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.
Episodes
64 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...
Ep 59: Paul Holle- of Idaho Rescue Training
In this episode, I’m joined by Paul Holle—a wilderness medicine instructor, mountain athlete, and the founder of Idaho Rescue Training. Paul’s work and passion have taken him to 18 countries, climbing some of the world’s most icon...
Ep 58: Chad Bianco- Riverside Co. Sheriff, Governor Candidate
In this episode, Matt sits down with Sheriff Chad Bianco, a 30-year law enforcement veteran and the current Sheriff of Riverside County—one of the largest sheriff’s departments in the nation. They explore his personal journey through the...
Ep 57: Matt Harden- Guest appearance on the Like a Man podcast
In this episode of Like a Man, I had the opportunity to sit down and talk about a journey that’s shaped who I am today—starting with my time in the U.S. Marine Corps, through college, and into a career in law enforcement and SWAT opera...
Ep 56: Ryan- Success Strategies for the Academy and FTO
Success Strategies for the Academy and Beyond with Ryan MarionIn this episode of the Harden Up Podcast, Matt sits down with longtime friend and former colleague Ryan Marion — a law enforcement veteran with over 17 years o...
Ep 55: Jennifer Vollbrecht- USMC Crew Chief and Entrepreneur
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Jennifer Vollbrecht, a former U.S. Marine Corps helicopter crew chief and door gunner who has transformed her experience in the military into a thriving career in project leadership and consulting. A...
Ep 54: Cory Nykoluk of 5.11 and First Tactical
In this episode, we sit down with industrial design expert Cory Nykoluk, the innovative force behind some of the tactical gear industry's most revolutionary products. Cory shares his journey from being the first employee at First Tactical to hi...
Ep 53: Wells Jones: Navy Veteran and World Adventurer
In this episode, we sit down with Wells Jones—a Navy veteran, former Antarctic pararescueman, actor, author, and world traveler. Wells shares his incredible journey from military service in some of the harshest environments on Earth to h...
Ep 52: Maj Jason Attinger: USAF PJ & A-10 Pilot
My guest today is a U.S. Air Force Major, whose remarkable career spans both special operations and combat aviation. He spent over a decade as a Pararescue specialist (PJ), leading high-profile rescue missions in Iraq and Afghanistan before bec...
Ep 33: Mark Aguilar-Police Detective Veteran
In this episode Matt talks with Mark Aguilar, a current Police detective working in a an elite tactical surveillance unit. Listen in as Mark recounts his 28-year law enforcement journey and the lessons learned along the way. From patrol in sout...
Ep 51: Matt Klein- NYPD Detective (Ret) and Battle Tribe Founder
In this episode I welcome Army combat veteran Matt Klein to the show! Matt is a retired NYPD Forensic sketch artist who used his artistic gifts and abilities to help solve multiple high-profile homicide and assault investigations. After his tim...
Ep 50: Rex Ingram- Police Chief
In this episode I welcome our first Police Chief to the show, Chief Rex R. Ingram from the Caldwell Idaho police department. He has an extensive background from his 17 years at LAPD, where he worked on gang enforcement teams, a human traffickin...
Ep 49: Mark Lang of Brinc Drones
In this episode Matt talks with a law enforcement SWAT veteran, Mark Lang. He served for 23 years on a full-time SWAT team, specializing in the sniper billet. Mark is the director of sniper training for Tac Flow Academy and teaches for TTPOA an...
Ep 48: CDR Bill Burwell- USCG Rescue Pilot
In this episode Matt talks with an active duty United States Coast Guard search and rescue pilot, Commander Bill Burwell. He has served over 18 years with assignments as duty pilot, instructor pilot and chief of aviation operations. Listen in a...
EP 47: Standing Offhand on Police Snipers
In this episode Matt talks with two guests, Jeff Chang - a police sniper/instructor and also a former Marine Corps sniper. Tyler Ellsworth is also a police sniper/instructor and owner/operator of Standing Offhand with co-owner Jeff. In this epi...
Ep 46: Mike Kelly- USCG Rescue Swimmer Instructor
In this episode Matt talks with an active duty United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer instructor. Mike served as a rescue swimmer for ten years prior to being selected as an instructor at the aviation survival technician (AST) school- o...
Ep 45: Jason Clark of BeaverFit USA
In this episode Matt has an in-depth conversation with the Beaverfit USA director of training and education, Jason Clark. Jason is a combat Marine Corps veteran and former drill instructor. He later went on to work in the fitness industry and t...
Ep 44: Dennis Medina of Armored Breach
In this episode Matt speaks with the inventor and founder of the guardian breaching shield, Dennis Medina. The company Armored Breach was formed as Dennis worked as a full-time SWAT Officer and mechanical breaching expert. Listen in as Matt and...
Ep 43: Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism at DARC
In this episode Matt reviews his recent visit to the direct action resource center for the level two law enforcement counter terrorism course. Hear about his experience at the course, gear selection, and tips for your training visit. Please enj...
Ep 42: Zack Sowers- USCG Rescue Swimmer
In this episode Matt talks with an active duty United States Coast Guard rescue swimmer and learns more about their training and operations. AST Zack Sowers shares his insight into the difficult training pipeline to become an aviation survival ...
Ep 41: Mike O'Neil of San Jose PD MERGE
In this episode Matt talks with the team commander of San Jose Police Department's full-time SWAT team , MERGE. Listen in to Mike's story covering his extensive law enforcement career in a multitude of assignments. Mike now commands MERGE and d...