The Strength Connection

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

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

 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

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 

In the 70th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor, founder, and chief instructor at KB5 Gym, Pavel Macek, will talk about his training and achievement of sinister, combining kettlebell swings and getups, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (0:45) Introducing our special guest StrongFirst Certified Master Instructor, founder, and chief instructor at KB5 Gym, Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(1:05) The Breakthrough Secrets Podcast Ep #140 - Pavel Macek: Breathwork(1:25) Completing Sinister challenge(1:55) Training for Sinister(3:10) Martial arts training(4:40) Professional and personal struggle(5:30) What is Sinister?(6:05) Training after Simple(6:10) Solid: in between simple and sinister by Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(7:10) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69(7:25) Doing Solid(8:45) Change in training after Solid(9:55) From Solid to Sinister (12:10) How Pavel was training himself(12:30) Using a dice roll for training(13:10) The secret to the success of Pavel’s program(14:45) Injuring MCL(17:05) Tooth inflammation and food poisoning(17:40) Doing snatches and bend presses(19:25) Don’t worry!(19:45) Going to the gym after surgery(20:40) Another example of resilience and determination(22:15) “What you've done before, if you can't do that doesn't mean that you can't do anything.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(22:20) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(22:50) “No fight ever happens the way that you think it's going to happen.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(23:05) “If life gives you obstacles then you need to find a way around.” - Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(23:10) If life gives you lemon…(23:40) New program?(24:25) What Simple & Sinister and injury (25:10) Advantages of doing bend press for snatches (26:10) Why do women have better results with get-ups(26:50) “If you move well, and you move often, you will move strong.” - Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(27:00) Why Pavel loves bend presses(27:30) Pavel’s next goal(28:50) Bend press world record(29:20) One setback while training for Sinister(29:40) Reducing training frequency and weight(30:20) Pavel’s experience with swings(30:40) Pavel’s experience with get-ups(31:35) The difficult thing about get-ups(32:45) Doing the test and failing(35:05) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(36:20) Enjoy the training!(37:50) Swings with heavier weights(38:30) Shout out to Chris Abbott Linkedin: Chris Abbott(39:20) Was the test date planned?(40:25) Testing positive for Covid(42:25) Repeat until strong!(42:30) Shout out to Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(42:55) Reservation(43:50) Using breathing practices(44:55) “It’s not a matter of if, it’s a matter of when.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(46:00) What motivates Pavel?(47:00) The turning point(47:30) 100% product of the system(50:20) Repeat Until Strong: a training log by Pavel Macek @pavelmacekcom(51:05) Why does Pavel keep a training log?(51:35) Improving squats(52:40) Training challenge on Pavel’s Instagram @pavelmacekcom(53:20) Kettlebell Simple & Sinister by Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(53:30) Shout out to Strong Firsthttps://www.strongfirst.com/ (54:00) Timeless Simple: a foundational programWhere to find Pavel Macek? @pavelmacekcom

In the 69th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, the Co-owner of Original Strength and The Founder of The Women's Movement Collaborative, Dani Almeyda will talk about The 3 Pillars of Original Strength, the importance of mobility, preventing injuries by rolling and if is Tim Anderson a weird guy?Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter you will discover: 1:00 Mike introducing the Co-owner of Original Strength and The Founder of The Women's Movement Collaborative, Dani Almeyda @daninicolea1:10 Mike is a fan of original strength1:10 Remembering Tim Anderson @original_strength https://www.buzzsprout.com/1860981/10161505 1:30 Dani Almeyda’s Origin Story1:40 Before Original Strength was Original Strength2:10 Is Tim a weird guy?3:20 Tim was always open to share3:50 Pressing Reset by Tim Anderson @original_strength and Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert https://www.amazon.com/Pressing-Reset-Original-Strength-Reloaded/dp/1624220290 5:40 Dani was trained by American Gladiator in High School6:00 Mike’s also a fan of the American Gladiators show7:55 “Movement is medicine” - Dani Almeyda8:45 Coaching vs Reacting9:40 The importance of Mobility10:20 How mobility impacted my body11:20 How crawling has leveled up my game11:40 FMS assessment12:10 Controlled hypermobility12:50 How original Strength was created13:30 “The kettlebell industry is always the student” - Dani Almeyda14:00 Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_6914:45 “Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication” - Da Vinci16:00 “When something is so simple, you don’t believe it will work until you try it” - Dani Almeyda16:40 Reset17:50 The power of breathing20:00 Preventing injuries by rolling21:00 Original Strength in the education system23:00 We are creating movement ambassadors23:50 COVID rehabilitative program by Johns Hopkins27:40 Everything I can look at, I do it from a very specific lens27:40 Original Strength's 3 Pillars: Diaphragmatic breathing, Engage the contralateral movement pattern, Stimulate the vestibular system28:50 Functional approach29:40 Corrective exercises30:10 Don’t only put yourself into one lane at a time31:00 The Women's Movement Collaborative31:30 A safe space where women can come and learn34:48 “We’re trying to improve life” - Michael Kurkowski36:25 “A lot of people aren’t trying something new” - Dani36:48 In the Women's Movement Collaborative we have everyone from an ultra runner to someone that did parkour37:00 We teach women how to ripe apples in a half 😀 37:55 Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg38:50 “We’re all in it to help people” - Dani Almeyda41:40 Dani dealt with cancer44:00 Dani having surgery and maintaining strength45:30 Dani tore her Achilles tendon46:55 Strength is the foundation48:45 The sun is gonna come up the next day no matter what49:00 Mastery is falling in love with the process49:20 “Just be present in your process in this very moment” - Dani Almeyda50:00 Where to reach out to Dani Almeyda @daninicolea

In the 68th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, World-Renowned Fitness Entrepreneur and Best Selling Author, Kelli Calabrese will talk about Kelli’s origins story, her personal drive, the pains and struggles that she went through in becoming who she is today, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk!In this chapter you will discover: (0:55) Introducing our special guest World Renowned Fitness Entrepreneur and Best Selling Author, Kelli Calabrese @kellicalabrese1(2:20) Kelli’s origin story(3:05) Manifesting her life into reality(3:35) Journaling since childhood(4:20) How manifesting works(4:55) Identity: example(5:45) “Your character really shapes your identity.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(6:10) Being a Do-er(6:30) About Kelli’s parents(7:30) Having a calculated risk-taker father(8:20) Teachings from Kelli’s parents' work ethics(9:30) Kelli has only been employed once(10:30) Being a certified trainer at the age of 17(10:50) Training high profile clients at a young age(12:25) Working with an old client(14:00) Exercise Science degree(14:25) Kelli’s son's graduation(15:00) What would Kelli study if she could go back?(15:25) “You need to weigh out what's the best use of your time for the value and the goals that you want to achieve.” - Kelli Calabrese @kellicalabrese1(15:35) “Information is so fluid.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(16:00) More about Kelli’s son: a collision athlete (17:10) Divorce: a life event(17:45) Going on a healing journey(18:30) Creating a program to help people during the grief cycle(19:50) A forced sabbatical(20:05) PTSD from shock and denial(22:05) “Courage is really the tipping point between being a victim and living at the highest levels of love, joy, peace, patience, and kindness.” - Kelli Calabrese @kellicalabrese1(23:00) “If you're choosing not to get back up, you're choosing to die.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(23:30) Different types of people in the grief cycle24:55) Shout out to Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(26:05) Repeating the same mistakes over and over again(27:15) Taking a deep dive(28:00) Identify your core value(28:35) “Doing an inventory of your weekdays and your weekends will give you some insights into who you are.” - Kelli Calabrese @kellicalabrese1(28:50) “The things that are fleeting and temporary if they were stripped away what's left, what's your authentic self?” - Kelli Calabrese @kellicalabrese1(29:00) Shout out to Carrie Campbell @carrie_campbell_wbffpro(29:50) Shout out to Brian Grasso(30:40) What do we really want?(31:25) Unconditional love: definition(32:55) How to figure out your identity?(35:30) Cycle or season(37:05) Daily gratitude journaling(38:25) Kelli’s morning routine(39:40) Celebrating your wins(40:05) Miracles and receiver page(41:05) Shout out to Richard Branson @richardbranson(41:40) Amazing things about being single(46:20) Champion each other!(47:00) About mentoring(47:25) Success habits of super achievers by Kelli Calabrese @kellicalabrese1(47:45) Shout out to Kyle Wilson @kylewilsonjimrohn(49:30) “It’s dark before dawn.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(49:55) Shout out to Nick Vujicic @nickvujicic(51:15) Kelli’s goal after a divorce(52:00) Creating a program for women(53:00) Shout out to Tim Almond(54:10) Where to find Kelli Calabrese? @kellicalabrese1

In the 67th episode of The Strength Podcast Mike and our special guest Coach and Mind Advisor at Contrast By Design, and Host of The School of Atypical Insights, Tyler Wall will talk about the importance of Shadow Work and understanding our dark side in order to grow into our full potential and strength.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (00:50) Introducing our special guest Coach and Mind Advisor at Contrast By Design, Host of The School of Atypical Insights, Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(1:55) Tyler’s new podcast: The school of Atypical Insights(2:15) Tyler’s first question to Mike @mike_strength_connection(2:55) Why Tyler chose this specific field(3:25) Working in the rehab(3:55) Pain lives in the brain(4:35) Taking inspiration from personal relationship challenges(5:15) Tyler’s driver in life(5:45) Summarizing why Tyler chose this field(6:40) “What's in the light isn't always what's necessarily the answer.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(7:45) Example of perceived pain(8:50) Distracting yourself from perceived pain(9:15) Studies about perceived back pain(9:40) Shout out to Dr. John Sarno(9:55) “Engaging your core” means nothing(11:40) “Unresolved emotions, unresolved feelings, or unresolved challenges in life tend to carry more weight.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(13:05) Focusing only on the positives: a cultural phenomenon(13:40) The duality within us(13:50) Focusing solely on the positives: a masculine trait(14:15) “What is humanity? A spectrum.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(14:50) “If we are only focusing on the positives there is no contrast. Life is definitely not as colorful.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(15:40) “It’s not about time. Balancing is really about energy.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(16:25) Journaling: a slow practice(18:15) “There is no right way to do journaling.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(18:55) How Tyler started journaling(19:20) “There are no errors in journaling, it’s just finding out.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(19:40) Reading old journals(22:10) Shout out to Naval Ravikant @naval(22:40) About meditation(25:40) Progress in meditation(26:40) “The only place we're ever living is in our heads.” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(28:15) Shout out to Kain Ramsay @kain.ramsay(29:00) Comfort in the familiarity(31:45) Tips for doing shadow work(32:40) “If you are constantly healing, what are you healing from?” - Tyler Wall @tylerjameswall(35:05) Journaling prompts(37:25) “When you believe something wholeheartedly, you identify with that.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(38:05) Tyler’s thoughts about beliefs(41:50) Layers of self-limiting beliefs(42:45) The reality of personality type systems(46:10) What else?(48:40) Where to find Tyler Wall? @tylerjameswallPodcast Link: https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1618776731?ign-itscg=30200&ign-itsct=lt_p 

In the 66th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, the Creator of Coach Sportland Sam Portland, will talk about Sam’s speed training breakdown, how they are conducted, how Sam mentors and trains other coaches, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (1:05) Introducing our special guest the Creator of Coach Sportland, Sam Portland @coach_sportland(2:10) Sam’s mission statement(3:00) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(3:40) Sam’s origin story(5:30) Shout out to James Smith @thethinkersmith(5:40) Sportland: a dream(6:50) Losing a brother(7:15) Player welfare issues(8:05) Shout out to Alex Gray @alexander_thegrayt(8:10) Being the first coach in the UK to work with an active NFL player(9:25) Sam’s experience with rugby(9:50) Sam’s problem with rugby(10:15) About Sam’s father(10:35) Learning how to train with weights(10:55) First experience with a deadlift bar(11:55) Starting speed training(13:15) How Sam got into speed training(14:15) What Sam learned from speed training(15:30) Reorientation(15:50) The most common mistake coaches made(16:40) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(17:50) “Ultimately being fast makes you strong.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(19:55) “You can do it one time, that’s great. But if you can go cold, warm up a little and be able to do it again, then you own that movement.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(20:45) Why strength coaches don’t understand speed training(22:00) “All you need to do is be able to take a fundamental training principle of progressive overload and apply.” Sam Portland @coach_sportland(22:25) Learn, load, and execute(24:35) Track and field(25:35) Sam’s speed training method(27:10) The results(28:50) The conjugate method(29:05) The reason for conjugate method’s popularity(31:00) Working with Alex @alexander_thegrayt(33:55) The goals while doing speed training(34:55) Finding a client’s top speed(37:20) Shout out to Odell Beckham @obj(37:45) The contextual side(39:25) Shout out to Denis Vasilev @denisvasilevkbsport(41:20) Why Sam started mentoring(42:30) “It's understanding the scale of which you qualify people through their cut you are coaching.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(44:10) Same system for everyone(47:30) “Natural ability sometimes blocks over-compensations.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(48:15) Speed training analogy(49:55) Slow to smooth, smooth to fast(51:00) Shout out to Nick Winkleman @nickwinkelman(51:20) The progression manual(52:20) Sam’s speed group(54:00) Most coaches’ common struggle(55:40) The unhealthy standards of the fitness industry(56:25) Clarity(58:15) Emotional support and counseling(59:50) Shout out to Brian Grasso and Carrie Campbell @eliminateyourlimits(1:01:10) Empowering coaches(1:03:05) Not being friends until graduation(1:03:35) “The most noble pursuit of mastery is mastery of self.” - Sam Portland @coach_sportland(1:04:25) Sam’s first testimonial(1:06:35) Where to find Sam Portland? @coach_sportland https://coachsportland.co.uk/ 

In this super special episode Mike will be sharing his experiences and his best golden nuggets from the StrongFirst Lifter Certification in Chicago, if you want to feel motivated and full of hope, you don’t want to miss this episode :)(0:20) Michael introduces this solo podcast(0:30) Thank you so much fans! :)(1:00) StrongFirst Lifter Certification in Chicago(1:30) 12 years in the making(1:50) Such a special weekend(2:20) The transitions in Michael’s career(3:10) 3 key points from the StrongFirst Lifter Certification(3:20) Michael loves the RKC system(4:10) This is not the end, this is just the beginning(4:40) Now is time to learn(4:50) “Not only practice your art but force your way into its secrets” - Beethoven(5:00) The pursuit of mastery(6:00) COVID changed a few things(6:30) I learned in these 3 days more than I learned in any other certification(7:00) I’m a unicorn… (7:30) 1) Get out of your own element (get uncomfortable)(8:10) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69, Analisa Naldi @italiannna(8:20) Challenge yourself with different tools(9:10) 2) Invest in the best(9:25) “Your network is your net worth”(9:40) “Surround yourself with people who make you feel great while simultaneously push you beyond your limits”(10.30) They need to make you feel great, but they also need to challenge you(10:50) Putting your money where your mouth is(11:30) Go ahead and invest in coaching(12:20) Expose yourself to great people(12:40) No ego allowed, this is all about growth(13:20) Analisa and Fabio teaching(14:00) Analisa Naldi and her good heart(14:50) Borrow energy from great people(15:10) 3) Pursue mastery rather than progress(15:50) “You never graduate from mastery” (18:20) Shout out to Brett Jones (18:50) StrongFirst is an amazing community(20:00) Shout out to Fabio Zonin @x_fab_69, Analisa Naldi @italiannna, Inkyoo Yoo Facebook: 유인규 (Inkyoo Yoo), Sam Gonzalez@ffc_chicago, and Andrew Feltovich Youtube: FeltovichFit(21:30) To my coach and my great mentor Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(21:50) To all the fans of the podcast :) THANK YOU!