The Strength Connection

In the 90th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, StrongFirst Master Instructor, Fabio Zonin will talk about general excuses you make for not working out, how to keep yourself energetic and healthy when you’re traveling, how Fabio keeps himself on a strict diet, and the what is the forgotten programming.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest StrongFirst Master Instructor, Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(1:10) Fabio was the 1st guest in the show https://www.buzzsprout.com/1860981/9274012 (1:30) Fabio travels all around the world teaching Kettlebell Training(1:45) Shout out to Analisa Naldi  @italiannna(3:20) How to keep yourself energetic and healthy when you’re traveling(4:50) “Having a partner in crime keeps you sharp” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(6:00) General excuses you make for not working out(6:30) The highway of strength analogy(7:00) How does Fabio keep himself on a strict diet?(8:40) Balance vs harmony(9:30) When Fabio travels, he goes for the keto diet(11:40) Mike’s story of his first day in the SFL(13:20) The Program Improv: adapting a program to the individual needs(14:00) “You come up with a plan and a schedule, but when you teach it live, you're never able to stick to that schedule” - Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(14:50) Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst and Fabio Zonin working together(15:30) Fabio comes from a powerlifting background in Italy(17:10) About intensity and volume(17:40) Heavy lifts vs light lifts(18:40) Even if the machines are different, past strategies also work very well(18:50) “Go back to the basics” - Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(20:00) Bring back to life training modalities that were forgotten(22:20) About Barbell programming(22:50) Barbell programming is easy to adjust(23:20) Adding to the bar 30% of the bar(24:20) “The jump between progressions and regressions is huge when you deal with body weight”  - Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(25:30) “With technology, we lost patience” - Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(27:40) The persistence of the training effect(28:40) Results faster(30:00) When you’re training, don’t allow your clients to go too fast(30:50) Sometimes fast is not sustainable(31:20) The power of building the foundation(33:30) “When you start planning, usually you adapt to a certain methodology in two weeks” - Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(37:40) Working your 1RM(40:00) The benchpress works(41:10) Not all strategies are for everyone(43:00) People learn different ways(43:30) “Wisdom is when you keep relearning the same lessons over and over again until it finally sticks” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(47:00) Learning how to become minimalist(48:00) Most coaches think “What can I add?”(51:18) Improve performance and eliminate injuries(52:00) “It takes just a second to get hurt” - Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(52:40) How does Fabio adjust programs?(59:20) Thinking outside of the box(1:01:20) Get strong with science and experience(1:02:20) Where to follow Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69 https://www.instagram.com/x_fab_69/ (1:02:50) Join the Strength Connection Facebook group to get free strength tips daily https://www.facebook.com/groups/246922387454298 

In the 89th episode of The Strength Connection podcast, Mike and our special guest, Creator of Kettleyoga Mobility System, Stone Lifter, David Keohan, will talk about David’s origin story, participating in a marathon, being introduced to kettlebells, getting hooked to stone lifting, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, Creator of Kettleyoga Mobility System, Stone Lifter, David Keohan @irish_move_athlete(1:00) Shout out to Kirsten Tulloch @kirstentullochcoaching(1:40) The beginning of David’s journey(2:35) The epiphany(3:00) Winning a marathon(3:20) What else can you do?(3:55) Doing everything for his own self(5:40) Running, a wakeup call(6:10) A doctor’s visit(6:50) Running for asthma(7:50) A revelation(9:05) David’s experience with regular running(10:35) David’s first marathon(12:00) Never going back!(12:25) More about being in a marathon(12:45) Being introduced to kettlebell(13:25) Watching people train with a kettlebell(14:05) Training with kettlebells(16:50) Shout out to Denis Vasilev @denisvasilevkbsport(17:15) Pure obsession with technique (18:15) The will to finish(18:30) Being comfortable with being uncomfortable(18:55) Efficiency over everything!(20:50) Just figure it out!(21:25) “Figure out your weaknesses, make them stronger.” - David Keohan @irish_move_athlete(21:35) How David has achieved everything?(22:10) The problems that David faced(23:15) Poor technique(23:50) It’s not about grunt(24:20) Working on cleans for 5 months(25:50) Figure out your weak links!(26:20) “The best things to figure out if your technique is on point or not, is to put yourself in a challenge type position.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(27:00) Participating in a kettlebell marathon(29:00) Two hour kettlebell session(29:35) “Efficiency, flow, breathing and mobility are the key in a long cycle.” - David Keohan @irish_move_athlete(30:00) Become potent!(31:35) Being judged(33:00) The most cathartic moment in David’s life(34:00) The toughest part in the marathon(34:25) David’s 624-reps record(35:00) A search for mental capacity(37:00) Shout out to Megan Kelly @megan.kelly.1(38:40) Getting hooked with stone lifting(41:00) STONELAND: An Original Film by Roguehttps://youtu.be/MhQlNwxn5oo (41:10) Shout out to Sven Rieger @sven_rieger(42:00) History of stone lifting(42:15) Training for stone lifting(43:05) Stone Lifting in the Scotland(43:15) Shout out to Jamie Gorrian @bigsexygrandad101(46:30) Finding new stones(49:50) “People are hungry for connection because we lost our way.” - David Keohan @irish_move_athlete(54:05) Shout out to Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(54:50) Sense of comradery (55:25) What hooked David to the kettlebell?(56:50) Where to find David Keohan? @irish_move_athleteFacebook: keohan.david

In the 88th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Founder Of Kettlebell Coach University, Hunter Crine will talk about the art of coaching, the science of coaching, few sales tips for coaches and the impact that coaches make in the world.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Michael Introducing our special guest Founder Of Kettlebell Coach University, Hunter Crine @hunter_crine(1:10) What do Michael and Hunter have in common?(1:30) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(2:00) Hunter in Antonio’s Lab(3:05) We live in a world where science really doesn’t matter(3:20) Antonio truly knows science(4:20) Pure power production(5:00) “It’s not all about followers, it is about science” - Hunter Crine @hunter_crine(5:15) “Speak like a scientist and act like a coach” - Hunter Crine @hunter_crine(6:20) “People know if you know what you’re talking about” - Hunter Crine @hunter_crine(6:45) Intuitive training(7:20) Shout out to coach Darius Andre Gilbert, Facebook: Darius Andre Gilbert(7:50) The power of experience(8:40) Mastery by Robert Greene https://www.amazon.com/Mastery-Robert-Greene/dp/014312417X (10:00) It Is not all about the money(10:25) How coaches make decisions(12:00) How to find mentors?(12:30) The apprentice mindset(13:00) Fear of failure(14:00) Look your mentors in a human being level(14:05) Shout out to 2 of the greatest mentors, Gray Cook @functionalmvmt and Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(17:20) Learn how to make decisions(18:00) Triphasic training(19:00) Observation is a skill for coaching(20:00) The nervous system(20:20) “Everything has intention” - Hunter Crine @hunter_crine(21:00) Being a trainer in New York city(21:40) The art of coaching and the science of coaching(23:30) The art of coaching book(25:40) How much should you talk in sales and coaching?(28:50) There’s no money in strength conditioning?(30:00) Hunter moved to online when the Pandemic hit(32:00) Hunter was in a gym very focused on movement and corrective exercise(34:45) The peanut butter jar story(35:40) The impact you do in the world as a coach(37:10) “Coaching is empowering” - Hunter Crine @hunter_crine(38:09) The Kettlebell Coach University program https://kettlebellcoachuniversity.com/ (38:30) Hunter Crine loves teaching(39:10) Why did Hunter Crine start the Kettlebell Coach University?(41:00) What’s inside the Kettlebell Coach University program?(42:40) There are 81 total coaches in the Kettlebell Coaching University(43:40) The abundance mentality(45:40) Why sales is the way(49:20) Write a letter to yourself: why did you join this program?(50:40) If you want to be successful in business you have to understand how to create relationships and how to add value to people - Hunter Crine @hunter_crine(51:30) Where to follow Hunter Crine @hunter_crine and how to join the Kettlebell Coach University program? https://kettlebellcoachuniversity.com/  

In the 87th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Fitness Trainer Matthew Hearn will talk about Matthew’s life story, getting arrested for armed robbery, the power of someone believing in you in a dark moment, and success conditioning.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest Fitness Trainer Matthew Hearn @iammatthewhearn(1:15) Shout out to Brian Grasso, Facebook: Brian Grasso.(2:45) Matthew’s origin story.(3:00) Matthew was arrested in 2006 for armed robbbery.(4:00) Getting arrested was a turning point in Matthew’s life.(4:40) Matthew thought at that point that he destroyed his life.(5:30) Shout out to Carlos Bryant, Matthew’s friend.(8:10) Working out in jail.(8:40) In jail your commitment and reputation are everything.(9:00) Matthew’s daily routine when he was in jail.(13:20) “When you get inspired by hope, it is so energizing” - Matthew Hearn @iammatthewhearn(14:15) Weightlifting lessons.(14:30) When someone believes in you.(15:00) “The strongest thing you can do is get in touch with yourself and be yourself” - Matthew Hearn @iammatthewhearn(18:20) Shame of making mistakes.(19:20) “The belief that I got from lifting weights and getting in touch with myself, allowed me to then go back and start to challenge some of the narratives that I built for myself as a child” - Matthew Hearn @iammatthewhearn(22:50) The pain of discipline.(23:20) “Confidence comes from keeping the promises to yourself” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection (25:30) The power of conditioning.(26:35) Matthew has meditated his whole life.(32:30) “Your time is not wasted just because of your environment” - Matthew Hearn @iammatthewhearn(38:40) Fitness is a visual-based business.(39:30) It is ok to look how you want to look.(40:40) “If I show up and I do my best, the work will take care of itself” - Matthew Hearn @iammatthewhearn(42:00) Emotional anchors.(44:50) The anxiety of success.(45:50) Incarceration can allow reflection.(46:20) The power of reflection.(48:35) Where to reach out to Matthew Hearn? Instagram: @iammatthewhearn https://www.instagram.com/iammatthewhearn/?hl=en 

In the 86th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Pastor, Trainer, and Competitive Shooter, Thomas Benge, will talk about Thomas’ origin story, his biggest inspiration, training recruits & clients, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest, Pastor, Trainer, and Competitive Shooter, Thomas Benge @ethos_of_strength(1:10) Shout out to John Odden @empoweredstrength_(1:45) Thomas and John Odden’s original connecting point @empoweredstrength_(2:30) Walking cliche(3:00) Shout out to Nicole Benge @nicole.benge(3:35) Thomas’s origin story(3:40) Playing basketball in college(3:50) Asking to be played professional football(4:35) Thomas’ weight after graduation(4:45) Falling in love with strength training(4:55) Being a gym bro(5:00) Thomas’s biggest inspiration(5:55) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(6:10) Reading Pavel Tsatsouline’s article @strongfirst(6:40) Trusting the process(7:05) Testing out after the program(7:20) Training and working in Police Academy(7:35) An eye for movement(7:45) Training clients and recruits(8:10) Suffering a knee injury(8:30) Teaching during the recovery time(8:30) Meeting the founder of CrossFit(8:35) From law enforcement to CrossFit gyms(9:35) Thomas’ 51-year-old client(13:30) The desire to explore kettlebell(14:45) Thomas’ first experience with TSC(16:45) Tribe by Sebastian Junger @sebastianjungerofficial(17:40) About Greg(18:30) Doing multiple TSCs at the gym(19:05) TSC brings people together!(20:00) Dealing with cadets(20:30) No requirement to stay fit in agencies (22:00) Low frequency, high work(22:55) Being fit for others!(24:55) Having standards for yourself(25:45) Physical fitness, a low-hanging fruit(26:25) “Your level of physical fitness was your first line of defense.” - Thomas Benge @ethos_of_strength(26:40) “There's a difference between being present and having a presence.” - Thomas Benge @ethos_of_strength(26:50) Two best compliments that Thomas got in the Academy(29:30) Shout out to Craig Marker(30:00) “You don't have to be the biggest person in the world to command a presence in the room.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(30:10) Mike’s observation while working at the gym(31:40) Participants of 30,000 training sessions(32:40) Strong Woman competitor(34:35) What did Thomas love about running his gym?(37:25) Benefits of connecting with people(39:05) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(39:30) One critical mistake most pastors and strength trainers do(40:30) Thomas’ approach to the ministry(40:50) Jesus, the most relational person(42:00) Thomas’ approach at his ministry(42:15) Think Again by Adam Grant @adamgranthttps://www.amazon.com/Think-Again-Power-Knowing-What/dp/1984878107 (44:00) “Business is a Spiritual Game.” - Tony Robbins @tonyrobbins(44:30) Book A more beautiful question(45:40) More about Thomas’ client(46:20) Being curious(46:40) There is always something(47:05) “Curiosity is an antidote to ideology.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(48:05) Being an eternal student(49:15) The biggest dangers for pastors(49:45) 40-minutes devotional listening and praying(51:00) “I always assume that there is something to see, even if I've seen it before.” - Thomas Benge @ethos_of_strength(52:45) One pieceWhere to find Thomas Benge? @ethos_of_strength

In the 85th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, the Founder of Five Points Academy, Steve Milles, will talk about his origin story, Muay Thai, the journey of Five Points Academy, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (0:50) Introducing our special guest, the Founder of Five Points Academy, Steve Milles @fivepointsacademy(1:10) Shout out to Ian Huelke @ianhuelke(2:15) Steve’s origin story(2:20) Being a team sports guy(2:30) Moving to Newyork(2:40) Learning about Muay Thai(3:05) Shout out to Phil Nurse Twitter: @AjarnPhilNurse(3:30) Going to a boxing gym(4:15) Working with one of the best training partners(5:00) Going to Thailand(5:40) Fighting for the first time(6:25) Why does Steve love Muay Thai?(6:55) The reason why Steve loves the Strong First community @strongfirst(7:25) Going to world championships(8:00) Teaching kickboxing(9:10) Starting Five Points Academy(9:30) What Five Points Academy has become now(10:05) Training with a kettlebell for the first time(10:35) Learning kettlebell from a mediocre place(11:00) Learning from Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst (11:35) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(11:55) Sending an email to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst (12:10) Getting an answer from Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst (12:30) Taking every opportunity to learn from Strong First(12:35) Shout out to John Engelmann (13:40) Steve’s first experience with Muay Thai(14:45) Muay Thai is relaxed!(15:35) An individual sport(16:00) “Instead of beating people down, if everybody's getting better, then everybody's getting better.” - Steve Milles @fivepointsacademy (17:10) “The goal of it, especially when you're working with clients, is to make it as enjoyable as possible.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(17:40) Why did Steve not like his first kettlebell group?(18:00) More about Strong First @strongfirst (18:50) The evolution of Strong First @strongfirst(19:30) Strong First, a legacy(21:25) Explosion in martial arts (21:50) More about Muay Thai(22:05) The first thing Steve noticed in Thailand(22:30) Shout out to Angus Buckle(22:30) Evolution of Five Points Academy (24:30) Being broken(26:10) Starting strength training(27:20) Using barbells for some clients(28:00) What did work for Steve?(29:50) About get-ups(30:30) How does Steve do get-ups?(31:35) About training at Five Points Academy(32:20) Bodyweight workouts(33:20) Shout out to Dr. Stuart Mcgill @backfitpro(33:55) Steve’s current training program(35:00) Shout out to Mike Sousa @sousastrong(35:35) Steve’s coaching style, then vs. now(37:20) Keep the people enthusiastic!(37:50) “We love getting deep down the rabbit hole of the movement and all the breakdowns. But most people want to get stronger.” Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(38:40) “If somebody's not hurting themselves, they're safe, and they're improving as they go, then keep moving them along.” - Steve Milles @fivepointsacademy (38:50) Youth classes at Five Points Academy(42:15) Shout out to Patrick Valor Rivera @kru_pat_209 (43:25) Where to find Steve Milles? @fivepointsacademy

In the 84th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Highland Games Champion, and Owner of Empowered Strength, John Odden, will talk about positive association with nature, benefits of hunting, controlling the volume, John’s new program, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest, Highland Games Champion, and Owner of Empowered Strength, John Odden, @empoweredstrength_(3:30) Van Gough immersive experience(5:00) About John’s training style(7:30) The secret formula to success(8:10) John, then vs. now(8:30) Shout out to Strong First @strongfirst(9:00) How John has changed throughout the years(10:00) Last podcast with John Odden(12:10) John’s yard(12:45) Positive association with the nature(13:30) Benefits of hunting (14:05) Target shooting on top of a mountain(14:25) Becoming a gear guy(14:45) Start in the summer!(15:45) Realizing our ability to control(16:25) Shout out to Dr. Tiffany Jones @drtiffjones(18:45) Barefoot minimum clothes routine(19:10) Growing in the countryside(19:50) Living in San Diego(20:25) The great divide(20:55) Change in sensory wavelength (21:55) Working with people in nature(22:45) Not wearing shoes(23:15) The biggest takeaway(25:30) “This is how we're wired to do things not to be confined, go from one comfort bubble to the next comfort bubble in our cars.” - John Odden @empoweredstrength_(26:45) Mike’s changed morning routine(28:05) “We think that, like when we're in certain spots, that's the only place that we can feel those things, when in reality, we can probably duplicate that just outside the door of our own home.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(29:05) Reason behind John’s peak performance(31:05) Lack of resources in the start(31:35) John’s morning training(33:00) Controlling the volume(35:00) Volume or intensity?(35:25) Shout out to John Parker @johnparker__(38:00) Simple and sinister(39:55) Shout out to Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert(40:35) Overcoming the self-imposed limits(43:00) How to work into sprinting again?(43:30) Everyone should throw!(44:20) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(44:35) John’s next program(45:35) Becoming fit vs. staying fit(46:05) Shout out to Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(46:30) Tactical strength challenge(47:30) Running TSC religiously(49:10) Rewarding for showing up(51:25) Why is the world of strength behind?(52:10) Why Mike loves TSC(52:35) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(53:25) The building foundation of John’s gym(53:50) From the highland games to other challenges(56:55) The benefits of being an older athlete(59:25) A message to anyone who is not strength training(1:07:00) Where to find John Odden? @empoweredstrength_https://www.empoweredstrength.com 

In the 83rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strong First Senior Instructor and founder of BrickHouse, Mike Sousa, will talk about the origin of BrickHouse, the evolution of Mike’s training style, intuitive training, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (0:50) Introducing our special guest, Strong First Senior Instructor and founder of BrickHouse, Mike Sousa @sousastrong(1:20) The Breakthrough Secrets Podcast: EP #86 - Mike Sousa: Sweat Equity(1:44) Mike’s origin story(2:25) Going for the Certification(2:40) Building career(2:55) Shout out to Dave Whitley @irontamer(3:00) Shout out to Jeff O’Connor, former Master RKC(3:05) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(3:05) Shout out to Doug Nepodal LinkedIn Doug Nepodal(3:30) Team leader promotion(3:35) Why is the team leader position great?(3:50) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(4:25) The 66-year-old quilt master(6:05) The best way to do the ladder(9:10) Why is the fitness industry interesting?(10:00) Long-term goal gym vision(10:05) Building and keeping a client list for years(10:50) Being a group-on guy(11:25) Intuition-based training(11:40) Losing 7 clients in one month(11:55) Benefits of building a system(14:00) Using constructive feedback and analogies(14:50) Being an intuitive trainer(16:10) A template that Mike uses(18:45) Game of operation analogy(19:45) Male vs. female clientele(20:20) About Martha(20:50) About Brittney(21:20) “Really legit system is years and years and years into it.”  - Mike Sousa @sousastrong(21:50) Stay within 60-80%(22:05) How to stay within 60-80%?(23:25) Shout out to Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(23:50) Evolution of Mike’s system @coachmikeperry(24:05) The problem Mike saw with his system(24:20) Switching to a semi-private system(25:25) Moving to Brickhouse(25:40) The issue with semi-private system(26:20) The issue with most trainer’s model(26:45) The secret behind commercial gym’s success(27:20) Brainstorming to make his gym better(28:00) The success of new model(28:45) No need to grind 24/7 anymore(31:00) Stop babysitting style of training!(31:10) Shout out to Danny Sawaya Linkedin: Danny Sawaya (31:35) Shout out to Tiago Proença @tiago_proenca(32:25) Rates-related issue(32:40) Creating flat rates(34:00) Payment-related issue(35:40) The origin story of the Brickhouse(38:25) “Not get into the serious debt” model(39:35) Treat your business like a video game(40:00) The boss level!(41:20) Principle-based system(41:50) Mike’s tips for building a solid business(43:30) Change is constant in Brickhouse(44:00) Zoover gym(47:00) Shout out to Jamie Lewis @plagueofstrength(50:25) Make your gym unique!(51:15) Product placement(52:10) The cycle studio(53:10) Always add to it!(59:35) Shout out to Analisa Naldi @italiannna(1:00:00) The Ying and Yang(1:00:15) Shout out to Dr. Michael Hartle@drmichaelhartle(1:00:45) Getting disappointed to grow kale(1:03:10) Shout out to Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert(1:06:20) Mike’s weight before and after doing kettlebell muscles(1:06:45) Which program helped Mike the most?(1:10:50) Learning from the OGs(1:11:05) Shout out to Paul McIlroy @paulmcilroyamazing12(1:11:55) Shout out to Jerzy Gregorek (1:13:05) “A legitimate system will keep you strong without breaking you down.” - Mike Sousa @sousastrong(1:15:15) Where to find Mike Sousa? @sousastrong

In the 82nd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest Former Elite Instructor at StrongFirst, Research Methods and Statistics Professor, Craig Maker, will talk about the psychological immune system, fission-fusion, overtraining, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (0:50) Introducing our special guest, Elite Instructor at StrongFirst, Research Methods and Statistics Professor, Craig Maker Twitter: @AntiFragileSelf(1:50) Craig’s milestones(2:35) What is Craig currently working on?(2:55) Shout out to Ben Patrick @kneesovertoeguy(3:05) Shout out to Graham Tuttle @thebarefootsprinter(3:30) Reverse sled(4:00) Craig’s experience with reverse sled(5:30) About footwork(7:00) Fission and Fusion(7:10) Pendulum model(7:25) “Fission fusion is like the speed bag, like, you can just throw it out of rhythm a little bit.” - Craig Marker Twitter: @AntiFragileSelf(8:00) The Strength Connection Podcast - Ep 42: Fission & Fusion Training(9:25) Is more better?(10:25) Is overtraining an issue?(11:40) “My training is actually training and not a workout.”  - Craig Marker Twitter: @AntiFragileSelf(12:00) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(12:10) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(12:45) “Most people don't push hard enough to really get to that level of overtraining.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(13:50) Shout out to George A. Bonanno @giorgiobee(13:50) What does trauma do to your body?(15:10) The harm of quick fixes(15:40) The field of affective forecasting and how we feel(17:05) The recovery process after trauma(17:50) A therapy-related research(18:20) Underestimating the natural recovery process(18:45) Kick people out of therapy!(20:15) “If you keep going back and thinking that you're broken, then it almost turns into an enabling.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(20:45) Old style training vs. what Craig prefers(21:05) Embracing negative emotions(22:20) Cry like a baby!(22:50) Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman @pwdan(24:40) Shout out to Jen Sincero @jensincero(25:30) Crying while watching Rocky(26:50) About Meditation(27:10) What does Craig do with someone with anxiety?(27:35) The process of embracing changes(28:05) Wanting to feel panic(29:15) Shout out to Dr. Tiffany Jones @drtiffjones(30:05) Physiological peace(31:50) Shout out to James Cameron @jamescameronofficial(33:10) Surrendering is courageous (33:25) Hand cup analogy(34:30) Shout out to Analisa Naldi @italiannna(35:00) Throwing a punch(36:30) Shout out to Trevor Bauer @baueroutage(37:20) About ATP(38:05) “We need energy to relax.” - Craig Marker Twitter: @AntiFragileSelf(39:15) Craig’s thoughts about bodyweight training(40:20) Cramps after high-tension bodyweight training(42:05) Therapy is therapy!(42:25) Importance of physical therapy for better mental health(43:35) Why did Craig get involved with StrongFirst?(43:55) The simple and Sinister protocol(45:25) Why the phrase “gym is my therapy” is so popular(47:25) Intra-individual differences(48:20) Craig’s future plans(49:50) The butterfly effect(51:20) The actual variable in diets(52:00) Shout out to Layne Norton @biolayne(52:40) It’s ok to feel down!(54:25) Breaking Musclehttps://breakingmuscle.com/author/craig-marker/ (54:35) Where to find Craig Marker? Twitter: @AntiFragileSelf

In the 81st episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest Creator of Coach Sportland, Speed Coach and Mentor, Sam Portland, will talk about Sam’s rugby background, his submissive nature in sports, losing the unconscious motivation, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (0:55) Introducing our special guest Creator of Coach Sportland, Speed Coach and Mentor, Sam Portland @coach_portland(1:50) The Strength Connection: EP 66 - Sam Portland: Speed Sportland(3:20) The importance of mindset in training(3:55) Playing non-contact rugby(4:40) Singing up to rugby(4:50) Being skinny(5:30) Sam’s problem with defense(6:45) Deliberately practicing tackle(7:10) Not progressing in the game(8:15) Why couldn't Sam tackle?(8:20) Being submissive even in judo(9:30) Having nowhere to hide(10:20) “The biggest thing that takes the hit when you're exposed is your own self-esteem.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(11:30) Mike’s basketball story(13:10) The associative risk and violence in sports(13:20) “The more risk that the sport requires, the more violence is necessary.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(13:30) “You can't survive collisions if you're not committed to it.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(15:05) Mindset cliches(16:15) “The illusion of mindset is that you actually believe you're in control of all the things that you do.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(17:45) Infiltrating a belief system(20:00) “The most important thing you can give an athlete is a belief.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(22:30) Surrendering the control(23:00) Time and space(24:30) “Language is only the combination of 5 simple sounds.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(25:05) Sam’s thoughts about performance: Then vs. Now(25:25) About one of Sam’s client(26:50) Only experience matters!(27:40) Not going back(28:20) Shout out to Alex Gray @alexander_thegrayt(28:45) Rocky Balboahttps://www.imdb.com/title/tt0479143/ (31:30) Why do you have to surrender?(32:00) People watcher(34:00) Sam’s peace(34:30) “If you are so narrow then you miss everything.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(35:00) Sam’s first experience with therapy(36:10) Sam’s experience: Then vs. Now(36:30) “The fight never stops. The fight just changes.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(37:15) About Sam’s late brother(39:30) The unconscious motivation(40:20) Feeling lost after his brother’s death(41:35) December 27th(43:10) Unpacking the baggage(43:30) The funeral (43:55) Going to Mount Everest(44:05) The relief from being on the field(44:55) Life changes(45:50) Becoming the oldest child(47:10) Monthly therapy(48:10) Losing motivation (48:40) How did Sam get into therapy?(49:10) Calling bereavement helpline(50:30) Breaking through the pain(50:50) Feeling “attracted” to Donna(53:00) Guided meditation for pregnant women(53:35) “You can’t do anything alone.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(55:10) “Therapy about recognizing that pain and knowing that your best days are ahead of you, and that you're stronger than what this pain in your past was.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(56:20) “The most noble pursuit of mastery is mastery of self.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(56:45) Where to find Sam Portland? @coach_sportlandhttps://coachsportland.co.uk/