Arden Cogar Jr.: STIHL Timbersports World Champion & Lawyer
State of Minds
•
38m
Arden Cogar Jr., a record-setting competitive lumberjack and practicing attorney who embodies the relentless work ethic of West Virginia. From his roots in Webster County to the global stage of STIHL Timbersports, Arden shares how his family’s legacy—built on "sweat equity" and Depression-era survivalism—shaped his dual career in the courtroom and the timber arena. Discover the story of the Cogar name, starting with German ancestors who settled the back forks of the Elk River, and the specific moment a $500 environmental fine planted the seed for Arden to pursue the law to "fight the BS" of over-regulation.
The conversation dives deep into the physical and mental demands of being an elite rotational athlete at 56 years old. Arden reveals his "biohacking" secrets, including Norwegian 4x4 VO2 max training, a strict nutritional protocol involving 12-egg-white omelets, and why core strength is the true engine behind a world-class ax swing. Despite applying to 21 law schools across the country, Arden explains why he chose to return home, defining the "Mountaineer" spirit through four essential pillars: hard-working, hard-loving, fearless, and loyal. This episode is a masterclass in longevity, family pride, and the boundless potential found within the mountains of West Virginia.
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