The Strength Connection

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

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