
The Strength Connection
Connecting with the top minds in strength to share stories, insights and experiences to help the world get stronger everyday!I'm Michael Kurkowski, strength coach, Kettlebell Instructor and everyday strength seeker for over 13 years. The world of strength is riddled with so much information and marketing that it can be downright impossible to know what is best for you. From reading, studying, and practicing over the years, I've found how impactful being strong is to everything we do in our lives. But the thing that helped me more than anything is connection.Connecting with others and hearing about their experiences, their stories in life has given me a better education and understanding of living a strong life than anything. After co-hosting the very popular Breakthrough Secrets Podcast, I created The Strength Connection to speak with the best of the best to help the audience live stronger, healthier and happier lives.Strength has different meanings for all of us, whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual. But being stronger and knowing how helps all of us. Enjoy the show!
Latest episodes

Jun 20, 2022 • 54min
# 80 - Dr. Tiffany Jones: The Mindset of Unbreakable Athletes
In the 80th episode of The Strength Connection podcast, Mike and our special guest, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Dr. Tiffany Jones, will talk about mindset training, using false scenarios, creating superhumans, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (0:55) Introducing our special guest, Certified Mental Performance Consultant, Dr. Tiffany Jones @drtiffjones(1:00) Shout out to Wendy Walker(2:00) Dr. Tiffany’s origin story(2:15) Reading a Dr. Shane Murphy book(2:45) Playing soccer in college(3:00) Doing Masters and PhD(3:10) Dr. Tiffany’s mental struggles(3:45) Dr. Tiffany’s passion for her job(4:05) Shout out to Anson Dorrance @visionsofachampion(4:40) “That time between what you're actually doing is a bigger thing for your success versus when you're actually stepping into the box.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(4:55) “Our body doesn't know if it's playing in our grandma's backyard or if it's out of practice.” - Dr. Tiffany @drtiffjones(5:25) The what-ifs(7:10) Shout out to Dana Cavalea @therealcoachd(7:20) Shout out to Mariano Rivera @marianorivera(7:45) “Our mind makes the moment bigger or smaller, it has nothing to do with actually what's going on.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(7:50) Why does Dr. Tiffany love her job?(8:20) The understanding and application(8:30) False scenarios(9:50) Starting with positive(10:20) Creating superhumans(11:15) “Start with a positive or else that memory could be interpreted as negative.” - Dr. Tiffany @drtiffjones(11:45) “We're so hardwired to not praise the things that we're good at and just focus on those things to correct all the time.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(11:55) The missing piece(12:15) “The only time we fail is if we flat out give up.” - Dr. Tiffany @drtiffjones(13:00) Dr. Tiffany’s usual training style(15:10) Exceptional coaches(15:20) George Mason Patriots practice(17:10) Athlete's reaction to the pattern interruption(18:40) Routine vs. superstitions(18:55) Dr. Tiffany’s problem with routines(20:15) The perfect case of Rafael Nadal @rafaelnadal(21:45) The guy with no foot(22:40) Individual sports vs. team sports(23:45) Always communicate!(25:30) The foundation of mental toughness(26:45) Simple, not easy(27:15) Going back to the survival mode(27:30) Focus on the whys(27:45) Making the athlete read more(27:55) Think like a monk by Jay Shetty @jayshettyhttps://www.amazon.com/Think-Like-Monk-Train-Purpose/dp/1982134488 (29:00) Be aware!(29:20) Dr. Tiffany’s current way of training teams(29:35) Certified Chopra coach(31:10) What is mental toughness?(31:45) The questions that Dr. Tiffany asks her athletes(32:45) “Emotional pain is different than emotional suffering.” - Dr. Tiffany @drtiffjones(33:20) Why we can’t escape emotional suffering(34:00) Low capacity (34:25) Mental health explanation (35:30) What’s your body telling you?(37:20) Self-awareness explanation(37:50) Fight, fly, freeze(39:10) Anger vs frustration(40:10) There is no saber-tooth tiger!(41:30) A few essential corrections(42:45) You choose your feelings(43:30) Confidence vs. self-belief(45:30) Expectations vs. standards(47:50) The blown-out social comparison(49:00) Have a 6-year-old’s mindset(52:45) Where to find Dr. Tiffany? @drtiffjoneshttps://xfactorperformance.com/

Jun 13, 2022 • 48min
#79 Danny Casey: New York Weightlifting Academy
In the 79th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Weightlifting Coach and the Founder of New York Weightlifting Academy, Danny Casey, will talk about Danny’s origin story, his weightlifting background, his way of training, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (0:55) Introducing our special guest, Weightlifting Coach and the Founder of New York Weightlifting Academy, Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(1:15) Shout out to Eddie McGuire @eddiemacisback(1:50) Shout out to Greg Everett @catalystathletics(2:35) Danny’s origin story(2:45) Studying to become a Social Studies Teacher(3:00) The experience of going to weight rooms(3:25) Brazilian jiu-jitsu(3:50) Olympics lifts(4:15) Finding a coach(4:30) Participating in competitions(4:30) Training with other people (4:55) Starting the personal training journey(5:40) What brought Danny towards the Olympics lifting?(6:30) The music analogy(6:55) The steps of mastery(7:45) The different approaches to jiu-jitsu and weight lifting(8:45) “You have to go slow before you can go fast.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(9:50) Shout out to Eric D’Agati @ericdagati(10:35) Unrecognized steps to health and fitness(11:00) Unreasonable goals(11:40) “Just because the number value on the bar didn't move, does it mean the quality of what you're doing didn't improve?” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(12:25) Not understanding the process(12:45) The deadlift example(13:25) The sport of positions and angles(14:15) “Patience is everything.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(14:40) Danny’s pre-covid training vs. now(15:20) Does Danny ask his client to journal?(16:15) Books by Joe Mills Linkedin: Joe Mills(16:55) Shout out to Brian Grasso(17:50) Danny’s current training approach(19:00) “If I want to actually get better at my press, I don't need to work on my press at all. I need to work on my clean, the steps beforehand.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(19:15) Clean and jerk in weightlifting(19:25) Danny’s call with his coach(19:40) Does everyone have jerk and clean?(20:05) Shout out to Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit(21:00) “If you want to get better, you want to move forward, you have to work where you're limited.” Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(21:05) Working with Kari @karipearcecrossfit(22:45) Danny’s experience in working with clients(23:40) Kari’s limitations and strength @karipearcecrossfit(24:55) The evolution of Danny’s perspective(25:40) The spinning wheel analogy(26:45) Training the mindset(27:15) “You can read someone by how they lift.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(27:55) Shout out to Dmitry Klokov @klokovd(29:25) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(30:10) Everybody should compete!(30:30) “Focus is trainable.” - Danny Casey @ny_weightlifting_academy(31:30) Mike’s certification program(32:00) Nervousness during competition(33:55) Benefits of competing(35:25) “It’s building a skill, not just going into a workout.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(33:50) The debate that Danny often gets into(36:45) How does Danny train himself?(38:05) Reading about Soviets(38:15) Self-regulation(38:35) Importance of self-regulation(40:25) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(41:10) Why does Danny encourage everyone to compete?(42:30) The benefits of nervous energy(46:45) Where to find Danny Casey? @ny_weightlifting_academy @danny_caseyYoutube: NY Weightlifting Academy

Jun 13, 2022 • 1h 4min
#78 Eric D'Agati: Principles of Program Design
In the 78th episode of The Strength Connection podcast, Mike and our special guest Lead Instructor at FMS, Founder of ONE-Human Performance and Principles of Program Design, Eric D'Agati, will talk about Eric’s origin story, Eric’s style of training, the goal of creating Principles of Program Design, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (1:20) Introducing our special guest Lead Instructor at FMS, Founder of ONE-Human Performance and Principles of Program Design, Eric D'Agati @ericdagati(1:40) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(1:40) Shout out to Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(2:00) About the super bowl(2:30) Working with Gray Cook @functionalmvmt(3:10) Eric’s origin story(3:15) Eric as a child(3:35) How did it all start?(3:45) Suffering from back pain as a teenager(4:00) Going to the doctor for back pain(4:20) The diagnosis(4:30) Doing back exercises(5:00) Advice from a random guy in the gym(5:15) Training clients for the first time(5:30) The secret behind Eric’s early success as a trainer(6:05) Building a business(6:45) Opening a personal facility(7:55) Everything under one roof(7:35) Eric’s vision and the evolution(8:05) Learning more things to become a better trainer(8:25) Eric’s brother, a doctor of physical therapy(9:00) Reebok movement screens(9:15) First FMS class with the entire team(10:00) Teaching FMS for 15 years(11:00) Studying exercise science in college(11:25) The common goal of most students(11:50) The fine line(12:00) “I am too stupid to listen to no.” - Eric D'Agati @ericdagati(12:55) How Eric built his business(13:50) One of Eric’s first clients: Bob(15:05) Learning to help Bob(15:30) What got Eric to get deeper into training(16:50) “Nobody gets better being the big fish in the little pond.” Eric D'Agati @ericdagati(17:05) Helen and the peanut butter jar(18:05) The idea that Eric got from helping Bob(18:30) “Clients don’t need exercises, they need a path.” - Eric D'Agati @ericdagati(18:40) The art of a program(19:05) Don’t forget about the goals(19:20) The questions section(20:40) Eric’s reason behind creating this program(20:45) Shout out to Dr. Lee Burton @functionalmvmt(22:30) How to get out of the silos?(24:15) Eric’s goal with the program(25:20) “It can be so easy for us to get into our own little zone and block everything out.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(25:35) What’s your thing?(28:55) Eric’s 3 favorite answers(29:40) The truth behind saying no(30:15) The least level of care(30:40) Why did you choose this exercise?(31:10) What’s the worst thing that can happen?(32:35) “Common sense doesn’t mean common practice.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(34:50) Eric’s most used analogy(38:05) The counterpoint(38:40) Use a time machine!(40:55) Shout out to Jamie Lewis @plagueofstrength(42:00) The positive change in current society(45:05) Shout out to Lee Thaft Twitter: @leetaft(45:10) Working with the youth(46:55) Eric’s recent call with a football coach(49:35) Playing to win by Michael Lewishttps://www.amazon.com/Playing-to-Win/dp/B08DL7ZJDX (51:20) Giving awareness(51:45) Eric’s pyramid(53:05) Conversation with kids and their parents(54:25) About program design(57:10) “My goal as coach is to become obsolete.” Eric D'Agati @ericdagati(57:30) Eric’s definition of a great coach(1:00:45) Where to find Eric D'Agati? @ericdagati

Jun 9, 2022 • 48min
#77 Mark Limbaga: Love For Strength
In the 77th Episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, StrongFirst Elite instructor Mark Limbaga, will talk about training modalities, strength and conditioning, the clean and the jerk, and a genuine love for strength.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest StrongFirst Elite instructor Mark Limbaga @mlgirevikstrong(1:24) Mark Limbaga Origin Story(1:34) Clean and jerk programs(2:16) Training Modalities(2:23) Strength and conditioning(2:52) Love for push-ups(4:14) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(4:46) The impact of strength training(5:17) Combat sports(5:31) Enter the Kettlebell! By Pavel Tsatsouline https://www.amazon.com.mx/Enter-Kettlebell-Strength-Secret-Supermen/dp/1942812132(6:09) Kettlebell Muscle by Geoff Neupert https://www.amazon.com/Kettlebell-Muscle-Secrets-Compound-Lifting/dp/B0040NJXC4(6:54) Level one certified enrollment in Melbourne, Australia(7:47) Start-up experience(9:26) Second day of training, (2010)(10:36) Mark becomes the strength and conditioning coach for the Philippine boxing team in 2012(11:03) Benefits reflected in Boxing(12:46) Shout out to StrongFirst @strongfirst(17:38) Compression thinking and application(18:30) “It is necessary to dedicate a lot of time to learning” - Mark Limbaga @mlgirevikstrong (19:31) Rooting knowledge in the body(20:03) “There is always something you can do better”- Mark Limbaga @mlgirevikstrong(21:09) Concept of dominance (21:50) Mark's customer feedback(22:25) Improved physical appearance (22:31) Transition with athletes (23:16) Finding a challenge for athletes(23:25) “You have to understand someone's language in order to connect with them.”- Mark Limbaga @mlgirevikstrong (26:07) Pre-engage abdominals for better movement(26:19) Bodyweight training(27:14) “Body weight is as important to the development of strength skills as anything else.”- Michael Kurkowski(27:24) Ideal linkage(29:08) “There are some skills that even if you don't touch them for a while they stay with you.”- Mark Limbaga @mlgirevikstrong(29:19) Skills that are not forgotten(29:26) Dead Weight Lifting(31:15) Finding what works for you(32:28) Shout out to Grant Anderson @kettlebellgrant(33:38) Throwing dimes into a piggy bank(36:40) Abdominal work as an "accessory"(36:54) Shout out to Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert(37:21) Neck Turning Protocol by Aleks Salkin, Youtube: Aleks Salkin(38:48) Abdominal work(41:57) A new experience in India(43:23) Movement Clean and Jerk (44:29) Mark's wife(44:58) Shout out to Hector Gutierrez(46:10) Where to find Mark Limbaga @mlgirevikstrong https://www.instagram.com/mlgirevikstrong/

Jun 7, 2022 • 54min
#76 - Angus Buckle: The Sleep Performance Coach
In the 76th Episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest the Owner Of The Sleep Performance Coach, Angus Buckle wil talk about Martial arts, Gambling and Alcohol, Health deterioration and more!Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter you will discover: (0:57) Introducing our special guest Angus Buckle Linked in: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mrbpt(2:06) The law of individuality(2:49) Inspirations and importances(2:58) Scottish name(3:50) Angus began to frequent the world of parties(3:57) Sales work(4:32) Martial arts and boxing(4:38) Moving to Thailand(6:37) David Goggins @davidgoggins Navy SEALs(8:07) Gambling and Alcohol(9:10) Angus's mom (10:59) “Life is about helping other people.” - Angus Buckle Linked in(11:47) Health deterioration(12:04) Certified as a personal trainer(12:06) Certified in sleep, neurology, sports nutrition (12:50) Dream and ADN(13:31) The energy to help(13:32) “When pain turns into frustration, that's when you need a change.” - Angus Buckle Linked in(16:05) “Success is driven by the impact of helping people.” - Angus Buckle Linked in: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mrbpt(16:21) The Sleep Performance Coach(16:29) DNA test(16:35) Training championships(17:17) Chrono types(18:57) “If you're unsure, just make a decision to go with what feels right.” - Angus Buckle Linked in: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mrbpt(20:23) Internal biology(20:49) Synchronicity(22:08) Peak mental performance in the morning(23:48) NASA projects (23:54) Shout out to Richard Branson @richardbranson(23:59) The only influence on your circadian rhythm is light(24:32) Suppress melatonin(24:38) We release cortisol in the morning(26:35) Light and rehydration in the morning(31:07) Concerns of the great fighters(31:49) Better sleep for peak performance(32:28) Energy mentors(33:09) Stress plus recovery equals growth(34:03) Recovery week(34:35) Bases of the construction of mobility(35:42) Oversubscribed by Daniel Priestleyhttps://www.amazon.com/Oversubscribed-How-People-Lining-Business/dp/0857088254(36:01) “Burnout isn't enforced rest.” - Angus Buckle Linked in: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/mrbpt(36:18) “The best recovery plan is to design your plan.” - Brett @brettjonessfg(36:52) Western culture(37:32) Overtraining bracket or overworked bracket(38:32) You can have insomnia from being overtrained(39:42) Restore people's health(40:22) Adaptation for growth (40:37) If you sleep better, it increases your testosterone level(40:55) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(41:52) Recovery methods(42:09) Performance depends on chronotype(43:52) Law of individuality of genetics(44:29) Technologies that exist with recovery(44:37) The Dodgers organization(45:04) Technology dependency(45:18) Orphan Samia(45:20) Insomnia can be chronic, or acute(45:31) Insomnia is where we pay too much attention to detail.(46:28) MBA signed up with aura(47:57) Angus worked with a functional neurologist(49:28) The number of hours of sleep a person needs(52:29) Where to find Angus Buckle?https://www.sleepprocoach.com/

May 30, 2022 • 59min
#75 - Derek Toshner: A School Of Strength
In the 75th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike, and our special guest, Fitness Coach and the Co-Founder of TNT Fitness Results, Derek Toshner, will talk about StrongFirst, coaching younger people, coaching high school athletes, coaching professionals, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (0:55) Introducing our special guest, Fitness Coach and the Co-Founder of TNT Fitness Results, Derek Toshner @tnt_adventure_fit(2:30) Conference with Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom and Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(3:50) Strongfirst: a school of strength(4:30) Giving more value to the community(4:40) Analisa Naldi @italiannna(4:45) Legacy by James Kerr Twitter: @James_M_Kerr (5:15) The responsibility of a title(5:45) What is the value you offer to the people who follow you?(6:05) Put the time and return something of value(6:05) About leadership(6:35) The difference between a leader and a coach(7:20) Being a coach at a school(8:00) Structure and discipline(8:30) Participating in student track 1973 (8:50) Student graduation system(9:45) Winning the JV conference championship(12:45) The state of Derek’s multiple trophies(13:15) The most important thing about trophies(14:15) Soul Surfer(14:15) Shout out to Bethany Hamilton @bethanyhamilton(15:25) “Success isn't linear.” - Derek Toshner @tnt_adventure_fit(15:30) “The people that have multiple championships, probably also have multiple failures.” - Derek Toshner @tnt_adventure_fit(16:00) Being an instructor with StrongFirst @strongfirst(16:05) Derek’s experience with coaching young people(16:30) Camp Campbellsport High School(16:30) Derek’s current client(16:35) Derek is an instructor to certify trainers with great body movement(18:15) The technical side of getting kids faster and stronger(18:45) Build a championship culture(18:55) Boys have to win to have fun (21:15) Implementation of learning(21:45) Team with energies of a family(22:50) Derek's wife: a good recruiter(23:05) 60 current participants in the track team(23:55) Know the dynamics of your team(24:45) Find someone who's good at what you are not(25:30) The benefits of coaching kids(27:45) Click in the dead by Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(30:00) Understand how the body works(30:35) Grand Teton Mountain(30:50) Altering conditioning(31:20) About Mia’s parents(32:10) Mia is going for a world record(32:35) Alternate conditioning program effects(34:16) Aerobic capacity(34:40) Succeed in performance!(34:55) High intensity resistance protocols(36:40) Modification of protocols(36:45) Strongfirst(36:55) Objective: nasal breathing(37:00) Keep the lactic acid down(38:20) Breath ladders(38:40) Between training Gen pop or training high school athletes(39:20) The point of diminishing returns physiologically(39:30) The body: a protective adaptive machine(40:35) Capacity building(41:10) Endurance(42:10) The standard level of strength(43:35) Hyperbaric chamber(44:20) All Terrain conditioning(45:25) The kettlebell technique(46:05) Shout out to John Brookfield @johnbrookfieldstrength(49:45) Benefits of level increases(50:10) Step-ups and snatches(52:45) The heart rate training(53:30) Iron cardio strength aerobics(55:25) Alteration & Heavy Endurance Conditioning Program(57:25) Where to find Derek Toshner? @tnt_adventure_fit

May 30, 2022 • 1h
#74 - Analisa Naldi: Strength And Communication
In the 74th Episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Strength Coach and StrongFirst Certified Senior SFG, Analisa Naldi, will talk about Analisa’s origin story, her thirst for knowledge, standards of communication, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter, you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, a Strength Coach and StrongFirst Certified Senior SFG, Analisa Naldi @italiannna(4:00) SFLhttps://www.sportforliving.com/(5:45) Mike’s experience with the Gray’s Store(9:00) “Feeling is the language of movement.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(9:35) Bring the energy to the coaching(9:45) About Analisa's parents(10:20) The thirst for knowledge(12:05) Intellectual stimulation with physiological response(12:40) Growing up on a farm(13:05) “Patience is a virtue.” - Analisa Naldi @italiannna(13:30) Curiosity(14:05) A basketball analogy(14:30) Importance of finding an authentic way for self-expression (14:55) “If you can deliver that feeling in the best way, then you don't need words.” - Analisa Naldi @italiannna(16:30) Teaching, a reciprocal relationship(18:10) A love for being quiet (19:00) Find a way to make reciprocal communication!(19:35) Anlaisa’s life mission: communication (20:35) Standards for strength and communication(20:55) Match their energy and let them match yours!(21:25) FMS, screening, and tests(21:50) Developing communication is a skill(22:10) “Art is actually a form of self-expression.”- Analisa Naldi @italiannna(22:50) Evolution in communication (22:55) Legacy by James Kerr Twitter: @James_M_Kerr (23:10) Blue Mind by Wallace J Nicholshttps://www.amazon.com/-/es/Wallace-J-Nichols/dp/0316252115(24:06) Blue mind(25:06) Shout out to Laird Hamilton @lairdhamiltonsurf(26:00) A book about teamwork and communication(26:20) “The first step in learning is silence. The second step is listening.” - Blue Mind by Wallace J. Nichols @wallacejnichols(27:10) Adaptability (28:25) Aspects of listening(29:00) The most important aspect of coaching(29:35) Listen to yourself!(31:00) The beauty of developing trust(31:15) A safe communication environment (32:05) The art of communication(32:25) Being open to revisiting the destination(34:15) Consistency and time(34:45) Dealing and communicating with situations(35:15) Core values(35:45) Communication standards to be more creative(37:25) Experience, movement, conversation(37:40) Ritualize actions(38:25) Feeling connected to oneself and others(39:30) Rituals of coaching(39:55) Strength: a solver(40:45) Analisa’s daily teaching routine(41:10) Checklist of all logistics(41:50) Preparation(43:10) Scouting the defense(44:15) Prepper(46:00) Shorten outlines(46:15) Art of whittling down(46:25)The right balance(46:36) Shout out to Derek Jeter @JeterGoat(46:40) Letting the outline flow(46:50) The strength test(49:25) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(50:15) Game of Thrones(50:35) Analisa's training plan(51:00) Shout out to SFLC @canadagamessflc(51:05) Shout out to Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert(52:55) About a student(53:40) SMG(58:15) The senior instructor of the team(58:25) Where to find Analisa Naldi? @italiannna

May 25, 2022 • 1h 8min
#73 - Mike Perry: Skill of Strength
In the 73rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Owner of Skill of Strength, host of The Minimum Effective Dose, Mike Perry, will talk about Mike’s origin story, the origin of Skill of Strenght, and his journey with diagnosing and beating cancer.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (0:50) Introducing our special guest, Owner of Skill of Strength, host of The Minimum Effective Dose, Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(1:40) The Minimum Effective Dose(1:45) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(2:10) Mike’s origin story(2:40) Mike’s original main goal(4:00) The idea of being a coach(5:15) Working with major NFL players(5:55) Getting into FMS(6:20) Getting the FMS certification (6:40) Training with kettlebells in 2006(7:15) Doing RKC(7:40) The first time meeting Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(7:55) Shout out to Mike Robertson @robtrainsystems(8:30) The biggest turning point in Mike’s career(9:10) Getting tested by Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(9:45) About Mike’s FMS journey(10:05) Shout out to StrongFirst @strongfirst(10:30) A business-minded wife and partner(13:55) Shout out to Ryan Lee @ryanleefitnessetc(16:25) Effects of kettlebell on the back(17:00) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(17:10) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(17:15) Shout out to Gray Cook @functionalmvmt(17:50) “In fitness, there's no specific path” - Michael Kurkowski(18:20) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(18:20) Shout out to Analisa Naldi @italiannna(18:35) “It is important for a coach to maintain being a student” - Michael Kurkowski(18:50) “If you're passionate, and you're curious, if you add those two things together about any topic and you're willing to just learn, you'll be successful.” - Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(19:35) “Get your hands dirty. There is no substitute for experience” - Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(20:00) “There are so many components of being a successful trainer. And it's not just about how much you can bench and how much you can deadlift.” - Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(20:10) A piece of advice for younger coaches(21:40) “When you are talking to your clients, be a chameleon.” Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(22:20) The client management analogy(22:50) Advantages of going down the rabbit hole(23:25) “Learn to speak coach” - Mike Boyle @michael_boyle1959(23:25) Shout out to Mike Boyle @michael_boyle1959(25:45) Really good coach vs. okay coach(26:25) Shout out to John Ingham(27:20) Principles vs. modality (27:45) “If you don't understand that the principles are far more important than the implementation, then you're going to have issues” - Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(33:50) “If we're doing things that people enjoy doing, they're probably going to come back and see you a lot more” - Michael Kurkowski(34:00) “If they believe in the process, and they enjoy it, the outcome is absolutely going to be more successful” - Mike Perry @coachmikeperry(36:05) The jar Life analogy(39:05) Effects of the environmental situation(42:25) Getting a colonoscopy(42:45) The result of colonoscopy(44:35) Surgically removing tumor(45:20) Doing the chemotherapy(46:15) Beating stage 3 cancer(46:30) Mike’s experience with chemotherapy(47:50) Craving the sense of normalcy(49:10) Working while getting chemotherapy(52:50) Mike’s reason behind documenting his experience with cancer(58:15) What did Mike learn from cancer?(1:01:10) Going out of your comfort zone(1:05:55) Mike’s future plan(1:07:10) Where to find Mike Perry? @coachmikeperry

May 23, 2022 • 58min
#72- Antonio Squillante: Velocity-Based Training
In the 72nd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Author, Editor, and a Faculty Member at Setanta College, Antonio Squillante, will talk about velocity-based training, Dr. Carmelo Bosko’s work, prescriptive based training, new studies about static forms of strength, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (0:50) Introducing our special guest, Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist, Author, Editor, and a Faculty Member at Setanta College, Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(1:10) Shout out to Dr. Carmelo Bosko(1:20) Becoming a certified kettlebell coach(2:00) Antonio’s background with kettlebells (3:05) About StrongFirst training style @strongfirst(5:50) Anotonio’s experience with StrongFirst @strongfirst(7:55) About Dr. Carmelo Bosko(9:00) Why were Bosko's books never translated into English?(9:50) The Bosko Test: creating a profile of an athlete (13:20) The variety in Dr. Carmelo Bosko’s books(14:25) Reading Dr. Carmelo Bosko’s book(14:50) Reading the same book after years(15:25) Shout out to John Brookfield @brookfieldtrainingsystems(15:50) Shout out to Dr. Bryan Mann Twitter: @jbryanmann(16:25) Velocity based training: an explanation(16:40) Prescriptive based training: an example(17:35) Repetition in reserve(18:25) “You don't always have to train at peak power output” - Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(18:30) “Every time you're in the weight room, you don't always have to generate the greatest amount of power you're capable of generating” - Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(18:45) “If you train generating the greatest amount of power the death load allows you to generate, your adaptation would become would be greater”- Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(19:10) Difference between Prescriptive- vs Velocity-based training (20:35) Velocity loss(21:55) The goal of velocity-based training(22:10) “Velocity based training is the glue between strength and power” - Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(23:55) Working with strength training enthusiasts vs athletes(24:55) “Velocity-based training at its finest is a way to do less but do better.” Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(26:10) Using velocity-based training method with remote clients(27:00) Velocity-based training’s effect on testosterone(28:05) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(29:35) Athlete Readiness: a presentation(29:55) New studies about static forms of strength(33:05) Different tests for Athlete Readiness(33:45) Playing God(34:20) Checking readiness often(34:40) How to check readiness(36:05) More about Athlete Readiness(39:00) “Every session is a game of its own” - Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(40:15) Kettlebell Front(40:30) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(40:30) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(41:15) Kettlebell Front: the vision(42:05) The first study(43:45) The goal of this study(46:40) Eliminating biases(47:10) Next step(47:45) An analogy for this study(49:10) The relation of power with your technique(50:15) The ultimate compromise(50:40) Shout out to Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(50:45) Shout out to Tim Almond(51:35) Competition vs training goal(52:25) The advantage of developing an athlete readiness testing system(54:45) Training should be safe(56:20) Where to buy Strength Training – Carmelo Bosco, Ph. D.Where to find Antonio Squillante? @antonio_squillantecscs

May 18, 2022 • 52min
#71- Allison Brager: The Sleep Strategy
In the 71st Episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest Army Neuroscientist, Sleep Specialist, Division I Collegiate Athlete, and a 2x CrossFit Games Athlete, Dr. Allison Brager, will talk about the “YOUNGSTOWN BOYS” documentary, the power of discipline, bioenergetics, energy expenditure and Energy conservation, and Dr. Allison’s Sleep StrategyJoin us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter you will discover:(0:55) Introducing our special guest, Army Neuroscientist, Sleep Specialist, Division I Collegiate Athlete, and a 2x CrossFit Games Athlete, Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz(1:15) Dr. Allison’s background as an athlete, a soldier, and a scientist(1:20) Meathead by Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz(1:20) Dr. Allison The Sleep Strategy(1:35) Dr. Allison’s origin story(2:00) ESPN 30 for 30 “YOUNGSTOWN BOYS” documentary(2:10) Shout out to coach Jim Tressel Youngstown, Ohio(3:00) The power of discipline(3:15) “You establish community and stay out of trouble through sports” - Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz(3:30) Dr. Allison’s uncle was a professional boxer(3:50) Who created the power bands?(4:35) “Athletics drove my success” - Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz(4:40) Dr. Allison was the first in her family to go to college(5:20) “I always knew mindset was everything” - Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz(6:50) Way of the Peaceful Warrior by Dan Millman @danmillmanpw(7:00) “Focus on the now” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(7:35) The mindset side of strength and athletics(8:20) The level of efficiency in the brain of an elite athlete(9:40) 99.9% of the time, the reaction time of an elite is superior(9:54) The importance of routines and repetition(10:17) Bioenergetics is based on Basic energy expenditure and Energy conservation(10:54) Conservation of energy for survival(13:05) Why does the body take so long to overcome its natural conditions?(14:10) Ed Coan @eddycoan the famous powerlifter(17:01) The army decided to use CrossFit as a recruiting mechanism(17:03) One of the biggest things the army struggles with is skeletal muscle injuries.(18:15) The military services compete in Olympic sports at the Olympic Training Center.(18:43) The Nike contract(19:03) Shout out to Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit(19:46) The Holistic Health and Fitness program(23:47) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline and Strongfirst @strongfirst(25:29) Dr. Allison took sleep classes her sophomore year(26:47) Nobel prize nomination(27:14) Why We Sleep by Matthew Walker(29:53) As soon as we hit REM sleep, we go into a complete anabolic state(31:18) What is the genetic component of sleep?(31:31) Series of genes that determine sleep adjustment(32:10) The gen DEC2, the short sleep chain(32:26) Shout out to Elon Musk(33:48) Genetic trade-offs and caffeine(34:14) Bioenergetics(34:20) ATP and adenosine drive sleep(36:19) Currently, sleep is reduced between 1 hour and 1 hour and a half(36:42) Blood tests to see where our ATP and adenine are(37:19) Anaerobic profile, growth hormone testosterone.(38:32) App called Peak Alert(39:46) Dr. William C. Dement (45:13) Shout out to Matthew Walker(46:27) Minimize night the exposure to TVs, and phones, and even dim the lights in your house. (46.33) Matthew Walker, dim light melatonin onset.(48:05) “The lower your core body temperature, the more your brain is going to be programmed to be in a more restorative state of sleep” - Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz(50:02) About Philips Respironics (50:25) Meathead by Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz50:30 Where to contact Dr. Allison Brager @docjockzzz