The Strength Connection

In the 121st episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Coach & Mind Advisor at Contrast By Design, Host of The School of Atypical Insights, Tyler Wall, will talk about identity, what potential actually is choosing your discomfort willingly, how to take an honest look at yourself, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest Coach & Mind Advisor at Contrast By Design, Host of The School of Atypical Insights, Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(2:45) Tyler’s origin story(2:50) Studying exercise science(3:15) Doing CSES(3:40) Working at a sports rehab Center in Seattle(5:00) Our limitations(5:50) Self-studying psychology(7:00) Becoming Head Coach at Trevor Cashy Nutrition(9:10) Founding Contrast By Design(9:50) Shout out to Deepak Chopra @deepakchopra(10:40) “You are not anything and everything at the same time.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(11:15) Effects of the environment on the mind and body(14:30) The structure of Contrast By Design(16:00) “Pain for a lot of people becomes a story.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(18:15) Body’s self-healing ability(19:00) About using the medicine for pain(20:00) Tyler’s thoughts about therapy(22:35) “Everybody reveals themselves all the time, by what they are saying and not saying.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(22:35) Tyler’s approach toward identity(25:10) Shout out to Jack Nicholson(25:10) Shout out to Adam Sandler @adamsandler(27:00) “Labels can be a beautiful thing. But they are also, but they're also the same thing that constricts us and keeps us stuck.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(27:15) Meaning of Contrast By Design(32:15) The comfort-seeking nature of human beings(35:50) Shout out to Gregg Goodhart @gregggoodhart_learningcoach(37:05) A few tips for truth seekers(38:20) The steps to start journaling(38:35) Shout out to Stephen King Twitter: @stephenking(39:00) Tyler’s experience with journaling(40:40) Stillness Is The Key by Ryan Holiday @ryanholidayhttps://www.amazon.com/Stillness-Key-Ryan-Holiday/dp/0525538585 (43:00) Choose your discomfort!(44:40) Reframing(48:05) The uncertainty of life(50:30) Shout out to Jordan Peterson(53:25) About meditation(55:35) “When we're constantly seeking comfort, we'll distract ourselves from actually feeling something.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswallWhere to find Tyler Wall? @tylerjameswall

In the 120th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Weightlifting Coach and Founder of New York Weightlifting Academy, Danny Casey, will talk about mastery in weightlifting, the problem with rushing, what dictates success, micro-goals of the day, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest Weightlifting Coach and Founder of New York Weightlifting Academy, Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(1:55) Shout out to Eddie McGuire @eddiemacisback(2:30) Shout out to Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit(3:50) Strength Mastery Challenge(5:40) Mastery in weightlifting(6:50) Danny’s clientele(6:55) Experience according to Danny(7:00) “Just being subjected to something and doing something doesn't necessarily mean you're experienced.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(9:05) The common bad habits among Danny’s clientele(9:30) Fundamentals of weightlifting(10:40) “How you move is more important than what you move.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(11:05) The problem with rushing(11:30) Danny’s analogy for rushing during weightlifting(13:50) Gift of Injury by Stuart McGill and Brian Carrollhttps://www.amazon.com/Injury-Stuart-McGill-Brian-Carroll/dp/0973501863 (14:15) The mindset behind “keep pushing”(16:20) About Danny’s one physically gifted client(19:00) About the Greek weightlifting team in the 90s(19:10) Shout out to Pyrros Dimas(19:15) Shout out to Kakhi Kakhiashvili(20:55) Effect of personality for weightlifting(22:15) Shout out to Bill Esch @kettlebellwarrior(22:20) Shout out to Denis Vasilev @denisvasilevkbsport(22:50) “You don’t need to be somebody else.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(23:25) What dictates success?(24:10) Self regulation(25:00) “Learn how you are feeling, don’t get greedy.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(25:45) Shout out to Chris Abbott Linkedin: Chris Abbott(26:20) About intuition(26:20) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(26:25) Iron Cardio by Brett Jones @brettjonessfghttps://strongandfit.com/products/iron-cardio-by-brett-jones?gclid=CjwKCAiA68ebBhB-EiwALVC-Nn5DrC62QO3SDIG4ApNZ5zNbTnagTxltL1ZY6164QOJCYU7ngGGrRhoCqMkQAvD_BwE (27:50) The martial arts analogy(31:40) Position, consistency, and control(32:05) “If you don’t have control, you don’t have anything.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(34:00) Shout out to Jerzy Gregorek(35:25) Shout out to Eric D'Agati @ericdagati(36:40) Shout out to Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(37:40) Online weightlifters’ influence(39:15) Why everyone should compete(42:45) “You can’t teach experience, you have to live it.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(43:00) Weightlifting competition, January(44:20) What does Danny do on the competition day?(47:50) Micro-goals of the day(49:55) Where to find Danny Casey? @ny_weightlifting_academyhttp://nyweightliftingacademy.com/ 

In the 119th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, the Founder of The Waterhole Leadership Program, Mark Ashby, will talk about what makes a great leader overcoming toxic cultures, how leadership has changed over recent times, individual brilliance, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest Founder of The Waterhole Leadership Program(2:35) Why was Michael chosen for the manager position?(4:30) Contracting in Iraq(6:40) What actually matters?(7:05) Working for great leaders(8:15) “Good leaders will create good employees or good team members, but the great leaders will create other great leaders.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(8:50) Mark’s origin story(9:00) Relation with surfing(9:50) Fascination for military(10:20) Finally joining the army(10:30) Connection with fitness training(11:15) The twin towers incident(12:00) More about the contract to Iraq(13:30) The mindset during a war(14:55) The wakeup call(15:50) What made Mark a controlling person during the war?(16:55) Taking on a new team(20:20) Individual Brilliance(22:10) The cons of lack of communication(22:45) “Not everybody's gonna be perfect in any role, but at least give it that chance.” - Mark Ashby LinkedIn: Mark Ashby M.A(24:55) “The communication process needs to be a constant, rather than just an activity that you do.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(25:00) The habitual creatures (28:35) Mark’s coaching style(30:45) Good, great, or extraordinary(31:30) The human connection(33:00) Result driven process(33:50) Do the clients always know what they want?(35:25) Sharing your own story(40:20) Optimal performance and fitness(40:30) Shout out to Michael Jordan(43:05) Burning out your potential(44:15) Leadership; talent or learned skill(47:35) What’s it’s all about?(48:20) Masculine vs. feminine work energy(49:55) Middle road; the warzone(55:35) The evolution in the concept of leadership(59:20) “People need the work, but the work needs the people.” - Mark Ashby LinkedIn: Mark Ashby M.A(1:00:40) Where to find Mark Ashby? LinkedIn: Mark Ashby M.AWebsite: https://markashbyconsulting.com Email: mark@markashbyconsulting.com 

In this episode, learning coach Gregg Goodhart discusses the importance of learning how to learn better, deliberate practice, and contextual interference. He challenges the notion of talent, emphasizing that success is determined by how well we learn. The guest shares his journey and research on the topic, highlighting the value of incremental progress and a growth mindset. The chapter explores learning styles, deliberate practice, reflection, and developing a mental model for continuous improvement. The guest also announces plans to write a book and invites listeners to sign up for a sneak peek.

In the 117th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Former RKC Instructor, Strength Coach, and Founder of Speakeasy Of Strength, Steve Holiner, will talk about the learning curve after certification, establishing connections and trust, the imposter syndrome, the Die Mighty method, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest Former RKC Instructor, Strength Coach, and Founder of Speakeasy Of Strength, Steve Holiner @speakeasyofstrengthny(1:20) Shout out to Ryan Steenrod @ryansteenrod(1:55) Shout out to Dave Whitley @irontamer(1:55) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(3:00) About assisting(3:30) Shout out to John Engum @engums_extremetraining(5:30) The learning curve after certification(6:15) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(6:50) Calculating the return on investment(9:15) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(10:30) Shout out to Mark Fisher @mffclubhouse(11:00) Creating a fun experience(11:10) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(12:20) About Speakeasy Of Strength @speakeasyofstrengthny(14:00) Creating the vibe(14:50) How does Steve want his clients to feel?(16:35) Getting stuck in the hard-style ego game(16:50) Establishing connections and trust(18:10) The bedside manner(18:30) The imposter syndrome(19:25) The capability job(20:50) The reason behind the living room gym(22:00) Finally opening Speakeasy of Strength @speakeasyofstrengthny(24:25) Mindset and goals while becoming a full-time coach(27:00) Steve’s mindset evolution(27:50) “Some people are gonna hate, and I gotta be okay with that because they're not the ones that are gonna pay my bills.” - Steve Holiner @speakeasyofstrengthny(29:45) The wall of pretension(33:10) More about Steve’s origin story(34:15) Remote programming before Covid(34:40) Steve’s goal with online coaching(35:15) Reality of online coaching(36:15) The hardest thing with online coaching(37:00) Being realistic about the shutdown(37:20) Getting 100% virtual during Covid(41:05) Giving away free stuff(42:25) About MFF @mffclubhouse(44:00) The beauty of Speakeasy of Strength @speakeasyofstrengthny(45:15) Thinking about closing the gym during covid(46:40) Shout out to Michael Keeler @michaelkeeler(46:40) Shout out to Pete Dupuis @pete_dupuis(47:45) “Understand the principles behind it, but then eventually, you need to craft, you need to get your own intuition, your own creativity into it.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(48:00) Mentoring at Strength Faction(50:45) The things that Steve is grateful for(52:35) “Some people should use a little bit more imposter syndrome in the beginning to humble themselves.” - Steve Holiner @speakeasyofstrengthny(53:00) Mastery by Robert Greenehttps://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Robert-Greene/dp/014312417X (54:00) The wall of kettlebell(54:45) “People with the most experience are generally the most open to sharing it.” - Steve(57:15) Iron Cardio by Brett Jones @brettjonessfghttps://strongandfit.com/products/iron-cardio-by-brett-jones (59:30) The Die Mighty method(1:03:05) Shout out to Tina @tinavmorinWhere to find Steve Holiner? @speakeasyofstrengthny

In the 116th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Endurance Athlete and Mountain Climber, Mia Farrow, will talk about Aconcagua 360, the counting strategy, double endurance event, practicing discomfort, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:30) Shout out to Derek Toshner @tnt_adventure_fit(0:55) Introducing our special guest Endurance Athlete and Mountain Climber, Mia Farrow @mia_farrow23(2:45) What is Aconcagua 360?(4:30) Current unofficial record holder(5:40) Mia’s current record(7:00) Endurance at high altitude(7:30) The counting strategy(8:50) The double endurance event(10:30) Being a natural(11:40) Mia’s first endurance hike(13:00) Multi-sport background(13:40) The lack of trek and field(14:20) Mia’s super athlete siblings(14:40) Mia’s parent’s best action(16:00) Moving to the USA(16:15) Mia’s first car(16:50) “Walking is still the most underrated thing for overall health.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(17:40) The walker and hiker kids(19:00) Shout out to Graham Tuttle @thebarefootsprinter(19:30) Mia’s first experience with mountain climbing(21:30) Mia’s internal monologue(22:50) Losing the power and control(25:10) Hard level discomfort(26:00) Practicing discomfort(27:05) Growing up in the snow(27:40) The Comfort Crises by Michael Easterhttps://www.amazon.com/Comfort-Crisis-Embrace-Discomfort-Reclaim/dp/0593138767 (28:00) Mia’s inspiration(28:20) Dreams for christmas(30:40) Obsession with being good(32:30) Becoming an exchange student(34:00) I can do anything!(35:00) Shout out to John Danaher @danaherjohn(35:30) The time effect(35:50) “You gotta give yourself.” - Mia Farrow @mia_farrow23(38:15) “Little things that kind of build into big things and those are those small habits.” - Mia Farrow @mia_farrow23(39:00) Reason for starting strength training(43:15) Other running goal(44:50) Mia’s problem with delayed responses(47:30) Meditation with kettlebells(52:20) The wish for creating opportunities(54:50) Being a team player(57:45) The dates for Mia’s next milestones!Where to find Mia Farrow? @mia_farrow23

In the 115th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guests, Creators of Let’s Eliminate Your Limits Program, Brain Grasso, speaker and author of Mindset Matters Most and Audacity Of Success and Carrie Campbell, a BFF Pro Athlete, Personal Development Coach, and a Clinical Counselor will talk about Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:05) Introducing our special guests Creators of Let’s Eliminate Your Limits Program, Brain Grasso, speaker and author of Mindset Matters Most and Audacity Of Success and Carrie Campbell, a BFF Pro Athlete, Personal Development Coach, and a Clinical Counselor @eliminateyourlimits(2:35) The intention behind creating ELI(3:45) Carrie’s experience with “troubled teens”(4:20) Creating a mindset system(4:50) Interruption vs. intervention model(5:25) “You can interrupt a human beings pain and their experiences younger in age and avoid intervention at the age of 40, 30, 50.” - Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(5:50) Brian’s reason behind creating ELI(6:10) Brian & Carrie’s proactive intentions(7:30) The hate for categorization(7:40) Definition of categorization by Brian(8:15) The ranges of normal human experiences and emotions(8:55) The Unstoppable Girls Tribe(9:25) “There is no child or adolescent on the planet, who is going to label themselves without having the information to be labeled.” - Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(9:45) The reality of opposition in this world(10:15) Reason behind intervention in the school system(10:55) More about ELI(11:15) “You don’t change the world with a quick grab.” - Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(12:50) Hopelessness in teachers today(13:35) Who is responsible?(14:00) Brian’s suggestion for bettering the school system(15:20) ELI’s backstory(15:50) “The backstory matters.” - Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(16:00) What’s ELI?(16:50) Buying Pitbull tickets for their daughter @pitbull(17:45) Meeting Pitbull @pitbull(18:20) Connecting with Pitbull @pitbull(19:20) The first business order(20:00) Moving to Miami(20:15) The pilot project(20:25) The COVID-pivot(21:25) The initial intention behind ELI(22:10) SALP model(22:50) Reason behind the importance of the backstory(24:30) Invitation exclusive event, February 2023(24:50) Shout out to Alice Cooper @alicecooper(25:20) The launch party, September 2023(27:10) Pitbull’s old boombox @pitbull(28:25) The acceptance of failure(29:30) Why didn’t Carrie quit?(31:35) The struggles with building this new business(33:50) Step out of it!(35:30) Real-world reward system(37:00) About ELI’s gamification(37:45) About ELI’s built-in AI(39:05) More about ELI (43:20) “The simplicity is not a lack of consideration.” - Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(44:20) The real crises (46:35) A gamified journal(48:50) “You don’t need a solution right off the bat, you need momentum.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connectionWhere to find Brian and Carrie? @eliminateyourlimits

In the 114th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Host of Success Profiles Radio, and publisher of Success Profiles Magazine, Brian K Wright, will talk about his writing and podcasting process, his writing coaching style, common writing problems and their solutions, a tip for writer’s block, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:05) Introducing our special guest Host of Success Profiles Radio, and publisher of Success Profiles Magazine, Brian K Wright @wright.briank(2:35) Brian’s origin story(2:50) Public speaking(3:30) Reasons behind choosing radio speaking as a career(4:25) Why does Brian like radio speaking(5:00) About writing coaching (5:45) “It is not just about money-freedom, it is about time-freedom.” - Brian K Wright @wright.briank(6:15) Evolution of Brian’s daily routine(8:10) Practicing for the first speaking(8:35) Impromptu speaking(9:40) “When you plan the pause, it is for effect.” - Brian K Wright @wright.briank(9:45) Planning a pause in writing(10:45) Brian’s writing coaching process(11:40) Common writing problems and their solutions(13:15) “There are a million and a half stories out there.” Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(13:20) Shout out to Jack Canfield @jackcanfield_official(14:00) The problem with overwriting and its solution(14:55) A tip for writer’s block(16:00) Brian’s #1 tip for his students(17:20) Writing “out of order”(18:10) Brian’s usual writing process(19:00) Self-limiting beliefs(21:30) Self-censoring and the solution(23:00) Shout out to Dave Whitley @irontamer(23:10) Superhuman You by Dave Whitley @irontamerhttps://www.amazon.com/Superhuman-Iron-Tamer-Dave-Whitley/dp/132993881X (24:00) Podcasting vs. Writing(25:00) Brian’s interviewing process(26:15) Shout out to Brad Sugars @bradleysugars(28:00) Hooking up with people for podcasting(29:00) About interviewing Kevin Harrington @realkevinharrington(30:45) Evolution of Brian’s writing process(31:55) About niching down(32:15) The assessment process for writing coaching(35:30) Know your why!(36:45) Where to find Brian K Wright? @wright.briankSuccess Profiles Radio: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/success-profiles-radio/id495954973 

In the 113th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, IFBB Pro, Nutrition Coach, Jeff Later, will talk about his experience with bodybuilding competitions, discipline & mindset, developing a sustainable program, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest IFBB Pro, Nutrition Coach, Jeff later @jefflater(2:10) “Everything in this world is about timing.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(2:50) “Repetition is all we need.” - Jeff later @jefflater(3:50) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(4:05) The definition of wisdom(4:25) The book reading analogy(6:10) Jeff’s origin story(6:20) Passion for fitness from a young age(7:05) Starting competing in bodybuilding competitions(7:20) Coaching a dear friend in 2011(8:05) Coaching for free before charging(8:50) Working with his wife(9:45) Did Jeff think his friend would win the competition?(10:45) Jeff’s day job before coaching(11:40) Coaching as the primary job(13:55) Origin of Jeff’s competing journey(14:35) Jeff’s fitness level in high school(14:50) Getting on stage in his 30s(15:25) Reason behind competing(16:00) Jeff’s breakfast routine after his divorce(18:10) First competition experience(18:55) The most challenging part of the competition(19:10) Jeff’s old training routine for competition(20:50) Shout out to Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(21:40) “You are a lot more capable than you probably realize.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(22:25) Jeff’s way of encouraging people(24:10) What brings people to bodybuilding?(25:15) Jeff’s coaching process(26:50) The assessment process(27:45) “If your “why” isn’t strong enough, you will collapse.” - Jeff later @jefflater(28:35) The 5 “why” formula(29:00) www.7levelsdeep.com (31:40) Our natural evolution(34:00) About mindset coaching(36:00) Where to find nutritional tips?(36:50) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(38:00) “Doing something physical change your mental state.” - Jeff later @jefflater(38:25) “Don’t wait until you have the mindset.” - Jeff later @jefflater(42:05) Movie montages vs. training in real life(43:00) What’s next?(45:50) About Jeff’s support system(48:20) Mike’s client story(49:30) Psychology behind tempting others(52:00) Workplace temptation(54:30) Where to find Jeff Later? @jefflater

In the 112th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, StrongFirst Team Leader, Os Aponte, will talk about reasons to get your kids into skateboarding, taekwondo vs. kung fu, the evolution of Os’ training routine, sustainability, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest StrongFirst Team Leader, Os Aponte @ironcoreway(2:10) Iron Cardio by Brett Jones @brettjonessfghttps://strongandfit.com/products/iron-cardio-by-brett-jones (2:45) Os’ origin story(3:00) Skating with two uncles(3:45) Martial arts(4:30) What fascinated Os?(5:10) Getting in Army(7:40) Reasons to get your kids into skateboarding(8:00) “It's about falling in love with the process.” - Os Aponte @ironcoreway(9:10) “Don't practice until you get it right. Practice until you can't get it wrong.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(11:35) More about martial arts(13:00) Taekwondo vs. kung fu(16:40) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(16:58) Shout out to Marty Gallagher(17:40) Enter the kettlebell book(17:50) Getting RKC certificate(18:05) “If you're going to become certified, the goal for you should be to go show up and have fun.” - Os Aponte @ironcoreway(19:45) The reason behind liking RKC(21:00) Modern contemporary dance lessons(24:00) “Creativity is bred from foundational work.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(27:50) Movement is a language(29:35) Movement learning theory(31:10) Shout out to John Engelmann(32:00) Shout out to  Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(32:35) What’s next?(35:35) Evolution of Os’ training routine(37:40) Os’ current training routine(39:50) About sustainability(47:30) The beauty of StrongFirst @strongfirst(48:05) Shout out to Karen Smith @_coach_karen_(51:10) Shout out to  Tim Almond(52:10) Tips for high intermediate students(54:05) Shout out to Brian Grasso(55:10) “We're not just searching for the right answer, which is searching for another possible answer.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(56:00) Being in the slow lane(57:25) Where to find Os Aponte? @ironcorewayhttps://www.ironcoreway.com/