The Strength Connection

In the 139th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike will talk about the future format of The Strength Connection Podcast and go in detail about a few things he learnt from the podcast guests.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:05) A new beginning(0:40) Conversations outside the podcast(1:40) What’s next?(2:25) Shout out to Brian Grasso Facebook: Brian Grasso(2:25) The Bruce Lee moments(3:05) A format for the future(3:50) “We learn from stories, we learn from connections.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(4:20) Michael Kurkowski: 42 Lessons of Connectionhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/michael-kurkowski-42-lessons-of-connection/id1588270298?i=1000591501068 (4:45) The foundational staple of Mike’s life(5:10) Greenlight by Matthew McConaugheyhttps://www.amazon.com/Greenlights-Matthew-McConaughey/dp/0593139135 (5:30) 40 years worth of journals(5:40) A serial journaler(6:30) 3 major moments in journaling(6:50) “Clear days don’t come out with a sh*t-load of fogging day.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(7:10) Nearly everyday training program(7:35) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(9:10) “We don’t grow through comfort.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(10:10) Keep promises to yourself(10:25) The problem with over-committing(12:05) Shortening to-do lists(13:05) “Trust yourself more than you trust anything else.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(13:45) What do successful people do?(14:10) The power of saying no

In the 138th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Host of The Future Of Fitness Podcast, host of The Black Diamond Podcast and founder of Level 5 Mentors, Eric Malzone will talk about F-Off-Fridays, The changes in fitness industry, The hybrid model, The Future of Fitness origin story, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:45) Introducing our special guest Host of The Future Of Fitness Podcast, host of The Black Diamond Podcast and founder of Level 5 Mentors, Eric Malzone @emalzone(2:45) The Future of Fitness podcast(3:20) “Success is living a life that doesn’t necessitate vacation.” - Eric Malzone @emalzonehttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/future-of-fitness/id1298732635 (3:30) F-Off-Fridays(5:20) Efficiency vs. Efficacy(7:05) The ham joke(9:40) The Future Of Fitness origin story(9:50) Shout out to Joe Rogan @joerogan(10:30) Eric’s most used analogy(10:50) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(11:10) The changes in fitness industry (13:00) The digital future(13:45) The hybrid model(15:05) Wellness and fitness app download stat(16:40) Affecting change(17:40) The ever-so-evolving fitness industry(18:30) Career vs. gig economy(19:25) Crossfit gym model(20:30) The change in fitness goals(23:40) The “influencer” career trend(24:30) A good news for fitness industry(25:30) Substitution for human connection(26:55) “Growth is not the only goal.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(27:00) “Success is different for everybody.” Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(27:10) Difference between then vs. now(28:40) Shout out to Zach Even-Esh @zevenesh(29:30) The trend of building audience as a coach(29:40) Shout out to Aly Orady @aorady(33:10) Peloton and Tonal’s target market(33:50) Shout out to Chris Hemsworth @chrishemsworth(34:10) About longevity(35:00) Shout out to Eric Casaburi Linkedin: Eric Casburi(37:40) Coach’s perspective(38:50) “No AI, no app can never take away perspective.” - Eric Malzone @emalzone(39:00) “We think we are here to provide solution. When actually the better thing we can do is ask those tough questions.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(40:05) Strategic vs. tactical(43:10) “We are more connected than more lonely than we have ever been.” - Eric Malzone @emalzoneWhere to find Eric Malzone? @emalzone

In the 137th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strong First Master Instructor and Owner of Kettlebility, Andrea U-Shi Chang will talk about the first kettlebell certification in Hawaii, benefits of lack of a fitness background, suggestions for new coaches, Instructor’s Toolbox, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest  Strong First Master Instructor and Owner of Kettlebility, Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang(2:50) Andrea’s origin story(2:55) Being a highschool athlete(3:10) Working in real estate(3:25) Getting into kettlebell(3:30) Gaining weight(4:15) What happened to the athlete?(4:40) Getting help from an old friend(5:05) Power To The People by Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirsthttps://www.amazon.com/Power-People-Strength-Training-American/dp/0938045199 (5:10) Ineffective training sessions(6:00) Andrea’s insane transformation(6:40) A birthday present to herself(7:00) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(7:45) Staring coaching(8:35) Getting location for the gym(9:10) Difference in the systems(10:15) Introduction to kettlebells(11:50) Building a community(14:10) First kettlebell certification in Hawaii(14:30) Shout out to Zaine Salerno @bms_strengthtraining(17:15) “I didn’t realize I didn't feel good until I started to actually feel good.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strengt h_connection(18:20) “Anyone who is in their 20s, if they start training with strong first principles, it is going to carry over for your whole life.” - Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang(19:00) Andrea’s experience with building a business(19:20) Organic growth(21:00) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(21:15) Benefits of lack of a fitness background(22:15) Shout out to Chris Abbott Linkedin: Chris Abbott(23:00) “If you get really good at getting results for people in there, nobody's leaving you.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(23:40) “Get good at working with people.” - Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang(23:40) Assessing success(24:35) “It's not about chasing certs.” - Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang(26:45) “It's hard to train experience.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(27:00) Suggestions for new coaches(29:00) Referral provider system(30:15) Why does Mike like the FMS system?(32:15) Importance of being a forever student(33:10) What's the most important thing for coaches?(34:15) Why is hard style difficult?(34:40) Save and effective!(36:10) Shout out to Os Aponte @ironcoreway(37:20) “Make it enjoyable.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(38:30) Shout out to Zar Horton @zarhorton_kbx(39:30) Learn!(40:20) Things that you can’t online(42:20) Cool things about Strong First certifications(43:40) Shout out to Karen Smith @_coach_karen_(44:15) More tips for young coaches(45:20) Shout out to Vic Verdier @vicverdiercoaching(45:50) Instructor’s Toolbox(46:35) The lost teachings(54:10) Mike’s experience with SFL(55:20) Instructor’s Toolbox workshop with Andrea U-Shi Chang @andreaushichang and Brett Jones @brettjonessfgWhere to find Andrea U-Shi Chang? @andreaushichang

In the 136th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Creator and CEO of Health & Fitness Academy and the Champion Development Coaching Company, Michael Chu will talk about How did Michael start his coaching business?, Words from Michael’s first somatic coach, Michael’s LTV method, The GPS method, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest Creator and CEO of Health & Fitness Academy and the Champion Development Coaching Company, Michael Chu @mike__chu(1:30) “Retention is giving people a reason to stay, not preventing them from leaving.” - Michael Kurkowski’s Old Manager(1:55) Learning about retention(2:05) “Best leads you have are your already existing clients.” - Michael Chu @mike__chu(2:30) About next lead (2:45) Shout out to Jason Phillips @nci_ceo_jason(3:05) “Best lead generation tool is outstanding delivery.” - Michael Chu @mike__chu(4:50) Michael’s origin story(5:10) Staying an entrepreneur(5:45) Being a successful salesperson(6:30) The question that Michael asked himself(7:00) Building a coaching business(7:30) How did Michael start his coaching business?(9:25) Shout out to Alex Hormozi @hormozi(9:50) Why coaching?(13:25) $100M Offers by Alex Hormozi @hormozi(13:30) “Coaching is leadership.” - Michael Chu @mike__chu(14:40) About somatic therapy(16:15) Experience with personal growth work(18:05) Words from Michael’s first somatic coach(18:45) Did Michael ever love himself?(20:00) Breaking the 100K bar(24:10) Talk therapy vs. somatic therapy(25:40) “The mind forgets but the body remembers.” - Unknown(27:05) “Sometimes, coaches can be the hardest people to coach.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(27:25) Struggles with coaching coaches(27:50) “Share your scars, not your open wounds.” - Michael Chu @mike__chu(28:40) Shout out to Luka Hocevar @lukahocevar(29:40) Pivot to coaching the coaches business(31:45) Early business fundamentals(33:00) Michael’s LTV method(35:05) Michael’s clientele’s common struggles and their solutions(38:10) The Harvard effect(39:30) How does Michael coach?(40:50) Shout out to Dr. Lisa Lewis @drlewisconsulting(41:20) The short-term thinking(42:50) The high school analogy(44:40) Effortless ascension mindmap(45:15) “What do people actually care about? The result.” - Michael Chu @mike__chu(46:50) The GPS method(48:40) Scouting the defense(49:05) Shout out to Tony Robbins @tonyrobbins(50:55) Atomic Habits by James Clear @jamesclear(52:30) Transforming your identity(54:10) The things that coaches forget(56:30) “How you bring someone in is how you'll have to continue to lead them.” - Michael Chu @mike__chu(57:40) Where to find Michael Chu? @mike__chuFacebook Group: Seven Figure Fit Pro Communityhttps://www.facebook.com/groups/960546350731872/?paipv=0&eav=Afbw869U73CySTvH5GVPZVegPFQocId9sl1tqK_b0bGMN8ozcK1VRRqA2pnbl0YWxC8&_rdr Website: www.champdev.com/free 

In the 135th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Author of Super Human You, Motivational Speaker, Dave Whitley will talk about the generational cycle, communication with kids, the most ineffective parenting technique, what modeling actually mean, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:15) Introducing our special guest Author of Super Human You, Motivational Speaker, Dave Whitley @irontamer(2:00) #40 - Dave Whitley: Enhance Performance Through Breathinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/40-dave-whitley-enhance-performance-through-breathing/id1588270298?i=1000549952934 #13 - Dave Whitley: Allowing VS Forcinghttps://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/13-dave-whitley-allowing-vs-forcing/id1588270298?i=1000540889763 (2:55) The natural evolution of the process of creating the workshop(3:50) The generational cycle(5:15) The internal code(6:00) The 3 definitions of code(7:05) “If you knew someone who spoke to you about you, the way that you speak to yourself about yourself, is that person on your side or are they, are they your mortal enemy.” - Dave Whitley @irontamer(7:40) Lack of code(8:35) The mindset during the pregnancy(9:50) An example of modeling(11:25) The common struggle with Dave’s clientele(14:00) Shout out to Tim S. Grover(15:40) Another modeling example(16:35) About communication with kids(18:45) Experience with child development(19:35) Where did Dave get the name for his workshop?(19:45) The Science Of Getting Rich by Wallace D. Wattleshttps://www.amazon.com/Science-Getting-Rich-Wallace-Wattles/dp/1585426016 (23:20) Definition of empowerment(24:35) How Dave learned to be an entrepreneur?(28:20) “We have positioned ourselves in a societal way to not be comfortable with uncomfortable feelings” - Dave Whitley @irontamer(28:45) Example of Dave’s real-life conversation with his son(32:20) The best way to teach kids to learn a new thing(33:30) “Sometimes the best way to interact is to stay out of the way.” - Dave Whitley @irontamer @irontamer(37:25) The most ineffective parenting technique(40:00) About The Advancing Man Project(40:35) Operation break and replace(41:20) The first thing Dave tells his client(43:00) Men’s difficulty with expressing emotions(46:00) Some workshop insights(46:40) Dave’s internal language(48:50) How does this workshop work?(51:30) What does modeling mean?(52:40) The list of “Don’ts” as a parent(57:20) “It’s all about fostering awareness rather than fear.” - Dave Whitley @irontamer(57:35) Workshop’s timing and locationhttps://www.advancingmanproject.comWhere to find Dave Whitley? @irontamer

In the 134th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, CEO of Nutrition Coaching Institute, Jason Phillips, will talk about the problematic segways, a great coach according to Jason, the reality of fast transformations, body image issues in men, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest CEO of Nutrition Coaching Institute, Jason Phillips @nci_ceo_jason(1:05) Shout out to Brian Grasso Facebook: Brian Grasso(1:05) Shout out to Carrie Campbell @Carrie_Campbellwbffpro(1:40) The problematic segways (2:55) "More knowledge is not the answer." - Jason Phillips @nci_ceo_jason(3:10) Jason's motto(3:40) Shout out to Zach Even-Esh @zevenesh(4:15) Getting motivated to start NCI(5:40) Shout out to Luka Hocevar @lukahocevar(6:50) The missing link(7:40) Consumer's mindset about Crossfit(8:25) The lack of communication skills(9:20) "Your programs are only as good as the client implementing them.” - Jason Phillips @nci_ceo_jason(9:30) The things that nutritional world teaches us(10:15) “The physical follows the physiological.” - Jason Phillips @nci_ceo_jason(10:50) A great coach according to Jason(12:35) The reality of fast transformation(13:00) Transparency is the policy(13:20) Jason's anorexic background(14:00) Changing the narrative(14:30) Importance of sharing your own journey as a coach(15:10) Body image issues in men(16:00) Jason before anorexia(16:30) Finally overcoming anorexia nervosa(17:00) Difficulty gaining body fat(17:30) Gaining empathy due to anorexia(19:15) About normal or the lack thereof(19:40) “You don't know how good you feel until you feel bad.” - Jason Phillips @nci_ceo_jason(21:40) Operating non-optimally(22:00) Jason’s favorite entrepreneur(22:00) Shout out to Gary Vay-Ner-Chuk @garyvee(23:30) Jason’s task as a coach(24:15) “The best coaches in the world, very simply, provide opportunity.” - Jason Phillips @nci_ceo_jason(25:30) About being optimal(28:00) The dichotomy of sensualisation(28:20) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(28:40) “People buy emotionally, they don't buy intellectually.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(30:00) The origin of NCI(31:20) Jason’s Mindset certification(31:40) Connection based model(32:40) The types of coaches that attend NCI(33:20) Speaking in absolutes(34:15) The forever student(34:40) Shout out to Alex Hormozi @hormozi(37:00) Some of Jason's 1 on 1 clients(38:40) Why does Jason still have 1 on 1 clients?(40:10) “If you are looking a get-out at any point, you are probably in the wrong mindset already of what you are doing.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(41:35) The guarantee(44:00) Where to find Jason Philips? @nci_ceo_jason

In the 133rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Founder of Underground Strength Gym, Creator of SSPC Program, and Host of The Strong Life Podcast, Zach Even-Esh will talk about cons of advanced technology, Zach’s writing plan for his future book, the lack of discomfort, benefits of mini workouts, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:45) Introducing our special guest Zach Even-Esh @zevenesh(1:00) Playing 7 Degrees of Kevin Bacon(1:25) Shout out to Brian Grasso Facebook: Brian Grasso(1:55) The Strong Life Podcast(2:55) Shout out to Eric Cressey(3:20) Shout out to Chris Abbott(4:00) Cons of advanced technology(6:15) Shout out to Tim Ferriss(6:35) Shout out to Kamal Ravikant(6:45) Shout out to Naval Ravikant(7:55) Zach’s writing plan for his future book(8:55) “The best people at anything are really focused.” - Zach Even-Esh(9:05) Unfocused students(9:45) Zach’s kids’ behavior at school(10:40) The “Hardcore Gym” in Zach’s neighborhood(11:00) The New Encyclopedia of Modern Bodybuilding by Arnold Schwarzenegger(11:35) Power of mind(12:30) The real hardcore gym(13:25) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King(13:50) Zach’s co-writer’s routine(14:55) Having 2nd thoughts about his book(15:55) Change in Zach’s writing routine(17:40) The lack of discomfort(18:30) “Comfort is the enemy.” - Zach Even-Esh(20:05) Shout out to Joe De Sena(20:05) Cons of lockdown routine(22:00) Effects of your the location you grow up in(24:15) “I want to go somewhere where the internet doesn’t work.” - Zach Even-Esh(25:40) Zach’s website landing page(26:45) Not knowing how to quit(27:10) Evolution in Zach’s coaching style(30:15) “Real strength must transcend the gym walls.” - Zach Even-Esh(30:30) Some lesson that Zach learnt(31:45) A+ across the board(32:00) “Excellence is easier if you apply it to everything in your life.” - Zach Even-Esh(32:35) From Greek philosophers(33:10) Us vs. people in the old ages(34:15) Benefits of mini workouts(34:35) “Moderation is for cowards.” - Navy Seal(36:20) Mike’s issue with blanket meditation(37:30) “Physical strength and the mental strength where oftentimes we think of those as like separate practices. No, those should be both together.” - Michael Kurkowski(37:50) Mind body experience(38:20) Zach’s experience with depression(39:10) Traveling to Israel(40:10) Book by Tony Robbins(41:20) Unfocused strength training(42:25) The power of mind(43:25) Why did Mike get into hardstyle training?(43:45) “Knowledge is not valued anymore.” - Michael Kurkowski(45:00) “It's not what we do, it's how we do it.” - Zach Even-Esh(46:00) Cons of unqualified coaches(47:15) “How we do things is the ultimate game changer.” - Zach Even-Esh(48:45) Stigma around fitness(49:25) The importance of a good coach(51:20) Planet Fitness’s business model(53:05) Meeting one of the Planet Fitness’ founder(54:40) What does the future hold?(56:50) Mike’s encouraging highschool story(58:30) Lack of thirst for knowledge (1:00:15) Working at GNC(1:01:50) Gyms back in the days(1:02:10) About Zach’s gym(1:03:00) Message to other coaches(1:04:10) Zach and his brother weightlifting(1:06:35) “Begin with the work.” - Zach Even-Esh(1:07:20) Importance of fitness at an older age(1:08:20) Shout out to Sifu Singh(1:09:10) Anthony’s success storyWhere to find Zach Even-Esh? @zeveneshThe Strong Life Podcast

In the 132nd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strong First Elite Instructor, Level III Animal Flow Instructor, and Creator of The Black Dragon Method, David Welek, will talk about weightlifting at age12, extreme bodybuilding, the reason behind creating The Black Dragon Method, David’s mission, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest Strong First Elite Instructor, Level III Animal Flow Instructor, and Creator of The Black Dragon Method, David Welek @blackdragonmethod(1:40) “Be in the moment.” - David Welek @blackdragonmethod(2:35) Shout out to Dr. Michael Hartle @drmichaelhartle(3:25) David’s experience with retesting(5:45) Shout out to Analisa Naldi @italiannna(6:05) Shout out to Os Aponte @ironcoreway(6:40) David’s origin story(7:00) The “low gym” class at school(7:55) Weightlifting at age12(8:40) Taking interest in the science of movement and training(9:20) Biggest kicker for David(9:40) Shout out to Jason Marshall @strongfirst_marshall(10:25) Extreme bodybuilding(10:40) Joining yoga class(11:40) Shout out to Herschel Walker(11:55) Herschel Walker’s ballet class(12:45) David’s militant yoga instructor(12:50) Shout out Suze Curtis @suzecurtis(14:05) Breaking the bodybuilding addiction(14:25) Getting into martial arts(14:50) The butterfly effect(15:40) Losing 20-pounds(16:40) Why did David decide to start yoga?(18:40) The enablers in bodybuilding field(19:50) Working with recovery bodybuilders(20:25) The Miss Olympia client(21:10) The benefits of bodybuilding(21:35) Shout out to Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(22:35) David’s martial arts disciplines(26:25) Benefits of doing martial arts(26:55) Animal Flow vs. yoga(27:40) David vs. his brother(28:30) “I got no problem being terrible at something.” - David Welek @blackdragonmethod(29:50) David’s task as an instructor(29:55) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(30:50) The reason behind creating The Black Dragon Method(33:20) David’s mission(33:55) “Harmonize is better than balance, because nothing is ever balanced.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(34:40) Conversation with Os about mobility(36:05) Shout out to Kelly Manzone @kellsbells88(36:15) About teaching yoga(38:35) David’s common clientele(39:35) Stick mobility vs. Yoga(40:00) David’s love for stick mobility(41:10) Shout out to Kobe Bryant(42:40) About kinstretch(43:25) Shout out to Dr. Andreo Spina @drandreospina(46:05) The interesting fact about Animal Flow(50:25) David’s clients about the Animal Flow movement(50:40) More about Animal Flow(53:30) Achieving Animal Flow Level 03(54:30) Shout out to Sifu Singh @sifusingh(55:40) Where to find David Welek? @blackdragonmethodhttps://www.blackdragonyoga.com/ 

In this solo episode, Mike will share some insights and lessons that he learnt from the 130 episodes of The Strength Connection Podcast, enjoy!Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:10) Origin story of The Strength Connection Podcast(1:10) Shout out to Chris Abbott(1:50) About The Breakthrough Secrets Podcast(2:20) Parting ways with Chris(2:30) Starting a solo podcast(2:45) Shout out to Fabio Zonin(4:20) Why 42 lessons?(5:00) Lesson #1: Check in with yourself before you check in with the world(5:10) Greenlights by Mathew McConaughey(5:35) Lesson #2: Keep promises to yourself(6:15) Shout out to Carrie Campbell(6:20) Lesson #3: When you conclude you stop seeking(7:00) Lesson #4: Gratitude is a container for all problems(7:35) Lesson #5: There’s no substitute for discipline(8:10) Lesson #6: Read book(8:40) Lesson #7: Read fiction(9:15) The Name of The Wind by Patrick Rothfuss(9:20) James Reese series by Jack Carr(9:35) Lesson #8: Find a way(9:40) Shout out to Danny Casey(10:15) Lesson #9: Do your best, then get out of the way(10:20) Shout out to Luke Rossmo(10:50) Lesson #10: Breathing practice makes a bigger impact than anything(11:00) Shout out to Patrick McKeown(11:00) Shout out to Dave Whitley (11:15) Book by Jay Shetty(11:30) Lesson #11: See what happens(11:35) Shout out to Tyler Wall(12:05) Lesson #12: The more you prepare, the more you can wing it(12:50) Lesson #13: Go to fu*king sleep(13:15) Shout out to Dr. Allison Brager(13:41) Lesson #14: Ask “Do I need to know more or do I need to use what I know better?”(13:45) Shout out to Brain Grasso(14:20) Lesson #15: Ask “Am I seeking inspiration or am I seeking information?”(15:00) Lesson #16: Study the science(15:00) Shout out to Antonio Squillante(15:40) Lesson #17: Get out of your head(16:40) Lesson #18: Flow is nature(16:45) Shout out to Sifu Singh(17:30) Lesson #19: Leverage your motivation(17:30) Shout out to Dr. Lisa Lewis(18:30) Lesson #20: Minimalism doesn't mean minimal effort(19:10) Shout out to Geoff Neupert(19:25) Lesson #21: If you aren’t sure, ask someone who is(19:30) Shout out to Shane Farmer(20:30) Lesson #22: What you say matters, especially to yourself(20:35) Shout out to Dax Moy(21:20) Lesson #23: It will take longer than you think(21:20) Shout out to Jerzy Gregorek (21:55) Lesson #24: You will get to a point where doing isn’t enough(22:50) Lesson #25: Get out of the automatic zone(22:55) Shout out to Diane Webb(23:55) Lesson #26: If you don’t have hard days, you don’t need recovery days(24:25) Lesson #27: If you have hard days, make sure you have easy day too(24:40) Shout out to Brett Jones(25:00) Lesson #28: Imagine your outcomes(25:40) Lesson #29: Learn how to learn first(25:40) Shout out to Gregg Goodhart(26:15) Lesson #30: You have a dark side, don’t suppress it(26:55) Lesson #31: Audit your time(27:00) Shout out to Luka Hocevar(27:20) Lesson #32: Challenge yourself often(28:05) Lesson #33: Ask for what you want(28:50) Lesson #34: Be of service to others(29:05) Lesson #35: There is no scarcity of strength(29:40) Lesson #36: Fuel yourself first if you want to serve in the best way(30:20) Lesson #37: Scout defense(31:25) Lesson #38: Have routines(32:05) Lesson #39: Set your environment up for success(32:50) Lesson #40: Growth is not the only biomarker of progress(33:35) Lesson #41: Life is a highway(34:20) Lesson #42: You are meant for something bigger than yourself

In the 130th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, StrongFirst Team Leader, Os Aponte, will talk about Steps to broaden your view about fitness, different approaches toward fitness, Os’ training process, using Gate Evaluation & its benefits, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:45) Introducing our special guest StrongFirst Team Leader, Os Aponte @ironcoreway(2:10) Different approaches toward fitness(4:35) “Build your strength but manage your weaknesses.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection (5:45) Steps to broaden your view about fitness(8:05) The practical approach(9:40) Benefits of alternatives(10:40) Shout out to Hector Gutierrez(11:25) Make training enjoyable!(11:40) “There’s a science and art to coaching.” - Os Aponte @ironcoreway(12:30) The concept of goal setting(13:35) Doug Nepodal’s get-up story LinkedIn: Doug Nepodal(14:00) The first responsibility of being a coach(15:15) Os’ training process(16:50) Why does Os like the Ground Force method?(18:05) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(18:50) The benefits of using Ground Force method for coaches(19:10) About using Gate Evaluation and its benefits (23:15) The two main things your nervous system does(23:40) About baseline tests(24:45) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(25:30) About Function Of Movement (25:40) Shout out to Grey Cook @functionalmvmt(26:45) Shout out to Kelly Manzone @kellsbells88(26:45) Shout out to Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(27:20) Shout out to Tim Almond(28:10) Mike’s love-hate relationship with presses(29:15) Half kneeling presses and more(30:20) About double sots presses(31:00) Shout out to Bud Jeffries @budjeffries(32:10) #65 - Bud Jeffries: The Everlasting Legacy Of Noah - The Breakthrough Secrets Podcasthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/65-bud-jeffries-the-everlasting-legacy-of-noah/id1551573443?i=1000519996779 (32:20) “You are meant for something bigger than just you.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(33:10) Believe in yourself!(34:20) Some overrated exercises according to Os(36:20) Bench presses’ risk vs. reward(38:05) More overrated exercises(38:40) Misconception about body-weight exercises(39:50) Underrated exercises according to Os(40:00) Os’ active childhood(42:00) Some underrated exercises for bodybuilders(43:30) The pendulum analogy(45:50) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(46:30) Benefits of customized exercises(46:45) Os’ all-time favorite exercise(50:00) Shout out to Derek Toshner @tnt_adventure_fit(50:50) About a famous protocol(52:00) Shout out to Dave Whitley @irontamerWhere to find Os Aponte? @ironcoreway