Ain’t Dead Yet

About Ain’t Dead Yet

This podcast is to help people that are struggling by sharing vulnerable life experiences, thus ensuring that people struggling know that they are not alone, the stories told on this page aren’t just the dark times, but the comeback story, and the process individuals took on to change their lives positively.

Publisher

Trip Ison

Category

health & fitness

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

11 Mar 2024

Latest episode

14 May 2026

Latest episodes

61 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   14 May 2026

   A Father’s Worst Nightmare And How He Keeps Going #61

   This is one of the most difficult conversations we’ve ever had. In this episode of the Ain’t Dead Yet Podcast, Derek Balderas shares the story of losing his 14-year-old son, Christian, after a tragic accident. From the moment he received the call to the days spent in the hospital and ultimately saying goodbye, Derrick opens up with raw honesty about what it means to face unimaginable loss. As a veteran and law enforcement officer, he’s experienced high-pressure situations but nothing compares to this. This episode isn’t just about grief, it’s about faith, resilience, and finding purpose after tragedy. Derek is now honoring his son’s life through endurance challenges and a mission to help others, proving that even in the darkest moments, there is still a way forward. 01:15 Meet Derrick 06:43 First Jiu Jitsu Roll 09:05 Career Path Shift 12:38 Love Hate Policing 21:44 Halloween Accident Call 30:15 Hospital Arrival Chaos 46:21 Biggest Decision 54:01 Induced Coma Explained 01:05:39 Final Goodbyes 01:14:29 Leaving Hospital After Death 01:26:20 Life After Loss 01:30:51 Endurance & Healing 01:42:04 Racing Through Grief 01:50:12 All In At Mile 80 02:02:03 Social Media As Healing 02:05:58 Living With The Loss 02:07:41 How To Support Christian 02:10:10 Foundation And Fundraising 02:13:38 Ironman Goals Ahead 02:16:58 Purpose For Mia 02:20:01 Keeping Christian’s Name Alive Connect with Derek Instagram | / https://www.instagram.com/christianstrong_project/ Connect with Trip Instagram | / https://www.instagram.com/tripison_/ Ain't Dead Yet Podcast IG | / https://www.instagram.com/adyatx/

2. 

   31 Mar 2026

   Matt Johnson on Ironman Training, Obsession, Friendship & Sobriety #60

   In this episode of the Ain’t Dead Yet podcast, I’m back with Matthew Johnson for round three to dive into how much our lives have shifted since we first met at Rocky Raccoon. We get real about the growing pains of success specifically the challenge of maintaining deep friendships while you’re evolving at a rapid pace. Matt breaks down the methodical mindset behind his biggest endurance goals, why signing up for Ironman Texas was the spark he needed to break a "Groundhog Day" training cycle, and why he’s showing up to the start line with zero expectations other than to have fun and empty the tank. Beyond the miles, we discuss the difference between building a true community versus just chasing followers, the impact of hitting his first million, and his vision for an Austin-based wellness retreat to support veterans through Valor Fit. This is a raw conversation about sobriety, faith, and the daily discipline of staying balanced when life starts moving fast.00:00 Introduction 00:44 Friendship and Growth Over Time 02:11 Ironman Spark and Methodical Mindset 07:31 Breaking the Groundhog Day Cycle 09:02 Purpose Driven 1 Percent Goals 11:11 Supportive Relationships and Love Language 14:37 Friendships Cultivation and Time Management 20:35 Obsession Tribe and Letting Go 29:15 Buying Mom a Car and Full Circle Joy 31:39 Building a Retreat Property in Austin 34:22 Living Day to Day and Faith Led Success 40:14 Do It Your Way and Being Yourself 41:53 Be Yourself Online 42:13 Not Everyone Can Create 43:10 Story And Skillset 44:03 Followers Versus Community 46:11 Brand Deals And Value 49:42 Do Stuff Differently 51:25 Ads Without Overkill 54:03 Sober Journey And NA 59:08 Why Stay Sober 01:03:04 Peptides And Recovery 01:06:19 Commitments And Seasons 01:10:28 Ironman And New Season 01:11:35 Living What You Built 01:15:24 Conclusion Connect with Matt Instagram | / https://www.instagram.com/mattjohnson__/ Connect with Trip Instagram | / https://www.instagram.com/tripison_/ Ain't Dead Yet Podcast IG | / https://www.instagram.com/adyatx/

3. 

   18 Feb 2026

   Ain’t Dead Yet Returns: Discipline, Faith, and Fighting Through a Blown Knee #59

   The Ain’t Dead Yet podcast is back from a three-month break with a new plan to release one deep-dive episode per month while I finish my book. In this kickoff, Brett Ender and I talk about "Moments vs. Tomorrow," which is the discipline of making choices today based on how you want to feel tomorrow rather than chasing instant comfort. We also discuss the "seasons" of friendship, why it's okay to go quiet while you're locked in on big goals, and the importance of detaching yourself from other people's results when you're trying to help them. Brett also shares the story of dislocating his knee during a jiu-jitsu match and his decision to continue the fight to honor the story he wants to tell his future sons. He explains why he is delaying surgery until after his July MMA fight and how he uses setbacks as fuel rather than excuses. We close with a candid talk on the pressures of marriage, business, and self-doubt, focusing on building an identity rooted in faith rather than just achievements. 00:00 Introduction 01:22 Brett’s Back: Friendship Seasons & Staying Aligned 04:23 Cutting the Noise: Shedding, Focus, and Faith vs Ambition 07:22 Youth Mentorship & Why Change Gets Harder 11:04 Coaching, Accountability, and Detaching From Other People’s Outcomes 14:55 Athlete Mindset: Consistency, Routine, and Leading by Example 20:08 Moments vs Tomorrow 24:09 Compartmentalizing & Mental Control: Lessons From Djokovic 28:42 The Knee Injury Story 35:10 No ACL, No Excuses 41:09 From Ultras to MMA: 46:57 Training With a Coach Who Can ‘Kill You' 53:37 Why He Won’t Do Another Ironman: Identity, Ego & Going Backwards 59:11 Being a Man of God, Not a ‘Runner’ 01:06:23 What He’s Struggling With Now: Marriage, Money Pressure & Inner Demons 01:13:07 Conclusion Connect with Brett Instagram | / https://www.instagram.com/meatmafiabrett https://www.instagram.com/meatmafiamedia X | / https://x.com/MeatMafiaBrett Connect with Trip Instagram | / https://www.instagram.com/tripison_/ Ain't Dead Yet Podcast IG | / https://www.instagram.com/adyatx/

Who has been a guest on Ain’t Dead Yet

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Mitch Ammons
• Tim Kennedy
• Adam Von Rothfelder

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

65,550

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

8 ratings

Spotify

5.0 / 5

24 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 58 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

65

Social presence

0

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

Contact Ain’t Dead Yet

Guest appearances

Books guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

Questions about Ain’t Dead Yet