Get Sweaty with Leddy is recorded in a sauna built by Excelsior Saunas, and host Josh Leddy teams up with the company to run a sauna experience at the brewery he owns, Back Channel Brewing Co. in Spring Park. “The brewery promotes an active lifestyle, so this just fits,” he says. Photos: Josh Leddy
Wayzata resident uses personal story to shed light on pain management.
Josh Leddy’s journey is full of resilience, transformation and pain. The author, entrepreneur and now podcast and YouTube host has a story worth sharing.
The Wayzata resident’s athletic career was marred by injuries, including a broken back, three torn anterior cruciate ligaments, multiple concussions, a separated shoulder and more. Kickstarted during a hockey injury when the 41-year-old was only 11 years old, Leddy has lived in pain for as long as he can remember. Charging through a lifetime of challenges, he’s combined his experiences and brought in experts for a new podcast/YouTube show, Get Sweaty with Leddy, creating a wellness platform that focuses on pain management and avoiding invasive surgeries and medications.
The program, available on Spotify, has inspired listeners, who share how Leddy’s story and content have impacted them. “It’s not just a short clip; this is long-form content meant to provide knowledge and let you feel what’s going on,” he says.
Discussing his history with pain, Leddy becomes vulnerable, shedding light on experiencing more than just physical pain from his injuries but struggling mentally too. While attending the University of Minnesota, Leddy wrote about his story for a philosophy of sports class assignment. His professor, Tommy Valentini, Ph.D., encouraged him to develop the concept, which led to the eventual 2024 release of Leddy’s book, Pain Management: My Pain, Your Gain. “I wanted to keep the narrative going, and because I had met so many incredible people along my journey, I wanted to highlight them,” Leddy says.
This desire led to the inception of the podcast that Leddy says has a goal of helping others with pain through different modalities and discussions, fostering a space for healing and vulnerability. “You hear a lot about mental health, which is a form of pain,” he says. “We’re kind of conditioned not to talk about it. It’s all intertwined. We’re going to talk about it.”
Leddy’s connections have been a lightning rod for him, allowing him to bring together a diverse group of people. The podcast launched in January and has been well received. “When I ask someone to be a guest speaker, they’re not just blowing me off by saying they’ll try to fit it in; they’re telling me, ‘Hell, yes,’” he says.
Among those answering the call to sit in the guest chair are: Carrie Drinkwine, a pioneer in regenerative health and worldwide speaker; Isaiah Franzen, a breathwork expert with an extensive resume that includes working with Minnesota Vikings players to improve performance; and Alexa Score, a TV personality, diagnosed with chronic myeloid leukemia at 16, who has been living and thriving with cancer.
Looking ahead, Leddy hopes to grow his audience and continue to normalize discussions about pain. He wants to break down barriers and provide examples of natural healing methods. “I’d love to be considered a main source for people seeking information about pain management, specifically natural processes and noninvasive methods to fight pain,” he says. “My goal is to prevent people from getting stuck in the trap of doctor visits, prescriptions and even surgeries. I want people to be proactive instead of reactive about their health.”
Leddy encourages audience members to reach out with topic suggestions. He says if there is something people want to learn, he’ll put in the work to find a guest. The best way to stay connected is by following him on Instagram or subscribing to his YouTube channel, where Leddy has a team helping him communicate with viewers.
Leddy’s journey from an injured athlete to a wellness advocate is a powerful reminder of the importance of resilience and the human spirit. “It’s become my destiny to provide avenues for people to enjoy life,” he says. “My true calling is to share experiences I’ve been through and continue to develop the connections I have to create this platform of wellness information that will only continue to grow.”
Back Channel Brewing
4787 Shoreline Drive, Spring Park; 952.855.9315
Facebook: Back Channel Brewing
Instagram: @backchannelbrewing
Facebook: Josh Leddy
Instagram: @leddyjosh
Spotify: Get Sweaty with Leddy
YouTube: Get Sweaty with Leddy
