The Nick Bare Podcast

I sit down with Colonel Edward Arntson III, who has 24 years of military service, to unpack what leadership really demands when it counts. We start with self-leadership: how you show up, how you carry yourself, and why humility isn’t optional. 

We get into competence, intellectual curiosity, and the overlooked power of energy and tone. What you tolerate becomes the standard. Colonel Arntson shares hard-earned lessons from leading in garrison and in combat, including moments that tested his decision-making, confidence, and character. 

If you’re building a team, leading a family, or trying to lead yourself better, this episode delivers practical takeaways you can apply immediately.

More about Colonel Ed Arntson:
Ed Arntson, from Buffalo Grove, Illinois, graduated from Concordia College (2002) and commissioned as a Distinguished Military Graduate infantry officer through NDSU. He led rifle and company units in Alaska, Afghanistan, and Iraq, was wounded in combat, and later served with The Old Guard, including a landmark deployment to Taji, Iraq. After CGSC and SAMS, he held planning and operations roles with 1st Cavalry Division, deployed to Korea and Baghdad, and served on the Joint Staff. He commanded 3-187 Infantry and 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. His education includes Ranger and airborne schools. He’s married with two children.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
05:07 The Importance of Leadership Development
15:31 The Role of Feedback in Leadership
27:22 The Power of Tone in Leadership
41:59 The Power of Tone in Communication
48:25 Building Effective Teams Through Peer Leadership
52:37 The Importance of Humility and Tone in Leadership
01:06:04 Early Military Career and Deployment Experiences
01:21:01 Dedication and Commitment in the Military
01:39:26 The Impact of 9/11 on ROTC and Military Careers
01:45:54 The Importance of Physical and Mental Readiness
01:52:27 A Formula for Effective Leadership
02:00:06 Final Thoughts on Leadership and Inspiration

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This episode is all around laying out my 2026 diet + training philosophies. I’m in a caloric surplus, training hard with intention, and choosing food quality over empty volume. We get into running and eating with purpose, and why the goal isn’t a finish line—it’s building a lifestyle you can sustain.

I also break down the practical plays to take ownership of your diet: simple meal prep, portion control, 1g protein per pound, and a plan for late-night cravings. If you want to get stronger, leaner, and more consistent this year—try this framework.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
03:35 Taking Ownership of Your Diet
05:09 Meal Prep and Food Prep Tips
08:59 Appropriate Meal Portions
14:37 Making Protein a Priority
16:30 Late Night Snacking Strategies
20:22 Caloric Surplus Explained
31:18 Training Hard for Strength and Growth
36:00 Avoiding the Easy Run Mindset in the Gym
38:50 Balancing Strength Training and Recovery
44:11 Prioritizing Food Quality Over Quantity
01:02:45 Running with Purpose, Not for Numbers
01:06:13 Maintaining a Healthy Relationship with Food
01:14:44 Training for the Love of the Lifestyle

ORDER MY BOOK HERE: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210

FOLLOW:
Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 25% off FOR LIFE ⁠
https://www.bareperformancenutrition.com/collections/performance-nutrition

IG: ⁠instagram.com/nickbarefitness/⁠
YT: ⁠youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

I sit down with Michael Chernow to talk discipline that protects what matters: faith, family, fitness, and business. We unpack his non-negotiable morning routine, recovery and sobriety, hard boundaries with technology, and why leaders control the temperature at home.

Simple isn’t easy. Apply it every day, starting now.

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
02:47 Morning Routine Insights
12:49 The Power of Prayer and Sobriety
29:04 Faith and Spiritual Journey
37:49 Transformative Power of Faith
44:28 Overcoming Addiction and Finding Purpose
48:39 Setting Boundaries with Technology
54:47 Balancing Work and Family Life
01:05:50 The Power of Discipline and Commitment
01:21:12 Entrepreneurial Journey and Curiosity
01:32:41 Hitting Rock Bottom
01:38:53 The Turning Point
01:42:45 Rebuilding Through Wellness
01:49:03 Kreatures of Habit and Future Goals
01:56:29 The Power of Habits
01:58:50 Final Reflections

ORDER MY BOOK HERE: ⁠https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210

FOLLOW:
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https://bpn.team/member⁠

IG: ⁠instagram.com/nickbarefitness/⁠
YT: ⁠youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

In this episode, I break down five traits that consistently show up in people who win—then challenge you to apply them immediately. We talk thinking bigger, taking smart risks, staying consistent, and locking in focus when it gets hard. I pull lessons from leaders like Jeff Bezos and Phil Knight to show what those traits look like in real life—and how you can build them through daily reps.

CHAPTERS:
00:00 Introduction
01:14 The Importance of Traits for Success
12:46 Jeff Bezos and the Power of Thinking Big
24:02 BPN's Journey and Vision
31:06 Calculated Risks and Success
41:03 The Birth of Nike
43:19 The Early Days of BPN
49:40 The Importance of Consistency
54:24 The Trap of Blind Consistency
01:00:01 Focus: Identifying Opportunities vs. Distractions
01:10:46 Adaptability and Resilience
01:15:19 The Day One Mentality
01:21:02 Conclusion

ORDER MY BOOK HERE:
https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210

FOLLOW:
Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFE
⁠https://bpn.team/member⁠

IG: ⁠instagram.com/nickbarefitness/⁠
YT: ⁠youtube.com/@nickbarefitness

I’m sharing the standards, the strategy, and the unseen work it takes to keep building BPN the right way. This episode includes the 2026 “Burn the Boats” manifesto, our five key initiatives, and the standards behind quality and product development going into 2026.

CHAPTERS
0:00: Intro
7:53: 2026 Brand Manifesto: Burn the Boats
17:25: 5 Key Initiatives (Overview)
18:44: Initiative #1: Unique Brand Positioning
25:36: Initiative #2: Intentional Product Development
30:45: Initiative #3: BPN Podcast Network Expansion
31:19: Initiative #4: Strategic Channel Strategy
36:34: Initiative #5: Position the Business for Scale
1:00:52: Quality Systems You Don’t See
1:14:27: The Truth About Grass-Fed Whey Isolate

ORDER MY BOOK HERE:
⁠https://www.amazon.com/Go-One-More-Intentional-Life-Changing/dp/1637746210⁠

FOLLOW:
Become a BPN member FOR FREE - Unlock 20% off FOR LIFE
⁠https://bpn.team/member⁠

IG: ⁠instagram.com/nickbarefitness/⁠
YT: ⁠youtube.com/@nickbarefitness