The Strength Connection

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 

In the 58th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Founder and Inventor of NecksLevel, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Scott Dickenson will talk about the creation of NecksLevel, the success of NecksLevel in Physical therapy and in the Professional sports field, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover:(1:00) Introducing our special guest Founder and Inventor of NecksLevel, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Scott Dickenson @neckslevel(1:10) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(2:15) Scott’s origin story(2:30) Scott’s ankle surgery(3:05) Inversion ankle sprain(3:45) Playing volleyball and soccer(7:00) Attending the University of Southern California(7:35) Rehabbing at Physical Therapy clinics(7:55) Neck pain treatment at Physical Therapy clinics(8:45) Scott’s inspiration(9:10) Creating a prototype(9:15) Scott’s life before NecksLevel(10:05) The first prototype(10:40) Experience with the first prototype(10:50) Checking for patent(11:10) Adding resistance to the design(12:00) Original patent(13:20) Scott’s original idea(13:50) Messaging Formula 1 drivers(14:25) The strengthening component (15:25) Drive to survive(15:30) Neck strengthening exercises for Formula 1 drivers(16:50) Shout out to James R Fuller @strongman_archaeology(18:35) How much resistance?(19:10) Weight vs. required effort(19:50) Client’s reaction(20:15) Design challenge(22:00) Why is neck training uncommon?(22:35) Physical training history(23:05) Neck manipulation(23:55) Neck injuries during mainstream sports(25:00) Correlation between neck strength and concussion(27:45) Sending 10 prototypes to PT clinics(29:10) Positive Feedback(29:20) Shout out to Graham Gage(30:00) Improving the design(30:25) Launching NecksLevel(32:05) NecksLevel’s consumer market(33:45) Shout out to Graham Tuttle @thebarefootsprinter(34:15) “Learning how to get the full range of motion actually strengthens your neck.” - Michael Kurkowski @mike_strength_connection(34:20) “Teach someone how to tackle before you give them a helmet.” - Scott Dickenson @neckslevel(35:45) What does a helmet do?(36:05) Airbag on the helmet(38:50) The jugular vein collar(41:05) The inherent risk of sports(43:05) Prevention after accidents(44:50) Shout out to Monica Boldt @boldfittechnique(45:45) Benefits of neck strengthening(45:55) “There's a multifaceted improvement that you'll feel in both performance and symptoms when you're training the right region.” - Scott Dickenson @neckslevel(46:10) Starting Jiu-Jitsu(48:20) Scott’s thought process(49:40) Where to find Scott Dickenson? @neckslevelLinkedin: Scott Dickenson, PT, DPT, ATC https://neckslevel.comhttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8puuVJa3Fosw82WQa1fRbA 

In the 57th episode of The Strenght Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Coach at Eliminate Your Limits Partners Program, Chris Mattice, will talk about creating a high-end personal training program, getting depression, working on the mindset side of training with Brian Grasso and Carrie Campbell, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (0:55) Introducing our special guest Coach at Eliminate Your Limits Partners Program, Chris Mattice @eliminateyourlimitscoachesonly https://www.facebook.com/cmattice07  (1:20) Shout out to Brian Grasso (Facebook: Brian Grasso)(2:30) Chris’ origin story(2:45) Being a personal trainer in Washington, BC(3:20) Consulting gigs(3:50) When Chris broke(4:30) Failed marriage(4:45) Doing things within the corporation(4:50) First version of Partners(5:3) Wrong tactics or self-sabotage(6:15) About clarity(6:55) A burnt-out industry(7:30) “Passion gets burnt after a while.” - Chris Mattice @eliminateyourlimitscoachesonly(8:45) Mindset aspect of a coach(9:00) About teaching business(9:50) “To help clients overcome the story, we need to understand their language” Chris Mattice @eliminateyourlimitscoachesonly(12:00) “Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fears are powerful above measure.” Marianne Williamson(12:25) Shout out to Carrie Campbell @Carrie_Campbellwbffpro(13:30) Going back to dirt(14:10) Why do people go back?(14:50) The truth behind new year's resolutions(16:30) Understand your language!(17:40) Self-awareness: definition(18:25) Changing the story(18:55) Building a new habit(19:10) Counting your wins(22:05) The Breakthrough Secrets Podcast: Ep #51 - Brian Grasso: Mindset Matters Mosthttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/brian-grasso-mindset-matters-most/id1551573443?i=1000517893775 (23:05) Counting wins(24:30) The artist way by Julia Cameron @juliacameronlive(25:45) Get one thing done!(26:50) “The simplicity of the simple things that we replicate and reproduce daily is what really gets us traction over time.” Chris Mattice @eliminateyourlimitscoachesonly(27:20) Dynamic vs. fixed goals(28:40) The issue with fixed goals(28:40) The entry-level question(30:00) Dynamic mindset(31:45) Retribution story(31:50) Shout out to Justin Devonshire @justindevonshire(32:20) “We are perfectly imperfect.” - Chris Mattice @eliminateyourlimitscoachesonly(33:20) Conventional coaching process(34:40) Chris’ negative cycle(35:05) Types of ego(36:40) Why is Chris's coaching effective?(38:35) Better coach: definition(39:25) About Neuro-Biomechanical aspect(41:05) Brain’s overflow valve(41:30) Overflow valve’s example(42:20) About posture(44:05) Hemochromatosis(47:35) Where to find Chris Mattice? https://www.facebook.com/cmattice07 Eliminate Your Limits Coaches Only

In the 56th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest, Founder of Sokol Strong, StrongFirst Elite Instructor in Seattle, Washington, Jeff Sokol, will talk about how he got into strength from a dark part of his life.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter, you will discover: (00:55) Introducing our special guest Founder of Sokol Strong, StrongFirst Elite Instructor in Seattle, Washington, Jeff Sokol @sokolstrong(2:05) Sharing content from the start(3:05) What brought Jeff to RKC?(3:30) Jeff's origin story(3:45) A sports background(4:05) Early goal(4:40) Weight Lifting(5:05) Getting to RKC in the mid-30s(5:15) Going to the Military(5:40) Lack of brotherhood after the Military(6:10) Life-changing after moving(7:10) Lack of passion(8:00) Working for the Department of Transportation(8:20) Getting depression(9:00) Losing connection with fitness(10:35) The housing crash and divorce(11:30) Starting to drink(11:50) The plan(12:30) Ordering the “Kettleworx” infomercial(13:30) Doing Gunslinger (14:00) Kettlebell was therapeutic(14:40) Inviting friend for Kettlebell burn workout(15:20) Finding Pavel Tsatsouline @strongfirst(15:40) Buying 24 KG kettlebells(16:20) Getting back in martial arts(16:25) “Having a mission of trying to get good at something, this kind of can change everything.” - Jeff Sokol @sokolstrong(17:20) First professional coaching with weight(17:50) Doing HKC(17:55) Shout out to Zar Horton @zarhorton_kbx(18:30) The funny thing(19:10) Kajukenbo(20:00) RKC earlier challenge(20:20) Getting kettlebell in a martial arts studio(20:45) Starting coaching accidentally(21:15) Getting church gym for training(21:50) A donation class(22:50) Training for RKC(23:00) Shout out to Dan John @coachdanjohn(23:25) The resemblance with the Military(24:00) The RKC weekend(26:00) Not an everlasting business model(26:35) Shout out to Max Shank @maxshank(26:55) Training the victim(28:15) Getting certified(28:40) Starting mentoring(29:45) Jeff’s first client(32:10) Shout out to Geoff Neupert @geoff.neupert(32:40) Just start!(33:35) What does Jeff love about Strong First?(33:55) “Strength is a skill.” - Jeff Sokol @sokolstrong(34:55) Why is it easy to get in a flow state via kettlebell?(36:50) Bonding with StrongFirst coaches(37:35) Jeff’s current client(38:50) Playing football as a kid(39:35) Jeff’s experience with Kettleworks(40:20) Shout out to Doctor Lisa Lewis @drlewisconsulting(41:45) Jeff’s pre covid mission(45:10) Beauty of Kettlebell(46:20) Getting on social media(48:20) Frustration toward early kettlebell practices(49:45) Keeping things simple(50:30) “In the gym, variety can be a source of weakness.” - Jeff Sokol @sokolstrong(51:15) Jeff’s weekly routine(52:15) Jeff’s programs(54:45) Where to find Jeff Sokol? @sokolstrong(52:50) Jeff Sokol on Amazon Halo! coming soon…

In the 55th episode of The Strength Connection Podcast, Mike and our special guest Founder of BoldFitTechnique, Strong First Elite, Indian Clubs Coach, and Stick Mobility Coach, Monica Boldt, will talk about her experience in strength training, incorporating Indian Clubs & stick mobility for her clients and herself, and more.Join us in this insightful and captivating talk! In this chapter you will discover: (00:45) Introducing our special guest Founder of BoldFitTechnique, Strong First Elite, Indian Clubs Coach, and Stick Mobility Coach, Monica Boldt @boldfittechnique(2:00) Monica’s origin story(2:15) The personal component(2:50) The mental aspect(3:00) The framework(3:15) Beginning of Monica’s vision(3:30) Starting training at 15(3:45) Music vs. kinesiology(4:00) Getting the certification(4:22) Certification vs. being in the field(4:45) Introduction to Kettlebell(5:15) Learning from Strong First @strongfirst(5:30) Monica’s ultimate goal(5:40) Effective modalities, according to Monica(7:15) About figure skating(8:00) Getting better at figure skating after years(9:45) Mindset while skating(10:25) 26 positions(10:40) Flow state in skating(11:20) The art of kettlebell(11:55) Layering finesse(12:10) Making it artistic(12:50) Adding finesse: explanation(14:55) Making it look easy(15:30) Your goal vs. the client’s goal(16:20) Monica’s other modalities(16:50) Working with bodyweight(17:10) Why Elite?(18:25) Getting involved with stick modality(18:30) Shout out to Kelly Manzone @kellsbells88(18:35) Shout out to John Parker @johnparker__(18:50) Getting acquainted with Indian clubs(18:55) Shout out to Paul Wolkowinski @wolkowinski(19:20) Old school learning(19:45) Learning historical aspects(20:00) Coordination through Indian Club(20:55) Anecdotal information about Indian clubs' benefits(21:30) Lack of scientific research about Indian clubs(22:15) Brain activity while swinging clubs(23:15) Shout out to Antonio Squillante @antonio_squillantecscs(23:50) Mike’s experience with Indian Clubs(24:00) Shout out to Brett Jones @brettjonessfg(24:55) Monica’s clubs’ weight(25:10) Light club swinging(25:40) What’s the light club swinging?(25:55) Why do people choose light clubs?(26:30) Are clients afraid of Indian clubs?(27:15) Monica’s theory about Indian clubs(27:35) “Perception is reality.” - Monica Boldt @boldfittechnique(29:20) Indian clubs appeal to different demographic(30:10) Indian clubs strength related effects(30:50) Different components of strength (31:50) Maintaining structure while swinging(32:50) Bringing movement awareness(33:20) Artistic practices(33:40) A common struggle with Indian club swinging(34:30) Monica’s Indian club training process(34:50) Pendulum rhythm(35:15) Breaking down the pattern(35:30) Focusing on joints(36:50) Indian club swinging vs. stick mobility(39:25) Shout out to Denzel Allen @powerofstrenght(40:05) Different ways of learning(41:20) Shout out to Nick Winkleman @nickwinkelman(42:05) Importance of imagery(42:35) Non-verbal cues