Enlisting (01:29) Boot Camp Reality Check (02:39) Stationed in South Korea (05:48) Fort Lewis and Deployment Prep (07:08) Training for Combat (11:15) First Missions and Fear (15:47) First Contact and Loss (20:14) Pinned Down and Enemy Tactics (23:44) The IED Blast (29:04) Evac to Kandahar and Germany (32:25) Texas Rehab and Prosthetics (38:26) Learning to Walk Again (39:22) High Tech Prosthetics Costs (40:53) Finding Strength and Farm Life (45:08) Rehab Mindset and Identity (46:08) Robbed Hit and Near Drowning (50:53) Marriage Kids and Homeschooling (55:09) Catch A Lift Mission (57:42) Warrior Games to Invictus Wins (01:00:10) USPA Nationals and Bench Rules (01:03:35) Purpose Advice and Farewell Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 13 mins
  • From Olympic Pressure to Peace and Purpose | Katie Hoff

    From Olympic Pressure to Peace and Purpose | Katie Hoff
    Apr 24 2026
    Katie Hoff was one of the best swimmers in the world before most kids could drive. She made the Olympic team at 15, won multiple medals, and carried the pressure of being called the next great American swimmer. But behind the results was a different story. The weight of expectations. The identity tied to performance. And the realization that even success at the highest level didn’t bring what she thought it would. After missing teams, battling depression, and a pulmonary embolism that ended her career, Katie was forced to rebuild from the ground up. What followed wasn’t another comeback in the pool — it was something deeper. In this conversation, Katie opens up about IVF, Olympic pressure, identity, and how the Hoffman Process helped her find real peace. Now she’s building a new chapter through her podcast, her work, and starting a family. This is about what happens after the dream — and how to build something better. 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) Meet Katie Hoff (00:31) Pregnancy Excitement (02:04) Fertility Journey Begins (05:37) IVF Success Story (07:18) Training While Pregnant (08:59) Parenting Talk and Favorites (10:52) Sponsor Break Ketone IQ (11:41) Early Life and Swimming Start (14:46) North Baltimore Breakthrough (17:50) Olympic Trials Triumph (24:51) Team USA Camp Culture Shock (29:59) Sponsor Break Athletic Brewing (30:57) Athens 2004 Setback (32:52) Bouncing Back and Redemption (38:32) Turning Pro and Sponsors (43:00) Homeschool And Training (43:59) Beijing Pressure Cooker (46:07) Medals And Media Heat (49:23) Coach Split And Identity (56:40) 2012 Trials Turning Point (58:52) Pulmonary Embolism Scare (01:03:31) Retirement And Depression (01:04:40) Hoffman Process Breakthrough (01:10:57) Unfiltered Waters Mission (01:17:14) Baby Plans And Wrap Up Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 24 mins
  • Broken, Beat and a World Title | “Irish” Micky Ward

    Broken, Beat and a World Title | “Irish” Micky Ward
    Apr 22 2026
    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 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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    1 hr and 5 mins
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