The Strength Connection

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!

In the 64th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest Speaker, Best Selling Author, Master RKC, Religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri, Dan John, will talk about minimalism in training and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest, Speaker, Best Selling Author, Master RKC, Religious studies instructor for Columbia College of Missouri, Dan John @coachdanjohn(1:20) The Strength Connection Podcast: #41 - Dan John: The Art Of Writinghttps://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5idXp6c3Byb3V0LmNvbS8xODYwOTgxLnJzcw/episode/QnV6enNwcm91dC0xMDAzMjM5NQ?hl=en-PK&ved=2ahUKEwihx6rG67f3AhVwgf0HHYGpAWsQjrkEegQICxAF&ep=6 (2:30) About minimalism(2:55) The prisoner's dilemma(4:00) Minimalism: the definition(4:20) “To me, minimalism is when there's a constraint put upon you.” - Dan John @coachdanjohn(6:55) Olympics weightlifting: a minimalistic sport(7:45) The MED(9:15) Ultimate frisbee(10:05) Teaching at a catholic school(10:50) “What constraints do very much is open you up.” - Dan John @coachdanjohn(12:40) Shout out to James R Fuller @strongman_archaeology(13:20) Shout out to Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(15:35) “Minimalism is being constrained and then intelligently overcoming that constraint.” - Dan John @coachdanjohn(16:00) Conversation with an Olympics athlete(17:05) “If you have everything, where would you put it?” - Dan John @coachdanjohn(17:20) Advantages of having less(18:40) “When you decide you have to cut.” - Dan John @coachdanjohn(18:55) Dan’s experiment idea(21:15) “To be ultra creative and tap into that, you have to be in the boring zone for a little.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(21:45) The Twilight Zone(23:10) “Hell is winning every time at roulette.” - Dan John @coachdanjohn(23:45) Dan’s father’s report(25:10) Shout out to Kobe Bryant #KobeBryant(26:40) “Sometimes just having the free will and all the choice of all the time in the world to do it means that it's never going to get done.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(26:55) The poem contest(29:45) The paper reading session(30:55) Villanelle: a poem(32:20) “Everybody is an expert until it’s heavy.” - Dan John @coachdanjohn(32:55) Feedback on the online dork society(33:55) Shout out to Joe Mills(35:25) Shout out to Mario Martinez(37:00) Shout out to Denzel Allen @powerofstrenght(38:35) Overrated exercises, according to Dan(39:25) The exercises that Dan hate(41:10) Turkish get-ups(42:00) Economics 101 in fitness(46:20) Turkish get-up with Dixie cup(47:30) Overprepared people(49:10) Three types of struggling people(53:10) Secrets of the Kettlebell book(1:00:15) Dan’s future plans(1:00:30) Never let go by Dan John @coachdanjohnhttps://www.amazon.com/Never-Let-Go-Philosophy-Learning/dp/1931046387 Where to find Dan John? @coachdanjohn

In the 63rd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest the world-renowned weightlifting coach and creator of The Happy Body Program, Jerzy Gregorek will talk about his origin story, the Happy Body program, the mental side of strength, five different voices that we communicate with, the master vs. the fatalist mentality and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (0:20) Jerzy Gregorek Interview - The Tim Ferriss Show @timferrisshttps://youtu.be/61ZJWehdbGE (1:10) Introducing our special guest the world-renowned weightlifting coach and creator of The Happy Body Program, Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(3:15) Shout out to Tim Ferris @timferriss(3:30) “Sometimes going to philosophy, writing or poetry you can actually find the answers to what you're looking for on the other end.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(3:45) The craft of knowledge(5:35) “You don’t need to read or write a thousand poems  in order to sink into that gift of what poetry gives to you.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(6:40) Body communicates with us(8:05) Olympic weight lifting: an antidote for bullying(8:50) Getting on the weightlifting team(11:05) About Jerzy’s weightlifting team(11:30) Jerzy’s team’s weight statistics(12:15) First experience with weightlifting(12:20) Love for gymnastics(12:30) Weightlifting vs gymnastics: the similarities and difference(13:30) Jerzy’s weightlifting coach(14:05) “Flexibility prevents the body from talking to you.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(14:55) Importance of speed in weightlifting(15:05) Talking to an Olympic weightlifter(16:20) Snapping in athletics(18:00) The job of your spine(18:45) Importance of spine: volleyball example(22:25) The flexibility of Chinese weightlifters(22:55) “You are not skillful if you are not flexible.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(23:40) Absence of flexibility training in America(28:10) Micro-progression: definition(29:15) A Russian coach about micro-progression(29:40) “You have to have an accumulation of repetitions. The body adapts to all the movements and everything becomes easier, more fun.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(32:30) “Once you have a goal it makes you humble right away.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(33:35) Unbreakable system(33:45) Talk with a Zen master(34:35) Unbreakable body analogy from the Zen master(37:55) The Happy Body Program: mental side of micro-progressionhttps://thehappybody.com/the-happy-body-program/ (40:10) Stoicism: virtue and its side effects(41:00) Different voices and the constant mixture(42:15) Fatalist and the master(42:55) About creating 5 different voices(45:10) About creating 12 scenarios and their responses(46:00) How to outwit the fatalist(50:10) Exercise to understand your voice(51:20) “Once you get into the debate with the fatalist, you will never win.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(52:20) “The wisdom of life is to fall in love with something that you don’t like but it is good for you.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife(54:05) Watch your words!(55:10) “Awareness is created in your mind of those voices.” - Jerzy Gregorek Facebook: @hardchoiceseasylife

In the 62nd episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Creator of The Battling Rope System and Author of Renew Your Youth God's Way, John Brookfield will talk about what is Strength Velocity, breathing techniques, grip strength, and much more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:00) Introducing the Creator of The Battling Rope System and Author of Renew Your Youth God's Way, John Brookfield @johnbrookfieldstrength http://johnbrookfield.com/ (1:10) Mike loves John’s work(1:40) Perform better circuit and battling ropes(2:00) How did Mike meet Ep 62 - John Brookfield for the first time?(3:00) John’s origin story(3:10) John’s dad is a professional basketball player(4:00) John has pretty small hands?(4:30) What is it about bending for John Brookfield?(5:00) The experience of bending(5:45) “As you get strong with bending, everything else gets strong as well” - John Brookfield @johnbrookfieldstrength(7:00) John Brookfield about endurance(7:44) “You can relax under stress” - John Brookfield(9:30) Training by objective(10:00) The GPS in your mind(10:30) John is 63 now(10:50) The 2 reasons why John doesn’t like Crossfit as much(14:00) Johns feats of strength(14:30) The old-time strongman(15:00) Grip strength(15:20) The Peanut butter jar story(15:50) “Keeping your grip strength is something that we don't recognize as important until you lose some of it, and you realize how valuable it is - Michael Kurkowski(17:00) Strength Longevity(18:20) Sustaining physically and mentally(19:15) “Velocity is a combination of strength and speed together” - John Brookfield(21:18) “Everything I went back to I was stronger with more endurance” - John Brookfield(22:00) Rope training for a strong grip(22:44)  “The more power you generate, the more force is putting on your own grip” - John Brookfield(23:40) John using the ropes for the first time, Cincinnati Bengals, Olympic Wrestling(27:40) Seniors love working with ropes?(29:50) Renew Your Youth God's Way by John Brookfield(30:00) Is John's book based on the Bible?(31:20) Shout out to Patrick McKeown @oxygenadvantage and Oxygen Advantage(32:20) Breath by James Nestor @mrjamesnestor(33:00) Slow calm breathing(33:40) “If you put your tongue on the roof of your mouth, it'll automatically make you breathe through your nose” - John Brookfield(35:30) The benefits of being a follower of Jesus(36:05) “You can't renew something you haven't lost” - John Brookfield(36:30) The 1 thing many strength coaches miss(37:30) Foot training(37:30) Shout out to Graham Tuttle @thebarefootsprinter and Ben Patrick @kneesovertoesguy(39:00) John Brookfield about the Eagle(40:00) The Bible was written in Greek and Hebrew(41:30) Moses died 120 years old with good eyesight(42:00) Wisdom in training(42:30) From injury to rehab John’s story(44:20) How to strengthen your bones by following the Bible(48:30) Stress management(48:45) “We have the ability that our strength will equal our days, and our days will be many” -  John Brookfield(49:40) “You can read about what an orange tastes over and over again, but until you actually put an orange slice in your mouth, you have no idea what the heck anybody's talking about” - Michael Kurkowski(51:20) Where to follow John Brookfield? http://johnbrookfield.com/ 

In the 61st episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, StrongFirst Director of Education and Functional Movement Systems Advisory Board member Brett Jones will talk about using movie quotes in writing, article vs. ebook writing, Brett’s favorite books, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover:(0:50) Introducing our special guest, Director of Education and Functional Movement Systems Advisory Board member Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(2:10) The Sifu Mimi Chan Show: 275. Brett Jones on education, quotes, and writing(2:45) About Brett’s new ebook(3:30) Reformation process(4:05) “You can be intuitive in your training” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(5:35) Article writing vs. ebook writing(6:20) Sending ebook to Chris Hook (7:05) Why do people get scared about writing articles?(8:20) “Better is the enemy of good.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(9:25) “In the end, what succeeds in getting things done.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(9:35) The artist way by Julia Cameron @juliacameronlive(9:55) “To become great at something means you have to keep doing it” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(11:00) About using quotes in writing(12:05) Using architecture quotes(14:20) “If you are not laughing, you are not learning.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(16:55) “The biggest illusion in communication is that it's happened.” - George Bernard Shaw(18:25) “You don't stop playing because we grow old. You grow old because you stop playing.” - George Bernard Shaw(19:10) A story from the Former CEO of Disney(22:20) Personality matters(22:40) “Time Is the most valuable resource that we have.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(26:15) “Social media platforms are like seeing the snapshot of personality. An old soul is more like a portrait.” - Brett Jones @brettjonessfg (26:35) Effects of early life experiences(27:30) Brett’s reading style and favorite authors(27:35) Shout out to Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child(28:25) Think again by Adam Grant @adamgrant(29:55) Escaping a rabithole by Mick West @mickwest(30:25) Extreme Ownership by Jocko Willink @jockowillink(30:25) Economics of leadership by Dr. Austin Nweze(30:30) Legacy by James Kerr Twitter: @james_m_kerr(30:30) Checklist Manifesto by Atul Gawande @@Atul_Gawande(30:30) We make mistakes by Joseph T. Hallinan (30:45) Brett’s childhood favorite book type(30:55) The Sword of Shannara by Terry Brooks Twitter: @terrybrooks(31:10) Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan(31:30) The Hobbit & The Lord of the Rings by JRR Tolkien(3:20) Name of the Wind series by Patrick Rothfuss @PatrickRothfuss(34:00) Own intelligence by Jeff Hawkins Twitter: @jeffchawkins(34:05) The Body Has a Mind of Its Own by Sandra Blakeslee Twitter: @bysblakeslee(34:15) The body keeps the score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.(37:00) “Listen, and then offer another perspective. It's the only way that you can really infiltrate somebody's mind who's so close-minded.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(37:25) Changing someone’s mindset(37:45) Thinking Fast and Slow by Daniel Kahneman(39:10) About conspiracy theories(40:55) Mistaken the idea of perfect form(50:15) Shout out to Denis Vasilev @denisvasilevkbsport(50:45) Kettlebells from the Grounds Up by Gray Cook Twitter: @graycookPT and Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(51:40) Recognition, Mindfulness, and awareness(54:30) Training after treatment (57:25) DC vs Marvel(59:50) M. Night Shyamalan’s comic series @mnight(1:02:05) The Hero’s Journey by Joseph Campbell(1:02:40) Where to find Brett Jones? @brettjonessfg

In the 60th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Owner And Operator Of Results Performance Training In Virginia, Detric Smith will talk about Detric’s work with personal training and conditioning, working with other coaches for developing their businesses, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest Owner And Operator Of Results Performance Training In Virginia, Detric Smith @detric_smith(1:10) Shout out to Andrew Coates @andrewcoatesfitness(1:40) Detric’s origin story(2:20) Getting into college(2:35) Working at different gyms(3:05) Performance training business in Virginia(3:50) Initial work experience(4:25) Teaching at school(4:35) “My experience teaching kindergarteners taught me more about life than any meeting and owning a business.” - Detric Smith @detric_smith(4:55) “All the experiences in life are going to come back to help you out you have attitude.” Detric Smith @detric_smith(5:20) “With teaching kindergarteners, you realize the simplicity of the vital few things that are really important.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(5:50) First volunteer internship (7:30) Blending experiences(8:20) Benefits of having a teaching background(9:05) Teaching trainers(9:35) About transitioning from teaching to coaching(12:40) Working with a variety of clients(13:20) Detric’s teaching process(15:00) Common mistakes of young coaches(17:10) “When you're in your 20s push your thresholds, see how much you can work.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(18:40) The disadvantage of high expectations(19:30) Doing it for passion(22:00) Change in Detric’s goals(23:00) Detric’s favorite type of clients(25:25) About Detric’s work(26:15) Detric’s writing(26:35) Different forms of writing(27:15) Start of Detric’s writing journey(28:50) Shout out to Nick Tumminello @nick_tumminello(28:00) Getting a writing coach(29:00) “Anything that says it all comes down to one thing I can’t stand.” - @mike_strength_connection(29:40) Nick’s feedback(30:00) Detric’s writing routine(30:30) “Reading more and listening to others is going to give you a lot of ideas. It might not necessarily be new, but the way we share our stories will be new there.” - Detric Smith @detric_smith(31:35) The first time working with Nick Tumminello @nick_tumminello(32:15) Detric’s editing process(33:05) Different routines for different writings(34:45) How Detric gets ideas(36:05) “To write is to be human, to edit is to be divine.” - Stephen King @stephenking(36:20) Let it out!(37:10) Do Detric do journaling?(37:50) Detric’s reading list(37:55) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(38:20) Never let go by Dan John @coachdanjohnhttps://www.amazon.com/Never-Let-Go-Philosophy-Learning/dp/1931046387 (38:45) Shout out to Seth Godin @sethgodin(39:00) About reading fiction(40:10) Fitness industry evolution(42:25) Working with groups(42:40) Detric’s current business model(43:50) “People who can train at different places will train at different places.” - Detric Smith @detric_smith(46:00) “Teaching people how to be self-sufficient in fitness is the best thing you can do.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(46:50) Where to find Detric Smith? @detric_smithhttps://www.detricsmith.com/ 

In the 59th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest 6 Times CrossFit Games Athlete, creator of PowerAbs and PHIIT, Kari Pearce will talk about Kari’s origin story of going into gymnastics, getting into the University of Michigan, becoming Big 10 champion, competing in CrossFit and finishing 3rd in her last event, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (1:00) Introducing our special guest, 6 times CrossFit games Athlete Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit(1:45) The defining moment in Kari’s life(2:50) Kari’s origin story(3:05) Doing gymnastics for 18 years(3:10) About Kari’s parents(4:40) Going to University(5:45) Degree in Movement Science(5:55) Getting into Strength and Conditioning(6:10) First internship at the gym(6:50) Gymnastics experience at the University of Michigan(8:55) Importance of strength for gymnastics(9:10) “Gymnastics is a sport of perfection.” - Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit(9:55) Athletic endeavors before CrossFit(10:15) Multiple injuries(10:50) Physique competition(13:00) Boring outfit(13:50) Moving to Newyork city(14:15) Working out for fun(14:20) Powerlifting competition(15:10) Getting approached by a CrossFit coach(15:45) Why didn't Kari want to do gymnastics again?(16:15) Getting an email(16:45) Starting CrossFit(17:10) Kari’s thoughts about Powerlifting(18:10) Kari’s initial CrossFit goals(19:30) Perfect background for CrossFit(20:35) Qualifying for the Regionals(23:35) Winning multiple workouts(23:55) The final workout(24:10) 3rd at the Regionals(24:45) Evolution of Kari’s training(25:00) Going to CrossFit games(27:40) The mindset component(28:20) The Chaos workout(29:30) “Understanding and knowing your rate of perceived exertion and your cadence must be just as important as just building the strength up.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(30:10) “A lot of the factors between winning and losing might just not be the brute strength or just the endurance.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(30:20) “You have to know how fast you can go, but be able to sustain it” - Kari Pearce @karipearcecrossfit(31:35) Benefits of having a coach(33:40) Visualization(34:50) Scouting the defense(35:25) Losing the competitive drive( Getting on the Podium(36:30) Kari’s last memory(38:15) About Kari’s different programs(38:40) About PHIIT(40:20) Retirement(40:30) Focusing on business(41:40) Benefits of PHIIT(44:30) Just 10 minutes!(45:40) Where to follow PHIIT?(47:15) Where to find Kari Pearce? @karipearcecrossfitwww.powerabs.shop