The Harden Up Podcast
"The Harden Up Podcast" brings you into the world of high-performance training and adventure through the expert lens of Matt Harden—a former USMC Infantry Squad Leader, veteran SWAT Team Leader, and founder of OpTempo Training Group. Each episode delivers compelling conversations with leading specialists across tactical operations, athletic development, overlanding expeditions, and extreme sports.
Matt's military and law enforcement background provides the perfect foundation for extracting practical wisdom from his guests, offering listeners actionable strategies they can implement immediately. Whether you're a tactical professional, outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone looking to elevate your performance and push beyond comfort zones, this podcast delivers the insights and motivation you need.
The Harden Up Podcast
Latest Episodes
Ep 64: Training Expectations & Low-Light Work
Episode SummaryTraining isn’t a checkbox—it’s your foundation.In this episode, we break down why tactical training is critical not just for performance in the field, but for legal accountability after the fact. Using key case law,...
Ep 63: Florian Oberst- German Army Officer & Lowa Global Product Manager
Episode 63: From Alpine Warfare to Elite Footwear: Florian Oberst on Performance in the Mountains.In this episode, I sit down with Florian Oberst—a German Army Reserve Captain, former mountain infantry soldier, and...
Ep 62: Lucas Bode- Professional Hunting Guide
Episode 62: Elk, Elevation & Ethics: Inside the World of a Backcountry Hunting Guide with Lucas BodeIn this episode, I sit down with Lucas Bode, a professional hunting guide with nearly 20 years of backcountry ...
Ep 61: James Fairfield of Point Blank Enterprises
In this episode, I’m joined by James Fairfield, a retired police lieutenant with over 30 years in law enforcement and a deep operational background in SWAT, use-of-force instruction, and tactical leadership. James now serves as the Di...
Ep 60: Jason- Police Instructor & Plain Clothes Officer
In this episode, I’m joined by Jason, a 13-year law enforcement veteran serving in the greater Atlanta area. With years of experience on one of Georgia’s busiest full-time SWAT teams, Jason has worked as both an assaulter and a sniper—ta...