The Strength Connection

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Nick Jonsson is a global keynote speaker, bestselling author, and mental health advocate redefining what it means to lead in the modern world. Ranked the world’s #1 thought leader on Executive Loneliness, Nick has spent the past decade breaking the silence around isolation, burnout, and addiction at the top levels of business. Today, he takes that work further by championing Holistic Leadership™, a model that integrates physical, mental, emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing with professional responsibility.In this conversation, we delve into the pervasive issue of loneliness, particularly among leaders and high performers. They discuss the stigma surrounding loneliness, its impact on mental health and decision-making, and the importance of vulnerability and connection. Nick shares his personal journey from isolation to recovery, emphasizing the need for social health and the five steps of holistic leadership: surrender, connection, purpose, goals, and discipline. The discussion highlights the significance of addressing loneliness and fostering meaningful relationships in both personal and professional settings.Check out more from Nick at:https://www.nickjonsson.com/IG: https://www.instagram.com/jonssonnick/?hl=enChapters00:00 Understanding Loneliness in Leadership02:58 The Impact of Loneliness on Performance06:00 Personal Experiences with Loneliness08:49 The Journey from Isolation to Connection11:42 The Role of Vulnerability in Leadership15:07 Breaking the Cycle of Loneliness17:53 Finding Strength in Community20:49 Practical Steps to Combat Loneliness26:09 Building Social Connections for Mental Health30:02 The Importance of Vulnerability and Trust33:45 Understanding Surrender in Recovery38:44 Measuring Connection in Communities44:00 Reconnecting with Purpose45:56 Setting Meaningful Goals49:49 The Balance of Discipline

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Katie Hardie is a board-certified holistic nutritionist and performance practitioner who helps people reconnect with their bodies through a personalized, data-driven approach to health, energy, and recovery. Her work bridges science and intuition, helping people move beyond one-size-fits-all solutions and into sustainable performance.In this conversation, Katie shares her journey into health and nutrition coaching, emphasizing the importance of bio-individuality in dietary choices. She discusses the impact of stress on nutrition and performance, the significance of energy management, and the necessity of intentional recovery practices. Katie highlights the balance between hard work and recovery, the value of hobbies, and the need for personalized approaches to nutrition and health.Check out more from Katie at:Website: https://www.mypeak365.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mypeak365/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/hardiepeakperformance/ LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/katie-hardie-hermanson-860a874/ Chapters00:00 Introduction to Health and Nutrition Coaching02:31 Katie's Journey into Nutrition and Health Coaching05:44 Understanding Bio-Individuality in Nutrition08:38 The Importance of Personalization in Diet11:36 Energy Management and Its Impact on Performance14:43 The Role of Stress in Nutrition and Recovery17:46 Intentional Recovery Practices20:40 The Balance of Hard Work and Recovery23:23 The Importance of Hobbies and Play26:46 Conclusion and Resources for Further Learning

Welcome to the Strength Connection!The Iron Council is back! I am joined by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind, and Mark Subias.In this conversation, we discuss the language of coaching, the impact of cynicism and optimism in the fitness industry, and the importance of accountability and leadership among coaches. We critique an article comparing kettlebells and barbells, emphasizing the need for constructive criticism and the significance of articulating coaching messages effectively. The discussion highlights the challenges of navigating misinformation and the necessity of providing solutions rather than merely criticizing others. Ultimately, the conversation underscores the value of communication in coaching and the role of tools in a broader system of strength training.Follow Brett, DJ, and Mark at:Brett: https://www.instagram.com/brettjonessfg/?hl=enDJ: https://www.instagram.com/queencitykettlebell/Mark: https://www.instagram.com/subiasm/?hl=enChapters00:00 Introduction and Setting the Stage01:12 The Language of Coaching and Marketing07:22 Cynicism vs. Optimism in Coaching09:28 Conspiracy Theories and Misinformation11:49 Accountability in Coaching14:53 Challenging Bad Ideas vs. Tearing Down20:08 Effective Communication in Coaching26:11 The Art of Coaching Communication31:23 Navigating Criticism: Kettlebells vs. Barbells41:51 Expertise and Experience in Training47:48 The Essence of Strength Training Systems

Welcome to the Strength Connection!In this reflection, I share the most significant lessons he learned throughout 2025, emphasizing the importance of loving the process, building self-trust, and practicing optimism. I discuss the value of patience in finding purpose and how faith acts as a guiding force in life's journey. Each lesson is rooted in personal experiences and insights gained from guests on the podcast, closing out with my tribute to a great friend.Thank you so much for an incredible year!Chapters00:00 Reflections on 2025: Lessons Learned02:46 The Importance of Loving the Process05:42 Flow vs. Anti-Flow: Engaging with Life08:34 Building Self-Trust Over Self-Esteem11:32 The Value of Patience in Purpose14:24 Optimism as a Learned Practice17:40 Faith: A GPS for Life's Journey

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Kyle Flynn is the owner and founder of The blueprint LA in Los Angeles. He’s been operating this gym for 10 years now. My friend Chris Holder introduced me to Kyle, he said you need to check him out and talk, I think you guys would have a lot to chat about. And this was definitely the case. In this engaging conversation, Kyle shares his journey from being a passionate athlete to the founder of Blueprint LA, a gym that emphasizes community, culture, and connection. He discusses the importance of creating a positive environment in fitness, overcoming early business challenges, and the evolution of his leadership style. Kyle highlights the significance of hiring for cultural fit, maintaining a fun atmosphere, and the philosophy of 'One Vibe, One Tribe' that drives the community at Blueprint LA. He emphasizes that fitness is not just about physical strength but also about building relationships and celebrating individual successes.Check out more from Kyle at:https://www.instagram.com/kyleflynn__/?hl=enhttps://www.instagram.com/theblueprintla/?hl=enChapters00:00 Introduction to Kyle Flynn and Blueprint03:05 The Journey from Athlete to Trainer05:58 Building a Positive Gym Culture08:53 Overcoming Early Challenges in Business12:06 Shifting Mindsets: From Fitness to Community14:54 Creating a Lasting Culture in Fitness18:04 Hiring for Culture and Care20:49 One Vibe, One Tribe: The Blueprint Mission24:29 Creating a Fun and Engaging Community25:57 The Importance of Big Dreams26:47 Believing in Yourself and Your Purpose28:28 Making Fitness Fun and Enjoyable29:47 Evolving as a Leader31:03 Trusting Your Gut as a Leader32:30 Building a Supportive Team Environment35:07 The Shift from Fitness to Connection35:44 Creating a Raving Fan Experience38:39 The Seven Layer Cake of Community Engagement42:03 The Power of Personal Connection43:48 Continuous Learning and Improvement

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Nicole Spencer is a former strength coach, founder of Authentic Conversion, and host of the podcast Spirituality for Skeptics.In this conversation, Nicole Spencer discusses her transformative journey from a successful business in coaching to exploring spirituality. She reflects on her early experiences, including a pivotal trip to Peru, and how these moments led her to seek deeper meaning in life. Nicole shares her transition to focusing on spirituality, the challenges of identity, and the importance of surrendering to the process. Throughout the discussion, she emphasizes the value of discipline, the nature of truth, and the lessons learned from her podcast guests, ultimately highlighting the evolving definition of spirituality in her life.Check out more from Nicole at:substack.com/@nicolerspencerhttps://www.youtube.com/@spirituality.for.skepticsChapters00:00 Introduction and Background Changes03:07 The Spiritual Awakening Journey05:56 Experiences in Peru and Their Impact08:49 Transitioning to a Spiritual Focus11:58 Navigating Identity and Feedback14:40 Exploring Spirituality and Skepticism17:44 Lessons from Guests and Personal Growth22:38 Spiritual Awakening and Channeling Truths24:29 Exploring Multiple Truths in Spirituality26:18 The Importance of Exploration Over Quick Answers27:03 Navigating Identity and Surrender in Business29:25 The Challenge of Surrendering to Outcomes31:42 Discipline: The Bridge Between Fitness and Spirituality33:35 Ritual vs. Routine in Spiritual Practices38:57 Evolving Definitions of Spirituality

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Today I am joined by Zar Horton, Master SFG within the community of Strongfirst. Zar has been teaching workshops in hardstyle strength nationally and internationally for over 12 years, and…was a battalion chief and firefighter in Albuquerque fire and rescue for 32 years. In this conversation, Zar shares his journey from a firefighter to a master instructor in strength training, emphasizing the importance of functional fitness for first responders. He discusses the challenges of introducing kettlebell training to traditional firefighting methods, the significance of mobility and breathwork, and the lessons learned in leadership throughout his career. Zar reflects on his transition into retirement and the changes in his lifestyle, while also outlining his future plans for workshops and certifications.Check out more from Zar at:https://linktr.ee/zarhortonChapters00:00 Introduction and Background06:21 The Shift to Hardstyle Strength Training12:49 Implementing Change in Firefighting Training18:19 Transitioning from Firefighting to Retirement27:45 The Importance of Sleep and Breathwork29:54 Teaching Movement: Lessons Learned Over Time32:37 Mastering Movement: The Kettlebell Experience35:34 Mobility and Aging: A Shift in Focus38:20 The Value of Tai Chi and Breathwork42:38 Leadership Lessons from the Fire Service47:29 Upcoming Workshops and Future Plans

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Megan Henry is a mindset performance coach, SupraHuman performance coach, Former Team USA skeleton athlete, World Record holder and recent IFBB pro athlete.Meg is really interesting, we connected a couple years ago, she came on the show, it was one of the most memorable conversations I had early on about practical mindset training, specifically in the athletic realm.In this episode, Meg emphasizes the importance of self-image and visualization in achieving personal and professional goals. She discusses how one's perception of themselves is the key to their ability to reach their aspirations in health, athletics, business, and relationships.To check out more from Megan:https://beacons.ai/thesavagemeglet

Welcome to the Strength Connection!In this episode I am joined by Hewitt Tomlin, founder and CEO of TeamBuildr. Hewitt Tomlin shares his journey from being a college athlete to becoming an entrepreneur with Team Builder, a software platform designed to empower strength coaches. He discusses the challenges faced during the transition, the pivotal moment that led him to fully commit to his business, and the evolution of Team Builder's mission. The conversation also touches on the importance of strength training, the impact of COVID on business growth, and the balance between personal health and professional responsibilities.Check out more from Hewitt at:Email: hewitt@teambuildr.comLinkedIn: Hewitt TomlinChapters00:00 Introduction to Team Builder and Leadership Journey03:01 Transition from Athlete to Entrepreneur05:57 The Leap into Entrepreneurship08:52 Building Team Builder: The Early Days11:40 The Evolution of Team Builder14:55 Navigating Challenges as a Strength Coach17:54 Growth and Brand Equity During COVID20:42 Reflections on Leadership and Business Growth25:19 Navigating Feature Requests and Customer Feedback27:18 The Importance of Strength Training in Athletic Development30:35 The Evolution of Strength and Conditioning in Sports34:26 Trends in General Population Training and Tactical Fitness40:39 Balancing Health and Performance in a Busy Life

Welcome to the Strength Connection!I am joined in this episode by Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind and Mark Subias, AKA The Iron Council.We first came together in a roundtable discussion in April 2024 at Queen City Kettlebell, and have reconnected to talk strength, health and all things in the culture of performance and coaching.In this episode, Brett, DJ, Mark and I talk about our personal evolutions of coaching in the information age, how things have changed over the years, and the keys to training for longevity and healthspan.Follow Brett, DJ, and Mark at:Brett: https://www.instagram.com/brettjonessfg/?hl=enDJ: https://www.instagram.com/queencitykettlebell/Mark: https://www.instagram.com/subiasm/?hl=en