The Intensity Podcast
Hustle. Heart. Humor.
Hosted by fitness expert and CEO Hans Hartleben (former bodyguard to Henry Hill, famous mobster- Lucchese crime family), mixes high-energy motivation, current events, and raw humor, all while delivering tough love and unfiltered perspectives.
With his unique background in entertainment and fitness, Hans brings a comedic touch to his insights, using humor and real talk to inspire listeners to break through barriers and live their best lives.
Episodes
44 episodes
Derek Toshner's 24-day Denali Climb - Eating Buried Food To Survive
Running low on food and staring down the real possibility of not having enough to finish the climb, Derek Toshner and his team faced a moment that forced absolute honesty about preparation, risk, and consequence.In this episode of the
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Season 1
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Episode 44
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1:34:34
Healing at the Cellular Level: A Deep Dive Into Acemannan (with Joe Bush)
In this episode, I sit down with Joe Bush to explore what healing at the cellular level really means.We break down acemannan — what it is, what the research suggests, and how it may support immune function, cellular commu...
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Season 1
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Episode 43
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56:15
The Foundation of Winning: Coach Tim Polasek NDSU (Coach of the Year)
Winning starts with core values and enforced standards.In this episode, Tim Polasek, Head Coach of NDSU Football, breaks down how elite programs build culture, demand accountability, and sustain success over time.
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Season 1
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Episode 42
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1:03:42
It's MY fault. Here is why...
At some point in business, you realize the truth no one wants to say out loud:If it’s happening in your company… it’s your fault.In this episode, we talk about what ultimate responsibility really looks like — not blame, n...
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Season 1
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Episode 41
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14:06
How To: Burn Your Boat
There comes a moment when retreat is no longer an option. This episode is about that moment.Inspired by the legendary story of Hernán Cortés, Hans breaks down what it really means to burn the boats, to remove the safety nets, the excuses...
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Season 1
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Episode 40
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21:06
WAIT, Broke the Wagon! Here's How:
This episode dives into the quiet truth most people never admit out loud: starting something is easy. Following through is where the battle begins. A lot of people open a business, step into a new career, or launch a big idea… and then freeze. ...
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Season 1
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Episode 39
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15:50
Swinging for More: Chris Brooks on Failure, Fatherhood & Entrepreneurship
In this episode, Hans sits down with Chris Brooks — a multi-million-dollar entrepreneur, father, and softball coach who turned early failures into the foundation for massive success. Chris opens up about what it’s like to lose big, rebuild from...
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Season 1
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Episode 38
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1:04:49
How to Invest in YOURSELF and WIN
In this episode, Hans breaks down what it really means to invest in yourself — not someday, not when it’s convenient, but right now. Winning in business, fitness, and life isn’t luck — it’s built through daily deposits of time, effort,...
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Season 1
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Episode 37
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20:27
Pull these FIVE levers to level-up right NOW!
In this episode, Hans breaks down the five essential levers you can pull right now to change your direction, rebuild your momentum, and reclaim your focus. These aren’t vague motivational ideas — they’re tactical, practical, and immedi...
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Season 1
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Episode 36
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22:15
“From Chaos to Calm: How Yoga Changed Ashlee Casey’s Life”
Yoga isn’t just about stretching—it’s about coming home to yourself.In this episode, Hans sits down with Ashlee Casey, founder of Blue Bird Yoga, to talk about the practice that helped her navigate stress, reconnect with her purpose, and...
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Season 1
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Episode 35
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1:36:59
Built to Win? or Built to Clock In? The 4 Employee Types
Every business has them—but which one are you?In this episode, Hans breaks down the four types of employees that show up in every organization. From the high-performer who takes ownership, to the quiet quitter who just checks the boxes, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 34
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30:39
How To Plow through a weather related RUT!
As the days get shorter and the air turns colder, motivation can fade and routines can fall apart. But this season doesn’t have to be a setback—it can be a setup for a stronger, sharper, more disciplined version of you.In this episode, H...
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Season 1
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Episode 33
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28:19
How To: Win or Lose in 7 seconds!
Hans breaks down the do’s and don’ts of making an unforgettable impact the moment you walk into a room. From appearance and energy to body language and authenticity, you’ll learn the small details that set you apart—and the mistakes that can ki...
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Season 1
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Episode 32
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31:44
The Tipping Point: When Pressure Becomes Power
Every life, every hustle, every struggle has a moment where the pressure builds drop by drop until the bucket finally tips. In this episode, Hans is joined by powerhouse guest Payal Patel as they unpack what the tipping point really mean...
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Season 1
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Episode 31
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43:14
Failure: When to Quit and When to just Reset
“Quit or Reset?” Sometimes the hardest decision in life isn’t when to start—it’s knowing when to stop. In this raw and revealing episode, Hans dives into the fine line between walking away and powering through. Is i...
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Season 1
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Episode 30
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24:05
From Passion to Profession - How to Profit from Hunting with Kasey Morgan
Kasey Morgan hunts for a living.In this episode, Kasey shares his journey from everyday outdoorsman to professional deer hunter, carving out a career in one of the most rugged, misunderstood industries out there. He breaks down th...
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Season 1
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Episode 29
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1:05:35
Depression - Fastest 3 Ways OUT
Hans doesn’t speak from theory—he speaks from experience.In this raw and honest episode, Hans opens up about his own battle with depression and the heavy reality of being stuck in a mental and emotional rut. From the outside, everything ...
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Season 1
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Episode 28
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34:06
The Pain Scale - Are you Tough Enough?
Everyone has a pain scale—but some tap out at a 3, while others push through a 9 and keep going. In this episode, Hans and Payal break down the real difference between those who quit and those who make it: their tolerance for stress, setback...
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Season 1
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Episode 27
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38:44
How to ignite your Silent Superpower.
It’s not loud. It’s not flashy. But hospitality—true, intentional hospitality—is a silent superpower that builds trust, earns loyalty, and opens doors most people never even see. In this episode, Hans breaks down how mastering the art of making...
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Season 1
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Episode 26
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24:00
The Hike from Hell - Part II. Kevin's Survival Story
Part II.What started as a challenging hike turned into a desperate push for survival. In this episode, Kevin Peters shares how he and his wife Stacy became stranded at the bottom of the Grand Canyon—exhausted, out of food, and facing a b...
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Season 1
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Episode 25
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1:21:28
The Hike from Hell - Grand Canyon North to VERY SOUTH!
Six co-workers. One canyon. No mercy. In this episode, Hans and Payal Patel recount the Grand Canyon rim-to-rim hike that pushed their team to the edge—physically and mentally. Over 24 punishing miles of heat, steep climbs, and endless effort, ...
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Season 1
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Episode 24
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1:20:12
The Concrete Truth: A Young Owner’s Grind
Travis Schertz has worn a lot of hats—pizza shop owner, bar operator, and now, the guy running a concrete company. But the real story isn’t just what he does—it’s how he moves. In this episode of The Concrete Truth, Travis opens up abo...
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Season 1
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Episode 23
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1:08:01
Show up like you Mean it.
You don’t get a second shot at a first impression. In this episode, we break down what it really means to look the part and act the part in business—and why both matter more than you think. From dressing with intention to following thr...
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Season 1
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Episode 22
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22:03
Lyrics, Liquor, and Letting Go
Lorenzo, lead vocalist of Boogie and the Yo-Yo's, joins the show to get brutally honest about the highs of the stage and the lows behind the scenes. As the lead singer chasing dreams, he also found himself battling alcoholism and the darkness t...
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Season 1
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Episode 21
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1:53:00
Real Loyalty comes with a Price.
Loyalty isn’t bought. It’s built. In this episode, we break down what loyalty really means—and why it’s the foundation of every real relationship, friendship, and team. From spotting fake loyalty to earning the kind that lasts, this one goes de...
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Season 1
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Episode 20
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19:10