Truth Serum with Tyler Minton

Last December, Stuart Locke, the coach and mind behind Kodiak Barbell, nearly didn't come home. An allergic reaction to anesthetic left him fighting for his life, and his wife facing decisions no spouse should ever have to make. He made it through. And he believes he knows exactly why.
In this episode of Truth Serum Podcast, Stuart opens up about the experience that tested everything: his body, his identity, and his faith. We get into how it has reshaped the way he thinks about coaching, strength, and what it means to truly show up for the people in your corner.
We also go deep on what makes Kodiak Barbell different. Stuart's coaching philosophy, how he builds athletes who are mentally and physically tough, his approach to powerlifting programming, and the culture he has built around the barbell.
If you train, compete, or coach, or if you have ever faced something that made you question what you are really made of, this one is for you.
In this episode:
 
Stuart's near-death experience and the role his Christian faith played in his survival
The Kodiak Barbell philosophy and what it demands of athletes
How Stuart programs for strength and powerlifting performance
Coaching identity and what it means to develop athletes, not just build numbers.
 
Follow Stuart & Kodiak Barbell
https://www.instagram.com/stu_kodiakbarbell/?hl=en
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
✅ Train Longer, Recover Faster – Vitargo – Use code TRUTH15
When the work gets real, your fuel matters. Vitargo delivers rapid carbs to keep you going and ready for the next session.
👉 https://vitargousa.com
 
✅ Upgrade Your Recovery – Valo Red Light – Use code TRUTH20
More than recovery. Daily red light therapy to help you stay consistent, reduce fatigue, and perform better over time.
👉 https://www.valoredlight.com/
 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
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Podcast IG: 
https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok:
 @TruthSerumPod
Website: 
https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter:
 https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

Gavin Corbe is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu athlete and the owner of BlackBox Jiu Jitsu in Virginia Beach.
 
In this episode, Gavin breaks down his approach to jiu jitsu and why he believes most people are training the wrong way.
 
Instead of relying on traditional drilling, Gavin teaches through games. A method designed to build athletes who can think, adapt, and perform under pressure.
 
We also get into the foundation behind BlackBox, why he calls it a club instead of an academy, and how building it alongside his brother has shaped the culture and system.
 
Gavin shares his background in high school wrestling, including the reality of cutting weight and how those experiences influenced the way he trains and coaches today.
 
We cover:
Why Gavin teaches through games instead of drills
The philosophy behind BlackBox as a club
His wrestling background and weight cutting stories
How he builds athletes that last in the sport
What separates people who improve from those who quit
 
This is a conversation about doing jiu jitsu differently and building something that holds up over time.
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
✅ Train Longer, Recover Faster – Vitargo -- Use code TRUTH15
When the work gets real, your fuel matters. Vitargo delivers rapid carbs to keep you going and ready for the next session.
👉 https://vitargousa.com
 
✅ Upgrade Your Recovery – Valo Red Light -- Use code TRUTH20
More than recovery. Daily red light therapy to help you stay consistent, reduce fatigue, and perform better over time.
👉 https://www.valoredlight.com/
 
Gavin's Instagram
https://www.instagram.com/gavinsanity_/
 
BlackBox Grappling Club Website
https://blackboxgrapplingclub.com/
 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

On this episode of Truth Serum, I sit down with Scott Benson, founder of Benson Sports Training and one of the most respected performance coaches in the country. 
 
Scott also hosts the Building the Athlete Podcast.
 
Scott’s journey in sport started long before he became a coach. He is the South Dakota high jump record holder and one of the most accomplished track and field athletes the state has ever produced. His impact in Rapid City is so significant that he became the first person ever inducted into the Rapid City Sports Hall of Fame twice. Once as an athlete and once as a coach.
 
Today, Scott runs one of the most impressive private training facilities in the country. At times his gym is working with up to 600 athletes, supported by a large team of coaches, training athletes from seven years old all the way into their seventies.
 
In this conversation we talk about the truth behind kids lifting weights and why strength training, when coached properly, can be one of the best tools for developing young athletes.
 
Scott and I also dive into the reality of youth sports today. Many young athletes are operating on packed schedules filled with travel teams, year round competition, and constant pressure to specialize early. Scott shares why this approach can backfire and why balance, smart training, and longevity need to be part of the conversation.
 
We also talk about something that often gets overlooked in performance training. The relationship between coach and athlete. Scott believes connecting with athletes and understanding them as people is just as important as the training itself.
 
If you are a parent, coach, or athlete trying to navigate the modern youth sports world, this episode offers a powerful perspective on building strong athletes for the long run.
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
#TruthSerumPodcast #bensonsportstraining
 
Scott's Website
https://bensonsportstraining.com/
 
Scott's Podcast
https://bensonsportstraining.com/building-the-athlete-podcast/
 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

In this episode, I sit down with Chipper Anderson, Head Strength Coach at Virginia High Performance, a facility trusted to prepare Navy SEALs and elite special operators for the demands of real world performance. Despite being one of the younger coaches in the field, Chipper holds a position many strength professionals spend decades chasing. Chipper breaks down how he earned trust inside one of the most demanding performance environments in the country, his philosophy on building durable, mission ready athletes, and what separates tactical performance from traditional strength training. From physical resilience and injury prevention to leadership, pressure, and responsibility at a young age, this conversation reveals what it takes to perform when the stakes are real. If you want insight into elite performance, tactical strength, and the mindset behind coaching at the highest level, this episode delivers. ✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance. 👉 http://protekt.com/truth 🍲 Real Food That Never Fails – Essential Provisions LLC - Save 10% with the link below Shelf‑stable meals and performance blends built on Chef‑crafted, clinical‑nutrition principles. Up to five years of ambient storage, gluten‑free, non‑GMO, preservative‑free, and developed originally for Special Forces. Meals that taste like homemade but work like mission-critical fuel. 👉 https://essentialprovisions.com/discount/TRUTH10 🔪 Blades You Can Bet Your Life On – Half Face Blades Crafted for operators, adventurers, and people who demand the best. These knives are no joke. 👉 https://www.halffaceblades.com/ #TruthSerumPodcast #VIRGINIAHIGHPERFORMANCE Follow Truth Serum Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en TikTok: @TruthSerumPod Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/ Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

In this episode of Truth Serum, I sit down with Rob Wilson, a human performance specialist and the mind behind Check Engine Light.
 
We break down why performance rarely falls off all at once and how most high performers miss the warning signs long before things go sideways. Sleep disruption, mood changes, lingering fatigue, pain. These aren’t random. They’re signals.
 
We talk about treating the body like a performance system instead of something you can just push harder forever. Why burnout is usually a failure of awareness, not effort. And how staying sharp is less about motivation and more about paying attention to what’s already happening.
 
This episode is for anyone who takes performance seriously and wants to extend their runway instead of learning the hard way.
 
Learn more about Check Engine Light
https://www.instagram.com/thecheckenginelight/?hl=en
https://www.wilsonhealthandperformance.com/check-engine-light
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
🍲 Real Food That Never Fails – Essential Provisions LLC - Save 10% with the link below
Shelf‑stable meals and performance blends built on Chef‑crafted, clinical‑nutrition principles. Up to five years of ambient storage, gluten‑free, non‑GMO, preservative‑free, and developed originally for Special Forces. Meals that taste like homemade but work like mission-critical fuel.
👉 https://essentialprovisions.com/discount/TRUTH10
 
🔪 Blades You Can Bet Your Life On – Half Face Blades
Crafted for operators, adventurers, and people who demand the best. These knives are no joke.
👉 https://www.halffaceblades.com/
 
#TruthSerumPodcast #checkenginelight #robwilson
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
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Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/
 
00:00 Intro
01:30 Rob’s background in human performance
04:10 Treating performance as a system
08:45 What “Check Engine Light” really means
13:30 Early warning signs before breakdown
18:40 Sleep disruption, mood, and fatigue
24:55 Why pain is usually a signal, not the problem
31:20 High performers missing the signs
37:50 Stress, pressure, and decision making
44:15 Why self care misses the point
50:40 Training for durability, not output
57:30 Performance decline doesn’t happen suddenly
01:04:10 Staying operational under long term stress
01:11:30 Catching signals before things go wrong
01:19:00 Final thoughts on sustainable performance

Greg “Vick” Navickas leads human performance for U.S. Air Force Special Warfare training and is the founder of Echotyr, a platform built to connect operators and high performers with elite training, performance, and support resources.
 
In this episode, we break down how modern warfighters are trained more like tactical athletes, why sleep is the true foundation of performance, how brain health and traumatic brain injury are changing readiness, and why future conflict demands a different level of human resilience.
 
Vick shares how military performance systems translate to business, sport, and leadership, along with how Echotyr is helping bridge the gap between elite operational knowledge and real-world application.
 
Echotyr Website
https://echotyr.com/
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
🍲 Real Food That Never Fails – Essential Provisions LLC - Save 10% with the link below
Shelf‑stable meals and performance blends built on Chef‑crafted, clinical‑nutrition principles. Up to five years of ambient storage, gluten‑free, non‑GMO, preservative‑free, and developed originally for Special Forces. Meals that taste like homemade but work like mission-critical fuel.
👉 https://essentialprovisions.com/discount/TRUTH10
 
🔪 Blades You Can Bet Your Life On – Half Face Blades
Crafted for operators, adventurers, and people who demand the best. These knives are no joke.
👉 https://www.halffaceblades.com/
 
#TruthSerumPodcast 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

In this episode of Truth Serum, I sit down with Steve Petre, the Executive Performance Chef for the UFC, to break down what really goes on behind the scenes to keep fighters fueled and able to make weight at the highest level.
 
Steve shares how fighters are supported through training camp, weight cuts, and fight week, including the attention to detail required to fuel performance without missing the scale. They talk about traveling to different countries for UFC events, how food is sourced and prepared in foreign locations, and the challenges of maintaining consistency while cooking across cultures and environments.
 
Steve also walks through how he got started with the UFC, what led him into one of the most demanding roles in professional sports, and the lessons learned along the way. To close it out, he offers practical advice for people who are new to cooking and want to build confidence in the kitchen.
 
This episode pulls back the curtain on elite preparation, global travel, and the standards required to perform at the highest level.
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
🍲 Real Food That Never Fails – Essential Provisions LLC - Save 10% with the link below
Shelf‑stable meals and performance blends built on Chef‑crafted, clinical‑nutrition principles. Up to five years of ambient storage, gluten‑free, non‑GMO, preservative‑free, and developed originally for Special Forces. Meals that taste like homemade but work like mission-critical fuel.
👉 https://essentialprovisions.com/discount/TRUTH10
 
🔪 Blades You Can Bet Your Life On – Half Face Blades
Crafted for operators, adventurers, and people who demand the best. These knives are no joke.
👉 https://www.halffaceblades.com/
 
#TruthSerumPodcast 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

On this episode of Truth Serum, I sit down with Ray Thompson, one of the most accomplished karate coaches in the United States and the man who laid the foundation for Stephen 'Wonderboy' Thompson.
 
We talk about Ray’s early years and the origins of when he was fighting himself. His childhood, how he was raised, and how those experiences shaped his mindset around discipline, respect, and work ethic. Ray shares what it was like growing up in a tougher era, why those lessons still matter today, and how they influenced the way he raised his own children.
 
We also get into parenting. What Ray believes parents today are getting wrong, why kids need more structure and accountability, and how raising tougher, more resilient children starts with consistency, standards, and leading by example.
 
This conversation is about legacy, responsibility, and raising strong people in a world that has gotten a little too comfortable.
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
🏋️‍♂️ Train Hard. Recover Harder – Tuft & Needle - Use code: 10SAVINGS to save an additonal 10%
Better sleep = better performance. Upgrade your recovery with the only mattress I recommend. 
👉 https://tuftandneedle.attfm2.net/c/5951425/662499/10403
 
🍲 Real Food That Never Fails – Essential Provisions LLC - Save 10% with the link below
Shelf‑stable meals and performance blends built on Chef‑crafted, clinical‑nutrition principles. Up to five years of ambient storage, gluten‑free, non‑GMO, preservative‑free, and developed originally for Special Forces. Meals that taste like homemade but work like mission-critical fuel.
👉 https://essentialprovisions.com/discount/TRUTH10
 
🔪 Blades You Can Bet Your Life On – Half Face Blades
Crafted for operators, adventurers, and people who demand the best. These knives are no joke.
👉 https://www.halffaceblades.com/
 
#TruthSerumPodcast 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

Chris Camacho is the strength coach behind legends like Daniel Cormier and Gennady Golovkin.
 
In this episode, I sit down with Chris to talk through past fight camps, the realities of preparing athletes at the highest level, and why great coaches must always put their athletes first even when pressure, money, and expectations are high.
 
Chris also opens up about the motorcycle crashes that nearly ended both his and his brother’s careers, and how those experiences reshaped his perspective on training, risk, and longevity.
 
This is an honest look at championship preparation, coaching integrity, and the lessons that only come from surviving the hardest moments in sport.
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
🏋️‍♂️ Train Hard. Recover Harder – Tuft & Needle - Use code: 10SAVINGS to save an additonal 10%
Better sleep = better performance. Upgrade your recovery with the only mattress I recommend. 
👉 https://tuftandneedle.attfm2.net/c/5951425/662499/10403
 
🍲 Real Food That Never Fails – Essential Provisions LLC - Save 10% with the link below
Shelf‑stable meals and performance blends built on Chef‑crafted, clinical‑nutrition principles. Up to five years of ambient storage, gluten‑free, non‑GMO, preservative‑free, and developed originally for Special Forces. Meals that taste like homemade but work like mission-critical fuel.
👉 https://essentialprovisions.com/discount/TRUTH10
 
🔪 Blades You Can Bet Your Life On – Half Face Blades
Crafted for operators, adventurers, and people who demand the best. These knives are no joke.
👉 https://www.halffaceblades.com/
 
#TruthSerumPodcast 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/

On this episode of Truth Serum I sit down with Dan Ige to break down the night everything changed. When Diego Lopes needed an opponent on short notice, Dan stepped in and delivered one of the most respected performances of the year. We talk through why he took the fight, what was going through his head backstage, and how that moment reshaped the way fans and fighters see him. Dan opens up about the role his faith plays in how he competes, the support he draws from his family, and how his Hawaiian upbringing shaped his resilience and mindset. This is a real look at the night he became a UFC star.
 
✅ Fuel Your Performance – Protekt Products
Electrolytes that actually work. Liquid, clean, and built for warriors. Hydration, energy, and recovery—backed by science and performance.
👉 http://protekt.com/truth
 
🏋️‍♂️ Train Hard. Recover Harder – Tuft & Needle - Use code10SAVINGS to save an additonal 10%
Better sleep = better performance. Upgrade your recovery with the only mattress I recommend. 
👉 https://tuftandneedle.attfm2.net/c/5951425/662499/10403
 
🍲 Real Food That Never Fails – Essential Provisions LLC - Save 10% with the link below
Shelf‑stable meals and performance blends built on Chef‑crafted, clinical‑nutrition principles. Up to five years of ambient storage, gluten‑free, non‑GMO, preservative‑free, and developed originally for Special Forces. Meals that taste like homemade but work like mission-critical fuel.
👉 https://essentialprovisions.com/discount/TRUTH10
 
🔪 Blades You Can Bet Your Life On – Half Face Blades
Crafted for operators, adventurers, and people who demand the best. These knives are no joke.
👉 https://www.halffaceblades.com/
 
#TruthSerumPodcast 
Follow Truth Serum Podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tylermintonnutrition/?hl=en
Podcast IG: https://www.instagram.com/truthserumpodcast_/?hl=en
TikTok: @TruthSerumPod
Website: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/
Newsletter: https://ethosnutritioncoaching.com/truth-serum-weekly-newsletter/