The Strength Connection

In the 110th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Author of 14 Days in Beijing and Author Coach, Chancellor Jackson, will talk about spending 14 days incarcerated in China, mental & spiritual challenges during that time, his outlook toward life afterward, the writing process for 14 Days in Beijing, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest, Author of 14 Days in Beijing and Author Coach, Chancellor Jackson @korlehj(2:20) Chancellor’s origin story(3:20) Teaching English in China(3:45) How easy is it to teach English abroad?(4:15) Watching schoolmates work out(4:40) Coaching football and life skills(5:00) Collabing with another coach(5:55) Reason for wanting to go to China at a young age(7:20) Introduction to 14 Days in Beijing(7:30) Getting arrested in China(8:20) Daily meals in prison in China(9:00) Talking to cellmates(9:35) Chancellor’s mindset during this time(11:35) About accountability(11:55) “Accountability always plays a factor in the equation.” - Chancellor Jackson @korlehj(13:00) Learning about the jail operation process(13:40) Making contact with the family(14:20) Talking with the US embassy(14:40) A happy surprise(15:10) 3 spiritual signs(16:30) Chancellor’s “That’s-So-Raven” moment(18:50) Pinpointing the signs afterward(20:35) The inspiration to write the book(21:15) The duration between his jail release and writing the book(22:20) Did the Chancellor want to be a writer at all?(23:25) Chancellor’s emotional state while recalling the situation(24:55) Writing romance after non-fic(27:05) Your work is yours!(27:40) The War of Art  by Steven Pressfield @steven_pressfieldhttps://www.amazon.com/War-Art-Winning-Creative-Battle-audio-cd/dp/1501260626 (28:35) Chancellor’s process of coaching writers(30:45) Editing is real work!(32:00) The studio album analogy(32:45) The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron @juliacameronlive(33:35) “We only see as consumers these finished products, not realizing that all the art is just all comes from the editing.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(34:00) Creative vs. Non-fic writing(37:10) Working with at-risk teens(37:45) Why is 14 Days in Beijing a great book for at-risk teens(41:40) “Adversity introduces a man to himself.” - Chancellor Jackson @korlehj(41:55) Chancellor’s future plan(43:40) Where to find Chancellor Jackson? @korlehjhttps://www.chancellorkjackson.com/https://www.amazon.com/Chancellor-K.-Jackson/e/B086YGY4BM%3Fref=dbs_a_mng_rwt_scns_share 

In the 109th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, StrongFirst Director of Education and Functional Movement Systems Advisory Board member, Brett Jones, will talk about this program, how Iron Cardio helped him regain his strength, the ins and outs of intuitive training, the traps beginners get into, intuitive training, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:10) Introducing our special guest, StrongFirst Director of Education and Functional Movement Systems Advisory Board member, Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(2:10) Books are never finished, they are just abandoned - unknown(2:30) Shout out to Martine Kerr @kult_fitness(2:55) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(3:45) “I am concerned with getting things right, not getting it quickly.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(4:10) Brett’s answer to every project(6:05) Brett’s inspiration for Iron Cardio(6:40) Getting diagnosed with cancer(7:20) Training after cancer treatment(7:50) The problems that Brett faced(8:40) “Power punishes, speed kills in athletics.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(9:05) Timeless strategy while doing strength aerobics(11:20) One thing that Brett found out (11:50) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(13:25) Why Brett wrote Iron Cardio(16:55) “Minimalism means I'm gonna get the most effect and the most results out of the least amount that I need to do.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(17:35) Two reasons Brett started intuitive training(19:10) Intuitive training according to Brett(21:30) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(22:05) Artist vs. Scientist mindset during intuitive training(23:30) Dancing analogy(27:10) “I train to train.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(27:30) The reason behind lack of exercise in USA(29:00) Shout out to Fraser Quelch @fraserquelch(31:00) Trainers’ struggle with ownership(32:35) Victim’s choice(34:55) Linear vs. exponential progression(39:10) Shout out to Victor(42:50) Record keeping(45:40) Muscle recovery and resting(47:15) Using a heart rate monitor(48:45) Brett’s biomarkers for readiness(50:20) Light vs. heavy days experience(53:00) What did Mike love about Iron Cardio?(54:25) Years and years of workout log(55:50) Shooting an authentic workout video(57:40) Brett’s advice for getting started(1:03:40) Where to find Iron Cardio?https://appliedstrength.com/ https://www.strongfirst.com/avoid-the-traps-of-intuitive-training/ https://strongandfit.com/products/iron-cardio-by-brett-jones https://strongandfit.com/products/iron-cardio-e-book-by-brett-jones Where to find Brett Jones? @brettjonessfg

In the 108th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Coach, Mentor, and the creator of Authentic Conversion, Nicole Spencer, will talk about the secret of Nicole’s quick success, the best approach toward her business, Nicole’s training process, take on online ads, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest, Coach, Mentor, and the creator of Authentic Conversion, Nicole Spencer @nicole.authentic.conversion(1:20) Business mastermind(1:50) Meeting at CK FMS(3:00) Competitive dancing and choreography(3:20) Becoming a high school teacher(3:40) Getting into a graduate program(4:10) Getting married(4:30) Going to New York City(5:20) Introduction to personal training(5:50) Getting hired at Equinox(6:50) Evolution at Equinox(7:15) Moving to SouthEast Georgia(8:20) The idea of opening a fitness studio(9:20) The secret to Nicole’s quick success(12:15) Nicole’s best approach to her business(14:45) Should I?(16:00) Experience with working at another company(17:15) The reason behind starting her own business(18:05) Difference between working with clients vs. trainers(19:10) Reason behind shutting down online training(20:40) Nicole’s training process(21:45) “If you don't learn the business skills, you don't have the clients to help.” - Nicole Spencer @nicole.authentic.conversion(22:50) Mindset of Nicole’s average clientele(23:30) More about Nicole’s training process(26:15) Nicole’s take on online ads(27:50) “If you don't know how to convert and connect with people organically, you will not ever convert anyone from ads.” - Nicole Spencer @nicole.authentic.conversion(29:00) Gradual change in online ad conversion(30:55) “In any area of life or business, it's only 5% of people who say they want to do something extraordinary, who will actually do it.” - Nicole Spencer @nicole.authentic.conversion(32:25) Parallels between business and fitness(33:40) Mastery by Robert Greenehttps://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Robert-Greene/dp/014312417X (34:15) Consistency over creativity(35:15) Nicole’s #1 key to success(39:00) Shout out to Leila Hormoz @LeilaHormozi(39:10) Train Track vs. Highway analogy(39:55) About intuition(45:25) Where to find Nicole Spencer? @nicole.authentic.conversionFacebook: AuthenticConversion

In the 107th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Author of Dinosaur Training and Champion Wrestler, Brooks Kubik, will talk about his childhood asthma, becoming an academic, drug-free powerlifting contests, the beginning of dinosaur training, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest, Author of Dinosaur Training and Champion Wrestler, Brooks Kubik @brooks_kubik(1:20) Dinosaur Training by Brooks Kubik @brooks_kubikhttps://www.amazon.com/Dinosaur-Training-Secrets-Strength-Development/dp/B0006RAMBO (2:35) Brooks’ origin story(2:45) Childhood asthma(3:40) A lover of biographies(4:00) Reading about Theodore Roosevelt(4:40) The only exercise Brooks did at the age of 9(5:50) Introduction to wrestling(7:35) Getting into weight and strength training(8:40) Goal behind training(9:15) Wrestle training in the high school gym(12:00) Why wrestling?(13:00) The miniature class(14:00) Wrestling with a blindfold on(15:10) Brooks’s initial focus(16:10) Shout out to Jeff Blatnick(18:45) Severe shoulder injury(19:20) Becoming an academic(19:50) Drug-free powerlifting contests(22:10) Winning championships in the bench press(22:50) Looking for something new(23:30) Exploring new modalities and techniques(24:10) The beginning of dinosaur training(25:10) How to publish a book 101!(26:40) The wall of books(28:55) The reason behind the success of dinosaur training(31:45) Ancient techniques of strongmen (34:40) Research behind hand strength(35:40) Shout out to Adam Glass @adamtglass_(35:40) Shout out to Frankie Faires @frankiefaires(37:30) The Dinosaur Business: a phenomenon(38:55) 54 years of strength training(42:20) “Life is short to be boring.” - Brooks Kubik @brooks_kubik(44:00) The secrets of strength by Earle Liederman(44:25) Why do people overlook old training methods?(47:45) “As the world grows more complex, people are saying, I want the sheer simplicity of going back to basics.” - Brooks Kubik @brooks_kubik(48:10) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(49:15) “If you want to develop strength and really build mastery, you're going to be doing it over and over again.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(49:40) The benefit of playing organized sports(50:40) “You always keep practicing the basic skills, you never outgrow them.” - Brooks Kubik @brooks_kubik(53:15) Do it slowly!(55:15) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(57:00) “You don't achieve success in anything overnight. And you shouldn't expect to.” - Brooks Kubik @brooks_kubik(57:10) “Progress is never linear. It's an ever upward angle.” - Brooks Kubik @brooks_kubik(1:00:25) Importance of longevity(1:02:50) Where to find Brooks Kubik? @brooks_kubikhttps://www.dinosaurtraining.com/ 

In the 106th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strength Coach, Kettlebell Coach, Steel Mace & Stick Mobility Coach, Kelly Manzone, will talk about being the only woman in the weight room, vintage strength, Kelly’s best investment, Kelly’s love for “un-structureness”, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest, Strength Coach, Kettlebell Coach, Steel Mace & Stick Mobility Coach, Kelly Manzone @kellsbells88(2:15) Kelly’s origin story(2:30) Being the only woman in the weight room(3:20) Kelly’s love for history and english(3:35) Implementing historial training techniques(4:05) Kelly’s background with different sports and movement(4:40) Reconnecting with movement(6:35) “Movement itself is ageless.” - Kelly Manzone @kellsbells88(8:35) “Movement is language.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(9:30) Respect for seniors(10:15) People who push the boundaries (11:40) Kelly’s current training routine(12:20) Shout out to Anthony DiLuglio @anthonydiluglio(13:10) Vintage strength(15:25) Art of Strength(15:30) Shout out to Steve Cotter @stevecotter_ikff(15:45) Shout out to Stefanie Tropea @dr.strong.chiro.stef(17:10) Kelly’s best investment(18:25) Hypermobility(19:50) About Kelly’s mother’s illness(20:40) Reason behind getting in circular training(22:00) Kelly’s background with kettlebell sports(23:10) Creating her new course(23:30) Getting hired to work with Hartford Wolfpack hockey team(23:50) Shout out to John Sardos @jsardos(26:15) Benefits of club swinging(27:05) Start with the basics!(29:15) More about circular training(30:45) “We got more connected to aesthetics vs. the reasons behind why we move.” - Kelly Manzone @kellsbells88(31:00) Getting feedback from the tool(34:10) Shout out to Sifu Harinder Singh @sifusingh(34:45) “One tool could probably speak to you a little bit more depending on what you're looking for.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(36:15) Kelly’s teaching process(41:15) Kelly’s general clientele(44:05) “Real relationship with movement in our bodies, it doesn't always have to be scheduled.” - Kelly Manzone @kellsbells88(44:40) Kelly’s love for “un-structureness”(45:55) Kelly’s personal training sessions(51:40) Where to find Kelly Manzone? @kellsbells88www.kellymanzone.com 

In the 105th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Author, Psychologist, Renowned Speaker, and Coach, Simon Maryan will talk about Simon’s Royal Marine background, training vs. real hostage situations, the experience that changed Simon, AIR - 3 steps to get emotional and mental resilience, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter, you will discover:(1:15) Introducing our special guest, Author, Psychologist, Renowned Speaker, and Coach, Simon Maryan, @simonleemaryan(1:20) Shout out to Kirsten Tulloch @kirstentullochcoaching(3:20) Simon’s Royal Marine background(4:05) The reason behind joining Royal Marine(4:50) Royal Marine admission standards (6:40) Simon’s Royal Marine career(6:50) Being medically discharged from the Royal Marine(8:45) Training vs. real hostage situations(9:40) Being kidnapped(17:20) Finally feeling safe(18:15) Being kidnaped in Nigeria(21:45) Being kidnapped again!(24:45) Was talking about being a hostage ever difficult?(26:00) The reason behind talking about being kidnapped(26:30) The experience that changed Simon(28:40) Connection with other ex-hostages(29:30) Shout out to Craig Marker(30:05) Content-free work(30:35) “Everything has its place in the right order for each person.” - Simon Maryan @simonleemaryan(31:00) Mike’s analogy for speaking out too soon(31:45) Resettlement programs(32:55) Simon’s interest in mindset training(33:55) Emotional hostage(34:55) AIR - 3 steps to get emotional and mental resilience(36:05) Emotional maturity(36:35) Men vs. women’s emotional maturity levels(38:20) How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain by Lisa Feldman Barrett @LFeldmanBarretthttps://www.amazon.com/How-Emotions-Are-Made-Secret-ebook/dp/B00QPHURT6 (38:25) Emotional cocktail(40:35) Simon’s emotional maturity training process(41:50) Mike’s tips for feeling better(43:00) The empty chair method(44:40) Stress addiction(45:55) Sort your emotions first!(48:50) Simon’s thoughts about journaling(52:40) “We're in this productive state where we think like, if we're awake, we have to constantly be doing something every second of the day.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(53:00) Down time for brain(55:00) Mental health awareness in the west(57:25) Mental health system in UK(1:00:20) Male suicide stats in UK and USA(1:02:00) Where to find Simon Maryan? @simonleemaryanhttps://simonmaryan.com/

Aleks Salkin, Level II StrongFirst Certified kettlebell instructor and Original Strength Instructor, discusses his new book, the combination of kettlebell and bodyweight training, program design for a kickstart, exercise selection, separating strategies and tactics, the value of personal experience and expertise, and a free nine-minute challenge.

In the 103rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Founder of The Elements Cycle System and Owner of Friheim Norway, Pawl Widuto, will talk about  Pawel’s first and second trainers, explanation of the Cycle of Elements, the process of training at Freeheim Norway, the biggest fight of Pawel’s life, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:15) Introducing our special guest, Founder of The Elements Cycle System and Owner of Friheim Norway, Pawel Widuto @friheimnorway(1:15) Shout out to Kirsten Tulloch @kirstentullochcoaching(2:30) Pawel’s origin story(2:30) Martial art background(2:55) Researching for external tools and mentors(3:15) Pawel’s first and second trainers(4:00) About fencing and sword fighting(4:50) The show fights(5:45) Choreography for show fights(6:15) Shout out to Allan Fallrø @coachallan.no(6:45) The big and scary(7:30) The Polish StrongFirst trainers @strongfirst(8:00) The fitness trend in Poland(9:00) The Cycle of Elements: Explanation(14:35) Contact with the divine dimension(16:00) How Pawel used the cycle of elements for his clients?(17:55) The inspiration behind creating the cycle(20:00) Training “not to break”(22:45) Gender differences (23:20) The interview and guidance process(24:15) “You cannot provide yourself with a good technique, having so much stress on you.” - Pawel Widuto @friheimnorway(26:00) Critically examining clients(29:00) “I'm not adjusting people to the exercise, adjust the exercise to suit the customer or people need.” - Pawel Widuto @friheimnorway(30:30) Shout out to Denis Vasilev @denisvasilevkbsport(30:30) Shout out to Maria Moran Facebook: maria.moran.359126(30:35) Shout out to Phil Greenfield @philgreenfield(31:20) Training to compete in the nationals(33:10) Why Mike loves kettlebell training?(33:45) Expression of true self(34:05) “We play the role. We don’t play ourselves.” - Pawel Widuto @friheimnorway(35:25) The reason behind Pawel’s love for fighting(37:45) The Comfort Crises by Micheal Easter @Michael_Easterhttps://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Crisis-Embrace-Discomfort-Reclaim/dp/0593138767 (38:45) Why does Pawel fights?(39:10) A funny fight on a bridge in UK(41:45) “To create the reality you want, you have to pick your feelings.” - Pawel Widuto @friheimnorway(42:45) The process of training at Freeheim @friheimnorway(46:25) More women in fencing(48:35) The biggest fight of Pawel’s life(49:55) The duration of 300 vs. 300 fight(53:15) “If you're in everything consistently good, rather than occasionally great at one, that's going to serve you a lot more.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(53:45) Where to find Pawel Widuto? @friheimnorwayhttps://www.friheimnorway.com/ 

In the 102nd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest 7-figure entrepreneur, Host of Fire and Soul Podcast, Co-founder of the Podcast Accelerator, and Founder of Soul Circles, Michelle Sorro,  will talk about the red pill rabbit hole, utter and complete deconstruction, the gradual awakening, and the power of self-censoring.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:45) Introducing our special guest, 7-figure entrepreneur, Host of Fire and Soul Podcast, Co-founder of the Podcast Accelerator, and Founder of Soul Circles, Michelle Sorro @michellesorro(2:15) Shout out to Brian Grasso Facebook: Brian Grasso(2:15) Shout out to Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(2:50) “Do not only practice your art but force your way into its secrets for it and knowledge can raise you to the divine.” - Beethoven(3:05) Mastery by Robert Greenehttps://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Robert-Greene/dp/014312417X (4:00) What does Michelle do?(4:20) Life on a rocket ship(4:35) Shout out to Dave Aspery @dave.asprey(4:35) Shout out to Tony Robbins @tonyrobbins(4:35) Shout out to Jack Canfield @jackcanfield_official(4:45) Hitting 7 figures(5:00) The red pill rabbit hole(6:00) Turning to alcohol for relaxation(7:10) Utter and complete deconstruction(8:05) Michelle’s mindset now(8:40) “An awakening journey is for the rest of our life.” - Michelle Sorro @michellesorro(9:25) Doing soul’s work(11:15) The panic matrix(13:00) Listen to the call to your soul!(13:45) The gradual awakening(16:50) Creative process of divine intelligence (17:40) Lower shadow-self and mask self(19:25) Shout out to Alicia Marie @embodied.truth(19:45) “What you're presenting. Is it real and embody? Or is it what lower self says you need to show up as an image?” - Michelle Sorro @michellesorro(21:15) Our profile pic(22:20) The authenticity(22:50) Who are you really?(24:20) “The only certainty can be found within the truth of who we know we really are.” - Michelle Sorro @michellesorro(25:55) Allow yourself to call(26:40) Shout out to Sifu Singh @sifusingh(26:55) Shout out to Paul Selig(27:05) The Book of Mastery by Paul Selighttps://www.amazon.com/Book-Mastery-Trilogy-Paul-Selig/dp/0399175709 (29:05) Michelle’s teacher and spiritual guide, Ramdas(29:25) How does Michelle answer questions?(32:10) Michelle’s students' first experience(33:30) The Artist's Way by Julia Cameron @juliacameronlivehttps://www.amazon.com/Artists-Way-25th-Anniversary/dp/0143129252(34:00) Not your first life(36:00) Shout out to Tim Almond(36:45) About one of Michelle’s client(40:25) More about soul work(42:05) “Humanity is one global community.” - Michelle Sorro @michellesorro(42:40) About Michelle’s woke father(44:15) Don’t discount anyone(47:45) “You're not going to touch everybody the way that you want to touch them. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't speak your truth.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(48:10) The power of self-censoring(53:50) Be proud of yourself(54:10) Where to find Michelle Sorro? @michellesorrowww.michelle-sorro.com 

In the 101th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, RKC Instructor, Kettlebell Coach and Author of Kettlebell Catalyst, Colleen Conlon, will talk about her struggles with eating disorder, working in a kettlebell studio, training for Guiness world record, challenging her identity, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter, you will discover:(1:20) Introducing our special guest, Colleen Conlon(1:50) Spray painting kettlebells(2:15) Shout out to Kevin Dea @_coach_kevd_(2:40) The kettlebell designing movement(3:30) Kettlebell Catalyst by Colleen Conlon(4:10) Colleen’s origin story(4:30) Living in the most unhealthy household(4:50) Struggling with bulimia since 6th grade(6:05) Having 3 abdominal surgeries at 17(6:35) Lack of physical therapy after abdominal surgeries (7:15) Lack of abdominal sensation(7:35) Following crazy diets(8:05) Being in a constant battle(8:30) Meeting her now husband, Tim Facciola @timfacciola(9:15) Attending group fitness classes(9:45) Working out with her husband, Tim Facciola @timfacciola(10:25) Joining a body building studio(10:50) Colleen’s epiphany moment(11:25) Learning how to train with kettlebells(12:15) The impact of kettlebell training on Colleen(12:30) Colleen’s first ever pull-up(12:50) Colleen’s new motive(15:05) Not being in the right place(16:05) The goal behind Kettlebell Catalyst(16:35) Colleen’s instagram feed(17:05) “You can start with something that might seem a little bit intimidating, but there's a safe way to go about it.” - Colleen Conlon(18:55) Unhealthy bonding moment(19:10) Being crazy competitive(19:35) A little bit of disordered eating(21:45) The reason behind lack of common nutrition knowledge(22:55) Getting RKC Level 1 certification(23:05) Progresive calisthenics certifications(23:45) Doing the human flag(26:35) When did Colleen start calisthenics?(27:15) The reason behind going back to kettlebells(27:40) Standard for getting calisthenics certification(28:55) Training for pistol squad (30:00) “If you are spending that time focusing on the bodyweight, it's going to significantly impact your lifts so long as there's awareness.” - Colleen Conlon(30:15) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(31:30) Setting a Guinness world record(32:40) Colleen’s inspiration behind setting a Guinness world record(34:35) Shout out to Annie Vo @vofactor(35:45) Colleen’s initial goal(36:25) Training for breaking the swings Guinness world record(37:25) The problem with scar tissues(38:25) The audacity of gynecologists(39:00) Seeking help from a pelvic floor rehabilitation center(41:55) Deciding to do Turkish get-ups record(42:45) The standard for Ginness’ Turkish get-ups record(44:40) Colleen’s first attempt in Arizona(46:20) A decade long pelvic pain(46:55) “You don't just have to keep beating your head against the wall just to figure it out.” - Michael Kurkowski(47:15) “When you start to face some of your vulnerabilities, you become so much stronger.” - Colleen Conlon(48:10) Training for second attempt(49:15) The week before second attempt(49:20) Shout out to Jackie Michaels Vazquez @jackiejvazquez(50:30) “You can't just give up because you see somebody else is already working to do something bigger.” - Annie Vo @vofactor(51:05) An out of body experience(52:05) Shout out to Steve Coach Fury Holiner @iamcoachfury(52:35) Facing self-doubt(53:25) Colleen talking to Colleen(56:35) Where can you find Colleen Conlon? @iamcolleenconlon