PODCAST · health
The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast
by Jacob Emery
The podcast that ties together fitness and construction. Shifting industry narrative and giving insight on becoming a business owner while living under the bar. Weightlifting, personal development, the infrastructure industry, and how to merge the two worlds to achieve prosperity.
Episodes
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Ep 308 | Failure Is Part of Success | Why You Need to Fail to Grow
Failure isn't the problem. Refusing to try again is. In this episode, I break down why we train to failure in the gym to get stronger, but often avoid it in business and life. Whether you're building a business, chasing a bigger goal, or trying something new, failure is part of the process. The…
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Ep 307 | Systems, AI, Scaling & the Long Game | Building Business Freedom | John Seaman
In this episode of The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast, I sit down with John Seaman, owner of JC Property Professionals and founder of Dirt to Dollars, to talk about what it really takes to build and scale a blue-collar business. John shares lessons from 13 years in business, including the hard...
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Ep 306 | It's Okay to Fail | How to Learn From the Past and Move Forward
There are decisions I've made that I'm not proud of. Times when I was so focused on being right that I lost sight of what actually mattered. I've learned that being right and being effective are two completely different things. Sometimes, the hardest part of moving forward is accepting that you...
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Ep 305 | Owning a Business Won't Give You Freedom | Building Systems Will
In 2007, I was making $9 an hour with a shovel in my hand, looking at business owners thinking, "Must be nice." In 2019, I became one myself and realized ownership was nothing like I imagined. The pressure, responsibility, and weight of leading a team showed me that becoming a business owner…
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Ep 304 | Your Mindset Is Either Building You or Blocking You
Working harder does not always mean making progress. In this episode, I break down the connection between your mindset, physical capacity, and the systems you build. Your hardware and software have to work together if you want to create real and lasting progress. I share lessons from my own...
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Ep 303 | The Discipline Behind the Freedom You Want | Mike Pence
PART 2: In this episode of the Iron & Infrastructure Podcast, Mike Pence and I talk about what it really takes to go from labor to leader. We get into the lonely road that comes with growth, leaving environments that keep you stuck, and why becoming the person you want to be requires taking the...
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Ep 302 | The Lonely Road: Labor to Leader | Why Growth Requires You to Leave Comfort | Mike Pence
PART 1: In this episode of the Iron & Infrastructure Podcast, Mike Pence and I talk about what it really takes to go from labor to leader. We get into the lonely road that comes with growth, leaving environments that keep you stuck, and why becoming the person you want to be requires taking the...
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Ep 301 | How to Build a Life You Don't Need to Escape From | Cory Gregory
In this episode of the Iron & Infrastructure Podcast, I sit down with Cory Gregory to talk about what it takes to keep growing through different seasons of life, business, and training. We get into discipline, consistency, entrepreneurship, personal development, and the pursuit of building a life...
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Ep 300 |CREATE THE OPPORTUNITY. COMMIT. BE PRESENT.
300 episodes. Three years. One reminder: you never know what saying yes can lead to. In this episode, I share the story behind my trip to Vegas, getting the opportunity to be on the Dropping Bombs Podcast, and what the experience reminded me about business, relationships, proximity, and putting...
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Ep 299 | Stay in the Arena | Put Yourself Out There, Then Watch What Happens
Three years. Nearly 300 episodes. And a lot of lessons learned along the way. As I get ready for Episode 300, I'm reflecting on what this podcast has taught me about business, relationships, discipline, and putting yourself out there. The lessons are simple: build your network, stay in the arena,...
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Ep 298 | Hard Work Got You There | Systems Will Get You Free
Hard work got you here. But it won't get you everywhere. At some point, you have to stop doing more and start getting better. In this episode, I break down the shift from grit and determination to building systems that create scalability, repeatability, and ultimately freedom. This evolution is...
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Ep 297 | Rain Day Choices | I Raised Hell on Rain Days Until I Figured This Out
What do you do when you get a rain day? You can create problems for yourself, or you can make progress. I know this because I used to be the guy raising hell on rain days, drinking with the guys and setting myself back. Eventually, I realized a rain day could be an accelerator for personal...
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Ep 296 | Limiting Belief Buster | Why You Still Don't Think You Deserve It
Have you ever achieved something you wanted and then questioned whether you actually deserved it? In this episode, I break down the limiting beliefs that can keep you from recognizing what you're capable of and the stories you've been telling yourself that may not even be true. I walk through…
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Ep 295 | The 7 Iron Truths | What the Barbell Teaches You About Life
The barbell doesn't care about your excuses, your title, your past, or the story you tell yourself. It gives you honest feedback. In this episode, I break down the 7 Iron Truths the barbell teaches us about reality, discomfort, fundamentals, progress, identity, and taking action. These aren't…
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Ep 294 | Trench Talk Ep 04 | THE SEAT TRAP | Operator → Foreman
In this episode of Trench Talk, I sit down to talk about one of the biggest transitions in the field: moving from operator to foreman. Being great at the work doesn't automatically mean you're ready to lead people. We break down why leadership requires communication, confidence, accountability…
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Ep 293 | Trench Talk Ep 3 | SEE THE FIELD + P2P Bridge | Simplicity + Systems
Complexity is the ultimate demise in high-stakes situations. In this episode, I talk about simplifying complex processes, bridging the gap between what we know and what others need to know, and building systems from simple foundational steps. Simple scales. Complex fails. Key Topics: Simplifying...
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Ep 292 | Trench Talk Ep 02 | THE TWO 80-PERCENTS (Communication & Documentation)
In this episode of Trench Talk, we break down what I call the two 80-percents: communication and documentation. If you can get both of those right, you're already ahead of the game. We talk about setting clear expectations, creating a two-way feedback loop, speaking up when something isn't right,...
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Ep 291 | Trench Talk Ep 01 | HEAR VS. LISTEN | BE A SPONGE.
When I first started in this industry, my biggest downfall was not shutting up and listening. My ego was too big, and I thought I had to prove I knew what I was doing. In this episode, Mike Pence and I talk about the difference between hearing and actually listening, putting your ego aside,...
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Ep 290 | The Truth About Building a Meaningful Life | Roundtable w/ Jeffrey Lowery & Kody Rostofer
In Part 2 of this roundtable with Jeffrey Lowery and Kody Rostofer, we go deeper into what it takes to actually build a meaningful life and business. We talk about overcoming fear and imposter syndrome, protecting your time, creating accountability, and having the confidence to stand behind the...
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Ep 289 | The Boring Basics That Build Greatness | Roundtable with Jeffrey Lowery & Kody Rostofer
In this roundtable episode, I sit down with Jeffrey Lowery and Kody Rostofer for a real conversation about consistency, focus, accountability, and what it takes to build a meaningful life and business. We talk about overcoming imposter syndrome, taking uncomfortable action, recognizing the…
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Ep 288 | I Documented My Whole Career and Didn't Know It
Looking back at old photos brought back a lot more than just memories. In this episode, I go through pictures from some of my earliest experiences in the pipeline industry, from learning to operate equipment at just five or six years old to working cross-country jobs and learning some hard…
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Ep 287 | Perform, Preserve, Prepare | A Better Way to Structure Your Time
Time is the one thing we can never earn back, and we never know exactly how much of it we have left. In this episode, I break down a simple way to structure your calendar around three things: perform, preserve, and prepare. I talk about protecting your priorities, creating themed days…
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Ep 286 | Comfort or Competence | Give Yourself 6 Months — Then Do This
Most people don't stay stuck because they're incapable... they stay stuck because they're comfortable. In this episode, I challenge you to stop confusing comfort with competence and take an honest look at whether you're settling for "good enough." I share the mindset shift that's helped me make...
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Ep 285 | Why Most Businesses Can't Scale (And How to Fix It) | Doug Levy
In this episode, I sit down with operations expert Doug Levy to unpack why the best businesses aren't built by adding more complexity—they're built by creating more clarity. We dive into leadership, communication, hiring, company culture, and what it really takes to build a business that can…
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Ep 284 | Simplicity by Subtraction
Most people think they need an easier life, but what they really need is a simpler one. In this episode, I break down why complexity, not difficulty, is what's holding you back. I'll show you how to eliminate the noise, focus on what actually matters, and use my simple framework to stop spinning...
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Ep 283 | Trench Talk | From Labor to Leader | The Blueprint for Building a Life by Design
I'm excited to introduce Trench Talk, a brand new series built for the blue-collar worker who knows they're capable of more. In this series, I'll share my journey from making $9 an hour with a shovel in my hand to leading an eight figure company, along with the lessons that changed everything.…
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Ep 282 | Why You Have to Act Like Your Future Self Now
In this episode, I share how becoming the person you want to be starts long before you reach the goal. From making $9 an hour with a shovel to building businesses, I learned that success comes from changing your habits, mindset, and character first. Stop waiting for life to change and start...
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Ep 281 | Taught or Tolerated | Why You Keep Cleaning Up a Mess You Created
As leaders, we love pointing out what's broken, but what if the problem isn't your team? What if it's what you've been allowing? In this episode, I share a leadership lesson that completely changed how I lead. Every behavior on your team is either taught or tolerated, and if you keep cleaning up...
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Ep 280 | Short term vs Long term suffering | What's the One Thing You Keep Putting Off?
Sometimes the hardest decision is the one you've been avoiding the longest. In this episode, I break down the difference between short-term and long-term suffering, and why delaying the hard conversations, tough decisions, or necessary changes only creates more pain over time. If there's…
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Ep 279 | Brian Elder on Becoming the Person You Said You'd Be
Brian Elder returns to the podcast to share what has happened over the last two years since implementing the Standards of Greatness into his life. This conversation isn't about finding motivation. It's about building discipline that lasts. Brian opens up about losing over 100 pounds, creating…
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Ep 278 | What You're Avoiding Will Control You | Winning Isn't the Goal. Learning Is
The first half of the year is already behind us, and there's no going back to redo what didn't happen. In this episode, I'm talking about what it looks like to reset, recommit, and get honest about where you stand heading into the second half of 2026. We get into why Q3 can be the turning point…
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Ep 277 | You're Going to Fail | Either Commit to Failing or Fail by Default
Most people are waiting for the perfect time, the perfect plan, or the guarantee that it's all going to work out. But that's not how growth works. In this episode, I'm talking about the reality that failure is part of the process — and the bigger failure is never committing at all. You're either...
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Ep 276 | The Importance of Coaching & The Practice of Gratefulness
In this episode, I'm sharing why coaching has been one of the most important investments I've ever made and how it's shaped the way I lead, think, and grow. We talk about confidence, mentorship, taking action before you feel fully ready, and why investing in yourself changes everything. I also…
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Ep 275 | Brutal Facts + Unwavering Faith | The Stockdale Paradox
In this episode, I break down one of the most powerful mindset shifts I've ever learned: The Stockdale Paradox. Too many people either ignore reality with false optimism or get buried by the brutal facts. The answer isn't choosing one or the other—it's learning to face your situation exactly as…
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Ep 274 | Harnessing AI | Overcoming Fear and Maximizing AI tools
AI isn't replacing you, but someone using AI might. In this episode, I break down why fear is holding so many people back from embracing AI and how the right mindset, clear instructions, and the right tools can completely transform the way you work and solve problems. Whether you're an...
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Ep 273 | Establishing Standards for Success | No BS Mindset
For years, I was the guy making excuses. The turning point came when I stopped looking for someone else to blame and started taking ownership of everything in my life. In this episode, we dive into the standards, discipline, and mindset shifts that create real success. We talk about why…
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Ep 272 | What Are You Doing With Your Life? | The Question That Changed Everything
One question changed the direction of my life: "What are you doing with your life?" In this episode, I share the mindset shifts, commitments, and daily disciplines that took me from feeling lost and directionless to building a life with purpose. If you're stuck, struggling, or ready for more…
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Ep 271 | If You Don't Like This Speed, You Won't Like The Next One | A New Foreman's Lesson In Leadership
This episode flips the script and puts me in the hot seat. We dive into the leadership lessons that have shaped me, the mistakes that changed my perspective, and the experiences that taught me what leadership really looks like. I share a pivotal moment from my early days as a foreman, break down…
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Ep 270 | Why Doing It Right Takes Time | Shortcuts Will Cost You
In this episode, I talk about one of the biggest mistakes people make in business, leadership, and life... taking shortcuts. What feels faster in the moment often creates bigger problems down the road. I've seen it firsthand on job sites, in business, and even in my own personal development...
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Ep 269 | Belief Without Behavior Is Delusion. Behavior Without Belief Is Hollow
Belief alone won't change your life, and action without belief won't sustain it. In this episode, I break down the connection between what you say you believe and how you actually show up every day. Too often, people want different results while continuing the same behaviors, or they stay busy...
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Ep 268 | Why Your Judgment Is Ignorance | Stop Judging. Start Listening
For years, I thought I had all the answers. I judged leaders, questioned decisions, and swore that if I was ever in their position, I would do things differently. Then I became the business owner. In this episode, I share one of the biggest lessons I've learned over nearly two decades in the...
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Ep 267 | The Five Headaches That Will Bury Your Business
Every business owner deals with pressure, setbacks, and moments where it feels like everything is falling apart—but most of the time, the problem comes back to one of five core areas: vision, people, structure, traction, or culture. In this episode, I break down the five biggest headaches that…
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Ep 266 | Why One Shot Matters | How Preparation Beats Luck
In this episode, I talk about why success isn't luck — it's preparation. Opportunities will come your way, but if you're not ready for them, they'll pass you by. I share the story of how taking one shot inside Dan Martell's coaching group led to a life-changing opportunity, and why staying...
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Ep 265 | Why The Same Problem Keeps Happening | Your Approach Changes Theirs
I think a lot of us get stuck blaming the same people, the same situations, or the same outcomes without ever stopping to ask if we're the common denominator. In this episode, I talk about how recurring problems usually point back to our own approach, communication, mindset, or perspective. I…
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Ep 264 | You Can't Outbid Your Training | How Numbers Predict Everything
In this episode, I'm sharing a humbling moment from one of my first powerlifting meets that taught me a lesson I'll never forget: you can't outbid your training. Whether it's under the bar or at the bid table, the numbers always tell the truth. I break down how poor preparation, missing pieces…
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Ep 263 | Building Leaders, Discipline & the Future of Pipeline Work with Michael Pence
In this episode of The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast, I sat down with Michael Pence — a fellow pipeliner, leader, mentor, and someone who shares a lot of the same values and experiences that shaped my journey. We got into real conversations around leadership, the future of the pipeline industry,...
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Ep 262 | This Is Costing You | I Didn't Know Better
In this episode, I talk about the cost of holding onto old roles, old habits, and old ways of thinking for too long. There were moments in my career where I knew I needed to transition into the next level, but I delayed the decision because I was attached to what I was comfortable with. The truth...
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Ep 261 | Speak It Out Loud | What You Focus Expands
In this episode, I'm breaking down why most people and businesses stay stuck — and it's not because they lack talent, motivation, or systems. It comes down to commitment, focus, and the fear of fully owning one clear outcome. I dive into why "doing everything" usually means accomplishing nothing,...
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Ep 260 | Don't Put Diesel in a Ferrari | The Truth About Hiring the Wrong Fit
In this episode, I break down one of the biggest mistakes leaders make when hiring and building teams: putting the wrong person in the wrong seat and expecting great results. Most bad hires aren't because someone is lazy or incompetent. They happen because there was no clear structure, no...
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Ep 259 | Get on the Plane | The Harsh Truth About AI and Getting Left Behind
Most people are still trying to walk to Chicago… while the plane is right in front of them. That's AI. You can fear it, ignore it, or question it—but it's not slowing down. In this episode, I break down why the gap is already here and how the people who lean in are accelerating fast… while…
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
The podcast that ties together fitness and construction. Shifting industry narrative and giving insight on becoming a business owner while living under the bar. Weightlifting, personal development, the infrastructure industry, and how to merge the two worlds to achieve prosperity.
HOSTED BY
Jacob Emery
CATEGORIES
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast have?
The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast currently has 300 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast about?
The podcast that ties together fitness and construction. Shifting industry narrative and giving insight on becoming a business owner while living under the bar. Weightlifting, personal development, the infrastructure industry, and how to merge the two worlds to achieve prosperity.
How often does The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast release new episodes?
The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast publishes regularly with 300 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast?
You can listen to The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast?
The Iron & Infrastructure Podcast is created and hosted by Jacob Emery.
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