When to Roll the Dice: The Ryan Spencer Story

In this episode, Mark unpacks one of the most important lessons in training and in life: just because you can do something doesn’t mean you should. He explains why always pushing harder isn’t always smarter, how “training smart” can sometimes become a disguise for avoiding discomfort, and where the real line is between growth and self-sabotage. Drawing from decades of powerlifting, coaching, sprinting, and personal experience, Mark breaks down how to think about risk, recovery, ego, intuition, and long-term progress so you can keep improving without burning yourself into the ground.He shares stories about Donny Thompson, Louie Simmons, Stan Efferding, Ryan Spencer, and others to illustrate how strength really works, why it’s driven by the nervous system as much as the muscles, and why stimulation beats annihilation if you want to stay strong, fast, and healthy for the long run. This is a conversation about developing better judgment in your training, knowing when to push, when to pull back, and how to build a body that performs well not just this year, but for decades to come.Special perks for our listeners below!🥩 HIGH QUALITY PROTEIN! 🍖 ➢ https://goodlifeproteins.com/ Code POWER to save 20% off site wide, or code POWERPROJECT to save an additional 5% off your Build a Box Subscription!🩸 Get your BLOODWORK/TRT/PEPTIDES! 🩸 ➢ https://marekhealth.com and use code "POWERPROJECT" for 10% off Self-Service Labs and Guided Optimization®.🧠 Methylene Blue: Better Focus, Sleep and Mood 🧠 Use Code POWER10 for 10% off!➢https://troscriptions.com?utm_source=affiliate&ut-m_medium=podcast&ut-m_campaign=MarkBel-I_podcastBest 5 Finger Barefoot Shoes! 👟 ➢ https://Peluva.com/PowerProject Code POWERPROJECT15 to save 15% off Peluva Shoes!Self Explanatory 🍆 ➢ Enlarging Pumps (This really works): https://bit.ly/powerproject1Pumps explained: https://youtu.be/qPG9JXjlhpM?si=JZN09-FakTjoJuaW🚨 The Best Red Light Therapy Devices and Blue Blocking Glasses On The Market! 😎➢https://emr-tek.com/Use code: POWERPROJECT to save 20% off your order!👟 BEST LOOKING AND FUNCTIONING BAREFOOT SHOES 🦶➢https://vivobarefoot.com/powerproject🥶 The Best Cold Plunge Money Can Buy 🥶 ➢ https://thecoldplunge.com/ Code POWERPROJECT to save $150!!➢ https://withinyoubrand.com/ Code POWERPROJECT to save 15% off supplements!➢ https://markbellslingshot.com/ Code POWERPROJECT to save 15% off all gear and apparel!