The Strength Connection

Michael Kurkowski
undefined
Jul 26, 2025 • 49min

The Path to Optimal Health and Vitality w/ Mike Salemi

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Mike Salemi is a men’s performance coach, creator of the Vital Man Collective, and host of The Path podcast.In this conversation, Mike Salemi shares his journey from a competitive athlete to a holistic coach focusing on men's vitality and strength. He discusses the importance of personal experiences in shaping his understanding of health, the significance of men's work, and the balance between discipline and play. The dialogue emphasizes the need for connection, the power of solitude versus isolation, and the role of devotion in personal growth.Check out more from Mike at:https://coaching.mikesalemi.io/
undefined
Jul 19, 2025 • 55min

Primal Foundations w/ Tony Pascolla

Welcome to the Strength Connection.Tony Pascolla is a Physical Education teacher (Chicago,IL), strength coach, StrongFirst Kettlebell & Barbell Instructor, personal trainer, and carnivore/fasting coach.He is also the host of the Primal Foundations Podcast, where he explores topics related to strength training, nutrition, and lifestyle optimization (which I’ve had the privilege of being a guest on.)In this episode, Tony dives into early days of endurance training, what wrestling taught him about mindset for competition, completing the IronMan, and his evolution of teaching in Strength.Follow Tony at:Website: https://www.primalfoundations.com/Instagram: @tony_primalfoundationsPodcast: Primal Foundations Podcast 
undefined
Jul 7, 2025 • 55min

The Science of Strength after 40 w/ Geoff Neupert

Welcome to the Strength Connection!One of the most popular guests ever to come on the show, Geoff Neupert of Chasing Strength is back for the 3rd time on the podcast.Geoff’s ability to refine, and articulate the principles of strengths is top shelf, and has been a huge help to me and many others in strength, health and fitness.In this episode, I wanted to take some of the lessons he’s given on his Youtube channel, and dive deeper into them, specifically with staying healthy and strong over 40 years old and entering this new season of life.Check out more from Geoff on his IG and Youtube ChannelIG: https://www.instagram.com/geoff.neupert/#Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@GeoffNeupert
undefined
Jun 28, 2025 • 50min

The 5 Fundamentals of Optimal Health w/ Jim Laird

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Jim Laird is a dedicated strength and conditioning coach with a career spanning back to 1997. He has helped everyone from casual fitness enthusiasts to professional athletes in the NFL, CFL, LPGA, and MLB achieve their goals.Jim's unique approach focuses on getting results efficiently. His motto, "Training Smarter, Not Harder," has resonated with both clients and industry experts. In recent years, he has teamed up with Dr. Leland Stillman to combine fitness coaching with medical insights, promoting a holistic approach to health through fitness and outdoor activities.Now living in beautiful Nicaragua, Jim works with a local professional baseball team while focusing on helping men over 40 improve their health and fitness. He also supports women in finding a balanced approach to wellness.Check out more from Jim at:https://www.vitalitybrotherhood.comhttps://www.vitalitysisterhood.com
undefined
Jun 21, 2025 • 46min

Strength, Body Image, and Empathy w/ James Cappola

Welcome to the Strength Connection!I’ve been a fan of the message and insights that James Cappola has created for a while, so it was truly special to have him come on the podcast.James is the owner of Zero Shortcuts Training, and a coach dedicated to the truth and principles of the client/coach relationship and the power of kindness and empathy.Check out James at:zeroshortcutstraining.comIG: @james_cappola  
undefined
Jun 17, 2025 • 60min

Win Your Next Hour w/ Danny Lehr

Welcome to the Strength Connection!Danny Lehr is a speaker, entrepreneur, author, and former competitive athlete who’s obsessed with helping people accomplish their biggest dreams… one hour at a time.He’s the author of Win Your Next Hour, a high-impact guide for getting unstuck and taking bold action when life feels overwhelming.As the co-founder of the lifestyle brand Caffeine & Kilos, Danny has built a multimillion-dollar business, coached elite athletes and high performers, and shared stages with leaders across business and sport.Check out more from Danny at: HTTPS://WinYourNextHour.comIG: @danny_lehr
undefined
May 30, 2025 • 49min

How to Live in Total Abundance w/ Frank Parisi

Welcome to the Strength Connection!One of the most anticipated episodes of the show, Frank Parisi joins me to talk faith, abundance, and coming back from the dead to live on purpose.A motivational keynote speaker and networking mogul, Frank brings his expertise to life by giving the blueprint from recovery to fulfillment. Alongside his storytelling of personal hardship as a recovered addict and growing up in the streets of New York City, he continues to offer private, nationwide consulting as a self-made entrepreneur. As a young adult heart transplant survivor, his passion and dedication to helping others achieve their goals has changed thousands of lives within the past 13 years.I wanted to run through a wall from the energy of this conversation.Check out more from Frank at:https://frank-parisi.com/IG: @frankparisi2011
undefined
May 23, 2025 • 54min

Ep 288: Built to Last w/ David Amerland

Welcome to the Strength Connection!David Amerland is a writer focused on how human behavior is shaped by modern forces, especially technology, and how that shift impacts our health, culture, and stories. After building a career in marketing and publishing several successful business books, he expanded into the wellness space with Built to Last, a practical guide to health, longevity, and intentional living.Check out more of David’s work at:https://davidamerland.com/
undefined
May 17, 2025 • 53min

Ep 287: Hula Hoops, Boating and Mindset w/ Amy Guerrier

Welcome to the Strength Connection!I true renaissance woman is the best way to describe Amy Guerrier.Professional Hula-Hooper, clown, top tier high performance coach, and lives full-time on a boat documenting her experiences on her Youtube Channel AbsoBOATely fabulous, Amy is a wealth of knowledge and insight into the power of play, breath, and mindset.Check out more of Amy at:IG: absoboatelyfabulousYT: https://www.youtube.com/@absoboatlyfabulous
undefined
May 3, 2025 • 55min

Ep 286: Dear Coach w/ Dr. Sara Erdner

Welcome to the Strength Connection!This was one of the most insightful and interesting conversations about communication I’ve had on the show.Dr. Sara Erdner is Certified Mental Performance Consultant (CPMC), and PhD in Sports Psychology and Motor behavior, and the Author of Dear Coach: What I wish I could have told you.Dr. Erdner ​​asked athletes one question: What do you wish you could have told your coach but, for whatever reason, never did? Athletes responded to this question via confidential letters, providing a wealth of knowledge for coaches, sport administrators, and all who care for athletes. From heartfelt thank-you letters to painful accusations and everything in between, Dear Coach gives athletes a rare platform in the sports reform debate, beginning a much-needed conversation between athletes and coaches directly.Check out more from Dr. Sara at:https://www.dearcoachbook.com/about

The AI-powered Podcast Player

Save insights by tapping your headphones, chat with episodes, discover the best highlights - and more!
App store bannerPlay store banner
Get the app