Intentional strength. Purposeful life. Unstoppable growth.
The Intentional Athlete Podcast is where strength meets self-discovery.
Join host Ross Leppala, IPF World Champion and mindset-driven coach, as he explores what it means to train with intention and live with purpose.
Each episode dives into the deeper layers of the strength journey — from mindset and emotional resilience to training strategies that empower sustainable progress.
Whether you’re chasing PRs or pursuing personal growth, this podcast helps you connect the barbell to a bigger life.
Lift with intention. Live with purpose.
The Strength of Surrender: Jared’s story of Resilience
From the Barbell to the ICU: Jared Maynard on Identity, Recovery, and Training with Purpose
Host Ross Leppala introduces the Intentional Athlete Podcast’s focus on purposeful training and welcomes physical therapist, powerlifter, and coach Jared Maynard of Unbreakable Strength. Jared shares how childhood bullying, isolation, and finding acceptance through kung fu and later lifting shaped his identity and perfectionism, which contributed to anxiety and disordered eating during PT school and led him from bodybuilding to powerlifting’s objective standards. He recounts a severe 2023 health crisis triggered by mononucleosis that progressed to HLH, multi-organ failure, weeks on life support, dialysis, and a near-death prognosis, followed by a long recovery marked by dependence, grief, and identity loss. The conversation explores inner child work, releasing self-worth from outcomes, receiving help and love, memento mori, and how these lessons deepen Jared’s presence as a husband and father.
00:00 Podcast Mission
00:51 Meet Jared Maynard
02:54 Jared Background
04:20 Finding The Barbell
05:31 Bullying And Isolation
07:04 Martial Arts Confidence
15:45 Parenting And Inner Work
26:36 Perfectionism And Training
36:42 Process Over Outcome
43:09 Health Crisis Begins
45:04 Rushed to the ER
46:54 Six Days of Mystery
48:26 HLH Diagnosis Explained
51:17 Miracle Turnaround
55:11 Waking Up Weakened
57:34 Helplessness and Grief
59:33 Choosing to Keep Going
01:05:18 Letting Others Help
01:10:07 Receiving Love at Home
01:14:15 Freedom After Near Death
01:20:27 Memento Mori Practice
01:29:35 Showing Up as Husband
01:35:02 Being Present as Dad
01:39:54 Wrap Up and Where to Find Him
11 Mar 2026
Transforming Life Through Strength Training
Host Ross Leppala welcomes Pia Marangoni to the Intentional Athlete Podcast to discuss how strength training and intentional living shaped her life. Pia shares her path from studying journalism and wanting to be a war photographer, to taking a copywriting contract that led to a long banking career, financial success, and declining health marked by smoking, poor diet, and a pre-diabetes diagnosis. CrossFit introduced her to the barbell, which evolved into Olympic lifting and powerlifting, alongside a growing focus on nutrition and a desire to stop relying on pills and supplements. She studied nutrition, connected with Fiercely Fueled, opened Lift Coffee, left a senior banking role, and ultimately bought Fiercely Fueled to coach full time. They explore honesty under the bar, quality of life, boundaries, self-sabotage, awareness, priorities, and using discomfort and anxiety as catalysts for change.00:00 Show Intro00:50 Meet Pia Maroni02:23 From Journalism to Banking03:21 Health Wake Up Call04:25 CrossFit to Powerlifting07:10 Nutrition and Coaching Path10:03 Quality of Life Shift13:10 Corporate Wake Up Moment18:29 Why Lifting Pulls You21:31 Photography Dream Detour33:03 Lessons from Corporate34:31 Breaking Self Sabotage36:38 Coping and Reflection37:53 Blunt Truth and Awareness38:35 Strength Training Lessons39:45 Long Game Progress42:57 Hope Beyond Numbers44:54 Women and Barbell Culture47:47 Health and Coping Habits49:06 Boundaries and Presence55:40 Self Sabotage and Control01:00:17 Priorities and Time Audit01:07:35 Closing Advice and Connect
18 Feb 2026
Leaping Beyond limits: The story of a Paralympian
In this episode of the Intentional Athlete Podcast, host Ross Leppala is joined by Nigerian Paralympic high jumper, creative performer, and inspirational speaker Abraham Amon. They delve into the concept of training with purpose, the power of visualization, and overcoming deep-rooted limitations like fear and self-doubt. Abraham shares his journey from facing physical and emotional challenges to becoming a Paralympian, emphasizing the importance of self-love, managing emotions, and turning 'I can't' into 'I can.' Tune in for an inspiring conversation on aligning mindset, body, and spirit to achieve lasting growth and strength, both in athletics and life.Connect with Abraham:LinkedIn URL: https://www.linkedin.com/in/abraham-amon-5252b0382?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=android_appFacebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/share/14VLYwyots9/TikTok URL:https://www.tiktok.com/@experience.magic?_r=1&_t=ZN-93OSgjPSW8MInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/amon_abraham?igsh=MXB2dTI1NjZ1ZGtkbw==Book URL: https://selar.com/m/abraham-amon1Speakerhub: https://community.speakerhub.com/?email=abrahamamon44@gmail.com&loginCode=953IOA&redirectUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fcommunity.speakerhub.com%2Fcommunities%2Fgroups%2Fspeakercoworking%2Flearning00:00 Introduction to the Intentional Athlete Podcast00:52 Meet Abraham Amon: Paralympic Athlete02:15 Abraham's Journey and Overcoming Limitations03:49 The Power of Visualization and Mental Resilience08:17 Applying Athletic Lessons to Life12:21 Visualization Techniques and Emotional Management18:39 Inspiring Others Through Example28:43 Cultural Expectations and Self-Nurturing29:40 The Power of Positivity and Self-Belief32:30 Self-Love and Its Impact on the World34:21 Awareness, Presence, and Choice43:07 Facing Fears and Overcoming Limitations47:48 Final Thoughts and Closing Remarks
Reach and audience
Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.
YouTube views
2,217
Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025
Apple Podcasts (US)
5.0 / 5
8 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
15 ratings
Podcast Authority Score: 75 / 100
A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.
Quality
89
Social presence
0
YouTube
68
Engagement
85
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