143: Five Things I Learned in My 30s that You Need to Know

Over the last decade, I’ve learned lessons that changed the way I lead, train, and live. These five takeaways from my thirties are built on experience—earned through challenges, failures, and growth. If you’re chasing clarity in your own journey, these insights will help you move with purpose and go all in.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction02:39 John C. Maxwell's Influence07:59 Influence vs. Popularity19:16 Building Trust and Competence25:20 The Ranger School Experience35:09 The Importance of Reward and Passion35:54 Protecting Your Priorities40:00 Building Your Inner Circle45:53 Balancing Sacrifice and Success59:37 Impress Less, Impact More01:06:41 Final Thoughts on LeadershipORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

In this episode, I answer various questions from a Q&A posted on Instagram, sharing insights on my training regimen, nutrition strategies, and reflections on personal growth through faith. But first, you'll get a good story for laughs.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview00:36 Ironman Prep and Family Challenges01:18 Running and Training Insights06:19 Fuel Strategy for Long Runs09:36 New Product Launch and Brand Evolution11:09 Story Time20:00 Q&A: The Importance of Mentors29:28 Q&A: Consistency and Motivation37:12 Core Values and Decision Making38:41 Faith Journey and Bible Reading41:01 Transformation Through Christ45:48 Faith's Impact on Leadership49:51 Lessons in Obedience and Change54:21 Contentment and Ambition01:01:52 Post-Ironman Training Plans01:06:56 Managing Sickness During TrainingORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

In this episode, Dr. Kyle Gillett returns a third time to explore with me the growing issue of Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport (RED-S), how it affects athletes' performance and overall health, and strategies to mitigate its impacts.We also touch on the influence of social media on health perceptions, the effectiveness of red light therapy for recovery and sleep, and the recent buzz linking high-mileage running to colon cancer.CHAPTERS 00:00 Introduction and Welcome 02:11 Social Media and Health Information 06:18 Understanding RED-S (Relative Energy Deficiency in Sport) 10:47 Impact of RED-S on Athletes 16:05 Hormonal and Genetic Factors in RED-S 21:16 Cortisol and Its Role in RED-S 49:06 Personal Experiences and Training Insights 57:54 Unsustainable Ironman Training 59:54 Social Media's Impact on Fitness 01:04:03 Exploring Light Therapy 01:21:05 High Mileage Running and Colon Cancer 01:34:43 Alcohol and Its Effects on Health 01:41:04 Parenting and Core Values 01:48:51 Conclusion and Final ThoughtsBecome a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFE ⁠https://bpn.team/member⁠Your trusted partner for Concierge Medicine & Aesthetics ⁠https://gilletthealth.com/⁠FOLLOW: IG: ⁠instagram.com/nickbarefitness/⁠ YT: ⁠youtube.com/@nickbarefitness⁠KEEP UP WITH DR. GILLETT IG: ⁠instagram.com/kylegillettmd/

I break down the recovery protocols fueling my peak Ironman Arizona build—from sleep and nutrition to sauna, cold plunge, and red-light therapy. I share lessons, stress-balance tactics, and family moments that keep me grounded. Whether you’re training hard or seeking better daily recovery, this episode delivers practical tools to optimize performance and prevent injury.Chapters00:00 Introduction and Overview04:44 Training and Recovery Challenges08:53 Understanding Stress and Recovery21:41 Balancing the Nervous System28:41 Tracking Recovery Metrics32:23 Prioritizing Sleep for Optimal Recovery40:32 The Game-Changing Sleep Tool46:42 The Role of Nutrition in Recovery54:16 Sauna and Cold Plunge Benefits01:03:48 Exploring Red Light Therapy01:12:28 Compression Boots and Massage Guns01:15:19 The Importance of Physical TherapyORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

I sit down with one of my closest friends and BPN’s Director of Communications, Trey Freeman, to reflect on five and a half years of building BPN side-by-side.We dig into the real challenges of balancing work, faith, and family—Trey opens up about his leap of faith to Austin, seasons of freelancing, heartbreaking miscarriages, and the strength he’s found through it all.This episode is a raw look at personal growth, the grit of building a high-performing team, and how an unshakable foundation of faith fuels life and business.ORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

In this episode, we explore insights from various sources, including the Maxwell Daily Reader and personal anecdotes, to provide a comprehensive guide to exceptional leadership in various contexts, from business to family life. Additionally, we reflect on the importance of setting and maintaining high standards, fostering a positive and productive environment, and the need for continuous personal and professional growth.00:00 Introduction and Episode Overview01:38 The Importance of Leadership11:45 Three Essential Traits of Leaders13:53 Trait 125:08 Trait 231:40 Consistency and Accountability in Leadership34:10 Trait 341:59 Trait 449:58 Trait 554:59 Push, Pull, and Patience: Leadership TechniquesORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

In this episode, I sit down with my good friend Pastor Lyle Phillips to talk faith, obedience, and what it means to go all in for Christ. Lyle shares his journey from missionary work to church planting, including the risks he’s taken—like rescuing children from human trafficking. For me, this hit home. Reordering my priorities and putting faith first has reshaped how I approach family, business, and Ironman training. Obedience brings transformation. The fear of God isn’t about fear—it’s about reverence and clarity.CHAPTERS:00:00 – Introduction01:40 – Struggles of New Christians03:30 – Obedience & Avoiding Boredom07:35 – Transformation Through Commitment11:45 – The Fear of God29:53 – Reordering Priorities & Finding Peace43:41 – The Path to Salvation46:43 – Planting Churches in Tennessee51:51 – Ironman Training & Spiritual Growth01:07:02 – Rescuing Children from Human Trafficking01:15:05 – Generosity, Faith, & Legacy01:18:38 – Closing Reflections & Future VisionLEGACY NASHVILLE:https://www.legacynashville.org/FOLLOW PASTOR LYLE:https://www.instagram.com/lylebphillips/ORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

In this episode, I share an update on my Ironman Arizona prep as we enter week 7, which is 90 days out from race day. I'll walk through my detailed training schedule, including long runs, bike rides, and swim sessions, and discuss the progressive overload strategy I'm using. I also dive into nutrition, sharing how I fuel my training sessions and manage my weight. Covering active recovery techniques and the challenge of time management while balancing professional and personal commitments. CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Ironman Prep Overview01:52 Week Seven Training Breakdown06:36 Team Effort and Creative Process13:26 Balancing Commitments and Time Management20:17 Challenges of Training in Texas Heat33:51 Key Workouts and Progress Tracking35:41 Progressive Overload in Training37:16 Long Runs and Bike Rides43:55 The Importance of Recovery48:11 Nutrition and Fueling Strategies53:43 Daily Nutrition and Caloric Intake01:00:46 Concluding Thoughts and Future PlansORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

Country artist Jon Langston visits HQ and joins the show for a special bonus episode—we discuss how faith, fatherhood, and fitness transformed his path from football to country star. He opens up about chasing dreams in Nashville, the lessons of perseverance, and what it means to fully commit to growth.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction and Warm Welcome01:21 Transitioning from Military to Business03:04 Musical Beginnings and Breakthrough04:52 Moving to Nashville and Early Struggles06:51 The Importance of Being Coachable19:09 Life in Nashville and Music Industry Challenges34:42 Finding Focus with Horse Blinders36:55 The Challenge of Comparison40:42 True Friendship and Support43:01 Health and Fitness Transformation49:03 The Journey of Running55:44 Marriage and Personal Growth01:00:18 Embracing Independence in Music01:06:00 The Power of Flexibility and Speed01:09:16 Joining the BPN FamilyORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitnessOzora Farmshttp://ozorafarms.com/Jon Langston IG:instagram.com/jonlangston/

In this episode, I share my return to the CEO role in early 2024 and our subsequent moves to refocus and rebuild the brand. I discuss the challenges faced, including the decision to let go of certain staff and product lines, and the importance of maintaining a winning culture. This chapter captures our move back to Texas, the building of a new HQ, and the successful launch of new products, all leading up to the present day in August 2025.CHAPTERS:00:00 Introduction01:04 The Return to Leadership04:50 Chapter Eight: Moving Back to Texas07:47 Office Reorganization and Fresh Start15:55 Lessons from Endurance Training20:20 Pruning for Growth: Necessary Endings36:32 Key Initiatives for 202441:03 Expanding Internationally: UK and iHerb43:18 Back in Texas: Business and Personal Life45:48 A Life-Changing Accident51:21 Building a Winning Culture58:39 Leading with Heart and Mind01:03:56 Defining the Vision: Core Values, Purpose, and Goals01:06:41 Summer of 2025: Achievements and Reflections01:14:38 Conclusion: Gratitude and Future OutlookORDER MY BOOK HERE:https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210FOLLOW:Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFEhttps://bpn.team/memberIG: instagram.com/nickbarefitness/YT: youtube.com/@nickbarefitness