The Strength Connection

In the 100th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike will share a special message with all the listeners and guests. In this chapter, you will discover:(0:15) What I will do for the 100th Episode(0:50) Thank you to all the listeners and guests(1:20) The mission of this podcast: Helping you develop the strongest version of yourself(2:00) Love for Strength(2:10) The Million Facets of Strength(3:00) Mike’s mom and her strength(4:35) “If you build your strength, you can funnel obstacles and victories through that lens” - Michael Kurkowski(5:00) Shout out to Chris Abbott @chrisabbott232(5:20) Mike’s love for conversation(6:00) Shout out to Fabio Zonin  @x_fab_69(6:55) “We all have the strength that we need inside us, we just need to hear the right story to unlock it” - The Strength Connection(7:10) Shout out to Tim Anderson @tim_sonofander @original_strength(7:30) We learn through stories(9:10) What is Intuitive Training?(9:40) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(10:00) The power of conversation(10:20) “A conversation is like a dance” - Michael Kurkowski(12:10) Shout out to Patrick McKeown @oxygenadvantage, author of The Oxygen Advantage https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00RLU286G/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_bibl_vppi_i(12:20) Entrepreneurs in the show, shout out to Brian Grasso, Facebook: Brian Grasso(12:45) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(13:00) From prison to purpose(13:50) “Strength is about harmony, not balance” - Tyler Wall(14:40) The juggling analogy, strength is about harmony(15:50) The importance of Silence and the pause in conversation, shout out to Brian Grasso(18:30) Never be afraid of silence(20:10) Thank you!

In the 99th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Host of The Pat and Flynn Show, Co-host of Philosophy For The People, Owner of Chronicles of Strength, Personal Trainer, and Fitness Writer, Pat Flynn, will talk about Pat’s writing style, steps for laying down the structure, Pat’s reason behind never having a writer’s block, and Writing 45K in one day.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, Host of The Pat and Flynn Show, Co-host of Philosophy For The People, Owner of Chronicles of Strength, Personal Trainer, and Fitness Writer, Pat Flynn @chroniclesofstrength(1:20) Extreme(2:25) Yellowcard @yellowcard(3:20) Why is the first album always the best?(5:00) “Be AC/DC!” - Pat Flynn @chroniclesofstrength(6:05) The Pat Flynn Show(6:05) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(7:15) Pat’s writing style(7:40) Importance of laying down structures(9:05) “It's all about repetition, finding the right intensity and laying down structures.” - Pat Flynn @chroniclesofstrength(9:10) Steps for laying down the structure(10:00) On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King Twitter: @stephenking(10:25) Importance of ranges(10:55) Pat’s writing range(11:30) Pat’s writing warm-ups(11:50) Fast warm-ups(12:00) “Part of good writing is learning to write fast.” - Pat Flynn @chroniclesofstrength(12:40) Working on primary writing assignments(13:25) Moving onto secondary writing assignments(14:40) Reading warm-ups(14:50) On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction by William Zinsser(15:25) Six Great Ideas by Mortimer J. Adler(16:50) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(16:50) Warm-up vs. ramp-up(17:35) The Artist's Way: A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity by Julia Cameron @juliacameronlive(18:20) Pat’s reason behind never having writer’s block(18:45) Write a lot, read a lot(20:00) Common reasons behind writer’s block(20:20) Go fast!(21:50) More about Pat’s writing routine(22:30) Natural ebb and flow(23:55) Writing 45K in one day(26:15) What to do on 1/10 days?(27:20) Structure vs. intuition(28:10) “You better know the rules before you start to break the rules. But if you want to be good, you do have to start to at least bend the rules at certain points.” - Mr.s Krakow, Pat Flynn’s Music Teacher(28:50) Pat’s creative side as a kid(31:15) Being a hack vs. being creative(32:00) Story of Robin Williams(32:40) Shout out to Brian Grasso Facebook: Brian Grasso(34:25) Importance of variety(35:45) Evolution of Mike’s training style(36:20) Shout out to Tim Almond(36:45) Be specific!(38:25) About a study on velocity and accuracy(39:25) “Practice faster sooner than you think that you should be practicing faster.” - Pat Flynn @chroniclesofstrength(40:20) About muscle training(40:40) Living on the extreme(41:45) Pat’s current strength training routine(42:30) Running as a warm-up(43:20) About Mike’s new article(44:30) More about Pat’s daily routine(46:45) “Routine is not a prison you live by.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(47:00) Understanding your natural rhythm(47:55) Pat’s new books(50:20) Culmination of previous work(50:45) Release date!!!(51:15) What’s next?(52:25) How to Be Better at Almost Everything by Pat Flynn @chroniclesofstrength(52:35) The Strength Connection: Ep 46 - Pat Flynn: Generalism Vs Hyper-specialization(52:55) Where to find Pat Flynn? @chroniclesofstrengthThe Pat Flynn ShowPhilosophy for The People

In the 98th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our Strength Coach and Mindset Guide, Kirsten Tulloch, will talk about Abundance mindset, the granite city, the dogmatic side of the strength industry, Uncle Stan Kirsten 1st mentor.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest Strength Coach and Mindset Guide, Kirsten Tulloch @kirstentullochcoaching(1:45) Shout out to Steve Maxwell @stevemaxwellsc(1:50) Shout out to Mike Mahler @mikemahler73(2:55) The Tipping Point by Malcolm Gladwell @malcolmgladwellhttps://www.amazon.com/Tipping-Point-Little-Things-Difference/dp/0316346624 (4:00) Abundance mindset(4:25) Referring out!(6:35) “You serve your purpose when you are needed. When you are not needed, you step back.” - Kirsten Tulloch @kirstentullochcoaching(7:00) Competitive analysis(7:10) “If you're really good at what you do, who gives a fuck what anybody else is doing?” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(8:35) “Sometimes we heal in public. So the ones doing it in private can keep going.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(9:00) Kirsten’s origin story(9:30) Kirsten’s inspiration(10:00) Being a great student(11:00) About Kirsten’s grandfather(12:00) Being in a toxic environment(12:15) The beginning of Kirsten’s journey(12:45) Cookie cutter gym instructor(13:10) Uncle Stan, Kirsten’s 1st mentor(14:50) Watching her first game(15:30) First time competing(18:00) The change in Kirsten’s life(18:55) When did Stan intervene?(20:40) The evolution of classes(21:55) Kirsten’s opinion about the competitions(26:00) The dogmatic side of the strength industry(28:45) Shout out to Denis Vasilev @denisvasilevkbsport(29:00) “People always get a little bit freak out when you don't just follow the masses.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(29:10) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(31:00) Shout out to Neil deGrasse Tyson Twitter: @neiltyson(31:45) “Keep the identity of like, progress is good. And keep building. But be ready to shift.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(32:40) About changing the identity(36:10) How does Kirsten look at her problems?(38:00) Mike about smoking cigarette(38:45) Trauma is a reminder(40:15) Kirsten’s psychologist friend(40:35) “Confusion leads to clarity.” - Unknown(42:35) What does Kirsten do when she is confused?(46:00) The courage corner(47:15) More about journaling(49:20) Preventative mindset training(52:30) Where to find Kirsten Tulloch? @kirstentullochcoaching

In the 97th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Personal Strength Coach and Co-host of The Missing Piece Podcast, Paul Lyngso, will talk about the side effects of meathead lifting, positive motivators, dogmatic vs. scientific thinking, and Paul’s new training method.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest, Personal Strength Coach and Host of Missing Piece Podcast, Paul Lyngso @Paul.Lyngso (1:30) When and where did Mike meet Paul?(3:05) Paul’s origin story(3:10) First time in the gym(3:50) Paul’s diet during college(4:30) Starting lifting(4:40) Gaining Mass by Anthony Ellishttps://www.amazon.com/Gaining-Weight-Training-Dieting-Accelerated/dp/0970385935 (5:30) Linking with another meathead(5:45) Shout out to Ben Goins @ben_goins(5:50) Side effects of meathead lifting(6:30) Getting into kettlebell(6:40) Shout out to Mike Mahler @mikemahler73(7:00) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(7:05) Getting RKC certification(8:40) Feeling like an athlete(11:00) Lack of clarity(12:00) A good coach, according to Paul(13:45) Paul’s training strategy(15:05) “Pain is a great motivator.” - Paul Lyngso @Paul.Lyngso(15:15) Disadvantages of having pain as a motivator(15:45) Positive motivators(16:15) Shout out to Dr. Lisa Lewis @drlewisconsulting(17:30) Being forced to organize thoughts(18:25) “Goals will inform your strategy, and goals will inform your direction.” - Paul Lyngso @Paul.Lyngso(19:15) “Things are not perfect, we don't live in a vacuum.” - Paul Lyngso @Paul.Lyngso(19:30) Dogmatic vs. Scientific thinking(20:30) “Everybody's path is going to be different. But it doesn't mean that you don't need to track accurately and follow the plan accordingly.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(20:35) “You have no context for behavior change, if you're not rigid in your process.” - Paul Lyngso @Paul.Lyngso(25:00) The beauty of clarity(28:30) Social conditioning(32:25) “Growth just for growth’s sake is not a good thing.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(33:30) Paul’s reason behind including mindfulness in training(34:50) Co-dependent clients (36:20) “You really got to be okay with the fact that you're a valuable addition to somebody's life, regardless of what you do.” - Paul Lyngso @Paul.Lyngso(36:35) What do most people want?(37:45) Paul’s passion for knowing everything about fitness(39:20) Devolve!(40:00) Paul’s new training method(42:25) Paul’s simmer moment(45:00) Future of Paul’s business(46:30) Has Paul and Angie always worked together?(48:30) Reason behind moving to Texas(51:25) Where to find Paul Lyngso? @Paul.Lyngsowww.missingpiecepodcast.com https://linktr.ee/lyngso 

In the 96th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Health & Mindset Coach, Leslee Fontenette, will talk about rewriting your story, balance vs. harmony, Leslee’s training style, and counting future wins.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, Health & Mindset Coach, Leslee Fontenette @livingwellwithleslee(2:45) Being an English teacher (3:10) A revelation(4:30) Deciding to get certified(5:00) About Leslee’s husband, a football coach(5:25) About Mike’s sister, a school teacher(6:30) “Kids come to school to learn when they're loved at home. And if they're not loved at home, they come to school for love.” - Leslee Fontenette @livingwellwithleslee(7:30) Starting the coaching business from scratch(8:05) Eliminate Your Limits @eliminateyourlimits(8:25) Being a dancer(8:40) Getting into the mindset side of coaching(9:20) Rewriting your story(11:00) “Mindset could be just as preventative of anything down the road.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(11:45) Leslee’s clients’ response to mindset coaching(12:35) The “tell-me-what-to-do” mindset(13:00) Balance vs. Harmony(14:10) Is everyone ready for intuitive training?(17:30) Leslee’s training style(19:15) How does Leslee keep harmony in her life?(19:30) “There is no right way to do anything.” - Leslee Fontenette @livingwellwithleslee(20:50) Creating your own peace(22:10) Counting your wins(23:05) Turning things into a win(23:30) “We can make everything a win.” - Leslee Fontenette @livingwellwithleslee(24:25) There's always something else to do(26:30) A surprise call with a client(27:55) Sharing wins first(31:00) Group vs. 1 on 1 training(31:40) Shout out to Brian Grasso and Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(33:35) “If you're always looking for dirt and dust in your house, you're gonna find it.” - Unknown(34:30) Mastery vs. Progress(35:00) Leslee’s training style evolution(36:00) Shout out to Dr. Lisa Lewis @drlewisconsulting(36:30) Leslee’s journaling routine(38:25) Mike’s superpower(38:35) Gratitude practice(40:30) How did Mike get into the kettlebell?(43:50) Leslee’s three things to do every day(45:25) Counting future wins(46:05) Joyful Night, a poem by Mike(47:00) The Tim Ferriss Show Ep #444: Hugh Jackman on Best Decisions, Daily Routines, The 85% Rule, Favorite Exercises, Mind Training, and Much More @timferrisshttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/444-hugh-jackman-on-best-decisions-daily-routines-the/id863897795?i=1000480367239 (47:05) Hugh Jackman’s to-do list style @TheHughJackman(49:25) Where to find Leslee Fontenette? @livingwellwithleslee

In the 95th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, M.S. Sports Science and Founder of Queen City Kettlebell, DJ Wittekind will talk about working for NFL football players, different styles of communications, goal vs. measure, and gradual success.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest M.S. Sports Science and Founder of Queen City Kettlebell, DJ Wittekind @queencitykettlebell(1:00) Shout out to Monica Boldt @boldfittechnique(2:40) DJ Wittekind’s origin story(2:50) Being a 3-sports marginal athlete(3:05) Starting skateboarding (3:15) Going to gym at 13(4:05) DJ’s goal in life(4:40) About working at gym(5:00) DJ’s first client(5:30) DJ’s love for art(6:20) Experience with 9/11(7:20) Being a firefighter(8:05) Getting into CrossFit(9:30) Shout out to Dave Whitley @irontamer(10:25) Opening a gym(11:05) Shout out to John Brookfield @johnbrookfieldstrength(11:35) Drop in the economy(12:20) “I would rather go and fail by 30, then be 50, and wonder what I could have done.” - DJ Wittekind @queencitykettlebell(13:00) Going back to college(13:20) Academic probation(14:00) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(14:15) Working for NFL football players(14:35) Networking(15:40) Being in a college weight room(17:45) DJ’s Gym’s 12 year-anniversary(19:25) About DJ’s highly-driven mother(20:00) “Sometimes you got to know when to work hard and when to see if these plants are gonna grow or not.” - DJ Wittekind @queencitykettlebell(21:20) Shout out to Erica!(22:05) Different styles of communication(24:10) Thinking out the box(24:40) Goal vs. Measure(25:45) “Anybody can be a fat loss coach. But again, can we guarantee success?” - DJ Wittekind @queencitykettlebell(27:15) Arbitrary goals(29:25) Shout out to Dr. Lisa Lewis @drlewisconsulting(31:05) The big shift after Covid-19(31:40) Gradual success(32:45) Conversations, a part of success(34:20) WWE persona(36:20) “Sometimes you just need to stop and slow down, you're not backpedaling if you do that.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(36:35) DJ’s college student client(37:55) Mike’s experience with working with youth hockey(40:05) About client demographic(41:00) What does DJ like about his career?(43:00) “If you are good people are gonna find you.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(43:30) Correlation of love for art with career(43:50) Studying innovators(45:50) Shout out to Mike Sousa @sousastrong(46:15) “Sometimes these creative outlets in the art world can lead to innovation in other areas.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(46:55) Atomic Habits by James Clear @jamesclearhttps://www.amazon.com/Atomic-Habits-Proven-Build-Break/dp/0735211299 (47:25) “If everything that you do in this industry is everything you do in this industry, you're missing a lot.” - DJ Wittekind @queencitykettlebell(49:00) Shout out to Neil deGrasse Tyson Twitter: @neiltysonWhere to find DJ Wittekind? @queencitykettlebell

In the 94th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Bodywork Therapist, Martial artist, Author, and Educator, Phil Greenfield, will talk about Phil’s curiosity about people’s suffering, Phil’s road-to-Damascus-moment, experiencing existential angst, and organizing body.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, Bodywork Therapist, Martial artist, Author, and Educator, Phil Greenfield, @philgreenfield(1:00) Shout out to Maria Moran Facebook: maria.moran.359126(1:20) Unraveling by Phil Greenfield @philgreenfieldhttps://www.amazon.com/Unravelling-Letting-Go-Getting-Well/dp/0956137512 (1:50) Phil’s curiosity about people’s suffering(2:30) Working in the food industry as a Microbiologist(2:40) Getting into martial arts(3:25) Expiration of body and balance(4:10) Phil’s road-to-Damascus-moment(4:30) Studying chiropractic(5:05) What got Phil into chiropractic?(5:55) Experiencing existential angst(7:20) “If you take care of your body, and you feel good in your body, it is going to navigate into the other areas of life.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(8:05) “If the structure of the body could be organized, and the mind could be organized, the rest of it will kind of look after itself.” - Phil Greenfield @philgreenfield(9:25) Explanation of organizing the body(10:15) Standing practices(11:35) Getting interested in Kettlebells(12:25) “I've always thought that therapy is much more about education than it is about treatment.” - Phil Greenfield @philgreenfield(13:30) The Mind Boxing Program by Sifu Singh @sifusingh(14:20) “Gravity is our friend.” - Phil Greenfield @philgreenfield(14:25) Surrender without collapse(14:45) More about standing practice(15:50) “You can't tell where's the middle, you can only tell where's your perception of the middle.” - Phil Greenfield @philgreenfield(16:40) “Kettlebell is accelerated standing practice.” - Phil Greenfield @philgreenfield(18:25) Skeleton, the unsung hero of our bodies(20:45) The fundamental practice(21:20) Time frame for standing practice(22:15) “Wherever you can relax is the middle.” - Phil Greenfield @philgreenfield(23:05) Pain, a complex beast(24:20) Positional relaxation(24:40) Functional laziness(28:45) Relaxation, a rabbit hole(29:05) Movement & Stillness(30:20) Contrast experience(32:35) Phil’s experience with strength training(34:55) Phil as a child(36:40) The vertical line(38:10) Fall prevention in the elderly(39:15) What does Phil love about kettlebell swing?(39:50) Shout out to Karen Smith @_coach_karen_(40:20) The miracle of the human body(41:45) A stillness-averse world(43:20) Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday @ryanholidayhttps://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585 (43:40) The Ying-Yang symbol(45:10) Motivation behind writing Unravelinghttps://www.amazon.com/Unravelling-Letting-Go-Getting-Well/dp/0956137512 (52:20) Let it be!(56:15) Where to find Phil Greenfield? @philgreenfieldwww.theunravellingbook.com 

In the 93rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Master StrongFirst Instructor, Board Certified Clinical Nutritionist, Dr. Michael Hartle will talk about Neuro muscular adaptation, The University of Phoenix goes online for the 1st time, The intuitive side of training, and going from the Barbell world to the Kettlebell world.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) It’s Dr. Michael Hartle’s birthday! @drmichaelhartle(1:30) Dr. Michael Hartle’s PhD in exercise(2:00) What inspired Dr. Hartle to get his PhD?(2:45) Always be learning(4:30) The University of Phoenix goes online for the 1st time(5:40) The beauty of online programs and the internet(8:50) What did Dr. Hartle learn during his PhD?(9:50) Neuromuscular adaptation(10:00) About the central nervous system(12:45) Always be moving(13:30) “Use it or lose it.” - Dr. Michael Hartle @drmichaelhartle(14:50) “If you do something for so long it becomes second nature.” - Dr. Michael Hartle @drmichaelhartle(15:45) The ability of thinking and doing at the same time(16:10) Shout out to Diane Webb @thatspiritualshrink and Dr. Tiffany Jones @drtiffjones(16:50) The softball analogy(18:10) “If you want to enhance your brain, go outside and walk.” - Dr. Michael Hartle @drmichaelhartle(18:55) The intuitive side of training.(20:00) As a coach when do you know when to add more variety to the workout plan?(23:00) What exactly was Dr. Hartle’s strength program when he was playing football? (M-Su)(24:00) Kettlebell get ups are Godsend for football players(26:30) Tricep works(26:50) Dr. Hartle favorite exercise for powerlifting(28:50) Shout out to Dr. Stuart Mcgill @backfitpro(29:00) SFL and shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69 and Analisa Naldi @italiannna(32:00) The 5 rep bench test and the 1 rep bench test, shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(33:00) StrongFirst is always evolving @strongfirst(35:50) From a Barbell world to a Kettlebell world(42:20) About the military press and the deadlift(42:30) “The very first rep of the military press is almost as much mental as it is physical.” - Dr. Michael Hartle @drmichaelhartle(44:10) Shout out to Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(45:00) First Mike’s RKC was in 2009(46:20) Principles and mobility(47:30) The military press is truly challenging in the SFL(49:00) Can you use the same principles from the Barbell to the Kettlebell?(52:15) The power of mastering a skill(55:20) Dr. Hartle’s coming certifications(55:50) Where to find Dr. Michael Hartle @drmichaelhartle https://www.instagram.com/drmichaelhartle/ (56:10) Join the Strength Connection Facebook Group https://www.facebook.com/groups/246922387454298 

In the 92nd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special World Champion Kettlebell Lifter, Maria Moran, will talk about Maria’s struggle with snatches, her first world championship, the process of mastery, ultra-endurance events, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, World Champion Kettlebell Lifter, Maria Moran Facebook: maria.moran.359126(1:00) Shout out to David Keohan @irish_move_athlete(2:00) Trying out for the national team(3:00) Struggling with snatches(5:35) Maria’s Kettlebell origin story(5:50) Backache during Christmas(6:00) Strong arms goal(6:30) Getting intrigued by kettlebell competitions(6:50) Maria’s first ever competition(8:00) About the process of mastery(9:30) Maria’s love for competitions(11:00) Pre-competition jitters and anxiety(11:15)  Hashtag JitterShitter(12:20) Maria’s 1st World Championship(13:55) Common reason behind pre-competition anxiety(14:20) Maria’s mentality about competitions(15:00) Shout out to Sven Rieger @sven_rieger(15:30) Training for the 2nd year(16:15) “Excitement and anxiety feelings that are in your body, if you didn't label them, they feel quite the same.” - Maria Moran(16:40) Nervousness vs. Anxiety(17:00) Benefits of smiling while training(18:15) Maria’s 1st vs. 2nd competition(18:50) World Championship, Seoul(19:40) Maria’s dislikeness for snatches(19:50) Maria’s common struggles(21:00) About long cycles(21:15) The weirdos!!!(21:40) Ultra-endurance events(22:10) The best of both world(22:50) Shout out to Chris Abbott @chrisabbott232(22:50) Shout out to Tim Almond(23:45) Goal behind doing 30-hour cycle(24:35) Shout out to Denis Vasilev @denisvasilevkbsport(25:10) Mindset during the competition(28:15) Why did Maria choose to do ultra-endurance challenges?(30:25) “When you get into a rhythm and a flow, you'll skip whole chunks of time in there.” - Maria Moran(31:00) About the Pentathlon(34:55) Maria’s Pentathlon training routine(36:20) “It's healthier for your body to train different lifts instead of just one all the time.” - Maria Moran(36:40) “All the stuff you are neglecting, they become your weaknesses.” - Maria Moran(36:55) The baby phase(37:50) Ego maniac or loving the change?(38:25) What’s Maria’s goal?(40:05) Maria’s very first kettlebell training sessions(40:50) Changing the coach(42:05) “Nobody else can tell you what your best is in your own mentality.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(43:20) Ignorance is bliss!(44:20) Try everything!(46:30) About stretching and recovery sessions(48:35) Studying breathing(49:25) Unraveling by Phil Greenfield @philgreenfieldhttps://www.amazon.com/Unravelling-Letting-Go-Getting-Well/dp/0956137512 (50:30) I’ll die a perfect specimen!(51:35) Shout out to Patrick McKeown @buteykoclinic(52:05) More about breathing(54:20) About nasal breathing(55:15) Where to find Maria Moran? Facebook: maria.moran.359126 https://www.facebook.com/maria.moran.359126 

In the 91st episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strong First Team Leader and coach at Kraftmanufaktur Stuttgart, Sven Rieger, will talk about lifting the Dinnie stones, downsized Dinnie Stones challenges, the rhythm of the week, scouting the defense, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, Strong First Team Leader and coach at Kraftmanufaktur Stuttgart, Sven Rieger @sven_rieger(1:00) 204th person to lift the Dinnie Stones(1:50) Shout out to Jason Marshall @strongfirst_marshall(2:00) Shout out to David Keohan @irish_move_athlete(2:30) Last podcast with Sven Rieger(2:50) About the day that Sven lifted the Dinnie Stones(3:25) Shout out to Claire Booth @clairellabooth(3:40) Sven’s experience with lifting the Dinnie Stones(4:00) The presence of a camera team(5:05) The Dinnie Stones Challenge: Explanation(6:40) The downsized versions of the Dinnie Stone Challenge(7:30) Sven’s plan for this challenge(8:10) “Make your practice really hard, and then the competition will be easy.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(9:05) Sven’s mental state during the challenge(9:50) What threw off Sven?(10:15) Replicating the conditions(11:10) Sven’s thoughts during the challenge(12:15) Unstable weight distribution(13:00) The real challenge!(13:55) Reason behind using the mat(15:30) “It's not the achievement of the goal itself, but the process leading up.” - Sven Rieger @sven_rieger(16:20) Shout out to David Whitley(17:50) “Love the process that you're doing. But also go after it with everything that you have to hit that deadline.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(17:55) Shout out to Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(18:05) Benefits of having a deadline(18:55) Shout out to Tim Almond(19:35) A dichotomy (19:45) “It's the balance between two points usually, that will get you the best results.” - Sven Rieger @sven_rieger(20:25) Sven’s goal for his training sessions(20:55) “Confidence gives you security.” - Sven Rieger @sven_rieger(24:30) Scouting the defense(25:30) Benefits of reassurance(26:00) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(27:40) Stories about Donald Dinnie(27:50) The second famous stone in Scotland(30:05) More about the history of lifting stones(31:10) Training for the challenge(33:05) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(33:15) The rhythm of the week(34:55) Minimal deadlifting(36:25) Sven’s biomarkers during intuitive training(39:40) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(41:25) Methods to check readiness(44:05) “Learn to listen to your body.” - Sven Rieger @sven_rieger(45:30) Sven’s future goals(47:30) Starting a physiotherapy school(48:20) Shout out to Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert(48:50) Strong - phase 2(52:55) The Naked Warrior by Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirsthttps://www.amazon.com/Naked-Warrior-super-Strong-Using-Bodyweight-Exercises-ebook/dp/B004XIZMR6/ref=sr_1_5?qid=1658926323&refinements=p_27%3APavel+Tsatsouline&s=books&sr=1-5 Where to find Sven Rieger? @sven_rieger