In today’s episode, I continue the story of how Bar Raising Fitness started and how a few unexpected opportunities helped me expand beyond my garage and begin building real momentum.

I talk about the early days, the small wins, the challenges, and the moments that pushed BRF forward when most people would have quit. These were the steps that helped me grow my reach, gain clients, and slowly turn a dream into something real.

In today’s episode, I go back to the early days of Bar Raising Fitness and share what it really looked like when I first got started — long before I had a plan, experience, or the “perfect conditions.”
This is the story of how BRF began inside a small one-car garage with used equipment, cheap flooring, and a whole lot of belief… and why getting started before I was ready changed everything.

Here is a link to view photos of what the garage gym looked like:

https://www.barraisingfitness.com/post/how-bar-raising-fitness-started-in-a-one-car-garage

In this episode, I share the story of a mountain man whose words completely shifted my perspective on life. It forced me to ask why I was letting stress, past mistakes, and other people’s opinions control my happiness and mental state. Sometimes all it takes is one moment to wake up and realize what truly matters — and what doesn’t. This conversation changed the way I live.

This episode is about a conversation I had the other day with a gas station employee that really hit me and made me stop and think. It wasn’t planned, it wasn’t expected — but it was powerful.
It reminded me how important our health is, how short life can be, and why taking care of yourself and fighting for your life matters.

I wanted to share that moment with you today, because I believe someone out there needs to hear it.

Thank you for listening — and if this episode hits home, please share it with someone who might need it.
Until next time — keep living the standard.

In this episode, I talk about the importance of building standards for yourself — the rules, priorities, and values that guide your life. These aren’t goals. They’re the daily non-negotiables that shape your mindset, decisions, and who you become.

I share the five non-negotiables that guide how I live, make decisions, and hold myself accountable every day.

This episode is about taking control of your actions, setting the foundation for who you want to be, and creating standards that help you stay locked in — even when life gets hard.

Because when you build your standards, live by them, and keep raising them — everything in your life starts to level up.

In this episode, I talk about a season of my life where everything felt uncertain. I was lost, disconnected from myself, and questioning who I was and what I was doing.

It was the moment I realized something important: no one is coming to save you.

This episode is about taking ownership of your life — your thoughts, your actions, your future — even when it feels like everything is stacked against you.

If you’ve ever felt stuck, overwhelmed, or like you were waiting for something to change… this is the episode you need to hear.

Today’s episode is all about a simple two-word motto that’s shaped my mindset and my success — Prove It. I talk about how this phrase has kept me accountable through early mornings, long days, and moments of doubt. It’s a reminder that words mean nothing without action.

I share personal stories — from 4:30am mornings to runs I didn’t want to do — that show how powerful this mindset can be when you apply it daily. This episode is about discipline, ownership, and doing what it takes even when it’s uncomfortable. No excuses. No shortcuts. Just action.

If this message hits home, subscribe and share it with someone who needs that extra push to stop talking — and start proving it.

Every movement starts with a story. In this first episode of Living the Standard, Brandon Hogan shares how it all began — from dropping out of college and training in a one-car garage to building Bar Raising Fitness, a company built on discipline, belief, and high standards. Hear the mission behind the podcast and what it truly means to raise your standard in the gym, in business, and in life.