

Combat Effectiveness with Drew Estell | Starting Strength Radio #323
Jun 26, 2025
Drew Estell, from Baer Solutions, specializes in combat effectiveness and firearm training. He discusses the vital connection between physical strength and performance in combat, sharing insights from personal military experiences. The podcast critiques traditional military fitness standards that favor endurance over strength, advocating for a balance of both. Drew explores the shift in military training influenced by elite units, the risks of CrossFit in military contexts, and the mental toughness developed through heavy lifting.
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Strength Drives Combat Effectiveness
- Strength reduces injury risk and speeds recovery in combat.
- Carrying heavy gear demands strength to remain combat effective and support teammates.
Strength Beats Endurance in Combat
- Strength underpins all physical military tasks better than endurance.
- Running long distances is less applicable than carrying heavy loads and sprinting short distances.
Strength Training Trickles Down
- Infantry soldiers saw strength training from special forces and adopted it away from the old push-ups and running routine.
- The change improved physical preparedness with more effective training methods spreading down the ranks.