The Strength Connection
Michael Kurkowski
Connecting with the top minds in strength to share stories, insights and experiences to help the world get stronger everyday!I'm Michael Kurkowski, strength coach, Kettlebell Instructor and everyday strength seeker for over 13 years. The world of strength is riddled with so much information and marketing that it can be downright impossible to know what is best for you. From reading, studying, and practicing over the years, I've found how impactful being strong is to everything we do in our lives. But the thing that helped me more than anything is connection.Connecting with others and hearing about their experiences, their stories in life has given me a better education and understanding of living a strong life than anything. After co-hosting the very popular Breakthrough Secrets Podcast, I created The Strength Connection to speak with the best of the best to help the audience live stronger, healthier and happier lives.Strength has different meanings for all of us, whether it be physical, mental, or spiritual. But being stronger and knowing how helps all of us. Enjoy the show!
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jun 10, 2024 • 60min
Ep 245 Dr. Kathy Dooley: Anatomy of Next Level Fitness
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!In the 245th episode, I am joined by Dr. Kathy Dooley, rehabilitative Chiropractor, Co-Founder of Immaculate Dissection, lead instructor for NeuroKinetic Therapy, and Gross Anatomy Instructor at multiple higher learning universities.Dr. Dooley’s wisdom into anatomy and physiology, and connecting rehabilitation and strength training is second to none, and I was so excited to dive into her journey, insights and experiences.From the differences between traditional and rehabilitative chiropractors, how the kettlebell is a great rehab tool, and best ways of assessing movement, this conversation was filled with incredible information.Check out more from Dr. Kathy at:immaculatedissection.comFB: Kathy DooleyIG: immaculatedissection
Jun 2, 2024 • 53min
Ep 244 Matt Tack and Dr. Alfred Alessi: Living Full Fueled
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!In the 244th episode, the boys from the Full Fueled Podcast, Matt Tack and Dr. Alfred Alessi joined me on the show.Matt and Alfred have a great dynamic with their show, as well as their training in Tampa, FL, where they work with individuals on optimizing their lives with 6 pillars.These guys have such incredible energy, and their stories and insights are fantastic in strength, nutrition, and spirit.Check them out on IG at…Matt Tack- human.optimizerDr. Alessi- fullfueled_doc
May 27, 2024 • 55min
Ep 243 Jim Laird: Train Smarter, Not Harder
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!In the 243rd episode, Jim Laird, 25 year strength and conditioning legend joins me on the show.Jim Laird has been in the game since 1997, empowering clients from diverse backgrounds to achieve their goals. From everyday individuals to professional athletes in the NFL, CFL, LPGA, and MLB, Jim helps clients unlock their potential. He's renowned for delivering exceptional outcomes efficiently, focusing on optimal health along with strength. With his motto "Training Smarter, Not Harder," Jim's approach has earned praise from experts.Partnering with Dr. Leland Stillman at Stillman Wellness, he brings a unique coaching style that combines fitness, nature, and outdoor activities for overall well-being.
May 22, 2024 • 53min
Ep 242 Yuri Elkaim: Why you need to INVEST in your Health
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!In this episode, I am joined by Yuri Elkaim, CEO of Healthpreneur and NY Times bestselling author who’s helped over 500,000 people better their health from his business, books, and personal story.Yuri’s life completely changed at 17 years old when he began losing all of his hair, and suffered immense fatigue that no doctor could figure out, till eventually finding his solution through health and nutritional practices.His story of self-exploration and how he turned his own success into a model to help thousands afterward is truly inspiring, and we dove into all the details in this episode.Check out more from Yuri at:IG= Healthprenuerhealthpreneurgroup.com
May 17, 2024 • 23min
Ep 241 Why "Trust the Process?"
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!I’ve had some amazing conversations over the past few weeks, and in this episode I share my biggest takeaways on fitness, nutrition, movement, and technology from Aram Grigorian, Gray Cook, and Jason Moore.As well, one question has sparked a big breakthrough for me on how to fuel everyday with the energy and enthusiasm to do the simple, consistent things that produce the greatest results.
May 14, 2024 • 52min
Ep 240 Jason Moore: Spren and the Future of Fitness
Jason Moore, Founder of Spren Technology, discusses the intersection of technology and fitness for proactive health management. He highlights the significance of HRV as a biomarker for stress and recovery, emphasizing the evolution of his fitness app into a multifunctional tool for wellness. The podcast explores challenges in the fitness technology industry and the importance of empowering personal health through data tracking.
May 7, 2024 • 1h 17min
Ep 239 Gray Cook: The Business of Movement
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!This was another incredibly special episode. Gray Cook is the founder of the Functional Movement Systems, and one of the greatest minds in the world of strength, conditioning and rehabilitation.Gray has been a pioneer of connecting the clinical and fitness worlds together with the FMS systems, and personally, is one of the main reasons I became a coach.This conversation went in so many incredible directions, from the initial mission of the FMS assessment, to the business of movement, all the way to the evolutions of training over the years.If you haven’t heard Gray speak before, sit back and enjoy. He is an absolute blast with an indescribable wealth of knowledge.Check out more from Gray and FMS at:Functionalmovement.com
May 2, 2024 • 52min
Ep 238 Aram Grigorian: Brutally Honest Coaching
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!In the 238th episode, I am joined by Aram Grigorian, owner of 4 Weeks 2 The Beach Nutrition Coaching, Host of The Other Side Lifestyle Podcast and the Real Coaches Summit.Aram has a no bullshit, honest approach when it comes to helping clients. His raw, real talk about customer service, and the ways to have great communication in the coaching world is incredibly insightful, and something that has been diluted in the service world.Check out more from Aram at:www.4weeks2thebeach.com IG: @4weeks2thebeach www.realcoachessummmit2023.com
Apr 29, 2024 • 1h 8min
Ep 237: Roundtable of Strength w/ Brett Jones, DJ Wittekind, and Mark Subias
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast.This was a very special episode to record.Not only do I absolutely love talking with these guys, but it was the first in person round table podcast I’ve gotten to do.After the Mind the Gap workshop, instructed by Brett Jones, and hosted at DJ Wittekinds training gym, Queen City Kettlebell, I sat down with Brett, DJ, and Mark Subias to talk all aspects of strength.Sharing the details of Mind the Gap, our personal journeys of starting strength, and the biggest evolutions in our own personal approaches to training and coaching.I did not want this episode to end, and the time flew by in an instant.So many insights from decades of experience here.Check out more from Brett, DJ, and Mark on social media at their respective names, and make sure to check out more content from this weekend at Queen City Kettlebell.IG:@brettjonessfg@wittekdj@subiasmhttps://queencitykettlebell.com/
Apr 26, 2024 • 20min
Ep 236 Technology, Identity and Milestones
Welcome to the Strength Connection Podcast!In this solo episode, I wanted to share the biggest takeaways I had from some recent guest episodes, the first roundtable podcast episode that is coming out soon, and a big milestone came up this week in my life that changed how I live physically, mentally, and spiritually.
